Sliding behind the wheel of the 2008 Lexus ES 350, MotherProof reviewer Lori Hindman immediately suspected that she and the luxury sedan would get along just fine. After a full real-world test drive, she has some specific features that put the car on the top of her list. Read her full review to find out what made the ES 350, in Lori's words, so very, very "easy."
2008 Lexus ES 350 (MotherProof.com)
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LOL!
That was the first review of the ES350 I've ever read that labeled the car "fun to drive".
:D
Yea, really...
How is Camry is not fun to drive but ES350 is?
Just shows level of...
And Again...
"2008 Lexus ES 350 Luxury Trim w/nav model as tested $47,215"
$47 big ones for Camry with L on the grill???
Isn't it a floor where you can get into 535?
Well. In Japan this car is no longer sold because it had no demand. A FWD Lexus probably makes good sence for the family, but loaded to the glands Sienna with same engine and probably tranny as well, makes much more sence for the FAMILY. May be because for the remaining $10 grand you can buy a nice playground set, junior's furniture and couple counselor visits to ask him, why mother has to proof a car designed for retirees.
At $47K I'd rather buy, a Lexus GS350 or an Acura TL.
Must suck to be a low-wage earning loser who can't afford a Lexus. Stick w/ the Detroit 3 as it's more your turf. Oh look another Detroit rebate program...
5, just because someone can't afford a Lexus does not make them a loser. However, an attitude like yours makes one a loser.
I have never really liked the Lexus, it just reminds me too much of a Merc. This does have a really great review I must say.
5, I don't think anyone said that they "couldn't" afford a Lexus. It's just that the ES350 in particular isn't worth $47 grand when it's just a gussied up Camry. Same engine (albeit slightly modified fro premium fuel), same transmission, and a lot of the same interior pieces. At that price you can get a 300+ HP AWD luxury sedan like Lexus's own GS350 or the Acura TL or RL.
Cj,
The ES is no longer a 'gussied' up Camry. Since the 5th Gen the Lexus and Camry have zero common interior parts. Although I drive a Saab (love the car) I work at a Lexus distributor in "supply chain" working w/ software that cross references the ES and Camry. A notable change that is currently being implemented is Toyota adopting the Lexus standard for acceptable parts defects. Toyota is currently at 50 per million whereas Lexus is 10 defects per million parts. To put it into perspective no one in the industry is even close except Honda who currently has 18 defects per M and Hyundai at 35. Chrysler Corp and General Motors have the worst. The ES is a real nice car but frankly I prefer the IS.
Wow, $47K! That may be a typo. We're looking into it.
Still if you build a 2009 on Lexus' site it tops out near $43K without accessories. Still pricey.
And do we really need to go over the whole Camry issue again and again?
stz, the ES and Camry not only share a platform, but that have identical wheelbases and widths. All Lexus did was change out some body panels and put in a "Lexus" interior. That's how the Lexus has less defects. If you look under the skin you'll see that ES and Camry are more the same than difference. ES350 isn't a bad car, but I'd rather get a GS350 or an Acura TL or RL.
Not to belabor the issue but why cross-reference the ES to the Camry if they are so different? And if I were spending over $40K I would get something with a little more prestige than an ES.
a rating of "Groove-on" for fun factor?!?!
"fun" here must mostly comprise of sleeping (don't get me wrong, i love sleeping) as opposed to driving. the car has the reflexes of a 3-toed sloth
oh, and, granted, there are some differences between the Camry and the Lexus (IMHO, quite minor), but there are not any defining features in the ES that stands out far and above a loaded V6 Camry. even if you make the thing a RWD car, or have an AWD option, or SOMETHING other than the "L."
there is i guess the attraction of the associated "bling" factor, the "i'm better than you" thing to drive around a Lexus ... i don't claim that i don't sometimes fall victim myself
47K for a Camry? I would take the AWD Accord anyday.
Lexus = Expensive Toyota for senior citizens.
And smaller inside than the Camry, by the way, my grandpa has one.
I've seen this reaction time and time again and it's always jealousy from people who will never be able to afford a Lexus. Frankly basing the Lexus on the Camry is a brilliant idea as it's one of the most successful cars in the world. The pathetic Detroit 3 can't even produce a car as successful as the Camry let alone the ES. LOL
All hail Stephen, elitist pig, driving around his Lexus so he can pretend he's truly wealthy. Memo to you: the truly wealthy could care less about the brand of car they drive, only the posers care.
Stephen never stated that he's a Lexus owner. I am, you are a poser and ignorant to boot. Now move along before I need to dope-slap you, again.
Stephen it has nothing to do with being jealous. I don't see it as "genius" to rebadge a US Camry and call it a "Lexus" just so that they can charge more money for it. The ES is just such a horrible "value". What real luxury car comes with CLOTH INTERIOR STANDARD???? The V6 Camry XLE only cost 30,XXX (and comes with leather), but to get the same features in the ES you have to spend nearly $38,000!!!
I don't despise Lexus (and yes I CAN afford one, but choose not to buy one), but if I was to get one I wouldn't get an ES.The IS350 is more powerful (and comes with LEATHER standard), the GS350 has optional AWD, and both are in the same price range as the ES.
I don't mind "platform-engineering" (that's what most companies do), I just don't like badge slapping and price hiking. NOTE: This is different from what Lexus's sportier counterpart Acura does. If we look at Acura's lineup and we look at the TSX we see that "yes" it is a rebadged Euro product, but the major difference in my eyes between the TSX and the ES is that the TSX COST LESS in the US than it's European counterpart does in Europe. If we look at the TL we see that even though it shares a PLATFORM with the Accord nothing else is shared. Not only does the TL have a shorter wheelbase, but it is also wider than the Accord and it's platform has been highly modified for it's advance AWD system. It's NOT just a cheap rebadge and price hike. The TL has substantial upgrades from the Accord that are more than worth the price difference (also the TL comes with LEATHER STANDARD).
All hail Don, elitist pig, driving around his Lexus so he can pretend he's truly wealthy. Memo to you: the truly wealthy could care less about the brand of car they drive, only the posers care.
I think, ES350 wouldn't be a wealthy person's choice.
Wealthy person will buy something like this, depending on character:
Chevy Tahoe
Cadillac Escalade,
MB S-series or GL
BMW 7-series or M5
Lexus LS
Porsche Cayenne
I think, those would be a typical daily drivers of the wealthy.
Who will buy ES? People with nice salary who wants to jump one floor higher in the eyes of the public. Think this. If they would be care more about a CAR (machine) they drive, they wouldn't pick ES350 (for the money it costs) because it is not a driver's car. This is an obvious case of badge hunt and nothing else.
Remember Infinity G20, I30? Well. What else can I say?
As a partner in a successful financial tax planning group I get to know many of my clients more than I care too. I would say the overwhelming majority of them drive a Lexus and in particular the ES model. The next most popular vehicles would be a distant second but they are the Ford 150 and Honda Accord. Our clients have an average net worth exceeding $7m excluding their house(s). I'm told the Lexus is popular because they are reliable and hold their resale value well.
i've wondered -- what's the point of being wealthy if you still count your pennies and have to worry about resale value? admittedly, i'm POOR. i went through college on scholarship so i guess i don't know what it might have been like for someone to need to "put the kids through college" since my parents had it pretty easy.
i totally buy into the image/bling thing. however, the ES tends to be driven by retirees (i respect old people and love my grandparents) and nobody i know thinks of an ES as anything other than a really nice Camry. image is about perception. who cares how many parts in reality are not shared between the 2.
i would mostly agree with Cj and Tony. because, by Anthony9's argument of quality and resale value, then it's a much wiser investment to buy a loaded Camry. the best resale value will NEVER make up for the $10k you lost in purchasing the car; and a smart person would invest that $10k in something that actually has a better return that a slowly depreciating Cam ... i mean Lexus. how much money would I have at the end of 4 or 5 years if i bought a Camry and invested $10k, compared to the guy who threw it all into the ES? again, if you want image, get something more hip. if you want to be smart, invest the extra money.
I totally agree DL. An ES really isn't a "smart" investment.
CJ,
car is not an investment - it is a liability.
Investment is an expectation of profit.
Car can be investment if it is a collectable automobile or car purchased under value with intention to sell for profit.
so conclusion is, the ES is nice, but neither an investment (anybody think it'll become a classic?) nor inexpensive.
since it really doesn't have much character and there are plenty of other quiet, comfortable and reliable cars out there, it really isn't all that special.
okay, so i have no reason to be jealous after all. ;)