Hey guys, I drove down to Houston for Thanksgiving feast. My dad tells me he is thinking of buying a Lexus for my mom's b-day. He doesn't have a clue about cars. He wants to spend $25-30k, and he refuses to buy a new car.

His priorities are Luxury, comfort, smooth ride, and roominess in that particular order. So, he is shopping for a 2003 ES300 CPO Vs. a 2002 RL. He doesn't really care about 0-60 or skidpad figures. They are in the same price range. I looked up the specs on the 2 cars. But, I don't anything about them. I mean I know that the ES is camry based, etc. etc. What I am asking is what would you buy for your 60+ year old parents, and are there any TSB's, anything major I need to look out for. I know I am going to be the one who inspects, testdrives and negotiates the deal. I have two days to get the car.

TIA and Happy Thanksgiving

 

ES300

 

 

Its a hard choice. I would probably actually take the 2002 3.5RL. The ES300 does look newer, but the interior on the RL is much better. Where the es300 has plain black plastic, the RL has wood (probably fake but better then plain plastic). RL also has the better engine of the two.

ES300 does look sportier though but I bet the RL does drive better. When new $40k car (RL) vs $30k car (ES).

 

Yeah, I'd go for the RL too. I've had an ES300, and seriously considered the RL at the time. Having driven both, I think the RL is better value for money, especially when buying used, as they tended to depreciate faster than the Lexus.

Now that the new RL just came out, you should be able to get a good deal on a used one.

I don't know how the Acura service departments are, but you might want to ask. When the Lexus needed service, they would pick it up from my house and leave an RX300 for me to use (of course, they hope you'll upgrade when you buy the next car), then I'd just pick it up when it was done. It was always returned washed and vaccumed.

 

You make a good point DiamondDave, Lexus service is usually way better then Acuras. Acura people are nice but Lexus service goes far beyond.

 

well, I have a lot of research in the last few hours. There is an acura dealer with a white 2002 RL and a white 03 ES. So, we will probably testdrive them in a few hours. Both are listed for $27995.

The RL has a more vault like look. It weighs 3950lbs. It was improved for 2002(Onstar, sportier suspension, and much quieter). Unfortunately, it has a 4 spd auto and gives on 24 on the Hwy(my dad cares about mpg). Also it is the last generation model.

The ES IMHO has a better interior. Weighs 3560 lbs. New model for 2003. many ES's are Lexus certified(3/100k warranty, loaner, Roadside asst, and new car financing), 5 spd auto, 29 on the hwy, better service. Unfortunately, IMHO it looks FUGLY from the front.

Thanks for the replies.

 

do you have any other choices at hand. like the infiniti m45 or q45. Not sure on there price range though, between the 2 i would go for RL. To me the es300
to me is just a overglorified camry. You can just save 8k and get a camry v6 would be the same just about. Now a GS300 or LS400 that would be a different story, more comproable to the RL

 

why would u get ES300? when u can get camry XLE V6 for way cheaper???
unless u wanna pay like extra just for lexus emblem

camry and ES has exact same chasis and engine. just letting u know

 

I'd have to say I'd go Lexus ES300. The RL has more power, but is also much bigger and heavier, and I think the rear seat room in the RL is laughable for such a large car. Both cars are rather sleepy IMO, but both are well built and good highway cars.

I'm sure they're both plenty reliable, so no biggie there. I would say though that because the ES300 without a doubt will hold its value longer, that would be the smart way to go, especially if your dad plans to get another Lexus in the future. Lexus has a great trade-in program from what I hear. My uncle works with a guy that got into a brand new RX330 from a Lexus dealer for only about $15 grand because the Lexus he traded in was in great shape and generally had a high resale value.

The RL on the other hand would depreciate faster, and I doubt Acura's trade-in program/loyalty discount is as good as Lexus'. I honestly haven't heard that Acura's program is worse per se, I just hear a lot about how good Lexus' service is for return customers.