OH_Guy

I finally found out how to illuminate the interior at night. Those little spot lights by the sun roof controls are too small and focused to light up the rest of the interior when you want to look for something in the dark. Tonight, while waiting for my daughter to get back to school, I was playing around with the car (only have it 3 weeks now) and I flipped down the sun visors and opened the vanity mirrors. The lights over the mirrors are flood lamps!! Each one lights up 3/4 of the front. With both on, there finally enough light to do anything you need at night. (Great thread.)

Two dealers (and a number of websites) said there was no difference at all between 2008 and 2009 ES350's. I bought the 2008 since the price was a lot better. True, you would lose the difference on resale if you sell in a few years but I bought a Lexus on the reputation that it will last a long time without a lot of repairs. I'm hoping for 10 years & 150,000 miles of trouble-free driving. A woman at work just hit 100,200 miles on the GX430 she got the first week they came out. Only issue was the driveshaft recall the first year and the chrome wheels (uneven edges leaked air and she finally ditched the wheels to the dealership's chagrin). She also has a Pebble Beach SC430 and wants to get a ES350 now as a daily driver.

To: SW03ES I posted pictures of the grille in Member's Gallery under "Chrome Mesh Grille". The dealer reuses the "L" emblem from the original grille. Great pics OH Guy. Man, I like that...I didn't even know that you could get a different grill as an option. Did the dealer do that special for you? Is it like the GS grill? Thanks. My dealer did that although they don't 'offer' it when they try to push things on you during closing and they don't show it in their Parts department. They had it on one demo model and I really liked the way it looked. By comparison, the standard grille started to look a little Avalon-like to me. They gave me the grille and Sat Radio install as part of the incentive 'to do the deal today" after we discussed the cash price. If you Goggle "Custom Lexus Grill" and look for 'chrome mesh' on the websites you will eventually find it. I think it is made by J&S and retails for about $219. The dealer was asking $299 for it.

I have to agree with mhawken1. When I bought my ES350 and asked why I had to have Sat Radio added (as opposed to the competition) I was told the average age of ES owners is the highest of all Lexus models and that the age of that demographic group does not tend to have Sat radio in their cars and thus no shark fin for the ES. That said, some in the ES galleries has incredible wheels on their white ES but I forget which set of pictures that was. I'd suggest coming those galleries and emailing anyone with wheels you like.

To: SW03ES I posted pictures of the grille in Member's Gallery under "Chrome Mesh Grille". The dealer reuses the "L" emblem from the original grille. To: MHawkin and Roseville Johnson I agree. One dealer had a red ES in the showroom with the bra and I didn't like the line where the bra ended. I was afraid over time that edge would get rough, hold dirt and really become obvious. The more I have the car, the happier I am I got the black interior (especially here in Ohio) because the carpet wil stay much cleaner on the sides of the trans tunnel and outside footwells. And with the ventilated seats, the summer should be better than a solid leather seat. I get the biggest kick out of the steering wheel that moves out of your way. It amuses me everytime. I do wish the car had better (bigger/more) interior lights and more storage (that instruction manual takes up the whole glovebox.

HMMM your all scaring me now. I just brought a 2007 GS 350 off lease. Funny thing is that no one every deleted the phone book so today when I bonded my phone I saw all the old numbers. I was tempted to call the previous owners home number and see how they liked the car, but I found this forum so no need to freak them out like that!!!! Anyway I just got rid of a 2006 A4 2.0T. It was fun, has a great german ride for sure. But the issues were killing me!!! I cruised through the 50K coverage about 50K ago. I was up for a timing belt and my third set of tire. The main issue for me was: Coolant leak, not coming from the reservoir or the bleeder tube so that was going to be $$ to fix Miss firing... I had the car back to two Audi dealers 3 times for misfiring in the engine. Initial starts the engine would pulse and stutter for the first 15 minutes. Then after that you could feel it on acceleration in the 2K-3K RPM range while you were shifting it felt like the engine was out of balance. Good luck on the MB. We went the MB route but that was in the 2000 and it was also plagued with Chryslerish issues and the style changes every 2 years that they look out of date quick... Got my fingers crossed for the GS it has 30,000 miles on it now so I was interested in reliability based on my Audi experience. Had the Audi been reliable I would still have it. It is an excellent ride, excellent handling, and great in the Snow. I just got a ES350. The dealer had a driver pick me up for the delivery in a GS350; I thought the GS was really nice and since the ES350 column is quiet I looked over here and saw this thread. The ES will replace my 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Frontrak. The Audi (with 85,000 miles) has a great radio, incredible seats, is almost as quiet as the Lexus, and great steering feel (although new ones are electric steering and numb). The downside was replacing the rear window because the antenna never did work if the rear defroster was on, replacing the windshield wiper rack (I was lucky, only $350) and then the computer system on the transmission failed ($2,300). A windshield washer needs to be fixed ($600), the rear window lock control needs to be fixed ($?), it will need a 3rd set of tires soon and I don't think the timing belt will make it to the suggested 105,000 miles before it needs to be replaced. There is a persistent rattle in the overhead console (already paid $150 to get that fixed once). Oh yeah, it is starting to use oil. Love to drive the car; tired of putting money in it. I would loved to have gotten another Audi but I just don't feel they have a shot at going high mileage without relentless repair bills. My Mercedes ML320 was worse. Just as bad as its reputation suggests. Although the seats were also wonderful; 5 hours at a time was no problem. However, the dealer had the attitude that repair bills were part of the MB experience/mystique. No, Lexus isn't perfect and unfortunately the GS seems to be causing growing pains for Lexus. However, I do not know any MB, BMW or Audi owners that go over 100,000 miles unless they put a lot of money into their cars. And yet, it isn't that hard to find Lexus owners who do. I'm hoping my ES is one of the good ones. Also hoping the GS improves.

Interesting, one local Lexus dealer makes a big deal out of selling them; the other two don't. The paint is a disappointing aspect of the car; my 6 year old Audi has paint that is still flawless. I like the Starfire/Gray combination. Wanted that until I saw how light the carpet was. No way it would stay clean in Cleveland winters with all the crap they through on the roads around here getting tracked into the cars.

When I got home from work, in my driveway was a black GS and a driver that the salesman sent over to bring me to the dealership to get my car. Definitely nicer than looking for a ride to the showroom. This is my first Lexus. I got Smokey Granite with the black interior. Its got Nav, Premium Plus, HID lights with AFS (very cool), Parking Assist, Sunshade, Wood steering wheel, etc. I choose this particular unit because it already had the Rear Lip Spoiler. I added Sat Radio and the 'Bentley' grille (chromed mesh) because I liked how that looked on one of their demo's; really makes the car look different. The chrome looks great against the dark gray paint. I managed to drive home safely despite playing with all the little buttons and screen controls. Next step is to read all the hundreds of pages of owners instructions. I'm really looking forward to taking a long trip in it. I came home from the dealership on route 80 and the car was so quiet and smooth.

Waldokind Can I ask which dealer in Ohio this was? I am debating what car to get next and considering the ES. Haven't driven one yet; sat in a loaner a co-worker got when she brought her SC430 in for something. I liked the ES. I'm in northeast Ohio. I'd like to find a service oriented dealer.