News (Cox) wrote:
On MSN auto reviews, the es330 is being taken to shreds for this exact
problem. I hope Lexus notices soon. I have a 2004 es330, and have not
experianced the problem yet. Its around 500 miles, so I am not driving it
hard. I hope mine does not have that issue. Is there anyone here with a
es330 that doesnt have this issue?

I actually think this also has something to do with personal driving habits.
For instance, I like to give gas about half way through a corner, yet it
seems that is when the lag is the worst. Based on what I've experienced
with my 2002 ES300, it seems the engineers programmed the computer to not
give it gas during a corner to prevent fishtailing. That may not be the
case, but that's the behavior I've noticed. I don't have a problem with
drive-by-wire, but I would prefer that they would have directly translated
the driver input right to the throttle and transmission instead of trying to
make another decision for the situation. I think it all has to do with
improving MPG ratings to meet EPA requirements. They apparently can't
easily make a more efficient engine to meet the increasing standards, so
their best way to boost MPG is to prevent the driver from punching it.
Here's a prediction: Watch this problem disappear in the hybrid
gas/electric models, as the takeoff is handled completely by the batteries.


"Dan J. S." <me (AT) hyperx (DOT) com> wrote

Steve Larson wrote:
<snip> noticed. I don't have a problem with drive-by-wire, but I would
I don't think it is a drive-by-wire issue. I used to have a 2002 Camry V6,
which is also drive-by-wire (and has a similar engine to the ES330, but has
a 4 speed automatic). It did not have the transmission lag problem. As a
matter of fact, that car had the best acceleration of any family car I've
ever been in.

As far as the hybrid goes, which is completely drive-by-wire, there is no
downshift lag (I used to drive a Prius). However, the hybrid has its own
annoyance: When you start from a dead stop, the car first accelerates very
slowly because the 40 HP electric motor is doing most of the work (the gas
engine shuts off when you're sitting still). Then, after you get up to
about 10 MPH, things pick up a bit; I think this might be because the
effective "gear ratio" between the gas engine and the wheels becomes more
favorable due to the higher RPM of the driveshaft and the gas engine can
start helping out the electric motor -- I'm just hypothesizing about the
reason here.

-Doug in VA

I wonder if the RX or Highlander hybrids will have more power with their
electric moter. I would think it would have to. I really think the Lexus
engineers have screwed up big-time with the ES computer, and they've lost
all professional credibility, in my opinion. I will definitely spend much
more time researching vehicles before my next auto purchase. My 2002 ES300
was a little too quick, and I'm paying a price for that haste.


"Doug in VA" <no-spam (AT) no (DOT) spam.com> wrote

As long as Lexus, and Toyota want to save a nickels worth of gas with the
5th gear, and do it by fly by wire, there will always be hesitation. Until
they use a faster computer , when you press down on the accelerator the
computer still has to analyze the position, and send data to the computer ,
and then the computer up/down ratio the tranny. This is an idea that we are
all told to just accept. Several software fixes with the 02 and 03, didn't
make much of a change, but the 04 is still bad particularly when turning a
curve and needing to accel.
"Dan J. S." <me (AT) hyperx (DOT) com> wrote

I had read about issues with the ES300 transmission issues and bought
into the Lexus' claim of improved acceleration over the ES300 when I
was looking at ES330s.
When I test drove the ES330, I thought the acceleration was very
responsive and good. I ordered my car and the night I drove it off
the lot, I noticed that the acceleration was sluggish and
non-responsive compared to my test drives. I complained about it on
my free checkup services, but they claim no trouble found. The second
time I brought it in, I borrowed a 2003 ES300 loaner and the tactile
responsiveness was night and day for me as a driver. It was much more
aggressive. I again complained to the service writter and he had the
tech clear the computer memory that tracks the drivers driving
style... no change.

So maybe it's just certain cars. I can live with the issue by
adapting to the way the car drives, but I am disappointed in the
overall performace characteristics of the car.

agreed, I never know when my 2002 ES300 will go or not. This was my first
experience with a Lexus vehicle. I thought I had finally made it to the big
leagues, but I was mistaken. I'll never buy a Lexus again as long as they
have this computer problem with their engine/transmission.

"Shawn" <sorgan (AT) lbusd (DOT) k12.ca.us> wrote

Guess I lucked out... no hesitation whatsoever with a 2003 IS300 Sportcross.
(no gas mileage either...)