bostonsnowboarder

I honestly don't think there would be that much variation among the model set. One way to make sure would be to disconnect the battery on one of the cars you feel has the lag and see if it helps.

It could be I suppose because of the way I drove on the particular test drive, or even my imagination, but it really did seem that there was noticeable difference from one 2005 ES to another. Your idea is good - if the dealer will let me, I'll go back and on one of the one's with more lag can try to disconnect the battery. ALso - I'll look inside the hood to see if one or the other models has had the latest flash upgrade. THere are 3 05's at one particular dealership that I am considering.

The transmission is also adaptable and the hesitation seems worse depending on what driving style its adapted to. You can disconnect the batter for 10 minutes or so to let it reset.

Do you think that the difference in hesitation that I found from one car to another (within the 05 series) is solely due to how it has "learned" from its previous owner, or are there other inherent differences? in other words, what I am trying to figure out is if I shoudl be put off by an unusual amount of hesitation in a particular one that I may buy, or can it all be "reset" to the same "baseline" level of hesitation by unplugging the battery.?

Alan (amf1932) had an 03 and was particularly bothered by the transmission hesitation ad upgraded to an 07 and is happy with it. The 07s and 08s have some other issues including a transmission flare between a couple gears, you can read more of it there.

The "transmission hesitation" has never bothered me. Have you been bothered by it in the older models you've driven?

For me the ES350 is a mixed bag vs the 02-06 ES. I like the new exterior, I like the new features, power, and the way it drives. I do however believe that the interior of the car is several steps down from the interior of the 02-06. Its enough of an issue for me that I won't be replacing my 03 with an ES350.

If you're looking at spending the money on a new or almost new ES350 and you don't have an aversion to buying used I might suggest you look at an 04-06 LS430 for about the same cost.

As for seat comfort, I've driven ES350s extensively both test driving and as loaners, I think the seat comfort is about the same.

I have test driven about 7 different 04 and 05 ES330's, and what I cant understand is that there is quite a bit of variability from car to car. ON some of them, I could easily and on purpose demonstrate the hesitation after slowing down and then trying to re-accelerate, but on others it did not happen. Maybe it does not happen all of the time? I have read the thread on the 02-06 ES forum (took a couple of hours to read all the way through) and I still cant explain why there is so much variability.

Going from a used 05 ES330 to a slightly used 07ES350 seems like about a $7000 jump, and going to a new one would be much more I am sure - not sure if I want to go that high. I guess the best bet might be to carefully do a long test drive on an ES330 and buy one that has the least amount of hesitation. Other than this issue, I love everything else about the car.

I see that there are a couple of transmission related TSIBs due to flare. How many cars are affected by this? is it all of them?

Are there any major hesitation issues to look out for with the ES350 - like with the 02-06 ES330's or is that issue taken care of?

I have been thinking about getting a pre-owned 04 or 05 ES330, but now after having test-driven a few cars, and reading the threads on this forum, I am beginning to think that I should spend more and get an 07 or 08 ES350. Have there been any universal issues, like the hesitation issues with the 330?

An aside off-topic question - do previous owners of ES300 or 330s find the seat comfort of the 350 to be as good or better than the older models?

thanks

Hi All,

After 12500 km's its seem my transmission is starting to get clunky. I was in Montreal last week (crazy driving) and i had to "use" some of the HP over the hood and i found some clunking and hard shifting. In no way was i pinning the gas pedal either.

I'm not experience the rpm increase between 3rd and 4th or 2nd and 3rd like I've been reading in here, but i am concerned and find myself trying to baby my tranny now. I bought this car for its reliability and now it has me a little worried.

Anyone else having transmission issues other then the 2nd/3rd or 3rd/4th (which ever one it is)?

double check to make sure it's still under warranty.

Potential problems:

1. speed sensor intermittently going bad, but not giving up a check engine light

2. one of the selenoids is intermittently having problems and not giving up a check engine or trac light

3. lack of tranny fluid

4. wrong tranny fluid used

5. plugging up torque converter or filter

6. if none of these, most likely the overdrive band is wear out and going bad due to lack of maintenance and/or bad driving habits.

Or maybe I got a bad tranmission out of the box? I'm not hard on the car... I drive it...been driving my Honda's in this manner for 11 years with no issues....ever. Lexus dropped the ball on this issue and many respectfully are upset. This is a higher then normal priced car and most, Like I bought it for its reliability which not all and it sounds like many are not getting. Its not what i pictured from Lexus.

I see that there are a couple of transmission related TSIBs due to flare etc. How many cars are affected by this? is it all of them?

Are there any major hesitation issues to look out for with the ES350 - like with the 02-06 ES330's or is that issue taken care of?

I have been thinking about getting a pre-owned 04 or 05 ES330, but now after having test-driven a few cars, and reading the threads on this forum, I am beginning to think that I should spend more and get an 07 or 08 ES350. Have there been any UNIVERSAL issues, like the hesitation issues with the 330?

An aside off-topic question - do previous owners of ES300 or 330s find the seat comfort of the 350 to be as good or better than the older models?

thanks

The 5 speed transmission on my new '03 seems a little strange. If I drive about 35mph and then slow down to about 5mph and than try to accelerate there is a hesitation. It's as if the transmission can not decide on what gear to go into. When it finally does there's a slight lurch forward. Can this be adjusted?

Alan

I see that there has'nt been much discussion on this topic lately, so perhaps things have not changed.

Hi all,

I am a new member.

I am planning to buy a pre-owned 05 ES330 and have test driven about 10 cars so far. I was vaguely aware of the transmission issues but was puzzled when I found that each car that I drove seemed a bit different. At first I thought that I was crazy. But, from reading this thread, it appears that a lot of it may depend on what was "learned" from the previous owner, as well as whether the car has had any flash updates from the original. But I still dont understand how 10 pre-owned 05's can drive so differently from each other if it really is the same transmission issue. The hesitation from slowdown does not seem to occur with all - at least during a brief test drive.

Should I change my plan and buy a different lexus (or another brand??!) - not sure if I can afford the 07 ES350 right now, and that model does not seem problem-free at the moment. Maybe I'll re-think a sportier car such as the Acura TL or even a Honda Accord.....

other than this issue, I love the ES

thanks

Boston Snowboarder