My '09 ES350 came from the factory with the clear bra that Lexus calls "Paint Protection Film." I wasn't thrilled about the $429 option, but because the car had the Mark Levinson premium audio package (rare for a 2009 standard ES350) and was otherwise equipped exactly how I wanted, I decided to take the car.
With the money already spent, I am now glad that the car came with the clear bra despite its cost. I once got stuck behind a sand and gravel truck on a lousy stretch of pavement that was causing the truck to scatter some of its load on the tarmac. Because of heavy traffic I could only back off so far, but I could still hear stones striking the car for a period of a quarter-mile or so. When I got home I went over the front end with a fine toothed comb and couldn't find one solitary chip.
On the Starfire Pearl paint the film is virtually invisible, except where it ends about a foot back from the front of the hood. When the car hasn't been washed for a period of time some fine dust that has adhered to the edge of the film is visible. But a run through the car wash eliminates the dust, making the film invisible again.
I was unaware that Lexus exported some vehicles with the clear bra installed at the factory until I bought the ES. I've attached a portion of the sticker to show that some cars do.
If I was to use the CT for anything other than short trips around town I would probably have the film installed on it too.