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      08-16-2021, 09:16 AM   #1
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Rented this for the week.... not what I expected

Slow day today, so I figured I'll discuss my rental car experience.

I used to be a Lexus fan (and in some instances, I astill am). I remember them making high quality cars with excellent build quality, smooth operation, and bullet proof reliability.

I'm currently on vacation in Virginia. Rental car companies are charging outrageous prices (~$100/day for a Toyota Corolla). So I turned to Turo to rent out this 2020 Lexus ES350 for about $50/day.

Here are my notes for how I feel about this car:

- The Exterior looks really nice, very attractively designed.
- The Interior is a mixed bag... it's like a weird combination of attractive design but also outdated at the same time.
- Red Flag #1: As soon as I slam the door shut, it makes a very unpleasant hollow thump, like what you'd expect in a Nissan Versa or some low end econobox. I remember going to a Lexus event once where they discussed how they actively work on the sound as the door shuts. I guess they must have skipped the ES. This may seem like a minor issue but it REALLY makes this car feel like a dressed up economy car rather than an actual luxury sedan.
- Red Flag #2: The interior materials/quality feel like they're stuck in 2010, not befitting of a 2020 luxury car. A decade ago I would have said this car had fantastic interior quality, but today it's just SO outdated and cheap feeling.
- Red Flag #3: I hadn't used Lexus's new (although not new anymore since it's soon being replaced) infotainment, but had heard all the reviews trashing it. I have to say, with full confidence, I 100% agree with those reviews. It's an absolute nightmare to use.
- First World Problem #1: You don't truly realize the value of a head-up display until you drive a car without it after having used one regularly for the past couple years. I have to look down at the dash to check my speed... and worse... look over to the main screen to check where I need to make my next turn?? What blasphemy!
- First World Problem #2: There's a little slit where you can place your phone. At first glance this seems convenient. But in practice, there aren't any bristles or soft material in the slit to prevent your phone from shifting under acceleration/braking. As a result, my drive was filled with a symphony of rattles and I ultimately just put my phone in one of the empty cupholders.
- First World Problem #3: I have to manually open/close my sunroof shade?? How dare they!

There's more stuff but I'll spare everyone my bitching before I get labeled a spoiled brat. In reality though, having driven a couple really nice BMW's over the past 2 years has spoiled me.

I didn't say anything about the driving experience. It's a mid/large size sedan geared for comfort. From that regard, it mostly succeeds - it's relatively quiet, smooth over bumps, and the engine has enough power (barely) to feel like it's not struggling. I don't expect this to be an athlete and thus I won't judge it as one.

The bigger story is how much of a shock it was for me that in the past decade it seems Lexus hasn't really made any improvements. This is a 2020 model car which felt like I was driving a 2010. In 2010 it would have been great. Today, it just feels old and low quality. Shame.
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      08-16-2021, 09:35 AM   #2
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      08-16-2021, 09:39 AM   #3
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Alot of respect for Lexus.
My first car was an older generation ES300.
But today's Lexus grill style is just plain weird.
Like a 70s Battlestar Galactica Ceylon helmet.
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      08-16-2021, 09:50 AM   #4
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The upside...shit won't break and you could drive it a billion miles until it becomes one with the earth again.
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      08-16-2021, 09:53 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
The upside...shit won't break and you could drive it a billion miles until it becomes one with the earth again.
Yup, my 2009 Toyota Highlander, which is basically a low end Lexus, simply will not quit and never fails me. I just changed all the fluids (radiator, brake, transmission), replaced the spark plugs, cleaned the throttle body. I'll be good to go for another 100K. I change the oil every 10k. Brakes, tires - that's it.
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      08-16-2021, 09:56 AM   #6
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We bought my dad a 2016 ES350 back in 2017. I share your red flag regarding the noise the door makes when closing. Reminds me of the old steel garbage cans when you drop the lid on top. Anyway, he's 87 and loves the car.
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      08-16-2021, 10:10 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold View Post
The upside...shit won't break and you could drive it a billion miles until it becomes one with the earth again.
That's very true.... And I can appreciate that angle when it comes to putting new tech/features into a car in the name of reliability.

But things like cheap materials, hollow sounding doors, a nightmare UI for the infotainment don't really have any bearing on reliability and are sort of inexcusable for a MY2020 luxury car.
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      08-16-2021, 10:13 AM   #8
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It's a re-bodied Camry. What did you expect?
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      08-16-2021, 10:18 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
It's a re-bodied Camry. What did you expect?
I expected some progress over the last decade. I had an 08 IS350 and a 10 RX350 which were GREAT cars back when I bought them. I didn't expect a 2020 Lexus to be mostly unchanged from those.
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      08-16-2021, 10:51 AM   #10
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I had one as a loaner this past week while my GSF was getting serviced.

I think the car needs to be viewed from a different lens. This thing is not trying to be at the forefront of cutting edge tech.

ES buyers are primarily on the older end of the spectrum and aren't looking for a tech filled automobile. They want reliability and a cushy ride. My gf's mom is on her 4th ES and they've all followed the same formula so why change it?
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      08-16-2021, 11:02 AM   #11
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ES has always been a cheaply built car and uses Toyota FWD platform, engine etc.

Drive the new LC500 - its the only great vehicle that Lexus still makes. If it was under the BMW brand - it would be sitting in my garage already.

I left the Lexus brand long ago and the Predator grill has kept me from coming back. Sadly now same thing may happen with BMW.
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      08-16-2021, 11:04 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Efthreeoh View Post
It's a re-bodied Camry. What did you expect?
I was going to post just this. The reality is that this is a repurposed Camry so this car is starting from a place beneath a 3 Series. Toyota has generated its reputation on reliability by keeping things simple and stretching out technology for decades. You don't buy these for the best in luxury or performance. You buy them as a drive it and forget it vehicle and in that usage it succeeds.
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      08-16-2021, 11:04 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sublime00 View Post
I had one as a loaner this past week while my GSF was getting serviced.

I think the car needs to be viewed from a different lens. This thing is not trying to be at the forefront of cutting edge tech.

ES buyers are primarily on the older end of the spectrum and aren't looking for a tech filled automobile. They want reliability and a cushy ride. My gf's mom is on her 4th ES and they've all followed the same formula so why change it?
Yeah that's a good point. And honestly I'm not TOTALLY knocking it for the lack of tech. But things like material quality, the outdated look and feel of the interior - the things that help with luxury/comfort - I expected some progress on. From Lexus's perspective I understand, if it's selling well then why change it. And honestly, if I hadn't moved into a couple of loaded BMW's, there may have been a case of "you don't know what you don't know". But as it is, even removing the concern over lack of tech and solely focusing on quality of materials, it just feels like I hopped back into my 2008 IS. Quality of materials was great back in 2008, but not so much today.

BTW super jealous of your GSF. I LOVE that car. Such a joy to drive.
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      08-16-2021, 11:07 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R N M View Post
ES has always been a cheaply built car and uses Toyota FWD platform, engine etc.

Drive the new LC500 - its the only great vehicle that Lexus still makes. If it was under the BMW brand - it would be sitting in my garage already.

I left the Lexus brand long ago and the Predator grill has kept me from coming back. Sadly now same thing may happen with BMW.
Oh I love the LC500. I've had the opportunity to drive it on a few occasions and it's such a joy to drive. Not the greatest performer but it's so much fun. If I didn't need a usable backseat it would definitely be high up on the list of cars for me to purchase.

When I had an ES as a loaner back when I did own a couple Lexus's, it didn't seem nearly as bad as it does today... so maybe just a case of changing perspective for me.
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      08-16-2021, 01:47 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ..Rush.. View Post
But today's Lexus grill style is just plain weird.
Like a 70s Battlestar Galactica Ceylon helmet.
Agreed, complete 'fugly' IMO

The front end makes me think of Darth Vaders illegitimate step child .......
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      08-16-2021, 01:54 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sublime00 View Post
I had one as a loaner this past week while my GSF was getting serviced.

I think the car needs to be viewed from a different lens. This thing is not trying to be at the forefront of cutting edge tech.

ES buyers are primarily on the older end of the spectrum and aren't looking for a tech filled automobile. They want reliability and a cushy ride. My gf's mom is on her 4th ES and they've all followed the same formula so why change it?
Agree with this. The only thing an ES needs to be able to haul, aside from the driver and the passenger are oxygen tanks, golf clubs and groceries.
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      08-16-2021, 03:50 PM   #17
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Agree with your assessment that the materials have not advanced with the times. Lexus has always been slow to advance their designs, presumably for the sake of reliability. However, outside of the forums, does the majority of their core audience actually care? I think not.

To me, I feel like Lexus interior quality peaked in the 00s, and we are still just seeing tiny incremental improvements of that. I sat in a IS300 and IS350 recently. Outside I think it's stunning, but the inside? meh.

I'm hoping the new NX signals a meaningful change for Lexus.
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      08-16-2021, 05:45 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wtwo3 View Post
I expected some progress over the last decade. I had an 08 IS350 and a 10 RX350 which were GREAT cars back when I bought them. I didn't expect a 2020 Lexus to be mostly unchanged from those.
That is why Toyota/Lexus has such great reliability as the cars and engines don’t change much and they are able to achieve near perfection.
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      08-16-2021, 07:00 PM   #19
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I had one of these as a loaner when my IS was being serviced. I waited 30 mins for an ES to avoid taking a garbage NX/RX.

I was pleasantly surprised. The V6 had adequate power, handling was way better than the prior generation and fairly impressive. Interior I agree was a mixed bag, usual fare for Lexus. Some nice materials, some cheapish materials, dash design is ugly. Tech user interface is trash.

Overall pleasantly surprised. Great car for the price. I know some chick who is 32 and got one of these new and I tease her for it. Nobody that young should be driving this.
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      08-16-2021, 08:14 PM   #20
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As with most Lexus' (besides the top dog LS and LC) the interiors, tech, powertrains and handling are never the best or fanciest, but there are two luxuries that Lexus nails more so than any other brand which is why their clientele are so loyal:

1) Dealers and Service Centers: Lexus dealers are the best and its not even close. They really pamper you and give top notch service.

2) The Greatest Luxury of them All: Peace of Mind. These cars can outlive most of their owners.
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      08-16-2021, 10:21 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by RPM33 View Post
That is why Toyota/Lexus has such great reliability as the cars and engines don’t change much and they are able to achieve near perfection.
That makes sense from a powertrain and tech standpoint. My disappointment was more on the materials quality and fit/finish side of things. It FELT cheap... more like a dressed up economy car. That shouldn't have any impacts on reliability.
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      08-16-2021, 10:27 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stein_325i View Post
As with most Lexus' (besides the top dog LS and LC) the interiors, tech, powertrains and handling are never the best or fanciest, but there are two luxuries that Lexus nails more so than any other brand which is why their clientele are so loyal:

1) Dealers and Service Centers: Lexus dealers are the best and its not even close. They really pamper you and give top notch service.

2) The Greatest Luxury of them All: Peace of Mind. These cars can outlive most of their owners.
Agreed on both accounts. I guess I was just shocked that the quality was unchanged. I expected the tech to be lacking.. I didn't expect the materials, which at one point Lexus was one of the best, to not progress.
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