Re: Toyota's Lexus April 08 car sales drop 22.1%, trucks down 8.6%

No piston slap is never normal, except as you found in the contrary
from Lexus.

Poor metallurgy and long term wear is one reason; however, relaxed
production line tolerance is another (given other new ES on the lot
suffered the same).

I thought these days every manufacturer matches pistons to cylinder
bores to achieve the necessary tolerance. Well maybe not Toyota (which
makes Lexus line).

Piston slaps: "essentially, the piston moves sideways and "slaps" or
"knocks" hard against the cylinder bore and causes damage to the
engine pistons and cylinders, excessive smoke emissions, excessive oil
consumption, carbon buildup on piston heads, decreased mileage, and a
loud and obnoxious "slapping" or "knocking" noise, all of which
diminishes vehicle resale value in the trade."