sklasse

Have you guys tested out the new Es350? , I think its going to give the E-class a run for its money. http://lexus.com/models/es/gallery_360.html

The new camry is base form looks great, the ES lexus version looks amazing , I only saw it from the exterior didn't actually drive it.but

I could easily see a guy whose about to buy a E350 cross shop and instead choose the ES350 for these reason.

* The price difference is signifcant 10K.

* The styling now on the Lexuses are no longer weak.

* A lot of features included in the base price, plus

* The great Lexus dealership experience plus

* Reliabity is second to none.

* fuel economy on the Lexus is better than Mercedes

having said all that though, I like an autobahn drivers car which for me make MB great, but I could see an older fellow who doesn't care about the drive so much as the features and reliability go for the lexus easily.

Germancar1

The ES350 is a fwd gussied up Camry plain and simple. Only the truly clueless about cars would even suggest that the ES350 is the equal of the E-Class. If Mercedes was to take a fwd Chrysler and alter it with a different grille and bade they too could bring the price down and add a lot more standard features. Don't get me wrong the E is no 5-Series in handling, but it isn't a ES350 either. The ES alsos keeps its tradition of getting uglier and uglier with each redesign. It looks something from Pokeman.

For the clueless its the perfect car to compare with a Mercedes-Benz, those who know the difference couldn't care any less about a new ES350 IMO.

Styling on Lexus cars has only gotten less ugly in recent year. The GS still look like some type of humback whale and the ES is just too slab sided and ugly to even compare to anything from Mercedes-Benz. Its a awful looking car.

M

knifegun

Love the response

I think most German car buyers generally purchase cars based on aspects that cannot be accurately described in a list of features. If feature content is king, don't buy a German car.

GSteg

If anything, the upcoming GS350 is more of a competitor to the E350 than the camry, err ES350

sosh

If all the reasons he gave are accurate he could have done better buying a Toyota. Perhaps he just could not afford an E Class.

HELL ONA HARLEY

Phuckin A right...... Couldn't agree more.

ruykava

hmm, looks just like the new camry.. or any other recent japanese/korean car, really.. yes it's a better car than the last one i'm sure (and i must admit i have always had a soft spot for the ES/Toyota Windom - had one for a while) but competition with the E-class? naaah. not even close. if the difference is only $10k i'm even less optimistic.

there's a big difference between a long list of toys and lots of flash; and class. in 5 years time, this will just be another car on the road.

blazinginder

As much as I love the ES350 I must say you cant compare it to E350 which is a good 10-15k more just from base price. I must say though, that the ES350 is the nicest 4-door sedan under 40k. It has all the technology of its competitors and more. A pano roof on a car of this price is just cool to me, it has good 272hp from a 3.5L engine with a luxurious interior and all. BUT if given the choice to take either the ES350 or an E350 regardless of price, my choice would be the benz.

aceman

Just came back from a Lexus lot today (mom's getting a LS430). Took a good look at the ES350. Nice car, like the interior BUT the exterior is FAT, blah, blah blah camryesque IMO.

I'll take the E anyday.

Aceman

BudC

I think people are missing the point. It's not about the ES350 vs. the E350, it's about the ES350 having a hell of a lot going for it at a price that's at least $15K less than the E350. It has more leg room, it has a very luxurious interior, it has a large trunk, it has quite a bit of power, it's smooth and quiet and it's reliable.

If I didn't take long driving vacations, I'd be better off with the Lexus. Who needs RWD if all you're going to do is go to the grocery store or to a restaurant?

I don't care about exterior styling. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I could even get to like the BMW 5'er exterior if the interior wasn't such a mess.

I live in the Phoenix area. I'm retired. All I really need is a car with a good A/C. The ES350 is perfectly fine for driving to Vegas or San Diego or to catch a cruise out of LA.

When I go out with friends, they would be more comfortable in the back of the Lexus and more impressed with the interior as well.

I've been buying German cars since 1957. I'm on my third Mercedes and still have a 15 year old 300E. I completely understand what's important about buying a Mercedes but I'm not so **** retentive that I think I have to impress someone nor do I have to have a $55K car to drive to the dentist.

RJC

The ES350 is ...well...ugly

ATS

I love how they not only try and copy Merc's design, but their model naming designations as well..

BudC

The Germans build cars they think you should have. The Japanese build cars they think you will buy. Toyota have been pretty good at it.

Flash Gordon

I think the ES is competing with the MB "C" models. It will take away some customers away from the potential "C" buyers. And if I were thinking of buying a "C", I may seriously consider the ES. The ES is not going to hurt the E market share at all.

sklasse

the IS competes with c

Flash Gordon

Not really. The IS is more of a sporty model that cranks out good horse power, handles well, brakes well. It also competes with my daily drive, G35X. I don't think any C model is in its class

ultraseven

The ES350 doesn't compete with the E-class, and even though there are a lot of nice touches and features, it just isn't in the same class. It really is a boring car, made for people who don't care much about driving excitement. It sells well because it caters to a segment of folks who wants a luxurious, troublefree, cruise-mobile. It isn't going to give an E, or even the GS, a run for its money.

Nice to see the "I have a MB, you don't have s**t" replies. Should I say easily satisfied or easily disdained?

VRCL55

Really?

http://www.cartoday.com/cgi-bin/ulti...c;f=2;t=035333