FLYCT

I no longer need my 2014 F150 so I'm looking to trade it for an RX. We are long time Lexus owners an currently own a beautiful SC430 and a nice CT200h. We sold our LS460 and my wife's SC430 last year.

Local dealers are offering about $2500-$3000 off MSRP ON NEW and an additional $2000 off >1,500 mile certified both RX350 and RX450h's

450h adds about $6,000 to new car price when compared to a similar equipped RX350, with nav, blind spot monitor etc.

I'll probably pull the plug tomorrow so I'm looking for advice on what to be aware of.

kitlz

Hmm, those discounts don't sound right if you take a look at the price thread. It should give you an idea on what people paid. It's better than 10% off on average. And as far as going with used vs new, spindle grill started with the 2013 MY. Good luck.

Freds430

With the cost of a new RX450h in the upper $50 thousands, a $5,000 discount would be normal if you are a patient/strong willed negotiator. However with a redesign RX coming out shortly, I think you could do better. A lot depends on how many your local dealers have in stock. This is a great time with gas at $2.50 a gallon to bargain for a RX450h. I just bought a 2013 ES300h from a local Lexus Dealer and it was the price of the gas version ES350. You don't go in and buy a hybrid when gas is $4.00 a gallon. Like the stock market gas prices fluctuate and I am sure (hope I am wrong) that gas is not going to stay at these prices. We are looking for a 2013 or 2014 RX450h to replace my wife's 2010 RX350. Two local dealers are selling 2015 RX450h fully loaded loaner cars with about 16,000 miles for a negotiated price of approximately $46,000. See you are in Florida. Lexus of Clearwater has a 2015 450h with 10,000 miles certified for $45,500. Feel for sure you could get them down to $44,000-$44,500. IMO best color combo.
This was a loaner.

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...7854/overview/

vlad_a

I personally don't like CPOs because you pay extra on a used vehicle and that extra will turn into nothing once the warranty is up. Others will only buy CPOs because they feel they take less depreciation penalty.
Any used vehicle is cat in a bag. One could end up like this:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ter-panel.html

lesguy

I only buy used. The most depreciation for any vehicle is in the first 1-2 years. I buy 3-4(at most) years old, and with at least 5-10k and 1 year worth of factory bumper to bumper warranty left on it. I also take my time and usually purchase directly from a private owner via Craigslist, Ebay, or Autotrader ads. To me, this method gets me maximum value for my dollar with a minimal amount of risk. Of course, this assumes that I've done my research on the vehicle, checked carfax, had a pre-purchase inspection done to ensure all is well, etc. I also never trade in but sell myself via Craigslist. I also make sure I take one of these when I check out any used car to ensure all paint is original.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LCD-Car-Truck-PAINT-COATING-THICKNESS-GAUGE-AUTO-CRASH-Painting-Meter-/171641412146?hash=item27f6a01a32
But the security of the intact bumper to bumper factory warranty relieves much of the worry.

When I used to purchase new, I had a very simple way to get the best price. Once I knew the exact make/model/options? I'd call 4-5 local dealers and ask to speak with the Sales Manager. I'd calmly let him/her know that I was in the market NOW for a vehicle, and that I was checking with multple dealerships to determine which would get my business. I told them what I wanted, and to please fax me in writing their best price for the specific vehicle in question. Generally speaking, 1 would not play along, but the other 3-4..would. I found that using the power of market competition got me the best new car price..even better than what car buying services at my credit union, got me.

FLYCT

Fred,

Thanks for the link to the Clearwater CPO. It was helpful in negotiations.

I finalized the deal today for a new RX450h for my wife. We're trading in my 2014 F150 Lariat and her 2012 CT200h. Her color choice was Satin Cashmere w/ Saddle tan leather. This was the only one in Florida according to the 5 dealers I spoke to today. The next closest was in Atlanta. My wife misses her Silver w//Saddle SC430 that was traded in for the F150 last year.

I contacted 5 other Florida dealers through True Car, PenFed, Edmund’s etc. Phone has been ringing all day going back and forth negotiating.

I stopped by local the dealer today on the way to the 50 mile trip to the Clearwater dealer with the Fred's CPO listing in hand. After some haggling I negotiated another $2,000 off sale price of the new RX450h and another +$2,000 on the F150 trade.

Lexus is offering 0.9% for 36 months so I'm going that way. No sales tax because of the trade in value of the 2 cars exceeds the sale price of the RX450h.

I didn’t pick it up today because I had some items in the truck bed that I need to unload.

Oh, about color. The truck and the CT are both pearl white. Great color to maintain but it was time for a change. My LS460 has Parchment Leather and so does my F150. Both were difficult to maintain due to Blue Jean dye transferring. Our SC430’s never transferred dye on my Red SC has Ecru and the Silver SC had Saddle.

This is going to be my 50th car purchase in 50 years of car purchases.

NateJG

With the lead-off that I love my 450h -- be sure to add in the cost of fuel to your decision.

Around here (SW Michigan), the up-charge for Premium is between $0.37 and $0.60 per gallon.

We just this evening returned from a three day vacation to Charlevoix; and on our return trip thru Traverse City, the prices of Regular were $2.999; and at Shell, the upcharge for Premium was $0.75 per gallon.

That's a new high for me.

Shell's up-charge for Premium here in Kalamazoo is $0.60 -- so I have not purchased at Shell for many weeks.

FLYCT

Nate,

The first thing my wife asked was did it use premium gas? Our CT and F150 twin turbo ecoboost uses regular

It wasn't a pure decision based on gas efficiency. We've owned hybrids since 2005 when my wife purchased her first Prius. Back then I explained to her that we would never recoup the premium we paid for a Hybrid even at 50 mpg.

Regular gas cost is about $2.39/gal locally and premium is a 40 cents or 17% up charge. Based on city mpg the 450h gets about 65% better economy. I know I'll never recoup the additional $6k premium paid for a 450h over the RX350. But I really liked the RX450h engine/drive train smoothness and quietness over the RX350.

I just reviewed gas cost for the 10 months I've owned our F150. We drove it 8500 miles at 16 mpg, 531 gallons. So we spent about 50 gallons or $150 a month. An RX450h would have used 1/2 the gas.

kitlz

FLYCT, I'm glad you understand the 450h is not about trying to recoup the premium cost over the 350 through better mileage. Congrats on your purchase. Be sure to post pics.

vlad_a

Conrats on your purchase! For those that owned hybrids in the past, RX450h is a logical upgrade.

In reference to the premium paid for the Hybrid, everyone forgets about the residual value. You still recoup a part of it when you trade/sell your vehicle.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Congrats on the purchase.

Good call on the saddle interior. I've always been a black interior kind of guy but I knew I had to get saddle.

NateJG

"...This is going to be my 50th car purchase in 50 years of car purchases..."

Good God! Wouldn't it be cheaper to just empty the ashtrays instead of trading in the whole car?

Congrat's on your newest.

In my haste to add my brilliant post I had overlooked the fact that you'd already made the purchase decision -- else I'd have saved it for the "Congrat's on you newest" post.

Noting that you've experienced the Prius and the CT200, I understand your desire for the Prius on Steroids (and I agree with you on the driving experience between the 450 and the 350).

Regards & Best wishes!

FLYCT

Everyone,

Thank you for the kind words and excellent advice. The more my wife and I drive the RX450h the more I like it.

It's comforting knowing that I can get knowledgable answers to questions here any time needed.

I look forward to participating in the RX Forum.

Henry82

Can you give some advice and direction on how to best use this paint meter to confirm that the car has all original paint?

NateJG

Are you on #51 yet?

Whutcha get? Why?