SW03ES

Those emblems are from the Korean-market Genesis I think, at least they're oem! I haven't seen the air vent stick-ons lol

They sell very well as they are. Then I don't quite understand your point. Since the ES is the only Lexus sedan you can buy with the same money a Genesis costs, then you're saying that the fact that the vehicle is a "Lexus" wins out over any other benefits the Genesis may have? I do agree, brand makes a difference, I don't know how big a difference it makes though at the $40k price point. People buy non-luxury branded cars all the time for $40k. I would miss owning a luxury branded car if I bought a Genesis I admit. Genesis was originally supposed to be its own marque with dealers, etc. Might have improved image, but would have also drastically increased cost... I see people replace the Hyundai emblems on their Genesis' all the time...they make a winged Genesis emblem...

Its just a niche car anyways...

Cool...a link to these was posted in the other thread...

I don't think they are LED...

Don't you have insurance?

Nobody's saying that a "Surbaru" compares with a Lexus...it doesn't, its not a luxury marque. You can spend the same bucks and get a Lexus. But the cost of a Hyundai Genesis V8 will buy you not even a UL ES350. The Genesis is RWD, has a V8...the ES350 is FWD with a V6. Just because the ES is a "Lexus" doesn't automatically mean its a better car...

Do you plan on always having it serviced at the dealer?

Does the 2010 have LED tails? It didn't look like it did to me...

You got the ultra package? Cool!

LOL... you get so fired up! Its just his opinion...which he's entitled to. Schools are a very local issue...which they will remain. I haven't even heard anything about it...from him or on the news.

I've seen several now and I really like them...I don't know why anyone would buy an SC actually...

The Outback is a great vehicle...no question...

There are some pictures floating around. They added additional wood to the dash, as well as chrome trim. The little peice below the nav screen is now wood, and there is a strip above the glovebox where there previously was not one before. The window controls and steering controls have some simple chrome trim, and the center vents have been reworked and also feature some chrome trim. The nav is all new and the screen is LED. The steering wheel buttons are also new as is the design of the airbag module, the buttons are no longer covered by a membrane, they are more traditional buttons. The wood is also different, its a brown stain with no red in it and its a more bird's eye maple grain than a burlwood grain which the car had before. The seat design and stitching and the rest of the interior are the same, materials all seem the same. Some new colors. The UL car is supposed to feature triple stitching and better leather...which we already have in our cars. The UL will be VERY rare on the east coast though.

Oh yeah, if they are the factory rims you will have no problems...

I'd assume its pretty similar to the Prius...which obviously I have driven a lot. I think they skimp on sound deadening in the floor to save weight. Some Prius owners have had dynamat installed under the carpeting with really good results. The Prius is pretty quiet...except for road noise.

Sat in a Smokey Granite/Black 2010 ES350 w/nav today. First off let me say the car looks MUCH better in person. All the tweaks flow together and look natural, and the new front end has a lot of dimension to it that doesn't come through in pictures. The new rear lamps stick out a bit more on the sides a'la the IS. Very sharp and I even liked the standard wheels in person. The new interior trims make a huge difference. The car looks much more expensive inside IMHO, and the new LED nav screen is beautiful. Very bright and sharp. The new functionality is great too. All in all, I still have some issue with the leather quality and the overall stitch quality on the seats, no improvements there. Although the UL car does have triple stitching so maybe theres some difference there. UL cars will not be standard dealer fare as Alan had said, at least in our region, only special order. The car was priced at $40,650 which is just a screaming deal for the equipment if you ask me. Hope to drive one soon...

PLENTY of people pay $35k for a Prius. We paid $26k for ours. Remember...they sell all of them they can make. The $35k prius has a lot of equipment, LED headlamps, radar cruise, lane keep assist, keyless entry and start, nav, backup camera, leather, heated seats, 17" wheels. Its a lot of car. You can't find one, they are all spoken for. Most people buy package III or Package IV Priuses that sell between $27k-$30k. Next hardest car to get is the IV with the solar roof which is like $32k. The Prius is not an economy car, its a midsized car that is similar in interior room and cost to something like a Camry or Accord.

Its because the plastic panels lack body rigidity and its hard to make the paint match from plastic to metal...

It's a beautiful car, my favorite car without question.

The Prius starts at $23k, but a fully loaded Prius V with the tech package is about $35k. This HS was fully loaded with the AT package, lane departure, radar cruise, etc, spec's out like the Prius V so its essentially a $9k premium for the Lexus. I bet it'll sell fine. Plenty of people who like the hyrbid image that will pay for it. Not my thing though. Thats contrary to the purpose of the vehicle. The other Lexus hybrids emphasize performance over economy, the HS isn't supposed to be that way. Its supposed to be a economy minded vehicle...like the Prius... I bet it'll sell just fine.

They're pretty rare...I think its a low-volume build car, as well as a low volume seller.

No 2010s at my dealer yet. My salesman was busy with two other customers and I didn't want to bug him with a bunch of questions... I did sit in an HS250h on the showroom floor. Different. At $44k I'd much rather have a UL ES350.

Hey gang, Sat in an HS250h today. I thought the styling was better in person than I thought it would be. Interior is nice, quirky though and I have to say I think I prefer the layout of the 2010 Prius... The sticker was $44k...I'd rather have an ES...

Half probably...Maybe $800...