LexPaul

I think I fit the average age of the survey by Business Week. 54 y/o, bought my 09 level III (nav/park assist) on 1/2/09. Obidian/black...this is a great color IMO. This car exudes class and you don't have to be a certain age to have class. I think most people think that young people would want a car that has 'excitment', like your 325i, A4 , G35 or IS. I must admit I'm a little surprised to see the number of young people who say they are owners. We know it's not a cheap car and it has a rock solid reputation for reliability. A young person in this car would suggest to me that they have 'arrived'....that's cool..... B)

I think I fit the average age of the survey by Business Week. 54 y/o, bought my 09 level III (nav/park assist) on 1/2/09. Obidian/black...this is a great color IMO. This car exudes class and you don't have to be a certain age to have class. I think most people think that young people would want a car that has 'excitment', like your 325i, A4 , G35 or IS. I must admit I'm a little surprised to see the number of young people who say they are owners. We know it's not a cheap car and it has a rock solid reputation for reliability. A young person in this car would suggest to me that they have 'arrived'....that's cool..... B)

Just to update, I've brought the car to dealer and it was confirmed it's a stress fracture. So it's covered in the warranty.. Wow that is interesting. I have never heard of that. These windows are supposed to be 'double insulated' of sorts. So your factory seal is gone once they replace the windshield. At least it's covered......

I was all ready to get a spoiler when I purchased my 09 ES. However, after going a few weeks without it, I prefer the ES without the spolier. I think the aerodynamics are perfect on this car and does not need any additional 'help'. This car exudes class and elegance. When parked it has an awesome 'stance'.

I believe this is natural due to weather changes and dampness. It only occurs at the very tip. I have seen this on all cars that have chrome exhausts. However, you can easily remove the rust using a good chrome cleaner and restorer from any auto parts store or Walmart. If you still have concerns I would just run it buy your dealer and get their opinion

...Well said lowrideaz and Billyshaft...This time I have to agree with the Billyshaft's on this one...

This may sound silly...but I have a 2009 ES that is under a month old less than 300 miles. Friday while driving I too heard a rattle sound coming from the passenger side. I couldn't believe it!!. This car still has the 'new smell' and all.....and I'm getting rattles already?? I was thinking that maybe the unusally cold weather here in GA may have done something to the seats. Anyway this morning I got in the car sat down and shook the passenger side seat a little. Sure enough I heard the rattle. I went and sat in the drivers side seat and found to my amazment that the culprit was the seat belt hitting against the seat!!.... I moved the seat belt around so it wouldn't strike the seat and Walla!!. Problem solved....

LVL61, I can certainly understand your concern....this is a car you want to baby...I feel the same way about mine...I just got mine about 2 weeks ago....and I'm watching every detail. I guess at the end of day you have to decide to get it fixed or not...if it was me...I would take it to the dealer and let them 'tighten it up'.....Cheers... :D Also I would not try to do the work myself...Did you file a claim against the bus driver??....if not you can still file a claim.....don't delay....a police report should have filed...that way the city transit would be reponsible....GL

LVL61, I can certainly understand your concern....this is a car you want to baby...I feel the same way about mine...I just got mine about 2 weeks ago....and I'm watching every detail. I guess at the end of day you have to decide to get it fixed or not...if it was me...I would take it to the dealer and let them 'tighten it up.....Cheers... :D

Now that is an interesting read from your 07 Owners Manual, because Lexus has actually added a few more important 'additions' after ".....you may use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating as low as 87 (Research # Number 91).....in the 09 owners manual they added after that paragraph the following: "Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than 91 may result in engine knocking. Persistent engine knocking can lead to engine damage and should be corrected by refueling with higher octane unleaded gasoline". I just couldn't place less than the recommended grade in my Lexus, why take the risk? I believe in adding this 'warning', the designers want to really emphasize that the engine was not designed to 'optimally run on any gas less than 91 octane and that problems may result. Sure you probably won't notice much difference, but certainly the engine is running in a degraded mode, hence possible premature wear in the long run or maybe not? ...At best its a calculated gamble. Why cheap out on a $40k + car??... B)

The ES 350 may 'appear' to run just fine on 87 octane in the short run and may well indeed do so for some time, but the engine certainly was not designed to run on 87 octane, and if you are unfortunate enough to experience rough idling and/or engine knocking then you will know the reason. Also persistent knocking can cause premature engine failure. I'll throw my hat in the ring with the engineers and designers. Cheap is not always better or beneficial in the long run... B)

I have 09 ES 350 Level III, and without a doubt I would buy again. This car is simply awesome!! Elegant, luxurious, refined and has a high quality build. The buying experience was second to none. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a good mid-size luxury vehicle. I looked at cars for 1.5 years before buying. I looked at the Infiniti M, Acuru TL, CTS, Toyota Avalon Limited, Toyota XLE, Mercedes C class, BMW 3 class and Audi 4/6. I chose the ES after careful study. I studied reviews from multiple sources, talked to owners of all the models listed above and looked at reliability profiles of each vehicle. Test drove them and studied body design and integrity. It's unfortunate that some folks did indeed have trouble with their ES, but this car is made to last. I looked at other forums of the luxury models listed above and if you think that simply by switching over to a different model will solve your problem, then I say its a gamble at best. All the above listed vehicles have owners that are crying the blues. :cries: There has never been a situation where every car built was "bullet-proof perfect" out of the gate, it just doesn't happen. However, we do have have reliable data available to us from JD Power that gives us a reliability rating that simple says, 'here are the best cars that are built and have the least amount of defects out of the gate'. Do you know which car has been #1 in reliability for the last 14 yrs? Give up? Lexus. The data is actually taken from real owners who have owned the ES or Lexuses for at least 3 yrs. Lexus beats all the competition. I saw a video of Lexus manufacturing in Japan, I couldn't believe how meticulous they are. I was sold. The newer cars have a lot more electronics, sensors and software in them that control everything to engine dynamics, gas flow, transmission ratios, to occupant body profiles. There is no question when you add lots of software to any product, there will be bugs, think about a $30 million fighter jet F-22, although the cost is through the roof, there are still problems after delivery. I realize this is a long spill and by now you know I'm a Lexus man :P When I consider all the plus and minuses, Lexus comes out #1 hands down Cheers... :D

To each its own...but IMO... these kind of 'BIG WHEELS" has a circus/clown like appearance....added to a really elegant car... what a pity...Frankly, I find it really ugly...and disgusting....I don't think these folk truly understand beauty and refinement...but that's my two cent...... B)

Wow...good deal...The Lexus family kinda pulls you toward them...very elegant and classy....no pretenders...

I would say that Lexus "quietly" fixed some trouble reports. Other than that the B) 08 and 09 are the same....

Congrats!!...what kind of deal did you get. Thanks

The rear window power-sunshade is only available with the premium plus option, which includes Perforated Leather Seats, Multi-Level Heated & Ventilated Front Seats w/ Power Cushion Extenders, Rain-sensing wipers, High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlamps. Perhaps you purchased the level one option, which does not include rear window sunshade?

Does anyone know what tweaks they are making to the 09 ES? I heard that they are only doing a color change. Thanks

Greeting all, As a potential buyer who is in the market for an 08 or 09 ES 350, some the postings in this forum have convinced me not to buy a used Lexus. Why? Simply because many people who buy these cars want to play 'engineer'. Why would I ground a wire so I can watch a DVD? or use an octane gas not 'recommended' by the owner's manual? $40000.00 is not peanuts unless you're making well into six or seven figures, but if you can afford 40k+ why not not go all the way with what the designers recommend, unless you're a Lexus designer. Remember this car is heavy on computer-chips to control and manage most of its functions. Your car may run fine on a lower octane fuel but that doesn't mean its running at its optimum rating and for me that will always be my goal. Ensure that it remains in excellent condition. If you love your Lexus, you won't cut corners, but then again maybe you will, love doesn't mean the same thing for all. Remember there is always that chance you could screw something up. I can tell you without reservation that when I purchase my Lexus I will remain faithful to the owners manual. It will probably be the most pampered car I ever owned The silver lining in all this. Some of your postings have helped me decide that I need to buy a new Lexus. :D