Hello folks, first time poster here.

I'm in NY/NJ right now relocating to CA next month. I'm originally from CA and my brother and I have 2010 IS350 we brought from CA. I will be giving it to my brother so have been looking for another Lexus to drive once I move back.

Seems like Lexus on the east coast seem (significantly) cheaper in general compared to CA. My guess would be less demand here for Japanese cars and car conditions not as good due to snow, bad roads, etc.

Anyways, I decided to purchase a car here and ship it to CA. Since almost all cars are AWD, which I won't need so much in CA, I lose some MPG there.

I've been looking online extensively and finally checked out a 2010 GS350 AWD with 22,000 miles. It was leased and traded in for an Infiniti. Carfax seems clean and car drives good except for some cosmetic wear on the rims and leather seats not in *perfect* condition. Brake rotors show some rust too.

So, the price they are offering is $28,000 before negotiation. Quoting $900 for prep fees, $500 for internet fees, $250 for DMV registration, $350 for doc fee. Add 7% NJ tax on top, the total comes out to be $32,000.

This seems to be a spectacular deal even before haggling. Private party value on KBB puts this car at $30,000-$31,000 before all the fees and taxes.

So, my question:
1. How much should I counter? Dealer willing to go down a bit if I show commitment. I'll be visiting again in a couple of days after looking at some other cars.
2. It was all serviced through Lexus dealer and the final pre-purchase inspection was done at this Infiniti dealership. Should I still bring a mechanic to check out? I'm not too savvy on car technicals.
3. There's a Lexus dealer nearby. If I have them do PPI at the dealer, how much would it cost?

It had 1k, 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k service through a Lexus dealer.

Latest service history includes:

Dealer Reported 09/23/2013 22497 0212263 NO PROBLEM FOUND, NORMAL OPERATION.
Dealer Reported 09/23/2013 22497 0212263 PERFORM MULTIPOINT VEHICLE INSPECTION
Dealer Reported 01/04/2013 19246 0193045 PERFORM 20,000 MILE SERVICE


The car has been sitting at the current dealer for 2 months now. So I guess I have some leverage there.
I wanted grey or cashmere interior while this one is black. But the price is too hard to pass up. I'm just trying not to get a lemon with some hidden drawbacks. They are selling $7,000 below the sticker price they have put on the car.

Any of your feedback/advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks y'all.

 

For that much bread I would jump on an LS460

That price is too much imo

 

LOL, I would be more than happy to trade my gray interior for your black!

You have no idea how lucky you are .

That price is a bit much IMO. the AWD editions are worth less than the regular RWD from what I've seen.

You did not mention any options, so I don't see how it is priced so high.

The car's been sitting at the dealer for two months, that means they NEED to push that car out.... One month and they're already dying to see it off the lot.

I'd offer at least 24,000-26,000 out the door or something in that range. This is Inifiniti dealer, so there is no CPO warranty. You have no reason to pay for an "internet sales" fee, nor should you be responsible for a "prep" fee... My registration and documentation were all waived when I purchased my car. That's all up to your negotiation skills.

Keep in mind, they say WELL BELOW sticker price, but they probably paid 20k to trade in the GS for their new trade-in.

With the vague information, I took into account the low mileage only. That is your only advantage in this deal..... You mentioned wear and tear.... I don't honestly see how that could happen with 22,000 miles.

 

I get your point. But I will have to take on a lot more miles or a few years older than 2010 I guess? I see something online in the same area for 2010 LS460 at $29,850 listed but with 78,000 miles.

I also need to consider I'm only 26. LS might be too much for me.

 

An LS is more reliable then a GS, about the same in gas. More luxurious!

2010 LS's have the newer design then the 07-09. That price is actually pretty good for that LS, do you have a link to that vehicle because im trying to buy one for a relative. If you do not buy it

 

Heres an 2010 with lower mileage

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus-LS-Base-Sedan-4-Door-2010-lexus-/271280756057?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3f2997d559&vxp=mtr

 

Search here:
http://www.lexusenglewood.com/InventorySearch

But how do you buy an out of state car? Do you buy it without seeing?

 

Option wise, fairly standard with navigation, no ventilated seats, no mark levinson AFAIK. I saw Edmunds price and it seems lower than KBB. I will go in and see if they can get me 25,000 without any bs fees. When you say OTD, does that include taxes?

My IS with 40,000 miles for 3 years has some wear and tear, like small scratches here and there. GS I mentioned is similar, nothing too significant. But I know people tend to care less about leased cars than owned.

 

The color and that it being an awd will not work for me. But, ya most of my cars I buy out of state.

I would usually fly into that state view the car and have a tow shipper ship the vehicle. My last one I drove... Never again lol

I would def jump on that deal! Even at $29 that is well worth it MMR auction value on this is $27,500 Shoot for $28

Youll want an LS without ML because the amps break, that ride looks a lot nicer then a GS.

 

Ohh, I'm unsure if you were referring to the interior or exterior. My interior is immaculate besides the usual DIRTINESS of the leather. I haven't really touched the leather much besides rubbing leather conditioner on it once in a while. I figured one of these days i'll do a good cleaning on it to remove dirt grime and grease.

As far as exterior, it's normal for Lexus cars to chip paint.... Especially the silver.... It's so prone to road chips and scratches.

When I say OTD, I usually TRY to aim for an OTD w/ taxes included, they will try to squeeze it in if they can. At least this was my experience at Lexus, I got my 06 GS430 w/ base package (no nav no ML and no parking sensors basically, but everything else was there). It had G-spyder wheels as an exterior add-on. Car was 29k OTD, w/ taxes included (they asked 32,000). The same 26,000 mi GS300 AWD, glacier frost mica, complete blacked out interior, navi, every single option pretty much, was going for 28,000 before any bargaining. I opted out simply because it was an AWD model (and the power just wasn't there for MY personal needs).

Granted the GS350 should be worth more, the factor that it is AWD should keep you away. Read the AWD+lowering horror stories.

If you plan to keep it as is, NO modifications..... By all means, definitely go for it!