i write:
>I am looking for a Lexus sc300 5spd or an sc400 auto, black, under 120k
>miles, clean title, 92-95, I'm pretty open to any sc's as long as it's black
>although it's a common color. If I need to give you more information on the
>car, please reply back. Thank you.

dealer writes back:
We are close to being able to start finding a car for you. We need to first
know how much you are looking to pay for these models. Also what type of
payment are you wishing to use? Thanks,

I don't wanna get ripped off too bad here. I'm looking for an sc around 6k-9k, since writing the email to the dealer I've narrowed down what i'm looking for to a black 5spd. I've never been in a situation where I have a dealer locate a car for me, so any help will be apreciated

 

Always negotiate the price. Not payment.

 

C-Train,

Try to determine what you are willing to pay out for the cost of the car, not what payment you are comfortable with. Chances are, a car that old, most banks aren't willing to finance anyways. Or they will have a lot of restrictions to which you will have to abide.


In any case, the dealership is probably just trying to determine if you are an actual "buyer". Now, don't take this the wrong way, but have you been inside the dealership and seen a salesperson or a manager? Or are you just sending out emails without any indication as to who you are or how to reach you in person? Or perhaps they are thinking, what if you are looking for an SC, but only have $2,000 to spend? They are probably just doing some fact finding. My advice would be for you to say to them, I'm willing to go around $______ for a 5 speed SC300 or up to $_______ for a SC400 from 199_ to 199_ model years. However, you should know that both cars you have chosen are extremely rare and hard to find. Especially the 5 speed. So, it doesn't sound like they are trying to rip you off at all. Good luck.

 

Forget the dealership, just hit up ebay. You'll easily find a nice black 5-speed in that price range

 

C...

the bottom line: everyone is in the business for him/herself...often times people say/think dealers take advantage by making hugh profit..well, that is what they do, a "dealer"..since everyone values the degree of "profit margin" and its acceptance differently, you basically need to decide what is reasonable and acceptable to you

as all the previous suggestions, do your home work and research, if you can find a nice one yourself, you would be the one who pocket all your hard earned money..

 

Is this a typo?......you say a 92-95 with 6K-9K.....do you mean 60K-90K? That would be much more realistic.

 

I think he means he wants to pay around $6,000 to $9,000.

 

Yea, I'm pretty sure that's what he meant. He said under 120k miles

 

Thank you for all the replies. The dealership just sent me this after I emailed him again:

Thanks for you consistency on the emails. We have taken in all the information
that you have given us and based off of past wholesale experience we will not be
able to just go find the Lexus you are requesting. We can definitely keep an
eye out for the vehicle but we really wouldn't be in a position that we could
guarantee that we could bring it in. If you would still like us to keep our
eyes out we can or if there might be a vehicle on our lot that you are
interested we can make an appointment for you to come in. Email me back and let
me know your thoughts. Thanks again,

kinda what i expected before i even began emailing him.. oh well, i guess it's the private party route again.