2013 and earlier Lexus RX 350 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

bmlexus

We own an '06 Avalon and other than a trunk rattle that was fixed when the car was two weeks old, we haven't had an issue and love the car. The car, to me, drives and performs like a Lexus ES for less coin. The 3.5L engine is fantastic and we typically get 29 to 30 MPG on the highway. Very impressive for a full size car.

I do like the avalon, but for some I feel the car is so big, so long, can't make up my mind if I want such a long car.

The 3.5lit engine is good, no doubt about it, there is always power whenever you need it.

bmlexus

I'd be upset too. Have you contacted the Sales or General Manager at the dealership to complain?

No, I haven't done anything yet, I want to make up my mind first.

Just not sure if I'll be happy with the new RX.

sideways3

Where in NJ? What dealer? I'm in Bucks County PA and am getting nowhere near that deal for the same starting msrp. Paying 1% more in NJ sales tax for that deal would be a better if I still go with Lexus. Leaning toward a Highlander...have had a 2002 and driven it 127K miles with no troubles.

pschiffe

I believe the sales tax is levied where the vehicle is registered, not where purchased; at least that's the way it is here in NY.

Pete

chunhuali

Hi, I will go to negotiate the price again tomorrow. If we can get the great deal, I will defiinately report it back here and recommend the dealer to you guys if they honor what they offered before. If they play games with me, I will change to Acuara dealership. Afterall, it is more afordable and my aunt really likes it when we testdrove the car. But I will definately keep you guys posted. Sideways3, please wait for my story first and I will then let you know if the dealer is worthwhile to do business with.

sideways3

Because I live so close to Jersey and some dealers are closer to me than those in PA I did a bit of research on the tax question. From my research, when you register the vehicle in PA as long as the tax you paid is the minimum of the state in which it is registered you're good. NJ sales tax is 7% and PA is 6% so PA will not levy a higher tax...just have to pay the registration and title.

sideways3

I anxiously await your update...thanks!

Firebird_EOU

We'll be test driving RDX and RX350 next week in NJ. We'll probably go with RDX since it's cheaper and you can program the nav while the car is moving, and the tire pressure tells you the psi for each tire. I cannot believe Lexus didn't put that in the 2010 model.

However we could consider RX350 if it's $1,500 above invoice.

I would be surprised that a Lexus dealership salesrep would promise you a number that could not be approved by manager. Would it help if we have a group buy?

gfslee

Hi all,
I am trying to buy a new 2010 RX350 in MA.
I got an offer from one dealer-shop.

RX350 with premium package, heating seat, back-up camera, woody steering wheel
MSRP : about 43,000
Offer : 40,000 including Tax, TTL and all
maybe 5,000 off from MSRP

Is it good deal for me ?
Thanks

hal56

question for all (incl moderators, I guess) : there are a number of posts here which communicate they can buy a 2010 for around dealer cost--yet ask if the price is ok.

are they for real? In this world of internet (and these folks use internet obviously) you would have to be as dead as a nail not to see 5k off sticker is a great deal--and since we have no way of verifying, not sure its true.

rparis

Which dealer is this and have you checked other dealers for comparison?

Before all fees what is the discount from MSRP to actual cost of vehicle excluding fees, tax etc?

Was a trade involved?

gfslee

It`s original posting.
It was first dealer and first offer.
There was no trade-in or financial program (I`ll pay cash)
There was no price(MSRP) diffrence between dealer and Edmund.com (42,983),and actual cost (processing fee, advertisement fee, tax, registration, destination charge ...) was all included.
Is it good ?

rparis

Was the cost of the vehicle, before taxes, documentation fee, etc around $38000??

If the actual car cost of the car is around $38k and your cost including all fees (Many dealers are charging $250, for documentation fee and tax in MA would be almost $2000) is $40000 that would be about a $5000 discount off the the MSRP which is great as many, according to earlier messages, are only getting about $1500 off MSRP.

What is the name of the dealer and please advise the cost of the vehicle before all fees/taxes.

Thanks
.

jayvis

I tend to ignore these posts asking for approval or confirmation that their supposed "at invoice" deal is good. As I've always said, if you can buy a newly introduced Lexus model at or near dealer cost, don't waste time or jeapordize the deal by asking people on this forum if it's a good deal. Just buy it! I'm still very skeptical that any Lexus dealer is offering these types of deals on 2010 RX350s unless they are a very high volume dealer with way too much RX350 inventory. I'm sure there are some people out there who think that making these low ball price claims will stop some potential RX350 buyers and eventually drive the prices down on the RX350. My advice on car buying has always been that it doesn't matter what others think of your deal as long as you're getting the vehicle you want at a price that comfortably fits within your budget. If the thought of buying a luxury car for a fair price that keeps the dealer in business is not good enough for you, shop for something in a lower price category.

kyfdx

I thought you ignored those posts?

sideways3

Jayvis: I don't know if it is intended--trying to give you the benefit of the doubt--but your post came across as snippy and condescending. With all the games played in the car sales business it would be foolish to not do research and ask questions of others that have been down that road before. I'm all for letting the dealers make a reasonable profit...I just don't want it to be at the expense of uninformed consumers.

tkv_01

Yeah, I gonna get it check by the dealer tomrrow. However, I dont think i'm the first, because there are couple ppls in lexusclub.com too.

tkv_01

Sowie, i'm late. I'm in MD and i bought mine in Lexus of Rockville.

hal56

I have to discount much of what is being said here--as you say--getting 5k off a brand new model is a sign and take delivery asap proposition.

Since I tend to deal with the same dealer on future purchases and service, I really do not want to go too far with the pricing. I have found that if you do not go all the way, later on in the relationship they take care of you in other ways--ie--have had nav updated "gratis" . Loaner cars are same or better than what I am driving, have actually had salesperson bring me his demo while taking mine in for service. And its always noce to have them go to bat for you if there is a warranty or out of warranty problem. You do not get that of you persist in getting THE lowest price, especially of you are dealing with a luxury car. The sales guys have to eat too

bigboss001

From my experience sales and service are totally separated departments even in the same dealership. Salesmen come and go, no one in service give a damn. Lexus loans you the same model as your car in service. BMW screws you up gives you a Nissan Sentra unless your car is an M.

jayvis

My advice then is to buy a Chevy Avio.

jayvis

I was giving my opinion while confirming that an invoice deal on a new RX350 is a GREAT deal. Opinions ARE allowed on this forum.

hal56

you are rather incorrect.

I have a BMW 335 HT convertible. I usually get the same as a loaner--if not--I get a 5 series.

you seem to be having problems with upper end dealers in general.

your problem-not theirs.

jayvis

I do. I was replying to hal56's post.

allchemie

I have bought quite a few cars in my lifetime and have learned a few things that have made the buying process a lot less painful. The most important rule is as follows:

Whenever you go to a dealership never act or say anything that leads the salesperson to believe you are "married" to getting this particular model of car. It is always good to mention similar cars that you are also considering, even if you have already made your mind up.

If you get an offer on the car you want and are not pleased with the price, make a counter-offer that is based on the market conditions of that particular model. For instance, since the Lexus RX-350 is fairly popular you should offer about $1,000 more than the dealers cost. If they do not honor it---move on to either another dealer or another model.

For instance, If I can't get the deal I want on a RX-350, I'll let the Lexus dealer know I will see what the Audi dealer can do for me on a Q5, a Mercedes dealer on a GLK, or what an Acura dealer can do for me on a MDX. Sorry, I didn't mean to omit the new Volvo XC-60 :-)

In current market conditions you can get an MDX at or under Invoice price along with very good financing. Never forget that you are the one holding the wad of money that the dealership wants. It they can't make you happy, then leave.

Even if it is a lie, you can always tell the dealership that you will try both Costco's buying service or that you are even willing to go out of state to get your vehicle at (or near) the price you want.

In this economy, you never want to enter into a major purchase without feeling you got a very good deal, or else it will always leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Of course, if you are fortunately flush with cash, then you can do anything you want:-)

sep2

Could someone tell me, that's from South Florida, what the buying experience is. Are the dealers negotiating the msrp? You would think bigger citys with more dealers would have some competition. im in a town with one dealer and not one other within 200 miles. only 3 rxs in
the whole lot. only offering a small discount from msrp.
thanks for any info!!!!

md_outback

Good, sound advice allchemie. And if I may add, always have someplace else you need to get to. If the dealership thinks they have you captive indefinitely, you may end up there all day. If they think their time with you is limited, dealing happens more quickly. Have someone call you on your cell phone about 30 minutes after you arrive at the dealer and then suggest you may need to leave soon. It's amazing how quickly they get to the right price. And, like you said, if they don't move quickly enough, leave.

bigboss001

you are rather incorrect.

I have a BMW 335 HT convertible. I usually get the same as a loaner--if not--I get a 5 series.

you seem to be having problems with upper end dealers in general.

your problem-not theirs.

Yes, I do, be honest with you. Used to have a 330Ci coupe and always got a rental car. Paid cash got my M3/DCT last year and started to get 3 series loaners like 328i or 335i. Never had an M3 or M5 for a loaner. BMW stinks. Lexus is a bit better, always got a year old RX loaner when taking wife's RX in for service. hal56 are you working in sales? just curious. By the way, before the market crashed last Fall, people bought BMW always paid MSRP (if you go out of town, $1,000 off MSRP). They don't negotiate. You order the car you want and wait a couple of months for them to build. Also, no BMW owners call it 335 HT convertible, it's E93.

bigboss001

My advice then is to buy a Chevy Avio.

LOL, sounds reasonable. Then the car would be in service all the time and I would be driving a better rental car all the time....Yeah.

stanglx718

Hi Everybody,

I'm in the market for a 2007 RX350 AWD w/NAV (certified pre-owned) the car has about 38K of mileage. The problem is that I've never purchased a used car before. I've only leased and am accustomed to the negotiation process and how much of a discount I can get from the stated lease prices on-line.

I've read many articles on buying a used car and just wanted a second opinion on my thoughts.

Using the True Market Value calculator on edmunds.com, it looks like the Dealer Retail Certified Used price is $31,642; trade in price is listed as $25,361. The dealer has the car listed for $32,495.

I think the price I should aim for is trade-in value + any work done to the car to recondition it + $1000 profit for the dealer + price of the warranty.

So for example, trade in value is $25,361, detailing price is $300, inspection $100, dealer profit $1,000, Certified Pre-Owned Warranty $1,500. This would equate to a total price of $28,261.

Is this a reasonable price to shoot for?

I don’t plan on putting any money down and don’t have a trade-in (as my current car is leased).

For what it is worth, I have very good credit.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rparis

Keep in mind Edmunds used pricing calculator is a guide line.(I am planning to trade soon and dealers are appraising my vehicle at thousands less than Edmunds calculator) I suggest checking local newspaper ads, dealers, on line etc. to get an idea on actual pricing. Dealers probably vary pricing on what they actually paid for the used car as well. It might pay to purchase a car privately. A dealer may vary his profit based on many factors. Some dealer may accept a $1000 profit, while others may not.

md_outback

Hey stanglx718,
The 2007 RX350 first came out around March 2006 and Lexus offered extremely appealing lease rates (high residuals and low money factors) at the time. That's why I leased mine in June 2006. I would suspect there are going to be lots of 2007 RX's coming off lease (36 months have passed) in good condition with relatively low mileage (36K or less). Lexus should be aware of this so unless they negotiate hard they could be flooded with a ton of RX's. The buyout of my 2007 RX AWD with Nav (MSRP of about $45,800) is $27,484 and it is not worth that much as a trade-in, so I'll just return it to Lexus. Let the dealer know you are aware of the coming RX glut and start your offer very low (like 26K) and see where it goes from there.

jayvis

If it's the vehicle you really want and you want to avoid time consuming negotiation, offer $27,500. I believe that will be close to acceptable to the dealer, assuming he has other used RXs on his lot. Remember that negotiating car prices is a crap shoot. There are a lot of variables involved in coming up with a deal that is acceptable to both parties.

bubba1948

i have owned 3 lexus products. the first was an 04 ls430, it was the best car i ever owned and should never have sold it. the second is an 07 gs350 which i still have. the third was an 07 ls460l, which is one of the worst cars i have ever owned. during it's two years in my garage it needed 4 new tires by 20,000 miles, has a wind noise problem that Lexus was unable to fix, and had the most outrageous regular maintenance bills that i have ever seen. when i went to sell it, lexus dealers weren't interested in it. they all agreed that the car was perfect, but since lexus was giving 8,000 in dealer cash to move the new ones, they said there was no market for mine.

doesn't that sound a lot like general motors. unperfected cars being shipped and then the factory destroying residual values to ship new cars.

when i heard about the wind noise problem in the rx, it seemed like deja vu all over again.

so i went to the Audi dealer, and leased a Q5 Prestige with all maintenance included, loaner cars with no rental fees, for $750/month 36/45k including Arizona sales tax. best decision i ever made.

i believe there is a reason that Toyota has fallen to below average in the JD POWER customer satisfaction survey, and i think there is a reason that Lexus has fallen to number 3.

i can tell you that the Bang and Olufsen stereo blows the doors off the 19 speaker Levinson system that was in the Ls460, the 3D map in the Navigation system is incredible and it doesn't feel like I'm trying to pass somebody on a curve with my living room couch any more.

chunhuali

updates. I bought it. I am driving it and absolutely loving it . The dealer is really really good. They honored their offer. Got 2010 with Navi, Premium pack, confort pack silver color. In case anyone wants to contact them. raycatena lexus, my dealer's name is James. Sales (732) 686-6118
they are at NJ.

stanglx718

I thought during the negotiation that you are never to give them a price, just continue to ask what they can sell you the car for?

rparis

Please confirm-per your previous message the list was $46775 and you paid $41295 plus taxes etc for a 2010 RX. What was the documentation fee-were there any other fees?

chunhuali

yes, that is including the destination fee. besies that I paid the tax+some kind of dealership processing fee (~$300)+ regiestration and plate (~$400) and that is all.

sideways3

Very interesting...thanks for the update. That's a good $4.5K below the best price the PA dealers are giving me for exactly what I want. I work one hour from Monmouth so it could be worth the drive over to save the $$$.

rparis

The $300 is probably a documentation fee, and I assume the $400 goes directly to the state.
You did great. I believe you basically purchased the car at invoice.

Now tell us-what is the secret to your successful negotiations! What was your approach?

Firebird_EOU

Has anyone tried either and gotten quotes for 2010 RX350?

ienewbie

Hey i tried the costco service, the Lexus dealership didn't give any discount. I ended up emailing all the local dealership and got the best offer. I purchased 2010 lexus rx with premium package, for 40,900 out the door.

rparis

What was the MSRP and actual cost of the vehicle before any fees or taxes.

Thanks

ienewbie

MSRP is 40 something, actual cost is 37,200 before any fees or taxes. I paid about 450 over invoice.

rparis

Thanks. I am negotiating with a dealer and and it would be helpful if you could let me know the actual MSRP. $450 over invoice is great. How did you negotiate such a good price?

ienewbie

MSRP is 40,425.00, I email all the local dealership and stated i will to pay 41k out the door. After a week a dealer in oc email me, stated they can sell me the car for 41k out the door. I then call the other dealership to see if they can beat that price. Ontario lexus stated they can sell for 40.900 out the door, that was the deal and how i did it. Youll save time and gas from just emailing local dealership.

rparis

Thank you.

oball

First thing I did was send an e-mail to internet department and expressed interest in 2010 RX 350 FWD. Internet manager responded with introduction. I then sent him back the list of the options that I wanted and listed the retail and wholesale prices that I got from Kelly's Blue Book.

Description/Model code/Invoice/MSRP

2010 RX 350 FWD$31,832/$36,800
Comfort Package (CP) $1,699/$2,000
19" Wheels (FT) $528/$660
Navigation (NV) $2,052/$2,440
12 speaker audio (EK) $88/$110
Premium Package (PM) $2,028/$2.400
Cargo mat (C1) $55/$92
Cargo net (GN) $35/$59
Wheel locks (WU) $264/$330
Destination (not added for dealer at this point/$825

Total $38,533/$45,797

I did not say what I was willing to pay. Internet manager responded and said he would give me $2,000 off invoice. I then responded saying I would work up from dealer cost.

Then I used a spreadsheet found at carbuyerstips.com and sent this e-mail:

Factory Holdback ($737.33)
Floorplan Fee ($368)
Dealer cost $38,533-$737.33-$368=$37,427.67
Fair profit =(% whatever you think is fair-I used 10%) = 10% of $37,427.67 = $3,742.77
selling price = $37,427.67 + $3,742.77 = $41,170.44
plus $825 shipping + $525 advertising fee (Southeast Toyota) + $389 dealer prep = $42,909.44

He sent e-mail back and accepted-

I have also bought from this dealer before and in my second e-mail also added the total number of dollars spent in prior maintenance and new car purchase.

The deal was good for me and good for them. A couple of e-mails and finished. You may do better of course.

sep2

could you please tell me the location of the dealer. sounds good

tyler70

Hi Oball:
whey you said the internet manager responded the first time and said he would let you have $2000 off the invoice. did you mean MSRP instead of $2000 off invoice?