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Why do people prefer the 2008 lexus es330 over newer models and what is its fuel consumption like?
The 2008 lexus es330 seems to be incredibly popular among Nigerian executives and bankers. I know that Lexus officially transitioned to the ES350 around 2007 but the Nigerian market still highly demands the older V6 ES330 engine blocks. What makes this specific engine generation so reliable compared to the newer ES350 models? Does the heavy 3.3L V6 engine consume a terrifying amount of fuel in Lagos traffic and are the shock absorbers durable enough for our bad roads?
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3 days agoThe obsession with the 2008 lexus es330 in Nigeria is a fascinating case of automotive myth and mechanical trust. Officially Lexus stopped producing the ES330 globally in 2006 and introduced the entirely new ES350 in 2007. However Nigerian car dealers and buyers frequently and incorrectly refer to the later models or late registered units as a 2008 ES330. The reason Nigerians fiercely love the actual ES330 (which uses the 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6 engine) is its legendary bulletproof reliability. The ES330 uses a traditional timing belt unlike the newer ES350 which uses a complex timing chain. The ES330 transmission is also significantly more robust and forgiving of missed oil changes compared to the sensitive 6 speed transmission in the ES350.
josh
3 days agoRegarding the fuel consumption and suspension of the 2008 lexus es330 (referring to the classic ES330 platform): The fuel consumption is actually very reasonable for a luxury V6. It is not a gas guzzler. On the highway it cruises effortlessly at low RPMs giving excellent mileage. In heavy Lagos stop and go traffic it will consume more than a 4 cylinder Camry but the sheer comfort and silent cabin insulation justify the extra fuel cost. The suspension is literally a magic carpet ride. It was tuned for extreme luxury floating over potholes seamlessly. However because the shock absorbers are so soft they take a massive beating on Nigerian roads and will need to be replaced with high quality KYB shocks every few years to maintain that factory smooth ride.
josh
3 days agoI own an ES330. It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. The leather seats are thicker and more plush than the newer ES350 models. It feels like driving a living room sofa.
josh
3 days agoThe ES330 avoids the melting dashboard curse that plagues the ES350 and Camry models of that era. The interior materials on the ES330 were built to last forever.
josh
3 days agoThe engine is virtually indestructible but you MUST change the timing belt every 90,000 miles. If that belt snaps while you are driving the engine valves will bend and you will be looking at a 600k repair bill.