SW03ES

Both the LS and ES will get mid model-cycle refreshes for the 2010 model year. I've seen some artist renderings but they'll probably include new headlights, bumpers, & grilles, new rear light treatments, some interior trim probably, wheels, & colors. The cycles are pretty reliable. New model, 3 years until a refresh (sometimes with an engine upgrade), 2 more years, and then a new model. So expect to see an all new ES in 2012, the LS is generally a year longer so it may be 2013. ES: 1992 (all new) 1993 (same) 1994 (same+engine upgrade) 1995 (mid cycle refresh) 1996 (same) 1997 (all new) 1998 (same) 1999 (same) 2000 (mid cycle refresh) 2001 (same) 2002 (all new) 2003 (same) 2004 (same+engine upgrade) 2005 (mid cycle refresh) 2006 (same) 2007 (all new) 2008 (same) 2009 (same) 2010 (should be mid cycle refresh) LS: 1990 (all new) 1991 (same) 1992 (same) 1993 (mid cycle refresh) 1994 (same) 1995 (all new) 1996 (same) 1997 (same) 1998 (mid cycle refresh) 1999 (same) 2000 (same) 2001 (all new) 2002 (same) 2003 (same) 2004 (mid cycle refresh) 2005 (same) 2006 (same) 2007 (all new) 2008 (same) 2009 (same) 2010 (should be mid cycle refresh) See the pattern? there is a little aberration in the LS in that the '93 refresh didn't hold for 2 years like it did later on, but the pattern works. Here is a link to the rendering of the 2010 ES: http://lexusenthusiast.com/2009/01/04/2010-lexus-es-350/ Looks feasible, the new styling cues are there

I bet a lease on an LS would have been significantly more...

I personally found the ML to be a pretty worthwhile upgrade...

I don't see how the ES is any more grandma than the LS ;) Seriously though, the ES350 is very similar to the LS...especially an older one. For $45k though I really would think about an '06 LS430, you might even be able to find an '07 LS460.

Could have been a reject...weird. Smokey Granite Mica is nice too... I'm a big fan of black interiors. Mine is black, nothing ages as well as a black interior...

I think its going to be fall...

I drove the Venza and liked everything about it except they do ride a little hard because of those 20s, although you're right it doesn't look right with smaller wheels. I would buy one in an instant and replace the Prius with it. Its a good deal, fully loaded V6 at $37k and you can buy them for $33k or so. The Murano is a little more SUV-ish though and rides better. I like the looks personally. Its not really as much an RX ripoff as someone said, its much smaller than the RX. More like a Ford Edge.

I actually really like the styling of the current 5 series. I always thought the previous 5 was a little too nondescript looking. I especially like the 08-09 with the refresh. I like the refresh of the previous 7 too but don't care for the all new 7. I know some people with them and they like them a lot. They are great cars to lease because BMW pays for all the maintenance for the warranty period. Definately more expensive to maintain than a Lexus but who cares, BMW will cover it during the lease and then your dad will turn it in for something else. Congrats! I love that color too.

You just have to make sure that the service history is there, and provided its 2-3 years old theres really not a whole lot someone could have done to it... My dad was in sales but in the paper industry for about 40 years until he retired a couple years ago. He definately understands the importance of a nice clean well maintained car like I do though, I get that from him. His 98 LS he leased himself for 3 years, and then they bought it for him when he went to management and he drove it for another 3 years until they leased him his LS430, and they gave that to him when he retired. His company paid for the carwashes too ;) Congrats on the car! The windshield definately sounds aftermarket, and a repaint of the bumper isn't a big deal. Most Lexus dealers repaint the bumpers before they sell cars CPO. I'd buy a Lexus extended warranty from Toby on here before it hits 50k miles. That color is called Flint Mica, its a GREAT color, you'll come to like it. My dad's LS430 is that color. Black or grey interior?

yep, you hit the rev limiter. No harm done, thats why its there.

Yeah I'd never take the car to the dealer for tires... You might want to check out www.tirerack.com and price out the tires you want. It may be cheaper. I've bought tires at Costco and was happy. The TripleTreds are too aggressive and noisy a tire for a Lexus IMHO. I have the Michelin Primacy MXV4s on mine now and love them, very smooth and quiet with good wet and snow traction. You can get them installed for $550 or so if you shop, you'll be a lot happier with them. Your car has Michelin MXV4 S8s on it now, the Primacy is a much better tire.

Anybody can change the oil. I'd find an independent mechanic who services a lot of Toyota & Lexus vehicles and establish a relationship with them for all your maintenance if you don't want what the dealership has to offer. Its a $70,000 car, you don't want to take it to Jiffy Lube but there are plenty of options.

Skip it, its just a crazily marked up coat of wax...

Well then there ya go! ;)

The fuses behind the dashboard are behind the change drawer, you have to pull that out and you'll see the fuses behind it.

Absolutely not, total ripoff. Your insurance will cover windshield replacement, and you can buy ding warranties seperately.

I agree, read around here. Plenty of info to get you started...

nc's totally right. The only thing I may disagree with is that a corporate lease vehicle is so bad. Probably 75% of these cars are leases, and when you buy them 2-3 years old most of them will be old leases. Many employers will pay to maintain their company cars, and for executives who are at a level at which they get a car like that they will have it maintained and treat it as their own. Both my dad's LSes were company leases, the one he has now they gave him when he retired. He always maintained them well. Look for the service history, but a well maintained (with history) 2-3 year old car is not like buying something 10 years old...you'll be fine with a lease return. I personally am a little afraid of buying cars from these shady lots. I'm half-heartedly shopping for an 06 or 05 LS430 and I see a lot of nice looking cars on these lots and it concerns me. If you buy this car from him, I would have it independently inspected by a Lexus dealer and have them pull whatever service history they have. Do a carfax. I wouldn't trust the guy further than I could throw him. You have to take the emotion out of it. You have the $32,000 the guy wants, and there are PLENTY of cars out there you can buy but there are not plenty of buyers. I would do just what he told you to do, call the guy and tell him "Look, you were really rude to us when we met you and to be honest, it makes us not want to do business with you. Here is my number, when you are ready to do a respectful deal with us give me a call and if we haven't already bought another car we'll be happy to consider yours again". Take your time, you don't need the car *right now*, make sure you find the right one. Another peice of advice, I would look for a quality car with a good service history before I worry about it being exactly the color I wanted. If color is the most important thing to you...you really should buy new. I wouldn't expect the world for your trade either, the fact that the economy is bad helps your purchase price and hurts your trade. A car that has all the mods yours has too is MUCH harder to sell. I think expecting them to give you $11,000 for it on trade is a stretch.

I do know there were some first year issues with the 06 GS and the 07 ES. It really comes down to personal preference. The GS is sportier, smaller inside, rides firmer. Its RWD or AWD vs FWD for the ES. I think the GS has a nicer interior.

Yeah I'd pass because of the accident report...

The answer is, whenever you like! The car was waxed at the dealer as a part of the new car prep. That protectant will be gone from the paint in a couple months at most. Your black LS has no clearcoat, its single stage paint that scratches very easily. Be sure to read on here about proper wash/wax techniques and get some good microfiber towels.

My only reservation about buying a car in Florida is the risk of buying a flood car... But I do agree, cars from Florida, Texas, California...

What you're talking about is the difference between a rotary and an orbital polisher. They still make rotary polishers and I agree a novice should stick to an orbital, but simply buying a new one vs an old one isn't enough pre-planning.

he is talking about mileage, not dollars... Last time I checked $27k means 27,000 dollars. Python, thats not neccisary...all our members are welcome to post questions to the membership, even those with 3 posts.

It really does look like a Lexus Prius doesn't it? Not my thing. I'd much rather have simply had an ES450h or something.