whitels

I was at a Lexus dealership yesterday in Southern California checking out two identical black 02 SC430s with identical mileage- 47K miles. Both are in pristine condition. They were both on sale for something like $7-8K less than retail bluebook which is roughly $500 to $1000 less than wholesale bluebook. The salesman explained that at this time of the year, when new cars are being pumped aggressively into the market, they get lots of used ones in the form of trade-ins.

Then this morning at cars.com, a private individual from Thousand Oaks is selling black/black 02 with 22K miles for $39K. That is such a great price. The lady owner who said that the car was only used for errands and shopping as she has other cars. She is the original owner.

Are the prices consistent with the markets elsewhere or is this a signal that I should get one now. :-))

GSXOTIC

iTrader: (6)

FYI, people lives in 1000 oaks are pretty fair off. $39K sound like a great buy if you ask me especially coming from a lady owner (not as abusive compares to male driver) and the prior usage of the car. BUY BUY BUY!

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

$39K for a '02 with 22k is a very good price. I was at a dealership less than a week ago and had two '02 SC430s with about 45k miles, and they were going for $42k.

If you've got the flow, you gotta go...

whitels

We were probably at the same dealership....the price was $42K and marked down to $36,994

IcEnPinKi

iTrader: (1)

I should be picking up my 03 sc430 tomorrow. Car had about 34k miles and I paid $35,000. Car is clean and from the first owner. $39,000 is not a bad buy with such low miles.

02Ku

Just got my 02 for $36k. had 38k miles on it. Urs sound like a great deal for half the miles. Go for it!!!!

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Just make her an offer and see if she takes it.. She may not take 39k over like 37 and see what happens... If she has other cars she may be willing to budge on the price a little..

aspguru

I paid 37k for my 02 with 19k miles about 3 months ago.

SC430GA

The prices for cars a bit different by regions and here in Georgia seems a bit higher than in California probably because of supply and demand, but I found some interesting things when shopping for couple of months before bought my 02 in February.
Lexus used car manager gets most of his cars from Lexus Corp. that are coming out of lease and shopping just by computer he is able to get the best ones that already checked for body damage and after the detailing look like from show room. The ones that are not bought by the Lexus dealer for one or the other reason go to auction. He also gets cars from trade-ins and first of all checks the body with paint meter to see if any parts were painted or replaced - you know Carfax goes just to what is reported. If they found anything not perfect with the body car gets sold for little profit to local dealers or goes to auction. If everything checks out good they do required services - new tires, new front brake pads, 125 point inspection, inside/out detailing, than add this services at dealer (!) cost to purchase price, add a buffer to the price to make sure if they have to negotiate 10% down they still have about 10% or more of profit left.
If my understanding is wrong I welcome any dealer to correct me.
I took out all other small dealers from my shopping list, because they asked almost the same price as the Lexus dealer without any assurance what kind of car they have and any services they do.
I was considering individuals, even they also asked the same price as dealers, but you may have more room for negotiation and also saving in taxes you can use to get all the services that car needs. Beside getting Carfax I was thinking to get more insurance by informing the seller that our negotiation are conditional on the Lexus dealer check up and if the car and the price is right I was thinking to get my car to Lexus dealer and first of all pay them to go over the car with Paint meter to verify every part of the body is original and never been painted and also if it checks out fine let them get that 125 point inspection done.
I finally found my car at the Lexus dealer and since I think I negotiated a fare price I bought it there.
See if any of my experience will help with you shopping , you will enjoy it even if you pay a bit more than some of us, just do not make a big mistake and get a clean car of your choice color.
Good luck.

whitels

Even better deal you got there! Is it from an individual or Lexus dealership? Just curious. Thanks!

zgxl04

I paid $39K for a black 02 with 22K miles in January (Houston). The driver was the wife but she only used it on weekends since she was a corporate realtor and the SC430 was not large enough to drive clients around. The husband was asking for $42.9. If her asking price is $39K you can negotiate down a bit.

landcrusin

i live in richmond, va and the lexus dealership had an 02 sc430 with 30,000 mi. on it and they wanted 46,000 for it.so i went on line and found one an 04 with 40,000 mi. on it silver and saddle for 40,000 with a new car warranty up to 100,000 mi or 5 years. i don't think that was a bad deal.what do you guys think???????

Gasjuggler

Bought my 04 SC for $48,000 at a Toyota dealer in Western NY. 17,000miles. It was a lease car from New Jersey. Did a car fax and it was clean. I think I just got lucky right place at right time. I love it. Run flats must go and going to install xm radio.

JOEYSC430

I bought my 02 in this March from the Paragon Acura dealer in Queens and paid $33,495 with 46K on the odom. I guess I got a good deal except that the trunk needs the hydraulics to be replaced and I was missing the spare tire package.

Jayson

Wow! That's a great deal.