Lexus ES 300/ES 330 Prices Paid and Buying Experience
Hi,
I am in NJ area and was quoted by a local dealer for about 1500 off MSRP (retail 35171). I wonder if the deal is good enough -- any room for bargaining? Also did they improve the transmission on the new model.
Kumar
I am in NJ area and was quoted by a local dealer for about 1500 off MSRP (retail 35171). I wonder if the deal is good enough -- any room for bargaining? Also did they improve the transmission on the new model.
Kumar
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
The transmission has been significantly changed. New gear ratios and electronics. I certainly haven't had any problems with mine.
Jim
GOT 1800. OFF MSRP ALSO 4.75% LOAN.COULD HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE MORE OFF MSRP., BUT WAS VERY IMPRESS WITH NO PRESSURE SALES ALSO THEY WILL DELIVER CAR BEFORE WEEKEND,GREAT ATTENCION FROM SALESPERSON ANTONY TUFO AND SALES MANAGER ROBERT MOREA OF RAY CATENA LEXUS,LARCHMONT N.Y.MY WIFE WALK IN ON WEDNESDAY SEPT.10 ;CLOSES ON DEAL THURSDAY ; DROVE OUT ON FRIDAY, I FELT VERY COMFORTABLE WITH PERSONNEL AT THIS DEALER I LET MY WIFE SIGN PAPERS AND PICKUP CAR BY HERSELF .OTHER DEALERS WE WENT TO SAID HAD TO WAIT 8-14 DAYS FOR FULLY LOADED CAR. KUDOS FOR STAFF AT RAY CATENA
$1500 off MSRP is some-what fair for a car that just came out. If you shop around and see what's in stock at other dealerships, you may have better bargaining power, just don't make the mistake of frequent visits to the same dealership and saleman since they'll know you want the car. I'm sure the dealers will deal a little more when they sell all of their 2003 models.
As far as buying experience:
I've mentioned in another forum that Roseville Lexus LAUGHED at my offer of $2000 below MSRP, while the salesman at Fulton RD Lexus stated "I can sell you the car for $1500 below MSRP", and Fulton RD Lexus COULD NOT DELIVER as stated - What a waste of time!
I then called Colliseum Lexus in Oakland, CA that I did not want to pay the $39,000 MSRP for the car, and they offered to sell me the car at a respectable discount. I then left a $1000 refundable deposit to order mine, but my wife was in a rush for my new car since licensing fees will triple in CA on October 1, 2004. I was happy with the price they gave me, but my wife really pushed me to buy the car in the next week or two.
I then discovered that the Number 1 West Coast dealership was in El Monte, CA - Longo Lexus. I called them at 3:30pm and told the salesman what I was looking for and he offered to sell me the same car at the $39,000 MSRP I found in Sacramento at an Awesome discount! (Needless to say, I received a discount greater than the standard disounts off MSRP many dealers offer.) At 4:00pm, I bought my plane ticket and guaranteed the salesman I was going to buy the car. My plane landed at 8:35pm and the salesman was outside ready to drive me to his dealership. We arrived around 9:15pm and drove up to my car for an orientation. I then signed all of the prepared documents and wrote out the check for the total we agreed on, and I was on my way out the door in my new car at around 9:45pm after a facility orientation. There was a lot more that the salesman did for me, and he totally went out of his way.
Bottom line is buy the car for what's it worth to YOU and learn from my mistake of frequent visits to the same dealership. Lastly, don't make buying a car an emotional decision.
I will not post the discount or price I paid since the deal sounds too good to be true for this time of year for a 2004 ES330 fully loaded.
Stop being SILLY and post the price you got! That's what the internet and this forum is for! To exchange information!
Terry.
You didn't check out Ray Catena in Oakhurst, NJ? Usually they flatten everyone else's numbers because they are the biggest lexus dealer in NJ.
that guy probably works for longo. haha. anyways, i was quoted 32852 for a BASE 330. what are some techniques i can use to lower the price? thanks.
I just closed a deal today on a 2004 ES330 fully loaded with nav/levinson system....$36026. Thought that was a pretty good deal. For all those people in Vegas looking for a good deal on a Lexus, head out of town....got mine at Lexus of Torrance. Apparently, the people in Vegas think because they are the only dealership in town that we have to buy from them. I think they've forgotten about a very large state called California! Eureka!
Where are they located ?
The advantages are:
1. They have a huge list of dealers. In Tulsa, OK, there wasn't a single dealer for AAA or Sam's club or any of the other online services. CarBargains produced 7 within a 500 mile radius and gave me prices I could use to negotiate with the local dealer.
2. The price was incredible. A month ago, I could have bought a Lexus ES330 for $1,000 UNDER invoice (I decided to get the 330 instead).
But your approach is the same as mine. Get your best price and ask the local dealer to price match.
Good luck.
Another one said $2000 above invoices. I am working with the third one to see if they are going to agree on $800 above invoices.
Same thing goes for 2004 TL. It goes for msrp (and a wait line) and guess what: It's pretty darn close to ES' 'actual' price now.
please respond stonycreek
what do you guys think.
BTW, Brannon at Oakland tried to sell his last es300 with nav/ml back in July/Aug for $36K thinking that he got the last one in Bay Area. There's very few left indeed but it just showed that he can be very greedy too. Don't know what he's thinking. Why pay a 300 with a price that can get you a 330 other than that you may not get one es330 to your liking by 10/1. Still...
I was told that they have more shipments come in this month. I picked my car from their stock.
Just joined and wanted to post info on my experience buying my new Lexus ES330. I bought from Lexus of Orlando and the car had a MSRP of $33,444.00. I paid, $30,980.00 + Tax, Tag, and Title for an Out the Door price of $33,046.00. I have nothing but praise for the dealership, no hassles, very informative, very courteous. In and out in a couple hours last Sunday.
The I car price I am interested jumps upto around 32999 which comes to be 1600 over invoice before tax/tags and this is for Base +premium plus(as seen on Lexus.com)
what do you guys think.
I am wondering can anyone get a nav/ml with a few pre-installed goodies (the top package) for $1K over invoice too. I've been to lexus dealers a few times and they always have very few with nav/ml, if any at all, in stock. They do have lots more non nva/ml in stock. And when you ask for it they say you have to pre-order one wtih nav/ml, esp. if you have a color in mind. Right away they are not willing to budge price much when they have to pre-order for you.
Where's that dealer if you don't mind, and is $1,500 over for NAV/ML a realistic target in all US regions?
I am not sure whether I can give the name,as right now I am in nego with them.
I have totalled all invoice price and will pay 1500 over total invoice price +tax/tags/proc if I buy one with Nav/ML,but I am not sure whether I shoud pay LDA (adv fees) or not.
If you want their name email me at arunguptamd@yahoo.com
However, as to your "markup" comment, I respecfully disagree completely. I have never paid more than 1,000-1,500 over invoice for a Lexus, and that dates back to my first ES250. I cant say this works on all models, but it has worked on the four "Lexi" that we have owned over 10 years, and it seems to me that Lexus as a brand has only improved and expanded. I'm in the market for an ES 330, and if that isn't the margin range the dealer is willing to live with, then there is some very good competition down the street. Its supply and demand, period. If you all are getting more than that I suspect its because people dont want to travel to Doylestown or Philly to get one.
The dealer makes a lot of money, from whatever markup there is to holdback, service visits, accessories, extended warranties, etc. The price, as virtually everything else in the world, is determined by supply and demand, period. Also, most of your customers are there because they manage their money well and can afford a nicer car. They're not going to pay more money because you are complaining about -- reading between the lines, if I may -- not making enough profit on your personal sales. And, although I cant imagine this happening in a Lexus dealership, the first sales person that complains to my face that I'm turning the dealership into a Chevrolet dealership (or a Ford dealership, as you commented on the LX 470 Board) wont have to worry about writing up my purchase order.
In the meantime (smile) lets hear about those "X above invoice" prices, ladies and gentlemen! And, frankly, I wouldn't mind a friendly debate over what constitutes a reasonable price in the mind of a Lexus dealer (if that falls within the limits of this topic, in deference to our moderator).
I can see the following scenario: dealer A and dealerB are in a close proximity, but dealer A charges more and offers better service. Dealer B short shrifts the service. So, the buyer ends up buying from dealer B but getting their service from Dealer A.
As a Lexus owner, I know I am paying more for a Lexus than I am for a Camry. What I don't want to see is Lexuses moving over to the Toyota side of the house. I would hate the scenario where, becasue ES300 owners were cheap, they started selling ES300s at Toyota dealers.
I do take issue with one thing lehigh implied. It is not the buyer seeking a cheap price who is to blame for the situation he fears, but the dealer who is undercutting his competitors.
bargain more,
answering for the carsalesman.nobody wants to pay more for a car if somebody other has paid less for it.
I dont think there's any risk of an ES becoming available at a Toyota dealer -- its one of Lexus's higher volume cars even though they seems to be selling regularly for $1000 or so above invoice -- my original point was that this has been the case since the ES went on the market in 1990, and it doesn't seem, to me, to have had the effect yet of negatively affecting the brand, or the service associated with the brand.