Does anyone know what changes are expected for the 2005 ES330? Is this something that's well-known, or is it top secret stuff?
I'm considering buying a 2004 ES330 and I don't want to find out that I should have waited for the 2005 model because they are offering something I want. In particular, I want the ML audio, but not the Nav. Is there any chance they will offer it that way in 2005? Also, will they offer Satellite radio? Bluetooth for the cell phone?
Also, can you put satellite radio in the 2004 ES so that it integrates nicely into the car?
I have a 2002 ES300 with the new ECU firmware. The original ES firmware had a bad lag at highway speed, but the revised version improved that. The problem I have is when rolling at under 20mph, then needing it to get up and go. It will sit at times for up to 2 seconds before kicking in and moving. I notice this frequently when pulling out of a parking lot into traffic. The 2002 ES300 with the new firmware should be very similar to the current ES300, except for the slight difference in engine size (3.0 vs. 3.3). Some people have reported that the 2004 ES330 has the same lag as the 2002/2003 ES300.
I'm pretty angry with Lexus for not taking this problem seriously, expecially after all the driver complaints. That said, you may be perfectly fine with the operating characteristics of the ES. Not everybody experiences the problem, as it has a lot to do with driving habits and environment. My advice is that you consider this decision carefully, and test drive it thoroughly before signing. If you are unable to reproduce the scenario that I've described above, then you may not be affected by its behavior in those situations. I maintain that the problem is built in to the current Lexus auto tranny, but due to different driving habits, not everybody experiences the problem. I can say that I've never driven another car that behaved this way, and I've never driven a car that I've trusted so little as this one. Very comfy, lots of nice features otherwise, I just don't trust it to move when I need it.
Picture yourself turning left at a light. You see a gap coming up and when it gets there, you tap the gas to shoot through. The car waits about .75-1 second before it moves and suddenly instead of anicipating the gap you are going to start moving after it is beside you. After a while you learn to tap the gas before you really need it so it has some steam built up when you actually want the car to go. One way to offset this malady is to mash the gas hard, then it seems to start moving more quickly.
Honestly, I'm not sure. I have a real problem, as most people do, with gas prices today. I'd really prefer to have a hybrid gas/electric, so I'd probably look at a different class of vehicle, like the new RX or Highlander hybrids. I really like the styling of the Infiniti G35, both the 2 and 4 door. I also like the styling of the new Toyota Solara, they've made it sportier looking, along the line of the old Lexus SC series. But, in the final balance, my opinion is useless. Like I said before, you may find the ES to drive perfectly fine for your driving habits. My point is that you should do the due diligence and thoroughly test drive the cars on your short-list before dropping the cash. Now, to expand further on your question, would I buy an ES330 today? Based on my personal experience with my 2002 ES300, I can say categorically "NO", I would not buy another ES. For my driving style, the ES has turned out to be a really poor fit. I made the mistake of not being thorough with my selection prior to buying. I based too much on the Lexus reputation for quality, which proved to be a judgement error.
You know, I am truly amazed that people are having the identical experience that I've had with my ES300. What's even more amazing is that Lexus continues to sell these vehicles with what I perceive to be a potentially fatal flaw. Thanks for posting your experience.
Owners are filing NHTSA incident reports. Some day Lexus will wake up (or they will get sued, whichever comes first).
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: VEHICLE YEAR : 2004 MAKE : LEXUS MODEL : ES 330 Crash : No Fire : No Number of Injuries: 0 ODI ID Number : 10063646 Date of Failure: December 1, 2003 Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Summary: VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS RESPOND PROPERLY TO DRIVER DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR. IN SOME CASES, WHEN COASTING SLOWLY E.G., UNDER 10 MPH), SUDDENLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR SHARPLY WILL HAVE NO EFFECT FOR ABOUT
1.5 SECONDS. DURING THE DELAY, THE ENGINE WILL CONTINUE TO IDLE AND VEHICLE SPEED DO NOT INCREASE. AFTER THE DELAY, THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION. THIS CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER IS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS ANOTHER POSSIBLY RELATED ANOMALY WITH THE CAR: WHEN DRIVING, UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN THE DRIVER SHARPLY PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE SPEED WILL NOT CHANGE FOR ABOUT 1.5 SECONDS. AFTER THE DELAY, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS AND THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASES.*AK
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