Used 2005 Lexus ES 330 Consumer Reviews
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Solid value.
This beauty never lets me down. Quiet comfort surrounded by eye catching lines. Reliable controls except for the windows. Overall, one solid value.
Lexus ES 330 is a great car!
This car has only 82,500 miles and I've never had one moment of mechanical difficulty. New brakes and a new battery in 2019. Comfortable, great ride, will only consider a newer Lexus. Lexus owner for life!
- Base SedanMSRP: $4,50044 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $7,10056 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $6,49593 mi away
A beautiful machine!
We bought this car used in March of 2008 (Certified though), and we have had absolutely no mechanical problems with it (minus one tire that had an improper seal, easily fixed)! One of the best cars we've owned! We used to be a Honda/Volvo family, but my husband acquired my stepmother's 2002 RX300 in 2005, and since then, we have fallen in love with the brand. A reliable, QUIET car! Only improvement would be better mileage around town, we're getting about 17.5, which is still good for a V6! Kudos, Lexus!
Lexus fan for life
Well this is my 5th lexus. I buy lexus everytime, not only because of the fact it is a reliable and comfortable car with nice styling, but we have a very nice relationship with the dealer. In fact my whole family owns cars from this dealer,15 in all over the years.
Steady as she goes
Owned for 6 years. Great for trips and city driving. Very reliable. Best used car value.
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Very quiet and comfortable to drive
This car is very quiet, as far as road noise. Rides very smooth. However, it is hard for truckers to see you. Also, there is quite a large blind spot with this automobile.
Best In Class
My wife was in the market for something 'special' for her upcoming graduation gift - we had not considered the ES 330. Our focus was the RX 330, but when she saw the ES 330 and drove it, she was in love. This is the most refined car money can buy for under $40k. Everything about it screams quality: The paint, body lines/fit, interior trim, and driving experience. If you want a sports car, look elswhere; if you want a luxury car without having to consider a plethora of 'options' (hint: try to build a comparable BMW 3-series and see where the price ends), look no further.
Why I like my Lexus
The car rides like a much larger car. The gas mileage I get around town 19 to 20 mpg, highway 30 to 32mpg with cruise.
My 2005 ES 330
A very boring driving vehicle. Transmission hesitates a lot. The tranny can't always get the right gear selected.
Best value
I have had this car for about 3 months now. It is well built, very quiet and a real pleasure to drive. Best near luxury car for the price. Quieter than our E-class Mercedes, and about 20 K less.
My ES 330 2005
After 3 weeks and 700 miles the transmission had to be replaced. It seems to be a great car but I am nervous about the overall quality of the vehicle.
Great Car!
We compared the Toyota Avalon, Camry and the ES330 and we decided on the 330 due to interior component quality and design. We live in the desert with summer temperatures as high as 115 and we noted that the Toyotas didn't have an adequate air conditioner. It was cold but it was as if the blower was on 1/2. There is an obvious difference between the price of the Camry and the Lexus, but we feel the Lexus is twice the car for about 9K more as equipped. We are ecstatic about the ES330 and we are amazed at the quality each time we drive it. As compared with the Avalon, the Lexus feels like more quality and less nonsense without the doors over the stereo and Nav.
TCM, ECM Problems
My wife is principal driver but in January 2006 I drove the ES330 4,000 miles from northern IN to Key West and return. The engine and transmission fails to respond to throttle commands and the vehcle does not downshift to third gear when needed. With the pedal to the metal at 60 mph it takes forever to get back up to 70/75 mph. Same problem on entrance ramps. Trying to merge in 4th or 5th gear at 2,000 rpm will not get you out of the way of 18 wheelers. Car is at the dealer now. Have reported this to NHTSA as a safety issue. 25 mph not too impressive. GM can do 30 mpg with 3.8 L.
2005 ES 330
The ES is a pleasure to drive and one of the quietest cars I have ever been in. It offers a great ride with nice power. Controls are logically laid out for easy operation while driving. My 3 points of criticism are: 1) Terrible cup holders 2) Transmission hesitates when accelerating from a slow roll is a very poor design on this model 3) Front seat should be longer to reach closer to your knee for improved comfort and better support "under leg".
Size vs me
The Lexus ES 330 is a nice car. However it's a bit cramped inside. The between the seats cup holder is terrible and the acceleration is weak. Fuel mileage on trips is good, but poor around town.
Transmission problems/ bad fuel economy
here we go my 2005 lexus es 330 is a piece of crap. the car only have 72.257 mikes on it . For a lexus that's low. Here are the problems. Bad transmission it is horrible..very bad fuel economy to be 100% correct I am seating on it as we speak let me look at the. AVG. it says 14.5 MPG yes you hear that 14.5 MPG my dad has 2009 hummer h2.. the average on a hummer h2 AVG.is 13 MPG.. not too far off from from my Lexus es 330.. bad MPG and bad transmission those are my 2 major issues. So if you like to be at the fuel pump every 3 days yes buy this car.. if you have extra money for transmission yes go buy it . Buy 2 of them!!!
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TRANSMISSION & SUSPENSION ISSUES
This is a nice looking car and very comfortable but it lacks in the mechanical arena. I have had 2 major warranty issues. Front left strut broke (told bolts left loose from factory install caused the break) and the transmission had to be replaced. Not only that but it didn't solve the problem, ECU had to be reflashed a couple months later when they got a software upgrade. Told me I was the only one having issues, found out on Edmunds lots of people have them with this year. Don't buy a used one unless the transmission and ECU have been fixed. You will have problems. Not impressed with service or how they handled the quality issues... pursuit of quality... yeah right.
Love My Lexus
This vehicle has what I would call "smooth power." It has the feel of luxury but with plenty of reserve power behind it. I love the new auto wipers. I never need to touch the windshield wiper control again. The individually controlled seat warmer/cooler was a pleasant surprise. Those are just a few little things that I like. Overall, I love the feeling of confidence I have in My Lexus.
older lexus
bought the car new in 2005 it never shifted right
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2005 Lexus es 330/camry
Owning now a 2006 es 330.now I realize that not all lexus are the same. The 2005 lexus es 330. Not a very comfortable car I am only 5.9 feet tall it IS super SMALL for me..every time i turn around i NEED to PUT gas in it.. The sound system is garbage the Nav is trash....THE transmission is garbage..The backseat too small. I think lexus at that time Didn't really care about the es 330.. I think a 4 cyl.camry maybe a better car... don't buy the es model...
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New Lexus ES 330
This is a great car for the money, however when accelerating, there is a definite hesitation in the take off. This has been a problem with many cars in the 330 line and Lexus should do something about it. This model could use a more powerful motor. Other then the above, this is a great car for the money.
Smooth as Silk
My previous vehicle was a 2002 ES 300. The newly updated version is fantastic. The heated/cooled seats are a must! The new maple wood interior looks elegant. The 17 inch wheels look great with the LS430 chrome wheels. The radio controls on the steering wheel are nice, but lacks a mute or off button. The car is still slighly under powered, but the smooth ride and quiet cabin are worth the sacrifice. Lexus quality continues to be the benchmark.
Happy with the Lexus 330
the first thousand miles have been exactly what I expected. At the age of 48 I considered the Acura TL. What you give up in performance and look is more that offset by the 'older' need for comfort and luxury.... My only suggestion is the HP needs to be goosed a little, say to 250-260 HP.
Garnet Pearl ES330
The ride is smooth and quiet, with quality evident from the sound of the doors closing to the extensive standard features. The Black garnet pearl color is a real head turner and the real wood interior is rich looking and attractive. The new voice activation makes the navigation system easy to use. The flexibility of finding destinations and large point of interest data base are especially useful. The standard suspension is set up to be comfortable. the optional adaptive suspension is better suited to sporty driving. Power is adequate and the transmission shifts smoothly and quietly, with no hang ups between gears.
The Best
My 3rd ES model, it's the best. Styling, handling, performance, best car out there dollar for dollar. Service is amazing, the sales staff at Bob Baker Lexus are the friendliest and best informed of any dealer I've visited.
LOVE MY ES 330
I researched many cars including the BMW, Audi, Acura, Mercedes-Benz and the Avalon. After much contemplation, internet research and test driving all the cars, I chose the fully loaded 2005 Lexus ES 330. I have had it for 5 months and I love it. It is a smooth ride, not as sporty as others, but still fun to drive. The inside is pure luxury with many features to keep you entertained. The navigation system is very easy and user friendly. Voice activated Nav makes using the nav while driving really safe. The Mark Levinson stereo is a dream to listen to. The comfort for the front passengers is great. Lexus has the best reputation and is living up to it. Luv my car.
2005 ES 330 review
Excellent ride and sufficient power
LOVE IT
MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN GREAT IT'S A VERY QUITE CAR. I'VE BEEN AVERAGING 23 MILES TO A GALLON. I LOVE THE COMFORT AS WELL AS THE QUALITY OF THE GPS SYSTEM,MARK LEVINSON SOUND SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE EASE OF DRIVING IT. THIS IS A GREAT CAR I USE TO HAVE THE SC300 AND DECIDED ON ANOTHER LEXUS THE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SUPERB.
Tricked ES 330
Recently purchased a 2005 ES 330, added 18" Chrome Wheels, Toyo Tires, Dark Tinted Windows, and a Factory Rear Spoiler. Although the Toyo Proxes put more rubber on the road, the handling of the vehicle stayed relatively the same. With the added features, the silver car with chromes stands out significantly from other vehilces. The sound system is sufficient for the inside cabin, the controls for the air and radio are well positioned, with controls on the steering wheel making driving the ES 330 an intriguing delight. Have read a lot of reviews stating the ES is a glorified Toyota - nothing could be farther from the truth - there is no comparison, this
miami,Fl
excellent car, needs more head room for a grown man. Wonderful on long open road trips.
2004 es 330
everytime heat is turned on or air, get a foul odor, dealer can't say why or what is wrong, cahnged filter twice in one year, still get odor
First time owner
Bought a 2005 ES330 recently and so far I'm very satisfied with my choice. I have less than a 1,000 miles on the car but so far no problems and the transmission is shifting smoothly. The best I could do was a $1,000 off the MSRP and a fair price for my trade-in. Dealer politely told me he had others interested in this car. At first I thought this was just talk until the interested party showed up at the dealership will I was finalizing the deal. I've owned BMW and Mercedes and I was looking for comfort, quality, and long term reliability-Lexus was the ONLY choice.
Great Ride...Smart Buy!!!
I drove my last car a (Maxima) for nearly ten years. I was ready for a new car and shopped the market hard. I compared everything from sedan to suvs. When it was all said and done I opted for the smart buy in the Lexus ES 330. After three months of owning the car I have been extremely pleased. While it might not make the statement some other trendy cars or even other luxury brands might offer, it's an amazing vehicle. This is my first Lexus and it won't be my last. I'll be hard pressed to look outside the Lexus family when purchasing our next vehicle. If you're looking for an upgrade from an Accord, Camry, or Maxima, I suggest you consider the ES 330.
New Lexus Fan
This is my first Lexus after four happy years in a 2001 Acura CL coupe (now discontinued)... I found the redesign of the Acura TL to be appalling so I looked at everything from BMW to Mercedes to Volvo to Subaru to Saab to Infiniti... was about to settle on a Volvo S60 when I drove the ES330... as soon as I closed the door I was sold... the quality, design, finish and drivability that was missing in almost everything I tested was here in spades... every move is silky and sure and the driving experience is wonderful, albeit more "adult" than some of the cars in this class... other than being slightly light on power I would say this car is close to perfect.
Super Sedan!
Absolutely no complaints about this car. It is always fun to sit behind the steering wheel.
Best car Made
Check in to all the model automobils in this range and found the Lexus ES330 to have the best ratting and everu thing they said was true in Consummer, Car and Driver and other automotive magazines.
very mice car
we look around the acura tl bmw 3 but we decided for the lexus the price for this car is a very good buy we are very happy with this car
Likeable but not Loveable
I've had my ES 330 for a bit over 2 months. Traded in a 2002 Acura TL. While the Lexus has a more upscale interior (i.e. wood trim steering wheel) the handling is not nearly as nimble as the TL, nor is it as quick as the TL (notwithstanding that both cars have the same HP rating). I also find that the double-wishbone suspension of the TL makes for a slightly more comfortable highway ride that the rack & pinion ES. All in all a nice car, comfortable and competitively priced with the likes of Acura TL, Infiniti G35 and Cadillac CTS. That said, I find it a likeable car, but not a car that can be characterized as a "driver's car". Only averaging 23 mpg combined city/hwy using req'd premium.
Difference from Camry and Accor
When green light is on, it can pass Camry and Accord easily if you want. Internally it is hard to tell which luxury item is missing comparing with any luxury car (of course you must buy it with options as much as you can, otherwise go buy top Camry or Accord to save your money).
GOOD CAR
GETZ LOTS OF COMPLIMENTS
New Car Review
We have approximately 4K miles on this vehicle and we are very pleased with it. It is the quietest car we have ever owned and the gas mileage is close to advertised. Beautiful interior and extremely comfortable leather seating. Suspension is unmatched and the car handles like a dream.
The perfect car
Not only is this the best built car in the Luxury $35,000 range but on national T.V. Dateline says is is also thje BEST PICK FOR SAFETY! IN THE LUXURY CLASS $35,000
The Best Vehicle
We bought our vehicle in June and we have now had the vehicle for 6 months. We absoulutely love this vehicle. We cannot be any happier we decided to buy this vehicle. We looked at the TL, Toyota, and BMW. After test driving the Lexus we completely forgot about the other vehicles. The service we receive at Lexus is always impeccable.
The almost perfect Car
I looked at the TL, but too loud and harsh a ride. Then the Saab 9-5. Great car, but poor resale and loud road noises. Sold on ES within minutes of test driving. So quiet, highest material quality and comfortable interior! Lots of storage. My transmission is jerky. I'm hoping the dealer can fix.
SWEET
The ES 330 is the best bang for the buck in luxury sedans of its class. The quiet interior is very soothing. The handling is really nice. The look is very sleek.
ES330 2005
Great driving experience, handling is outstanding.2005 design is sleek and just a fun reliable car to drive.
Top Luxury/Moderate Performance
If I was 10 years younger, this car would not have been my first choice. However ,in my mid 50s it's perfect. Luxurious, quiet, classic and, with the ride stabilization, it handles relatively well. The shift lag seems to improve over time. It can be reduced by decisive decisions to accelerate. If you hesitate, it does too.
Baddabing
The 2002 Toyota Avalon I drove was my favorite. Not true since I bought my 2005 ES330. The luxurious interior and standard equipment of the ES330 outshined the Avalon. I have had many compliments on the Silver/Black interior. Truely a beautiful ride. For more bang for the buck, this car cannot be beat.
Quality Automobile
A truly high quality automobile. Every thing you touch exudes quality. Ride is extremely smooth and quiet. Power and handling is more then adequate. The miles just disappear and you arrive as fresh as when you departed. Dealership is top notch and will exhaust every means to please you. This is my second ES and I will purchase no other make at no other dealership as long as they continue the quality vehicles and first class service they provide.
Finally, the car I've been looking for
This is the first car that after owning for a while I haven't found anything that I dislike. This oddly enough is also the first car I've bought without driving first.