I have a ES 330, 2005 year. It has the jerk and lag. After I bought the
car (new), I brought it back to the dealer for the jerk problem and they
told me to drive it for about 2000 or so miles and it should improve.
Something did seem to improve a bit, but I'm not sure if the car adjusted to
me, or I adjusted to the car. When I bought it, they told me it's OK to use
regular, so that's what I've been using. However, on a trip to Florida last
year, I tried two tankfuls of premium mostly highway driving. I noticed no
difference, and the mileage didn't seem to get any better (but wasn't bad -
about 27 to 29 mpg. On the highway, you don't get as much lag and jerk as
in slower city or suburban driving, so I really don't know if that improved
with premium. I will try premium then next few tankfuls and see, but I'm
not too hopeful. I took the car back to the dealer serveral months ago and
complain about the continuing jerk and lag condition. I asked that they
install the software update that is supposed to improve this condition
somewhat. They check the car and told me that it was installed before I
even took delivery of the car.

Frankly, it's not a terrible problem! If it was, I would have filed a Lemon
Law claim. However, at the same time, I don't appreciate the way Lexus has
handled it. They even told me that's the way the car is designed and it's
supposed to run like that. "It's set exactly to factory specs." I was
under the misconception that people paid extra for a Lexus mainly to avoid
these kind of problems. It's sort of disappointing to realize that even
with Lexus, you might not avoid those kind of problems. Frankly, my wife's
2004 4cyl. Camry runs smoother, without a jerk and lag, than my ES 330
(which is really a fancy and more expensive Camry).

In any event, I still have the car, and I'll give the premium another try.
I only have about 17,500 miles on it. I can afford to give it 3 tankfuls.
Hope it works.
Al

"njbok" <NOSPAM (AT) nospam (DOT) com> wrote

I also owned a 2004 RX330 (which has the same platform as ES330,
Camry), I experimented with 87 Octane and 89 Octane. With 87, I noticed
that the responses was awful. With 89, I noticed significant
difference in driving, where the engine responses better with a slight
tap on the pedal and the throttle responses was awesome.

It did not noticed the same difference between 89 and 93, thus I am
going to stick with 89. Did no check mpg though.


V.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al wrote:

I truly doubt you could see any difference in using premium or regular
unless you are drag racing. Mileage is very slightly improved but not enough
to offset the additional cost. Do you floor it everytime you startup?
STU
"Vinny" <e2vincent (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

Go ahead - spring for the good stuff that costs a little more. When the
speeding dump truck is bearing down on you and you are trying to get
out of the way with that wonderfull hesitating tranny, it helps to know
YOU did your part! At least someone did if you burn the best! Remember
the Lexus motto ENGINEERING FOR SHOW, NOT GO!

"mcbrue" <mcbrue (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

With all due respect , I don't understand that . I never thought Lexus was
that stylish a vehicle . I didn't think you bought a Lexus for good looks .



-Dana

Dana Wrote:
It is NOWADAYS, the new GS and IS and LS are some of the most elegant
looking vehicles on the road. Lexus always built for QUALITY first and
foremost, performance and looks always came second to that.


--
NYLexSC

NYLexSC wrote:
Quality is not enough, GM's quality has improved a lot, but I shall
avoid GM and other domestic and some Asian (read Nissan) products,
because if you ever have a quality problem, having to cope with the
dealer to get it fixed is a nightmare. So you might say, I am for
quality, but without nightmares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

/Nick

Engineering is for show, not go. For example, the reverse looking radar
to avoid collisions - only 4 sensors vs 6 on the front and a cheap
little display hidden on the central dash with a nearly silent beeper.
This is not well engineered for actual use. But it is there. So the
engieering shows it is there, but not usefull. Hence the "for show, not
go" designation. And I can quote a few more instances of that.

If you hate your Lexus so much, why don't you just get rid of it?

"mcbrue" <mcbrue (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

I concur...
I asked a sensible question, and I get mostly sensible and helpful
answers...and a few editorials.


"McPhallus" <allen983 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote