So...we checked out a Lexus today....

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: SherEPunjab
The lexus GS300 was voted the most reliable car, period, in 1996 i beleive. same model.

Lexus' are AWESOME cars. My family has owned several mercedes, one lexus, and lincolns. We've tried german, jap, and american luxury. when it comes to total comfort, it is hard to beat a large cadillac, lincoln, or LS lexus. These cars can literally put the driver to sleep they are so smooth and comfortable. When it comes to quality, Lexus owns all. Their reliablity record is really good. Mercedes and BMWs tend to be more sport/luxury with firmer leather seats, and very stupid controls (at least mercedes). MB command navigation for example is very confusing to use and most people i know that have it - don't use it. its a real POS. Lexus is a lot more intuitive, and the quality is second to none. I remember they were using Nakamichi cd players back in the day, now they use Mark Levinson.. to those that know audio, both names are very good... much better than Bose. We owned the LS400. The LS400 is way better than the ES300, which is a modified Camry. The GS300 is the same engine i believe as the v6 camry. Lexus's design has been hit or miss, but when it comes to driveability, quality, resale, safety, it excels. I personally would not buy a mercedes when you can get a better car for cheaper with lexus. not to mention its service. The service is amazing. they will drop off a car to your home or office, and pick yours up. fix it, clean it, and then go back and trade it again. Mercedes' service isn't even close. And they cost more.

Well even now Lexus don't offer NAV in Canada so thats a non-issue. The GS300 has an inline 6 similar to the IS300 & Supra, it has nothign to do with the V6 from the Camry (which the older ES300 shared).

I'm just concerned about the comfort of the first gen GS, cause I have never read an article on it or heard anyone say anything about it. Everyone praises the second gen of GS-series, but the first gen is pretty much forgotten.

I hope its as reliable as you say, and just sitting in it feels luxoriuous!

Ironically though, the first gen had problems with broken cupholders..heh.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: Buffdaddy34
I have a GS 300, it has over 200,000 miles on it. It is a rock solid car. And let me tell you this much, it's a smooth ride, and it was the first car my high school ex-gf could do her make up in while I was driving. Always something I will remember, lol. Awesome ride, gonna buy a SL65 NEXT w00t!!!

Wat year is it? Do you have any pics of it?
Thanks.

 

[rominl]

lexus are definitely awesome cars, no doubt. i have both gs400 and is300 5 speed, both are awesome cars. get lexus, you won't regret

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: rominl
lexus are definitely awesome cars, no doubt. i have both gs400 and is300 5 speed, both are awesome cars. get lexus, you won't regret

What do you think about the ES300?

I'd like our next car to be a luxury car but it hurts my sensitive Ferengi lobes to drop $35k on a Lexus when I could buy TWO brand new Honda Accord LX's and still have $5k left over.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: rominl
lexus are definitely awesome cars, no doubt. i have both gs400 and is300 5 speed, both are awesome cars. get lexus, you won't regret

What do you think about the ES300?

I'd like our next car to be a luxury car but it hurts my sensitive Ferengi lobes to drop $35k on a Lexus when I could buy TWO brand new Honda Accord LX's and still have $5k left over.

Whoa, you brought this thread from the dead.

The ES300 are great cars, they are quiet, reliable, comfy, etc..but the new ones are ugly. And more importantly, a Camry will offer similar appointments, while not to the ES300's level, its more than enough given the price difference compared to a ES300. What I mean to say is, for the extra $$ you will dish out for the ES300, the Camry is a better buy. That's if you think with your wallet. I'm a cheap ass, so thats how I think.

If you want comfy, try to find a slightly used GS300 (like we are doing) or get a relatively new Buick Park Avenue. Those are comfy to the nth degree.

 

[rominl]

the new es300? it's slow, but if you look for pure luxury, that car is insanely good for the money. i got it as my loaner and damn was the ride quiet. you really don't hear anything at all. audio was very nice and the seat is very comfortable

accord is good for the money but i guess you talking about the LX v4? that's about as slow as es300 i think, and even with leather and stuff it's not close to as luxury as the es300. i had acura tl-s (big brother of accord) and no, it's not even as good as my is300 imho (space factor aside)

 

[RossMAN]

What about the ES300 vs G35?

How QUIET and luxury oriented is the G35 sedan?

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
What about the ES300 vs G35?

How QUIET and luxury oriented is the G35 sedan?

G35 is definately less luxury oriented than the ES300. Its more sporty, that means not as smooth road manners, able to hear the engine's raspy note, etc..

Seriously, you already have an Accord, which is a quiet family hauler. Do you REALLY need another mid-size car?

And if you do, just get a slightly used Caddillac, Lincoln, or Buick. Their killer resale value makes them a great buy. I would personally go for a used Deville than a brand new ES300 (if I wanted the whole comfy thing).

Plus the Deville looks classy while the ES300 looks like the mothership just landed from Mars. And you save a whole lot of dough, which is good.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: rominl
lexus are definitely awesome cars, no doubt. i have both gs400 and is300 5 speed, both are awesome cars. get lexus, you won't regret

What do you think about the ES300?

I'd like our next car to be a luxury car but it hurts my sensitive Ferengi lobes to drop $35k on a Lexus when I could buy TWO brand new Honda Accord LX's and still have $5k left over.

Given the ES300 is more luxurious and quiter in my mind I still think its a Camry. I used to drive the top end camry (last last gen V6 XLE) and my friend had the last gen ES300 (same style as my camry), its was the same car and I coudln't justify the price difference between the two and now its just gotten larger. I really want an IS300 tho, i'm working on it

O ya I think the new camry/es300 is ugly, looks even more like a boat than it used to.

 

[Spac3d]

Originally posted by: RichieZ

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: rominl
lexus are definitely awesome cars, no doubt. i have both gs400 and is300 5 speed, both are awesome cars. get lexus, you won't regret

What do you think about the ES300?

I'd like our next car to be a luxury car but it hurts my sensitive Ferengi lobes to drop $35k on a Lexus when I could buy TWO brand new Honda Accord LX's and still have $5k left over.

Given the ES300 is more luxurious and quiter in my mind I still think its a Camry. I used to drive the top end camry (last last gen V6 XLE) and my friend had the last gen ES300 (same style as my camry), its was the same car and I coudln't justify the price difference between the two and now its just gotten larger. I really want an IS300 tho, i'm working on it

O ya I think the new camry/es300 is ugly, looks even more like a boat than it used to.

We owned a Camry and an ES300. They were defintely NOT the same car. They may share some of the same guts, but they are not the same.

The ES300 is a good buy. I didn't care for the redesigned model till i saw one on the showroom with 19"s. Wow, it was HOT. I drove them around as loaner's, they are a smooth ride. A great bang for the buck.

 

[RossMAN]

I think I'll stick with the Accord LX unless I strike it rich.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I think I'll stick with the Accord LX unless I strike it rich.

Even if you did strike rich, do you really need a better car? I'm sure that if you became rich, the Accord would still meet your needs. Plus your cheap dammit, doesn't matter how rich you are, you'd still want bang for your buck.

 

[RossMAN]

You nailed it.

It hurts me to spend $25k on a car (might get a loaded Maxima, next generation) but why do that when I can get a great car for 15K?

I'm just a cheap tight ass.

If I struck it rich I'd bling bling with an M5

 

[LiQiCE]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
You nailed it.

It hurts me to spend $25k on a car (might get a loaded Maxima, next generation) but why do that when I can get a great car for 15K?

I'm just a cheap tight ass.

If I struck it rich I'd bling bling with an M5

A loaded 2004 Maxima SL is gonna run you closer to $30k (plus imho it looks nasty, but thats me). Why not consider a 2003 Maxima, or maybe a 2003 Acura TL-P? The Acura TL-P is pretty much fully loaded minus the NAV system and with the 2004 coming out soon, Acura is offering rebates on it and you can probably get it at or possibly even under invoice. A TL-P's invoice is around $27k and is fairly luxurious (its considered a "near luxury sedan"). My parents got a 2003 Maxima SE 6-Speed for $22k, but that had absolutely no options.