Lexus ES 350 - PLEASE talk me out of this!

Whatever you decide, please don't come back and post about how great the car is, how well it fits your needs and how you want everyone to make you feel better about making the decision.

Those cars are nice to look at, but I wouldn't buy one.

 

Well, let me start by saying that you sound exactly like me...sometimes. I'm 6'2, 195lb, and I do have some trouble with the Prius ergonomics. The seating position is just fine on my commute but it isn't the "riding on a cloud" effect you're going to get with the Lexus. (My realtor had one...very smooth). And on long trips (a few times a year I drive truly insane distances) I feel pretty beat-up at the end. But otherwise I love the car to death, as it suits my every need.

Last week I was getting a little fed up and cranky about the driving position and started to look at alternatives. There's no way in hell I can afford an ES350 (four years out of college...got other things to think about). But I did have to fight off the urge to go test drive a 2008 Accord EX-L. I'm not totally sold on the styling but I love the look of the cockpit, and that's where I think aesthetics really matter in a car. Again, the Prius leans more toward "spaceship" than "luxury cruiser." "10 way power seat with tilt/telescope steering wheel" almost reads like pornography to me.

So I'll finish up by telling you what I finally decided. I would love to be able to forget about the utility of the hatchback, the 54mpg average, the money, the environmental benefits...and satisfy my want for creature comforts. But the fact is that I bought the Prius for a reason...lots in fact. I knew that it wouldn't be the pinnacle of automotive luxury, but it's not like it's **that** bad. I, personally, wanted the versatility of the hatch and I use it all the time. The car isn't a rocket ship, but those electric motors make it quite peppy as long as I keep the speeds below Mach. The Prius is extraordinarily economical to drive due to low maintenance costs, low insurance rates, and very low fuel costs. And finally, I do like knowing that I've done something to reduce my energy footprint. Whether you care about carbon dioxide, money, or giving money to nutjobs in the middle east, burning more gas is not a good thing. I think I would feel a little selfish if I forgot it.

And I know that I would regret trading my one-year-old car. I can already feel the knot in my stomach that comes from making a decision I know is bad. So I won't!

 

I have nothing against the car, or any car for that matter (with the exception of the H2 Hummer or similar). I just didn't want to see another episode like we had with 'The One That Betrayed Us All'...

 

If it will not make you suffer much financially, own both the ES and the Prius. They're two different beasts. If you only must have one, choose the Prius. I currently have an SC430 and my wife has an RX300. I've had a GS400 and an LS400 before and have been driving the L brand since 1998. Very fine line of cars. I am a Clublexus member, have been since 1999, and know a lot about Lexus and its owners. However, if I must have only one car, it will be the Prius. It's the best compromise of luxury, practicality, economy, and environmental friendliness.

PS. Hi to Tideland Prius- Nice to see someone from CL here.

 

Would you stick with the Prius if the seat problem was solved? If the seat is the problem, have you read the threads on Prius seat modifications?

At least take the Lexus to the gas pump and fill it up a few times so that you realize that a "trophy" car has a "trophy" tax. Unfortunately, the impending cost problem will not be solved with a pre-nup agreement between you and the car.

 

Cheaper to replace, or move back, the driver's seat as others have done if it's that uncomfortable.

 

we love our es250 (yes, that's 250, for you lexus fans this is the ancient 1990 relic ) but that thing flat out guzzles gas.

it cost us $160+ a month in gas alone for DH to make his usual drives a few times a week. the prius does everything else and it still costs that much to use the es.

and might i mention, for the uninitiated, that this is a 2.5L v6 engine with an auto tranny. no leaks, no nothing, we've done a lot of work to restore it to great condition down to the light bulbs so there's nothing wrong with it that's dragging on the mpg. no, it just sucks that much gas.

we love the car, we really do. it's beautiful, it's a real trip to drive, and DH is hating having to park it to drive our veg-oil car while he's in school. but that thing would put us out on the street if he started taking it to raleigh and back every day.

 

I own both (actually my wife drives the 2007 ES350) and have a good basis for comparison.

The ES350 is a smooth, quiet luxury car and you already know what the Prius is and how well it does what it does. I hate driving the Lexus; it's not me. At 15,000 miles, the ES has already had one recall and the tires need replacing. At 38,000 miles the Prius has only needed oil changes and tire rotations every 5,000 miles and I expect that's what it will continue to cost me until I trade it in for the new 2009/2010.
I'm having a hard time justifying why everyone shouldn't be driving more economical and cleaner cars.

 

I had a 91 Camry V6 which back then was a lot closer to the ES250 than the current Camry V6 is to the current ES350.

I know what you mean by "guzzles". For the fact that it has a wimpy (by today's standards) 156 hp V6, 18/24 EPA mileage by pre MY-2008 standards is kinda bad by today's standards. My former 02 Nissan Maxima that replaced it weighed more, had 99 hp more, was WAY faster, and yet was rated at 20/26.

 

Why not go all out for an RX????
My friend bought one instead of a Prius and LOVES it! It is quite a ride!

 

lexus

I just bought a 08 package six a few weeks ago. I traded in my 01 Volvo XC (literally falling apart due to bad design and poor quality control) after spending some time reading this forum. I commute around 52 miles a day. My other car is a Lexus LS. I am 6'1" and weigh about 255. Now of course the LS is a more comfortable ride but I filled up for the first time in the Prius and it cost me $30. Filled up this weekend in the Lexus (premium) and cost me $70. We test drove the ES 350 before we got the Prius. The ES is no LS in driving and if you are set on the ES look at the Avalon for a cheaper alternative. As far as comfort, frankly, I was stunned at the interior space in the Prius. I am fairly broad across the shoulders and chest and am by no means side by side with the passenger. Maybe I am heavy enough to really get that Prius seat working for me because it seems comfortable to me even when i get back into the LS. I finely looked at it as a more "responsible" purchase than another Lexus (although i love that LS). So now the majority of my driving is a Prius and my luxuary car is my weekender car and I don't really miss it that much.

 

I'm "whitels" over at CL. I just recently coined "HighBreed" and that would have worked just fine over there, too. What's your screenname? Sorry to hijack this thread momentarily....

 

oh, i was just pointing out the whole sticker shock on gas prices thing! yeah, we've come a long way since the early 90s alright. still, you wants the car you pays the price.

$160/mo was preposterous to me after getting the prius, of course now $30/tank will sound preposterous when we get used to the other car.

 

bump for CL members...


Been a CL member and lexus is definately a nice car.. without a doubt...

but i thought bout practicality ... i drove 18k ish on my lexus last year... and didn't think it was practically to pay premium and to pay 18mpg... there's also the environmental issues...

i guess it's different for me.. but i really think that the prius is comfortable... but if you're buying for the comfort issue only...