Lexus ES300

[ladder4949]

Is there anyone out there knows why Borneo motors stopped bringing in the ES300? If I'm not mistaken, it was Lexus' most popular model back in the early 2000s. In fact there is already an updated ES, the '09 ES 350 which also has the L finess styling, which apparently is already available in the US. If Borneo motors decided to kill of the ES model so that people will be forced to buy the GS, I think they have made a huge mistake!!!! The price gap is too huge, so if one insists on a Lexus, they can only go for IS, if they insist on the size, they have to buy Camry.

[MS]

Is there anyone out there knows why Borneo motors stopped bringing in the ES300? If I'm not mistaken, it was Lexus' most popular model back in the early 2000s. In fact there is already an updated ES, the '09 ES 350 which also has the L finess styling, which apparently is already available in the US. If Borneo motors decided to kill of the ES model so that people will be forced to buy the GS, I think they have made a huge mistake!!!! The price gap is too huge, so if one insists on a Lexus, they can only go for IS, if they insist on the size, they have to buy Camry.

 

I don't know the reason. But statistical sales figures, factory complications, competitor implications, sales and marketing strategy often are the reasons.

 

If your budget is in the ES300 region and looking for a similar car, I can easily suggest you to the VW Passat R36, BMW530i, Audi A6. But my personal favourite is still the R36. Go test drive these vehicles.

[Demon]

Is there anyone out there knows why Borneo motors stopped bringing in the ES300? If I'm not mistaken, it was Lexus' most popular model back in the early 2000s. In fact there is already an updated ES, the '09 ES 350 which also has the L finess styling, which apparently is already available in the US. If Borneo motors decided to kill of the ES model so that people will be forced to buy the GS, I think they have made a huge mistake!!!! The price gap is too huge, so if one insists on a Lexus, they can only go for IS,

 

I think it's because the IS has grown, and if the ES were to be marketed along side, they will definitely cannabalise each others sales.

 

The GS is a totally different animal, it has the refinement and luxury of the LS but it's more sporty styled and comes with rear wheel drive, so it's targeted at the owner driver type, unlike the LS which is more a chauffeur driven type.

 

A more direct competitor to the IS is the Mark-X.

 

if they insist on the size, they have to buy Camry.

 

A Camry is a Camry, it will never come close to a IS, not even the base model.

[heyjezza]

lexus quality & cs blew my mind and captured my heart. according to my se, bm chose not to bring in the es as a matter of corporate strategy - regardless whether or not his word is true, he makes alot of sense. let me share ..

 

first, one must understand the target market audience. singaporeans super ai mian zi. as some of us say, [consciously or subconsciously] we choose face over grace/taste. that there is a disproportionate number of bmw 3series > 5/7series can be attributed to the fact that it's generally the cheapest way to show the world you have arrived. not many people understand the financial difference represented by the varying numbers, but everyone knows the badge.

 

although differing in technological offering, the mechanics in the es/gs remain the same - the indisputable build quality and customer appreciation does not change. importantly (for the purpose of our discussion), they both wear the L badge.

 

without the es, customers looking to spend within that price bracket, can only look to the gs. their only option is to fork out that extra cash. thing is, most people who can afford the es are probably earning enough to view that extra financial commitment as being negligible, or at least, not burden enough to stop serious consideration. further, customers looking to buy the es because of it's size will not even glance at an is250. with the es gone, the gs sits in the spotlight without distraction. had bm brought it in, the gs would not be selling as briskly as it is today. customers who can afford a gs would not necessarily purchase one - the es is a big car, is just as comfortable, and for slightly less luxury, enables its purchasers to retain greater liquidity .. importantly, it also wears the L badge.

 

if you want es size, without gs price, look at the new volvo s80. it's not exactly a luxury marque, but it's close enough.

[ladder4949]

Thanks for your input. I've always told my friends (based on my speculation only which is hardly "expert") that the ES and GS serve 2 very different market. The GS competes with 5 series/E class/A6 while the ES is more for those considering Camry/Teanna/Accord but can afford that much more.

 

But as you've rightfully said, if ES and GS both appeared at the BM showroom with one being almost $30 000 less than the other (correct me if I'm wrong but back in '04 the ES was going at $150k while the previous gen GS was going at $180K) , hey guess which one I would choose!

 

As much as I am glad to see more GS on the roads today (they do look good don't they?) it's really a shame that we don't see the new L-Finess ES here. Some PI outta bring them in. They do have them in RHD don't they?

 

The GS looks so good that even Jaguar copied its side profile!

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/12/04-jaguar-xf-wins-design-award/Jaguar-XF-2-lg.jpg

 

http://www.edmunds.com/media/advice/strategies/strategies.for.smart.car.buyers/07.lexus.gs.450.h.500.jpg

 

I've heard how the previous generation LS used to be classified as a Chauffer's car. But do you think this is still true for the new gen LS460?

[heyjezza]

the ls will always be a car to be seen chauffered ard in ... imo, it's just too big for you to drive yourself.

 

and with all due respect, i observe that the camry-es300 debacle finds its origins with sour camry drivers who placate their egos by pointing out the one thing it shares in common with the camry. the camry is a great car for the money, but the lexus is better .. and it should be given that it costs that much more. no reasonable person can or will say that lexus is toyota glorified. only in sgp is such rubbish spouted .. thanks to our love of face, there are many many cases of sour grapes. i feel the same way about harrier drivers. i've driven a camry before and frankly, it's a fantastic car. i don't see why anyone would be unhappy with one. but it's one thing to be content with what you've got, and another to berate someone else's ride to keep your pride. my next car will probably a very discrete and cheap jap. a camry would be nice.

 

anyway, i'm going to stop talking abt cars. i'm here at sbf because i'm in love with bikes. have always been, but only answering that call now. i thought that driving a nice luxury car would fill the void, but it has only made it all the more apparent when it failed to do anything for my hungry heart.

[Alphard96]

Its back.

Like the ES300H luxury

http://www.lexus.com.sg/en/models/es/es-hybrid.html