aequitas3

The local dealer has offered me a 2008 Obsidian (Black on Black) for $33,785. That would be before tax and tags.

This would be an AWD with shiftable automatic.

Available package:
--Bi Xenon HID headlamps with Adaptive Front Lights
--Premium package
--All weather carpeted floor mats, trunk mat/wheel locks/cargo net

Correct me if my math is wrong:
MSRP: $36,785

Offer: $3,000 off - so that makes it $33.7k

PA State taxes, 6%: $2,027 (That would be the amount before the down payment and trade in. $1,247 if this amount is after the down payment/trade in)

Down payment: - $5,000

Trade in value: - $8,000

Amount to be financed: $22,812 (or $22,032)

Monthly payment: $612 if 36 month, $367 if 60 month.


What are your opinions on this offer? Should I look elsewhere? Does this look good? According to Edmunds it looks to be decent, but I'm not sure. When do the '09s come out? (If I wait a few months, will it make a drastic difference? Or will the "December to Remember offer of $3000 off MSRP disappear?)

I have been debating this for a while now, and I have to make a decision by tomorrow. My schedule is going to be way too hectic come next week, so if I'm going to do this, I have to pull the trigger this weekend. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to put a deposit down Friday and fill out the remaining paperwork on Saturday morning. If this isn't a very good deal and you think I can do better elsewhere (keeping in mind this is the only Lexus dealer in the general area) then I will hold off.

Let me know what you all think...

Thanks!

GS350

You will also get the tax back on your trade so take that off of the amount to be financed.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

The offer is good, but not great. However, being that you are in Penn, AWD is much more sought after, as well as the Black on Black offering with not-so-expensive options; I think it's a good find. I would definately try to haggle some more.

As far as the '09s are concerned, it won't be released until late '08. It's up for a refurb, just like how the '08 GS just got a nice little makeover.

aequitas3

Maybe it's just because it was a long day of work and my brain needs some rest, but does it really change the price? Say taxes are $2027. That brings the total amount to $35812... I'd put $5000 down, but the tax would eat $2k out of that so it'd really be more like putting $3000 down. I'd take $8000 out for the trade value, putting me at $22812, still the same number I had to finance, right? (I think I need to get to sleep soon haha)

Thanks for your input, it's definitely appreciated. One other question I was thinking though, is the price a little high considering it doesn't have a nav? I did also reference the numbers with what was on Lexus.com and it seemed to match up, but has anyone gotten a similar package to this for less?

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Well, compared to the IS250 RWD, yes. The $3k price increase is for the AWD alone.

ExTrEmE99

iTrader: (6)

I misread but i think the RWD w/out navigation is roughly 30+ tax. So i dont know the price difference between the RWD and the AWD. But i think you can deal a few grand under the price listed above. maybe 31K + TTL?

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

good deal = very close to invoice price

aequitas3

Nice... Thanks for the input

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Sounds decent but hard to judge when you have a trade in involved.

mark5

they will ALWAYS screw you one way or the other, either the trade in value, the price of the car or the APR. pick your poison

tex2670

Call Joe Gibbons at Lexus of Chester Springs. I think they can do better. I got my car there in the spring for about $700 over the Edmunds invoice listing; $4500 under MSRP.

Ray Catena in Oakhurst NJ was aggressive in pricing too--I would have driven out there to buy if Chester Springs didn't beat them (Robert Stein, I think was the sales man).


They will ask you if you're trading--answer "No, I think I have a buyer." Get the best price you can for the IS. Once you squeeze every nickel you think you can out of them, say, "What if I traded?" Only do that AFTER you have looked up the price on KBB.com. In SEPA, they will all quote you the "Manheim Auction" price if they are not going to put the car on the lot--they just sell the car to a wholesaler. The only way you can really be successful in bringing them off the Manheim price (assuming they are not fudging it) is if there's more $$ left in the deal you already struck for the price of the IS. You already have something to work with if they low ball your trade.

Chester Springs told me over the phone, sight unseen, they would give me KBB.com price, as long as it was truly in the condition I said. And they did (but not a penny more).

gsrthomas

iTrader: (1)

I think you can get more off of MSRP. I got $5700 off sticker on my IS250. MSRP was $35,222.

Of course this depends on location.

tex2670

Edumnds doesn't list the wheel locks/trunk mat/cargo net price, but I think it's about $100, which would put the invoice at about $31,637. Maybe you'll get screwed because December to Remember is now over, but you can do better than $2K over invoice in SEPA.

tex2670

You have a phone, you have internet. Who cares if these guys are close by? That's what they are banking on. I ended up talking to 9 different dealers--but I only visited 2.

Different people have differing opinions as to what is the best method to get the best price. Some say go in person, some say shop by phone, email and fax. But, the more dealers you speak to, the better you will do by playing them off each other. And the most efficient way to do that is to call, or go on their website and "Request a Quote." They will call you almost immediately.

I went to the Chester Springs dealership 1 time during the purchase process--to pick up my car. I test drove at the closest dealer with me, then started working email and phones.

aequitas3

Thanks for all the replies!

Yeah, I'm definitely going to keep an eye on all the paperwork to make sure..

Excellent post, thank you for the awesome advice. I'll keep all of this in mind.


Yeah, people in Florida/California/etc seem to get a lot more off. Being in northeast PA, the AWD is definitely more in demand.

I did a test drive during the December to Remember event, and the sales agent gave me this price then. I spoke with him again last night, and he said even though it's beyond the December to Remeber sale, he'd still honor that price. I know half of that is just salesman-speak, but it still sounds like a pretty good offer.


That's very true. I'll fill some out now and see where it goes... I filled one out last night, and here was my message to them:
"I was offered an Obsidian Black '08 IS250 with the perforated black leather
and AWD for $33,785.

Options included Bi Xenon HIDs with Adaptive Front Lights and the
Luxury/Premium package.

Can you beat this price of $33,785? Please let me know tomorrow. If I
don't hear back from you, I'll purchase locally.

Thanks!"

Their reply:
"Thanks for the inquiry. I don't have a black IS in stock, and even if I did,
I couldn't sell it for the price you were offered. Take advantage of that
deal and buy the car!"

I found it kind of odd that they didn't try to counter offer, or say "we don't have that, but we do have this", or "but we do have it in this color"...

What do you guys think? Also, could I have phrased my email to them better?