SW03ES

How much snow do you get cd? In an average year?

The ML is still available, but like before only in the UL version. The UL ES350 is $43k, but you get a lot for that $43k, panoramic roof, semi-analine leather, ML audio, etc. The UL is going to be basically special order only now so a loaded ES350 will be about $40k, which is a steal considering my ES300 was $40k in 2003...the ES350 is a LOT of car for 40k. That said, there is a lot of really awesome competition out there. The new Acura TL is an incredible car with a very modern, well built, and tech-y interior, although the exterior is a little bit...polarizing. The Hyundai Genesis is also an incredible car for the money. For $40k you get RWD, a V8, and pretty much every tech gadget available in a car that is...dare I say...better built and with better quality materials than the ES. I'm always kinda in the market as you know...but I think I would have to seriously consider the TL or the Genesis before I bought a new ES350 today...

Mine has always worked fine... Is he glass in front of the sensor pitted or cracked?

Remember though that speed rating also has a lot to do with sidewall construction and tire rigidity. The suspension of the car is designed around what it came with. One down to H won't be a big deal probably, but I wouldn't go any more than that...

Yeah I agree, the notion that people that have money should not worry about value is a fallacy...

Yes, thats how my ES is, how my dad's 98 LS was, and how his 04 LS is. You get used to it. On the LS I always found leaving it in ECT PWR helped.

I've always felt that way about the Prius. People on PriusChat talk about how awful they are in the snow because of the overzealous traction control, I just have never seen the issue even with allseason tires. If its snowing I actually drive the Prius instead of the Lexus...

LOL, no. I've always been a fan of using brand name fuels though. Exxon, Shell, BP, etc. "Lowest Price" and Costco etc...just not comfortable with that. I'm a fan of Costco, we shop there weekly and I've bought tires there, etc. Our Costco doesn't have a gas station but even if it did, I think I'd pass...

My guess would be no, but I'm not 100% sure...

Yeah its not supposed to ever be fully charged. at 80%, the system stops charging.

In most states what you are trying to do is illegal, kids below 12 belong in the back unless there is no back. Anyways your kinds are just much safer in the back, the front seats aren't designed for carseats. Leave them in the back.

You'd spend hundreds of dollars on donor consoles and instrument clusters for your projects but won't spend some money on good tires to keep you safe on the winter roads? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

$70,000 car? I wouldn't put Costco gas in it. Thats just me.

Yeah leaking vacuum, even very slightly could be the issue but I'll tell you what, I bet its the IACV. My parents have a 97 Explorer that they use as a third car that was having some stalling issues when cold and in general a rough idle. We replaced the IACV ($80 and 15 minutes...sure its not that cheap or easy on the Lexus) and it fixed it right up. Depending on what the IACV costs I would probably just replace that first, if the throttle body was dirty enough to require replacement, you can bet the IACV is filthy too. I know you can clean them, but I'd spring for a new one to compliment the nice new throttle body.

81,000 miles...even so, 4 years and 30,000 miles out of warranty...ain't gonna happen. I would take the car to a good independent mechanic that knows these vehicles and have them look at it. I bet he can find the issue. It may even be something minor the Lexus dealer was just too dumb to find. Lexus dealers are good at changing oil...sometimes not a whole lot more than that.

Oh and I don't know where you bought the control arms for $480 each, go to this site: www.mylexparts.com I assume its the uppers? They have them for $415/side. They have another part for $275...might not be OEM... I bought my LCA's here and they have them for your GS for $125 a peice...cheaper than the ones on the ES. This is a Lexus dealer too, Lexus of Roseville, OEM parts.

I'm going to put this in the LS forum, I just realized it was in the wrong place. You'll get more responses in there...

I would say absolutely.

One thread on the topic is enough...

No offense, but you're not likely to get much help here by being snippy. His statement was one that is valuable for people who are considering purchasing these vehicles to read. This is an enthusiast site that is populated by people who simply enjoy discussing these cars and helping people like you. If you don't want that help or don't like how our site is laid out we won't waste our leisure time trying to help you. I think you are out of luck with this issue. The car is going on 8 years old, IMHO there is zero chance Lexus is going to cover this repair. Personally, I would have never been satisfied with the response that this is "not a safety issue" back when the car was under warranty. The warranty is not just to be sure the vehicle is operating safely, the suspension should be creak and squeak free...and if that dealer couldn't fix your issue I would have taken it elswhere. I had a similar issue with the steering rack on my Lexus, the first dealer gave me a response like that and I took it to another and made it clear I simply was not going to drive a $40,000 vehicle with a creak in the steering at low speeds under warranty. They replaced the whole steering rack under warranty and it was taken care of. Had I simply lived with it all these years I honestly wouldn't all of a sudden now at 135k miles and 7 years old decide I demanded it be fixed. The horse has long since left the barn on this one I think. You never know though, contact your dealer's service manager. Live and learn...if you have issues under warranty...get them fixed when the car is under warranty. Don't just live with them for 8 years and decide all of a sudden you want to hold the manufacturer accountable for the issue.

That was exactly what I thought when I drove the 3... I just don't understand your issues with the suspension. My ES has 138k miles...I just replaced the lower control arms...which were worn and cracked but presenting no symptoms...the control arms were $145 a peice...replaced the ball joints while I was at it...and it rides and drives like brand new. Not a creak, squeak, or pop anywhere. My dad replaced the ball joints once in his 98 LS400 over 160k miles and had no other issues. His '04 LS430 has like 80-90k miles...no problems at all. No suspension problems on the Prius...but it has a lot of interior rattles...its got to be how its been driven over the years. My car has been driven carefully...but my Dad's really have not been. To me...the Lexus just stays like brand new...forever with proper care. Now...I've never had a GS...or even any experience with a GS. I got your PM too and will respond to it, my Dad has been in the hospital for the past two weeks and that has been monopolizing my time...

Sounds just like the Prius. It actually is pretty good in the snow, but when you get stuck or stopped and you need to accelerate uphill the TRAC kicks in and it just sits there. Its actually better than the Lexus, in every area but getting started from a stop uphill... I have heard some people saying that its because the TRAC is over-zealous to protect the hybrid system. Its certainly more proactive than on the Lexus. Snow tires would definitely help, but like you I don't want to ride around on them all winter for just a couple snows. Although a lot of modern snow tires ride pretty well and are pretty quiet, and since you already switch the wheels for the winter anyways it might be worth thinking about.

Does the LS have an idle air control valve? Could be that...

We've seen lots of pictures of the 2010...and seen them in person... I agree with you though, I like the changes but still am not thrilled with the material quality.

Dunlops on the whole have pretty poor treadwear... Hankook tires on the Lexus? I wouldn't. Tires are very important to how a Lexus rides and drives...lots of tires with better treadwear you could have bought.