Depends. Do you want a land cruiser or a normal sized car. If you ask me, the lower Lexus models arent very luxurious at all. We have a rx350 and it is downright terrible. I believe the GS and higher are true Lexus luxury cars. It is my opinion but I would ignore the grill on the new avalon. It isa different approach and I would wait a year anyways so the bugs are fixed for both models.

 

I love the land cruiser which was the reason we got the 2011 Avalon. But the wife keep talking up how nic the Lexus looks to her. There are some owners reviews of the GS350 but not my style and for $54k it's a little pricey. If wishes came true I'd buy the LS460 but I like a steak every now and then. I will wait and see if there is a real improvement on the 13 Avalon, if not we can wait for the 2014..

 

Think of it this way. Would you rather pay more or looks and less standard features (Lexus) or pay the same for more features standard and decent looks (Avy).

For the money, the avy is a far Superior choice.

 

don't forget the insurance cost

 

My Limited Insurance cost went down $300/yr after getting rid of my '09 Lexus ES350.

I now pay the same as my wife's car, an '04 Lexus RX330.

 

I don't know your needs for a vehicle, but you are getting in the price range of a RX350. I have a 2007 Avalon and a 2010 RX350 and we love the Lexus. The Lexus dealers(some) are giving a 5k discount on the 12 models right now. I drove the GS350 one time and it is leaps and bounds ahead of the ES.

 

About to retire in a few years and I want to get one more nice car while I got the income. We really just want it for pleasure use and small trips to see grand kid and social event. I will not use daily as we both have work cars. I have had my SUV days (sold my Envoy and currently own a Tahoe)and don't want another one. I've tested driven A6 a 2012 E350 and 2012 BMW 535i these car are at least $15k more than Avalon. The Audi drives the best, the Benz has the styling I like most. And the BMW is over price to me for what you are getting. With all these car you pay extra for up graded features so added another 5k to the price. My wallet:headbang: is overrule my styling and name prestige desire's. So it's probably 2013 Avalon and money left over for a Disney World trip or two with the grand kids:facepalm:.

 

We are also near retirement age, and also would like to get one more nice car.
My wife currently drives a 2000 Avalon which has been a dependalbe car and we would both hate to see it go, but with the 2013's coming, it might be a good time to switch.
We had looked at he Lexus ES previously but I think we would rather have a the new Avalon.
I bought a new camry last year as my daily driver, and am extremely happy with it. :thumbsup:

 

Well supposedly, there is a Avalon hybrid which could replace your daily driver. Also If I may suggest, I would relieve myself of owning a Chevy. It will be nothing but trouble in the next 5 years. I assume you do the proper maintenance and that is why it has not failed on you yet. :lol:

All the German cars are over priced. They do compete with the Japanese brands but cost much more in comparison. BMW is not worth the money as you mentioned. Audi and MB are real close but again, dependability is a top concern so the Japanese win out again.

I also highly suggest you wait a year or 2 so Toyota can fix the bugs/complaints. No point of getting a 1st model year car when there might be new additions the following year. You might also want to test drive the new GS. I know it is a bit pricey but think about it. How many new GS' have you seen on the roads? It is the pioneer model that is leading Toyota/Lexus in a new direction.

 

Well supposedly, there is a Avalon hybrid which could replace your daily driver.

You are correct the new 2013 Avalon will have a hybrid model as I have driven two of them off the assembly line just last week. Look for them to start rolling out sometime in October.

 

The front of that Lexus is not the least bit attractive to me. I like the 2011-12 Avalon styling way more.

 

Actually I really like the new GS350 front, looks like a Samurai helmet, 'tis cool.

The 2013 Avalon Maw is a bit of a shock at first but reality is, five minutes after getting one it'll be fine. I like Toyota taking a little risk with styling.



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Talking about retirement, I wass just on base and I ran into a husband/wife of retired USMC Sgt Majors. They had a slightly used 2012, Pearl white(?) It was sweet and loaded. They shopped for most the of the vehicles mentioned above and they settled on the Avalon and enjoying the extra money on golf and heading out to see their retired military friends. They bitched about the same thing and they weren't about to throw the money away on what they thought was exuberant, expensive and just plain stupid (their words). Longslim, enjoy your retirement, save your money and enjoy your time in Disneyworld

 

I use to love Annette Funicello she was pretty and Disney land was new. I guess I can come to like a costume mouse and a over priced buffet in Orlando. I to will find it hard to get the Lexus $10k is $10k

 

There is more to an ES than just a badge and dealer service and I'm shocked to see that comment here and after the ES has been the best selling Asian luxury sedan since 1989. A Lexus is built to twice the standards of a Toyota per company regulations. The ES offers a hybrid model that gets 40MPG amazingly. You get a choice of real wood. Not sure if the Avalon will offer dual sunroofs like the ES. The Remote Touch is great to use.

Both have their intended markets, both are great cars.

 

I have to lol on this post, how do you quantify "twice the standard"? So management actually tells the employees to do a half ass job on the Avalon. Sir, I think you are over reaching greatly in defense of the ES. Surely you didn't intend to sound so pompous. Both are great car built to a very high standard. I think Toyota expect sells for the Lexus ES to be greater. These car are market and sold to two very different demographics. I had people look at my car who have never seen nor heard of the Avalon brand. Hell I'd never heard of the dang car before I purchase one. I just happening to spot one on the dealership's lot in the back and ask wtf was it. Most people would not know it's a Toyota without see that big "T". While most people recognize a Lexus ES immediately like they do a BMW and equate it with quality and prestige. But as we on here know they are for all intent and design the same car. Before this Lexus ES where glorify Camrys with nicer interiors. Starting this year the ES will be built on the same frame as Avalon with a increase of 4" more rear seat leg room. But weirdly the Avalon will still be longer. Plus all upgrade are included in the Avalon's price, with the ES you will pay extra.

 

^^Nonsense. Same engine, same trans, different cosmetics.

 

Twice the standards? Sounds like a stretch. A looooooooooooong stretch. I do agree that they are both great cars.

 

It sounds different on paper but in reality, its not. To add to that fact now the Es is a dressed up avalon with a luxury necklace (Badge). Its the same platform, trans, v6 engine. It will get more "real" materials but thats about it.

It is a good car thought but for the money, the avalon is a much better choice. Fuel economy shouldn't be an issue because there will be an avalon hybrid.

 

The ES is not a luxury Avalon, it is a Luxury Camry. If you want a car that is barely bigger than a 3 series inside and $10K more money go ES. If you want a roomy freeway criuser for $10K less go Avalon. The ES is a fine luxury car as is the Avalon. If indeed the ES is going to be built on the Avalon platform for '13, then it will no longer be cramped inside. Unfortunately, the new Lexus front is almost as ugly as the maw on the Avalon. Not worth the price premium. Not at all digging the Lexus front- the pics below are self explanatory.

 

Wow, I'm stunned at the ES hate on a Toyota forum. A Lexus is built to twice the standards of a Toyota this is not my opinion this is company mandated. Toyota's clearly are well built, Lexus are just better built the best the company can offer. The Avalon is make in KY and the ES is still made in Japan. The ES will offer semi-analine leather and a more luxurious interior. The car will be quieter, smoother and over time will age more gracefully. This is no knock on the Avalon, it is a terrific car. If a Lexus ES was not that much better than a comparable Toyota, Lexus would be a struggling tier 3 luxury brand like Acura selling Honda plus. Toyota does enough differentiation with the two brands and it CLEARLy shows after more than two decades.

Plenty of cars are based on one another and share parts. That does not make it the same. The 5 series is now based on the 7 series and the 7 series is simply the superior car.

My post(s) are no knock on the Avalon, again its a fantastic car. Having driven every generation Avalon/ES extensively its clear why the ES is a Lexus.

 

I'll back you on this statement. Example before I got my ES300 5speed I was dicking around in a 95 Camry You might be able to see where I'm going with this but vinyl trim and plastic everywhere. My Lexus has a full on leather interior, wood grain, bigger motor, etc it's an all around better car. Now compare my ES to my backup car (2001 Avalon) and that gap narrows quite a lot but there's still quite a margin. Lexus getting twice the detail over Toyota shouldn't surprise anyone. It IS the flagship brand.


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I have owned two Lexi and also driven every Avalon. I do hate the new Lexus corporate front end on all models regardless of Avalon feelings. What does built to twice the standard exactly mean? What is the standard and how does Lexus double it? If you said thet the failure prone VVti oil hose on the Lexus is metal compared to the rubber Toyota hose then that is a tangible item. Are there specific items that you can point to. If indeed the Lexus is double the standard, one might look at it as the Toyota being sub standard (at least compared to the new Lexus standard).

Edit: I see the points in the above post can't argue with that. I have a 750lLi and the 5 series as nice as it is, can't come close.

 

Agree. You do get much better service in terms of maintenance and repairs with Lexus but that depends on the dealer (The closest Lexus dealership that I go to has like a buffet table and 10 leather couches and many lcds everywhere)

Its like regular people and celebrities. They are both the same inside (tranny, frame, mehcanicals stuff) but they only really differ on the outside and their name (which is the interior and the badge)

I know thats not the best example but it serves the purpose.

Edit- Also if you wanted to help the US economy, you would want to get an Avalon. Built in the US (unlike a few domestic auto makers ) while the Lexus is made in Japan.

 

Agree. You do get much better service in terms of maintenance and repairs with Lexus but that depends on the dealer (The closest Lexus dealership that I go to has like a buffet table and 10 leather couches and many lcds everywhere)QUOTE]

It ain't free. My associate has an LX 470 and the Lexus dealer wanted $1900 for brakes, 60K service, CV boots, diff/trans fluid, filters, brake flush, serpentine belt, and a few other items. The local Toyota dealer is doing the exact same service (not CV boots, the Lexus dealer tried to rip him off. Toyota said his boots are fine and he only needed a $4 clamp) for $680. Given that it is the same as the Land Cruiser that they service they are perfectly qualified to service his LX.

Still waiting to see evidence of double the quality in a Lexus, nicer cosmetic trim does not count-that has nothing to do with quality. can we assume the Lexus V6 or transmission will last twice as long?

 

ES or Avalon, I guess depends on what you really want. Both ES and Camry have been sharing the same platform since ? it will be interesting to see how the new ES/Avalon compares to each other.
Double the standard or not, I think we all agree Lexus uses ES as a entry model for folks to jump from Toyota/honda to a class higher.

I never consider ES vs Avalon due to size and hardware, more like Camry XLE vs ES. Now we will see how ES really go against Avalon with the shared platform

 

Just to let you guys know, the price difference is only 5k when you price them fully loaded. At their fully loaded prices, you are only buying name at that point.

 

I have owned a number of luxury brands including a Lexus. I think it is funny how people are comparing 10 year old cars to each other. Clearly a lot has changed since then. In fact, I spent the last two weeks test driving multiple Lexus lines, Audi, and even BMW. I then happened to see a new Avalon on the street and decided to look in to it. I have been blown away and this is based on an apples to apples comparison. In fact many have mentioned the clear difference is in the ride of the ES. By digging a little deeper, this is because of the tires. The Limited has a 45 series tire while the most aggressive ES option rides a 55. This makes a huge difference in overall ride and performance! The Limited is clearly geared towards a more luxury sport crowd. Not only did I save cash, but the Limited is just a bada$$ car.