First impressions: New ES350

I just saw the new 2007 ES350 at an auto show. I am underwhemed! It is
just not exciting. I had hoped for a little panache, but this vehicle
looks simply dull and uninspired.
The Mercedes, BMWs and a few others have some style, but the ES350 looks
like a new benchmark for bland.

Does anyone else feel a bit disappointed in the look of the ES350, or is
it just me?

Has anybody heard what pricing will be? The Lexus rep at the auto show
said pricing was not available just yet.

I'll look at the vehicle again for a second impression, when I visit a
Lexus dealership this Spring ... but I can't get excited about it based
on my first look.

Impartial

If they just keep making them the best I can put up with a blah design once
in a while.
"Just Me" <ImpartialObserver (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

I just saw the new 2007 ES350 at an auto show. I am underwhemed! It is
just not exciting. I had hoped for a little panache, but this vehicle
looks simply dull and uninspired.
The Mercedes, BMWs and a few others have some style, but the ES350 looks
like a new benchmark for bland.

Does anyone else feel a bit disappointed in the look of the ES350, or is
it just me?

Has anybody heard what pricing will be? The Lexus rep at the auto show
said pricing was not available just yet.

I'll look at the vehicle again for a second impression, when I visit a
Lexus dealership this Spring ... but I can't get excited about it based
on my first look.

Impartial

"If they just keep making them the best" is a fair argument. However,
I'm not convinced the ES series has been at the top of the list for
reliability, given the widespread transmission/shifting complaints. For
instance, Consumer Reports magazine, in the new 2006 annual auto
edition, seems to rate recent ES models lower than some cheaper Toyota
and Honda vehicles. The latest ES 330 scores highly, but NOT perfectly.

Still, my argument is not with Lexus ES reliability. Rather it is with
the lackluster styling of the new ES350. I repeat, this new ES is a new
benchmark in boring design.

If Toyota/Lexus is vulnerable and lacking it is most certainly IMHO in
the styling and design department, at least with sedans. They are
SERIOUSLY trailing BMW and Mercedes in that repect. Again, just one
former Lexus owner's opinion. Impartial (but not on this issue)

You think the ES is more boring than the current Merc C class it competes
with?

Huh? You are kidding, right? I say they are at parity.


"Just Me" <ImpartialObserver (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

"If they just keep making them the best" is a fair argument. However,
I'm not convinced the ES series has been at the top of the list for
reliability, given the widespread transmission/shifting complaints. For
instance, Consumer Reports magazine, in the new 2006 annual auto
edition, seems to rate recent ES models lower than some cheaper Toyota
and Honda vehicles. The latest ES 330 scores highly, but NOT perfectly.

Still, my argument is not with Lexus ES reliability. Rather it is with
the lackluster styling of the new ES350. I repeat, this new ES is a new
benchmark in boring design.

If Toyota/Lexus is vulnerable and lacking it is most certainly IMHO in
the styling and design department, at least with sedans. They are
SERIOUSLY trailing BMW and Mercedes in that repect. Again, just one
former Lexus owner's opinion. Impartial (but not on this issue)

It may "just you" If I were you I would just pick another model or make.
"Just Me" <ImpartialObserver (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

"If they just keep making them the best" is a fair argument. However,
I'm not convinced the ES series has been at the top of the list for
reliability, given the widespread transmission/shifting complaints. For
instance, Consumer Reports magazine, in the new 2006 annual auto
edition, seems to rate recent ES models lower than some cheaper Toyota
and Honda vehicles. The latest ES 330 scores highly, but NOT perfectly.

Still, my argument is not with Lexus ES reliability. Rather it is with
the lackluster styling of the new ES350. I repeat, this new ES is a new
benchmark in boring design.

If Toyota/Lexus is vulnerable and lacking it is most certainly IMHO in
the styling and design department, at least with sedans. They are
SERIOUSLY trailing BMW and Mercedes in that repect. Again, just one
former Lexus owner's opinion. Impartial (but not on this issue)

With the amount of cars they sell, I don't think Lexus should be worried
about anything


--
VVT-i Owns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
VVT

I'd suggest you look at the restyled Toyota Avalon Limited, which
appears to have everything the new ES350 will have, and maybe more. It
might be a few thousand less, around $35,000 list, and I personally
think it looks better than the bland new Lexus ES. Larger, too.
Oddly, the Avalon is faster than the new ES accellerating 0-60, based on
published test statistics. The stats are not from the same source, but
did show the Avalon to be a half second or more faster, as I recall. N

Yes, most definitely! I'd say Mercedes is far, far ahead of Lexus on
styling ... as far ahead as Lexus is over Mercedes on reliability. I'm
not the first to say it, but I concur: Lexus products have no soul or
style compared to the Mercedes and BMWs. Lexus has a very timid, almost
generic sense of exterior design. Perhaps understated or muted design
themes ...but lately too boring to be called sophisticated. Still I
admit it's just one car shopper's opinion. I had a '98 ES300 that was a
truly great car, and still looks far better to me than the newest ES350.
Impartial (most of the time)

The Avalon now matches the ES in substance, the ES has to sell itself
based on style and brand image. Brand image shouldn't be any problem,
but while I've liked what I've seen of the new ES in pictures, I
haven't heard much other positive response. Hope it goes well for
Lexus.


--
IFCAR

On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:10:10 -0600, Norskey (AT) webtv (DOT) net wrote:

I'd suggest you look at the restyled Toyota Avalon Limited, which
appears to have everything the new ES350 will have, and maybe more. It
might be a few thousand less, around $35,000 list, and I personally
think it looks better than the bland new Lexus ES. Larger, too.
Oddly, the Avalon is faster than the new ES accellerating 0-60, based on
published test statistics. The stats are not from the same source, but
did show the Avalon to be a half second or more faster, as I recall. N

The new 2007 ES is now based on the Avalon and not the Camry as in the
past. Much change in the suspension, some in the engine, and the
transmission is different (If I remember correctly)