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I am looking to upgrade an aging 2000 Echo to something a bit larger and a bit more luxury. This is going to be a secondary family car.
I am looking at used cars, willing to go as old as 2003 and spend up to 15K for a good used Lexus. Finding something with less than 60-70K would probably be ideal
I am looking at used Lexus ES300 & IS 300 (and GS 300 <-- gonna be tough to find with low millage for that price)
If you own one - would you buy it again? If you use it as a family car - would you recommend it for a family of three?
I had a 1997 ES300 for 10 years. It was (and probably is) a great car! I loved it! I purchased a 2008 Camry Hybrid instead. If the Camry Hybrid was not as roomy or as comfortable to drive, I would have purchased another ES in a heart beat. I convinced my friend to trade in his Jaguar X-Type for a new ES350 and he has loved his new ride.
There was barely any maintenance on the car. I faithfully changed the oil so the only unexpected cost/surprise was when the original battery died when after 6 years of ownership. My ES was, a family sedan. You would not be taking corners like a BMW, but I was not looking for a sports sedan.
For driving experience, I'd pound the paevement to find a GS that would work, then an IS. The ES is fine, but reminds me of a traditional American sedan interpreted by Toyota, sort of a Buick of a Toyota. It's relaiable and has many nice features, but I prefer a better handling vehicle.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Why get a ES when you are paying more for the Lexus badge while basically driving a Camry? It's based on the same platform, same drive train and front wheel drive layout without offering a ton of features that make it worth while over a well equipped Camry. I would go no lower than an IS when it comes to Lexus. The ES is for the person that likes to brag about the Lexus badge without being able to afford the real stars of the Lexus line up (IS, GS, LS).
Actually, the ES may share some basic mechanicals with a Camry, but it's a very different car.
Especially as far as quality control goes. Things that slide through in a Toyota plant wouldn't make it past the first QC inspector at the Tahara plant.
It's not just a badge that goes into a Lexus.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iTsLiKeAnEgG
I would go no lower than an IS when it comes to Lexus. The ES is for the person that likes to brag about the Lexus badge without being able to afford the real stars of the Lexus line up (IS, GS, LS).
The IS is the lowest you can go in the Lexus line-up. It's the entry-level car.
Actually, the ES may share some basic mechanicals with a Camry, but it's a very different car.
Especially as far as quality control goes. Things that slide through in a Toyota plant wouldn't make it past the first QC inspector at the Tahara plant.
It's not just a badge that goes into a Lexus.
The IS is the lowest you can go in the Lexus line-up. It's the entry-level car.
Kind of. The IS250 has an MSRP that is a few thousand dollars less than the ES350 but a better comparison would be the IS350 which is actually more expensive. But I see what you’re saying and I wouldn’t drive the anemic IS250 either. I'm more oriented towards sports sedans so I'm sure the ES offers some things that I just can't appreciate but the entire Lexus range is centered more towards people who like to be driven than those who like to drive.
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