Got a GS350!
03-28-07, 11:36 AM
#1
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Location: FL
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Got a GS350!
Hi all,
I just joined the family with a GS350!
Specs are as follows:
Obsidian exterior
Black/red walnut interior
18-in summer tires with spare
Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist control, headlamp washers and Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
Ventilated front seats
Rear spoiler
Power rear-window sunshade
Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)
I got it for $42,400 with no dealer fee.
Next steps: tinting and K40 integrated radar system.
I am living the dream!
JK
I just joined the family with a GS350!
Specs are as follows:
Obsidian exterior
Black/red walnut interior
18-in summer tires with spare
Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist control, headlamp washers and Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
Ventilated front seats
Rear spoiler
Power rear-window sunshade
Preferred Accessory Package (includes Cargo net, Trunk mat and Wheel locks)
I got it for $42,400 with no dealer fee.
Next steps: tinting and K40 integrated radar system.
I am living the dream!
JK
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03-28-07, 07:34 PM
#10
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Location: Fla
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have fun and congrats.
04-03-07, 10:45 AM
#11
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Hi all, thanks for your comments.
To answer all of your questions:
I ended up buying from Bill Spegele at Lexus of Orlando (actually in Winter Park).
I got the deal by sending emails to every Lexus dealer in Florida and getting the best deals I could. My goal was to be $500 over invoice. I actually could have gotten lower, but Bill earned my business with a no-nonsense approach, a fairly good deal, and a great car buying experience.
I started out with an email I sent to each of the internet reps at each dealer. It was very specific in citing exactly what vehicle I wanted and exactly what I was willing to pay. I indicated in the email how they were to respond to me with their offers so I could compare apples to apples. I received responses from 11 dealers. Their offers ranged from competitive (Lexus of Orlando) to ridiculous (JM in Margate quoted me sticker). I used an Excel spreadsheet to track all responses. The spreadsheet included dealer, point of contact, price, options, colors, and notes (like whether or not they charged a dealer fee).
The next email I sent out went to the 11 that responded. I indicated that I had received their replies, but that some were incomplete. I thanked those that had submitted complete responses. I informed them that I would be cutting the list from 11 to the top four offers based on the following factors:
1. Price
2. Options
3. Colors
I gave them a deadline to send complete responses if they wanted to be considered for the “short list.” I told them once I got it down to four, I would communicate by phone but not before then.
The next day, I took the top four offers based on the above factors. I emailed the three that weren’t the lowest and told them so, and gave them an opportunity to counter-offer. Several of them wrote back and said they couldn’t come anywhere close to the deal, and that with a price that low, I should be asking a lot of questions. I thanked them for their advice and took it to heart.
Long story short, I went up to Winter Park full of trepidation that I was being lured in for the bait and switch. I was welcomed graciously by a customer rep that somehow knew our names without having met us, and led to Bill’s office. Bill pulled out the fax that he sent me, and confirmed the price I was paying for the car. I asked to see the car, and it was exactly as described. I went over to F&I, which is always a little hairy, but it went well. He only had a couple of hidden charges in there that I sniffed out and deleted. They gave me a rate that crushed my bank’s rate, and I ended up getting the “Appearance Package” at about 60% off their asking price. Paid cash for that. Normally I don’t buy any of that stuff, but they guaranteed against love bugs, which are an annoyance here and can cause serious damage to the car’s paint and finish.
So I walked out the door with the exact car I wanted, at the price I was quoted. As I mentioned above, I paid $42,400 plus tax and tag (no dealer fee).
JK
To answer all of your questions:
I ended up buying from Bill Spegele at Lexus of Orlando (actually in Winter Park).
I got the deal by sending emails to every Lexus dealer in Florida and getting the best deals I could. My goal was to be $500 over invoice. I actually could have gotten lower, but Bill earned my business with a no-nonsense approach, a fairly good deal, and a great car buying experience.
I started out with an email I sent to each of the internet reps at each dealer. It was very specific in citing exactly what vehicle I wanted and exactly what I was willing to pay. I indicated in the email how they were to respond to me with their offers so I could compare apples to apples. I received responses from 11 dealers. Their offers ranged from competitive (Lexus of Orlando) to ridiculous (JM in Margate quoted me sticker). I used an Excel spreadsheet to track all responses. The spreadsheet included dealer, point of contact, price, options, colors, and notes (like whether or not they charged a dealer fee).
The next email I sent out went to the 11 that responded. I indicated that I had received their replies, but that some were incomplete. I thanked those that had submitted complete responses. I informed them that I would be cutting the list from 11 to the top four offers based on the following factors:
1. Price
2. Options
3. Colors
I gave them a deadline to send complete responses if they wanted to be considered for the “short list.” I told them once I got it down to four, I would communicate by phone but not before then.
The next day, I took the top four offers based on the above factors. I emailed the three that weren’t the lowest and told them so, and gave them an opportunity to counter-offer. Several of them wrote back and said they couldn’t come anywhere close to the deal, and that with a price that low, I should be asking a lot of questions. I thanked them for their advice and took it to heart.
Long story short, I went up to Winter Park full of trepidation that I was being lured in for the bait and switch. I was welcomed graciously by a customer rep that somehow knew our names without having met us, and led to Bill’s office. Bill pulled out the fax that he sent me, and confirmed the price I was paying for the car. I asked to see the car, and it was exactly as described. I went over to F&I, which is always a little hairy, but it went well. He only had a couple of hidden charges in there that I sniffed out and deleted. They gave me a rate that crushed my bank’s rate, and I ended up getting the “Appearance Package” at about 60% off their asking price. Paid cash for that. Normally I don’t buy any of that stuff, but they guaranteed against love bugs, which are an annoyance here and can cause serious damage to the car’s paint and finish.
So I walked out the door with the exact car I wanted, at the price I was quoted. As I mentioned above, I paid $42,400 plus tax and tag (no dealer fee).
JK
04-03-07, 10:53 AM
#12
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Congratulations. That's a beautiful choice, one I was strongly considering. Boy, you got yourself a good deal. I think I paid more, and I didn't get the headlamp washers, intermittent wipers, etc.
04-03-07, 11:06 AM
#14
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: FL
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Hi all, thanks for your comments.
To answer all of your questions:
I ended up buying from Bill Spegele at Lexus of Orlando (actually in Winter Park).
I got the deal by sending emails to every Lexus dealer in Florida and getting the best deals I could. My goal was to be $500 over invoice. I actually could have gotten lower, but Bill earned my business with a no-nonsense approach, a fairly good deal, and a great car buying experience.
I started out with an email I sent to each of the internet reps at each dealer. It was very specific in citing exactly what vehicle I wanted and exactly what I was willing to pay. I indicated in the email how they were to respond to me with their offers so I could compare apples to apples. I received responses from 11 dealers. Their offers ranged from competitive (Lexus of Orlando) to ridiculous (JM in Margate quoted me sticker). I used an Excel spreadsheet to track all responses. The spreadsheet included dealer, point of contact, price, options, colors, and notes (like whether or not they charged a dealer fee).
The next email I sent out went to the 11 that responded. I indicated that I had received their replies, but that some were incomplete. I thanked those that had submitted complete responses. I informed them that I would be cutting the list from 11 to the top four offers based on the following factors:
1. Price
2. Options
3. Colors
I gave them a deadline to send complete responses if they wanted to be considered for the “short list.” I told them once I got it down to four, I would communicate by phone but not before then.
The next day, I took the top four offers based on the above factors. I emailed the three that weren’t the lowest and told them so, and gave them an opportunity to counter-offer. Several of them wrote back and said they couldn’t come anywhere close to the deal, and that with a price that low, I should be asking a lot of questions. I thanked them for their advice and took it to heart.
Long story short, I went up to Winter Park full of trepidation that I was being lured in for the bait and switch. I was welcomed graciously by a customer rep that somehow knew our names without having met us, and led to Bill’s office. Bill pulled out the fax that he sent me, and confirmed the price I was paying for the car. I asked to see the car, and it was exactly as described. I went over to F&I, which is always a little hairy, but it went well. He only had a couple of hidden charges in there that I sniffed out and deleted. They gave me a rate that crushed my bank’s rate, and I ended up getting the “Appearance Package” at about 60% off their asking price. Paid cash for that. Normally I don’t buy any of that stuff, but they guaranteed against love bugs, which are an annoyance here and can cause serious damage to the car’s paint and finish.
So I walked out the door with the exact car I wanted, at the price I was quoted. As I mentioned above, I paid $42,400 plus tax and tag (no dealer fee).
JK
To answer all of your questions:
I ended up buying from Bill Spegele at Lexus of Orlando (actually in Winter Park).
I got the deal by sending emails to every Lexus dealer in Florida and getting the best deals I could. My goal was to be $500 over invoice. I actually could have gotten lower, but Bill earned my business with a no-nonsense approach, a fairly good deal, and a great car buying experience.
I started out with an email I sent to each of the internet reps at each dealer. It was very specific in citing exactly what vehicle I wanted and exactly what I was willing to pay. I indicated in the email how they were to respond to me with their offers so I could compare apples to apples. I received responses from 11 dealers. Their offers ranged from competitive (Lexus of Orlando) to ridiculous (JM in Margate quoted me sticker). I used an Excel spreadsheet to track all responses. The spreadsheet included dealer, point of contact, price, options, colors, and notes (like whether or not they charged a dealer fee).
The next email I sent out went to the 11 that responded. I indicated that I had received their replies, but that some were incomplete. I thanked those that had submitted complete responses. I informed them that I would be cutting the list from 11 to the top four offers based on the following factors:
1. Price
2. Options
3. Colors
I gave them a deadline to send complete responses if they wanted to be considered for the “short list.” I told them once I got it down to four, I would communicate by phone but not before then.
The next day, I took the top four offers based on the above factors. I emailed the three that weren’t the lowest and told them so, and gave them an opportunity to counter-offer. Several of them wrote back and said they couldn’t come anywhere close to the deal, and that with a price that low, I should be asking a lot of questions. I thanked them for their advice and took it to heart.
Long story short, I went up to Winter Park full of trepidation that I was being lured in for the bait and switch. I was welcomed graciously by a customer rep that somehow knew our names without having met us, and led to Bill’s office. Bill pulled out the fax that he sent me, and confirmed the price I was paying for the car. I asked to see the car, and it was exactly as described. I went over to F&I, which is always a little hairy, but it went well. He only had a couple of hidden charges in there that I sniffed out and deleted. They gave me a rate that crushed my bank’s rate, and I ended up getting the “Appearance Package” at about 60% off their asking price. Paid cash for that. Normally I don’t buy any of that stuff, but they guaranteed against love bugs, which are an annoyance here and can cause serious damage to the car’s paint and finish.
So I walked out the door with the exact car I wanted, at the price I was quoted. As I mentioned above, I paid $42,400 plus tax and tag (no dealer fee).
JK
Enjoy.
04-03-07, 11:28 AM
#15
Now that's the way to shop!!
Congratulations!!! That's the same method I used to buy my GS 430 in May 2005 and paid $51,500 (excluding tax & lic.) with upgraded G-Spider wheels and clear bra. Took the car right off the showroom floor as per the dealers e-mail. Isn't the internet great!!!!
Congratulations!!! That's the same method I used to buy my GS 430 in May 2005 and paid $51,500 (excluding tax & lic.) with upgraded G-Spider wheels and clear bra. Took the car right off the showroom floor as per the dealers e-mail. Isn't the internet great!!!!