Lexus RX 330 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

pfalcor

I just had the best car purchasing experience I had ever had. As part of the Costco Auto plan I was directed to Woodfield Lexus in Schaumburg Ill. I was told the Costco program was $675 over factory invoice. When I arrived and choose the vehicle I wanted they showed me the invoice which was $36952 on a vehicle with a list of $41453. Then I was told as an incentive they would sell me the vehicle for $37152. This up front approach was well appreciated. In talking to the salesperson I understand they do a large number of out of state sales and also leases. Well worth the one way ticket he told me. Love my new Lexus,Love my dealership!

gottls

Has anyone ordered a car and been given a tracking number? If so how far in advance did you receive the tracking information, and was it correct?

buyerinca

Hi, Pfalcor:

What is the option on your new RX330?

I'm in San Francisco bay area, I have tried the Costco program. However, I never got response from Costco authorized dealer. No phone call, no e-mail. I just received one e-mail from Costco auto program asking me how thing going. I told them I heard nothing from the dealer. Then, guess what, I heard nothing from Costco either!

Do any RX330 shoppers in bay area have the same experience?

Anyway, enjoy your new car!

macarshopper

For anyone who has financed an '05 RX330 thru Lexus over the last couple of months....

What rate were you offered for 48 and 60 month loans? Also, please note the state that you are located in.
I've been offered 4.99 for Tier 1 credit but I thought the current incentive was for 4.0%

Thanks!

sjeed

Just out of curiosity, do you remember if the factory invoice showed a Lexus Dealer Advertising fee? I am getting a similar deal, but not through Costco, but they claim that the Invoice amount I get from kbb/edmunds does not include this item.

pfalcor

yes it did include advertising, and destination charge. It was called TDA or LDA I cannot remember. We have dealers here also that play that game with destination and advertising fees as well. That is why I quess I had a great experience, straight up and honest.

Sylvia

pfalcor - your email address is bouncing. Please note that you must keep a valid email address on file in order to continue posting in the Forums.

Sylvia

Then UPDATE your Forums profile to reflect the current email address====or you risk your account being closed.

wkoz

Hope this will be helpful to other potential buyers.
I have purchased a 2005 RX 330 FWD. I will be picking it up today.

This is the substance of the deal:

Invoice MSRP
Base Price $31,881 $36,025
Options 4,990 6,183 (NAV, Premium+,
18"Wheels,HID
lites,6-CD,Acc.
Pkg.)
Destination 650 650
TDA 450 Advertising
Total $37,941 42,858

$ Over Invoice +500

Total $38,471 $4,387 under MSRP

My price $38,471 plus Taxes, Doc($249) & Regist.
What is interesting is that my sales person said the base price ($31,881) includes $720 holdback & $360 for Retail Financial Reserve (whatever that is). When you build a car on Yahoo or NADA sites the base price already includes the holdback and reserve. Now I know how the holdback is reflected in the deal. The Advertising charge was not negotiable but the sales person tinted the front side windows as part of the deal at no extra charge.
The Lexus dealer was pushing very hard for me to take the One Payment Lease. A 3 year lease, the money factor was .00075 (1.8%), residual was 55%. The up front payment (45%) less trade in with a check for the difference. No other payments during the lease period. It was very tempting but I did not take this option.
Good Luck to all on your deal.

Sylvia

Just a reminder - don't post your email address in messages as the search engines will index it and you will get on all sorts of spam lists. If other members want to contact you, make your address "public" in your profile.

Also, keeping the discussion HERE rather than in email benefits everyone.

markrogo

Can we get any info on money factors and residuals for 3 and 4-year leases on the RX400h yet? Maybe 12K and 15K miles?

Kirstie_H

Hi markrogo,
I see you've found our 400h discussion, and that's the best place to check for responses. You can also visit our Lease Questions discussion for questions about leasing.

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

tparks

Hi - I am in arizona and in the process of purchasing the RX330 FWD. Can you please let me know where you are purchasing the vehicle.

wkoz

Bought my RX 330 in Tucson where I live.
One of the keys to negotiating the deal was...it was at the end of the month and bought a car that was on the lot and took it as packaged.
Good Luck

pdxcascade

From earlier note. The Wholesale Financial Reserves are a 1% holdback of the base MSRP to dealers to cover inventory costs. Applies to all Toyota/Lexus vehicles.

Didn't appear to be a way around the TDA charge of $400+. Dealers insisted this was a real cost (covers all the Lexus commercials that bombard the TV). Surprised they can get away with it, but is good to be king I guess...

jhs4

Was this an AWD or standard. Great post .. thank you.

wkoz

It was a FWD.

Hard to find an AWD in Arizona.

ail

for $3,000 off the sticker. Car was really loaded and had a sticker of $42,000+.

kwh

I am just starting my RX 330 search. To those that have bought or been looking:
Have you seen any 330's with no packages - just a base car? I really don't want any options other than the standard equipment. Anybody seen one on the lot like this or does it even exist? I had to order my RX300 and wait 6 weeks to get one with no options.

07446

Is there a way for you to let me know who's your sales associate in Prestige Lexus in Ramsey without posting it cause it's not allowed? I'm about to go there and get my Rx330 and I would like to avoid as much hassls from the sales as possible!

07446

Can you let me know where you got your RX330?

gus2122

Does anyone think the prices for the RX 330 will decrease since the new 400's are coming soon?

gottls

My opinion is NO. In mid-February the sticker price on the AWD went up $250. My dealer stated that the price also went up on the FWD. Why would the price go up, just to go down a few months later. My 2 cents.

wisco1

which regions in the US has the special APR for lexus rx 330?

bozo4344

Ordered car at the end of October from Lexus of New Orleans because the Lexus bozo of Mobile did not want to work on the deal thinking all along that they are the only sealership within 150 miles of here and they could set the terms to what put the most in their pockets. Pick it up on March 5 the car came from Japan. I asked the Dealer to make sure that it had Michelin on it and not Goodyear tires that all the local ones in town have.

MSRP $36025.00
Options $ 7448.00
Delivery $ 650.00

Total $ 44123.00

Paid $ 38623.00 + only 3% sale tax


Black Forest Pearl
Navigation System/Mark Levinson Pkg
18” Wheels
Rain-Sensing Wipers
Towing Package
Cargo Mat
Wheel Locks

ail

Wow, sounds like you got a really good deal. We just bought ours last week in NYC. Sticker with options was about $42,000. We paid $39,000 plus tax, etc.

Congratulations.

mirx

I just bought one in Michigan

2005 RX330 AWD
Thundercloud edition (Thundercloud mettalic)
options
Mark levinson
Navigation package
wheel locks cargo mat
premium plus package

MSRP 46300 (includes destination)

Invoice (nobody knows I guess)

Price paid 40924.78 + 6% Tax + title + lic.

PS. Lexus also mailed me a cupon since I was a previous rx 300 owner and go 500 off on top of the above mentioned price)

I bought it at Ann Arbor Michigan. (LEXUS of ANNARBOR

I am looking to install an entertainment system in it any ideas, the dealers are unwilling to install Lexus accesory since they say it is not cost effective. They are insisting that I install audiovox brand system. They quote a price which ranges between 790 to 2000 for this system. Any experiences?

Kirstie_H

Since most members who post here have either just purchased or are still looking at purchasing, you'll get more advice from other owners in our regular Lexus RX 330 discussion. You might also have a look in our DVD/Entertainment Systems discussion.

kirstie_h
Roving Host
Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions

wtchywmn

hi - trying to get info on how much negotiation room there is for a loaded AWD 05 - Nav, Perf Pkg, Rear Ent system. Dealer is telling me that they come without Levinson in Central Reg(I thought that was part of the Nav pkg) and that it's cheaper to do aftermarket Ent System. I am wondering if they are just pushing me into what they have coming in vs what I want. I am willing to wait for what I want. Looks like $5K off MSRP is what I could expect. Will I have that much flexibility when negotiating? I am willing to buy in a diff state if it saves >$1K.

mirx

I did get Mark levinson system may be because I got the special edition car. If you are interested to shop with the same dealer I can talk to my sales person and see if they would ship the car to your area and post a message here. I am not sure how much it would cost to transport the car to a different place.

crystal2

Hi, ail, can you let me know where you shopped for your RX330 in NYC? Thanks.

nycguy1

which dealer did you buy your car from? With what options? I bought my rx330 awd without dvd/navgi/levin at lexus of manhattan for 42950 + tax. I feel like I paid too much!

pyc519

Hi,

Does the RX330 that you purchased have the 18" wheels and preferred accessory package? I am in contact with the same Lexus dealership and my quote is higher than yours. But mine includes the 18" wheels and the preferred accessory package.

Thanks!

crystal2

Hi, It looks like I am signing a contract shortly on a Special Edition THundercloud (Thundercloud metallic) with light grey leather interior, black maple bird'seye wood trim, AWD, Nav with rear view camera, Mark Levinson Audio system, heated front seats, towing package for $41,800, plus $50 doc fee, (this includes a $400 shipping fee from So. Cal. to NY and does not include NYS tax, lic/ reg fees). What do you think? Is this a good price from Fleetrates.com?
It sounds like MIRX has the same package from the Michigan dealer, but with a better price than mine (by a little under $900). I can live with it since I got a 4.0 loan rate for 72 months from my credit union. I am expecting this car to last for a long time. I loved my Toyota Avalon, but it was rear ended and it did not have AWD or the cargo space of the RX330. Thanks to all here who shared their experiences and allowed for substantial savings over what the dealer here in Long Island would have sod for (I got my RX330 for apprx. $4563 below the MSRP.)> THANKS AGAIN!

nycguy1

mine came with premium plus package and they gave me 500 off. Shouldn't I have gotten more discount?

they tried to sell it as high demand/low supply. I did not shop around unfortunately. Anything I can to rectify this considering I bought it last month?

crystal2

nycguy1, I got approx. the same quote as you for the premium plus package, but with no discount from the local Long Island dealership. They also indicated there was no special or discount to be had. I read all the reent postings here and was able to save buying the car fully loaded minus dvd entertainment system and performance package. You have had your car for 1 month; hard to imagine that there would be negotiating power for you at this time. Perhaps you can get some "good customer credit" when you go for your next lexus. I knew the NYC metro area prices were high (and my deal was made because it came from southern CA). Enjoy your new SUV (bottom line)! crystal2

mjmraa

I am also looking at an RX 330 in Portland.

I have been offered ~ $38,850 on an MSRP of approx. $43,000 (cannot remember exact amount). This includes the performance package, but no NAV/Entertainment system.

Does this deal sound reasonable? Looks like some people are getting slightly better deals, but I am not sure about the Portland area!

briegel

I am in the Seattle area, but bought my 2005 RX 330 through the Internet Sales Dept. at Lexus of Riverside (Southern California) at the end of December for $37983 (MSRP was $42,483 then, but I think that has increased by $250 since), which included shipping to Portland! You might consider checking with them...I highly recommend them! Let us know what deal you end up with, please.

ail

We bought it at Lexus of Manhattan a couple of weeks ago.

ajwestport

Hi all,
Started my RX **LEASE** shopping by making some phone calls to Lexus of Westport (where I live) and Lexus of Greenwich (25 mins away) both in Connecticut. Set up an appt to test drive in Westport and run some numbers. Fell in love with the car, didn't bother looking at anything else. Ran the LEASE numbers w/ Westport and was blown away- 36 mos, 12k miles/yr, no cap cost reduction, and was quoted $659 per month. This was $110 more per month than Greenwich gave over the phone!!! I explained this to my Westport salesman and manager, and they told me, exactly: "This is our bottom line. We won't negotiate down. Inconvenience yourself, drive to Greenwich, we'll still service your car." I asked if they really wanted to lose my sale, they said yes, and I responded that I wouldn't need their service, Greenwich Lexus would drop off a loaner and pick my car up.

I left for Greenwich and loved the people there! Really great. Basically, they sold the car for $40,800 (Fully loaded w/ nav system). My lease payment is $549. Did I do well? I told him I did my research on edmunds and knew the cars typically will sell $1K above invoice and I wanted that, plus some extra negotiating we did.

DID I DO WELL? I appreciate your input. Thanks!

P.S. I can't figure out why Westport was so quick to throw me out along with my business???

crystal2

Hi, Did you also get the Levinson audio system and/or DVD entertainment system in your loaded RX330 with Nav? That would help in a price comparison. It sounds like a good deal. I got a quote for $499/ month for 3 years, 12k/ year and $4000 cap cost reduction from a LOng Island dealership (more comparable to your Westport dealer). Let me know if you have the extra options I cited at the beginning of my message.

crystal2

Ajwestport, I forgot to mention the Long Island lease I was offered was for the Premium Plus package without Nav. One more question, do you mind sharing what the residual price would be at the end of the 36 month lease from Greenwich?

ajwestport

I thought all navigation packages came with the Levinson bundled? Did I miss something...? I wanted that. Anyway, no DVD system for back seat. I didn't make any cap cost reduction payment. Also, I think the residual value in Greenwich was about $23K after 36months. I think I did well but I would love opinions. I am picking my car up at latest April 22nd and I can't wait. I'm so excited... This may possibly be the perfect car.

crystal2

Ajwestport, my understanding is the Nav is separate from the Lev system. However, I just found out that the Lev system comes bundled with the DVD ent system, except sometimes not the case with the Special Ed Thundercloud. You should check with your agent at the Greenwich dealership. Still sounds like a great deal. Congrats on your new lux SUV!

crystal2

Ajwetport, Don't mean to confuse you, I was just relaying info from a so cal dealership. However, upon review of the Lexus website, it shows that the Nav is bundled with the Levinson system (minus DVD ent system) for $6790 as one of the options packages.

hardlyworking

I'm presently negotiating with several dealers in Southern Cal for a 2005 RX330 AWD. One dealer first told me that I couldn't get the Nav package/Mark Levinson without the DVD. Then they said I could get the Nav without the Mark Levinson and DVD. Apparently, the Mark Levinson is bundled with the DVD. They also told me that I couldn't get the Laser Cruise Control on the RX330. Anybody know if this is true?

crystal2

Hi, That's what I heard also. It was pointed out to me that the laser cruise control is only in about 1%? of the inventory - the point being that there are very few cars (at least in So Cal) with this option. Not sure if this is true for other parts of the country, but probably (it appears that also in the northeast where I spoke to some dealers and the laser cc was not an option).

ajwestport

Thanks for all the input. I'm still not sure whether my car w/ Nav will end up having the Levinson or not. I really wanted it ;( and thought it was just part of the whole package, but maybe it is??

WORST Part of all this... my RX may not be here until April 22nd. They told me that there was a good chance of having it in 2nd week of April but I have to prepare myself for the 22nd. Im impatient, what can I say. (To help matters I gave two color choices, 1st silver, 2nd black-- both w/ black interior).

crystal2

Ajwestport, I called up your dealership in Greenwich, because I was thinking it is still an option for me to buy in Conn. since I am in NY.
Howevr, I got frustrated with the agent I spoke to. He kept insisting I coud not get the Levinson package without a special order, which would take 4 months for the SUV to arrive. I told him that was OK, but he then told me I do not want to wait that long because the lease terms would be different. I told him I was buying, not leasing. He then told me it was not easy to get the Nav or Levinson packages. I was going around in circles with him. I finally said, you cannot do business with me because you cannot provide what i am asking for (Nav and Levinson packages) and he said that was correct. It was a futile call. I am going back to so cal for my RX330, which I should get in 2 weeks or less.

ajwestport

crystal2, wow, sounds like a fun conversation you had there! I'm just gonna see what happens w/ the audio. I feel I am paying a pretty competitive lease rate and I am just so thankful for the *PAINLESS* experience I had, especially since I was in Westport just minutes before enduring "torture". Oh well. I asked some colleagues who I know have the Levinson and they said that they never asked for anything but navigation, yet the Lev. is in their cars. So, it's a toss up I guess.

Are you really getting your RX delivered to you in NY from a California dealer? Do I understand SoCal correctly? How much of a savings does that get you?

I am in pain waiting for April 22nd so this board is the next best thing to being in my new car.