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Lexus ES 350

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Comments

  • iycrraiycrra Member Posts: 24
    between ES350 and $50 K cars?
    Answer: ES350 better. Test drove BMW, Acura, Infiniti, and Volvo.

    How do you put a price on a car like this? I've owned Infiniti . They don't drive and feel like they are worth more than what you pay for.

    But this ES350. I feel like I paid at least $60,000 for mine (Ultra, Nav with rear lip spoiler in Smokey gray and black). Although I spent a little over $40,000 before tax and ttl. No regrets whatsoever...

    Enjoy...
  • psychdocpsychdoc Member Posts: 147
    Yup.

    I cross shopped the BMW 530Xi, Infinity M35x, Audi A6 and M-B E350.

    Honest to god, the Lexus blew them all away.

    Factor in the price differential and it becomes a complete joke.
  • kreativkreativ Member Posts: 299
    Has anyone in SoCal used the AAA or Costco car buying programs to see how the pre-negotiated prices compare?
  • neocortexneocortex Member Posts: 22
    I tried AAA and the best they could do 30 days ago was to offer $1500 under MSRP. I wasn't satisfied w/ that amount and just e-mailed each dealer myself and ultimately was able to get approximately $3880 under MSRP + some extras thrown in (see my post 1295).

    The So Cal AAA dealer is Lexus of Glendale - check w/ them again and if they can't go below $1500 off - then look elsewhere. Don't know the Costco dealer - sorry.
  • kreativkreativ Member Posts: 299
    Thanks neocortex. When you purchased your ES350, how many different predefined options packages did you have to choose from? "Build your Lexus" on Lexus.com lists about a dozzen different options packages for SoCal, but I doubt there's more than 3 or 4 different predefined packages for the area.
  • lookinginscvlookinginscv Member Posts: 17
    neocortex...

    I'm in Valencia... and have had no luck with the dealer here... not even a call back. Not sure if you can say where you got your ES but if you can it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
  • kreativkreativ Member Posts: 299
    From neocortex in Post #1305:
    ====================================
    I purchased my ES 350 from Jim Falk Lexus in Beverly Hills. Lexus of Oxnard and Longo Lexus also were also very competitive w/ price. Go through their internet departments - this is how I did it.
    ====================================
  • neocortexneocortex Member Posts: 22
    My vehicle had the 2nd tier package w/ navigation. The MSRP was 40,799. There is another package out there w/ the rear seat airbags that goes for 40,999. I believe it's premium plus w/ nav. It included the standard radio (not ML), cargo net, wheel locks, etc.
  • neocortexneocortex Member Posts: 22
    I talked to Valencia and they wanted my business, but didn't have the car in stock and said they'd end up doing a dealer trade...but wouldn't be able to match the prices I had received from the other dealers - Jim Falk, Longo, and Oxnard. Valencia is the closest to my home....sometimes it pays to shop around.
  • wireguy1wireguy1 Member Posts: 7
    Has anyone purchased the 17" E sport alloy wheels? If so, where they factory installed or dealer? Also, any comments or photos would be helpful.
    Thanks
  • lookinginscvlookinginscv Member Posts: 17
    Thanks very much neocortex. Valencia basically had no cars nor did they have follow-through. I'll take your advice.
  • ncdaydreamerncdaydreamer Member Posts: 31
    I'm sure it's been mentioned plenty of times before, but, at the risk of repetition, if you can't find the combination of options/colors that you're looking for, check fleetrates.com and call their toll-free number and talk to one of their sales associates. They will locate a fleet sales specialist at either a Lexus distributor or dealership and find you a car that is in stock or due to be in port, shortly. They'll usually find you a vehicle within 24hrs. You can expect to pay about $3,000 less than sticker. You will deal directly with the fleet sales representative. The only hitch is you will have to pay transportation charges to get it delivered to your door or travel to pick it up and if you have a trade in, you'll probably have to sell it to CARMAX and lose the tax advantage of a trade-in. The upside: you'll get the exact vehicle you want, with about 8 to 9 miles on the speedo at a price about $1,000 maximum above invoice.

    Fleetrates.com acts as an auto broker on high-end vehicles, such as Lexus, BMW, Porsche, Bentley, etc., with established fleet sales representatives. The vehicle is sold, prepped and serviced just like any retail sale. You can also use their pricing as leverage against your dealer but beware, your dealership is aware of the hidden transpotation costs (about $600 to $800) and the tax leverage you'll receive from a trade-in with them and will factor those costs into the deal. Even said, you'll still be thousands below MSRP. (Note: the transpotation cost has nothing to do with the delivery cost that Lexus puts on the Moroney label (sticker)).
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Come join the new discussion on the ES 350: XM and Sirius.

    I've moved some of the previous posts on the subject there to get it kicked off.

    Enjoy!
  • bhammanbhamman Member Posts: 7
    Is there any value in the paint protection packages that are offered by Lexus. They seem to be expense for what you get?
  • cablondebluecablondeblue Member Posts: 72
    Hey "lookinginscv", just don't take my color (Just Kidding). I am from SCV too. I may move in for the kill on Saturday at Valencia. But I don't think I have done enough homework yet. I have mastered the math formula for calculating the residual percentage, money factor and tax for the monthly payment on the lease but I am having trouble obtaining quotes from other dealerships. They all want to meet me in person.

    Neocortex - Were you were able to obtain quotes over the internet in writing or just over the phone?

    Having quotes from other dealerships is essential before I go to negotiate.

    I will try Oxnard and Longo. I heard Longo is very good and may be worth the drive. I am a little leery of the Beverly Hills dealership....they probably think everyone is rolling in the dough. :shades:
  • lookinginscvlookinginscv Member Posts: 17
    Don't worry.. I'm not planning on going back to Valencia. I may try that as part of the "internet" search. I'm going to wait to the end of the month though because it seems neocortex got the best deal. I don't know how you get people to respond to emails either. How'd you get it to work, neocortex? I wouldn't ignore Beverly Hills just because they are "Beverly Hills" because that's where neocortex had the luck.

    Another useful tool is carsdirect.com They actually give you a live price. I'm kicking myself for not grabbing one through them.... a week ago they were $1600 above invoice... now they're like $2500 above invoice. Moral.. you snooze, you lose. Good luck though in your search. I'm really more at the beginning of my search... so if I need to wait awhile, I will.
  • richard43richard43 Member Posts: 23
    i ordered my car and with the wheels.

    i've been to many lots and not only have i not
    seen any but when i asked about them the
    salesman never heard of them.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Another new discussion: ES 350: MPG-Real World Numbers :)
  • neocortexneocortex Member Posts: 22
    I sent each dealership a detailed message - all w/in 10 minutes of each other....just cut and paste into each dealer w/in the LA area. It was a form letter that said that I'm ready to purchase (i purchased...not a lease) and I had my financing in order. I told the specific features I wanted and told them I was ready to buy the vehicle ASAP. I gave them the color and interior I wanted and a price that I wanted to pay. In my case, I told them I wanted it for $37K. Several came back at $39K and others at $38K. 3 of them came at $37,500 and then you just e-mail back and forth w/ them. Do you have the car (Y/N)? Well dealer X says they have it and they are $200 less than your quote - can you beat it? (Y/N)...you'll know when you've reached the limit. The ones that want the sale will be direct and most likely the ones that come in at the lowest price first. Good luck.
  • cablondebluecablondeblue Member Posts: 72
    Today I just went ahead and called 5 dealerships and asked for the Internet Fleet Manager. Longo Lexus gave me an immediate quote over the phone and was very helpful with information. Van Nuys would not quote over the phone but supposedly will beat any other quote by 200.00. Oxnard and Beverly Hills are calling me back. Santa Monica called back and said there is no need to give me a quote until they get the next allocation of cars next week. (That kind of surprised me. Don't even want to give it a shot to compete, huh?)

    Allocation of cars....there is a shipment of cars that will port on June 21st for the LA area. For some reason, Lexus is not sending any Aquamarine in this shipment. Is it that bad of a color? :( No one even commented when I said I like that one the best and posted my fuzzy pictures. (The Forum snickers.)

    They will be receiving my second choice, the White, but I am bummed about the Aquamarine. Does anyone know why they are not producing it for this shipment? For God sakes, they are sending that Ugh Moonshell color but not the Aquamarine. :confuse:
  • amf1932amf1932 Member Posts: 79
    Any opinions about putting on OEM door trim strips? I saw them on an ES350 at a Lexus showroom. They come already painted, and they're put on with some sort of adhesive backing.
    My dealer doesn't have any accessories yet for ES350 like these strips or a little prepainted trunk spoiler. Would you do it? I have mixed emotions about putting on add ons.

    P.S. I already saw a slight scratch on my drivers door from some A-hole that wasn't careful when they opened up their door and hit into mine :cry:
  • pearlpearl Member Posts: 336
    It goes in cycles. For some years in the 90's/early 2000's, auto manufacturers put body side moldings on many of their cars. While not perfect, they definitely "saved" many a car from some serious dents/dings. My 97 BMW 528 with 144k has only a few minor dings in all those years, including plenty of "only parking spot available" situations next to SUVs, trucks, etc. The body side molding definitely saved me plenty of times. This will go back the other way. There will be PLENTY of bitching by owners about dings/dents, etc, and within a couple of years don't be surprised to see the side moldings back in vogue.
  • frostyrfrostyr Member Posts: 20
    Does anyone know if the GPS on the 350 can or will be able to provide traffic information? I heard that as of this Fall, all Lexus vehicles will have it.
  • mldj98mldj98 Member Posts: 378
    If I am not mistaken, should the windows and the sunroof open when you hold down the unlock button on the key fob?
  • amf1932amf1932 Member Posts: 79
    I think you were misinformed. Lexus does not make changes or upgrades during a model year, unless it's for a safety issue or a defective part that affects most all of it's vehicles. If at all, this will not come about until the release of the 2008 ES350. By any chance can you tell me where you heard this information....I'm curious? :)
  • amf1932amf1932 Member Posts: 79
    The moonroof did open along with the windows when you held down the key fob button on my 2003 ES. I know that it will not open the panoramic type moonroof...just the windows on the ES350. I'm not sure if it'll open the standard moonroof though.
  • wireguy1wireguy1 Member Posts: 7
    My salesman also said he has not seen the sport alloy wheels and doesn't know if he can get them. Not sure why Lexus would be showing them in the brochure and yet they are hard to come by!!! When do you expect to get your car and how long have you waited? If it does come with the sport wheels, could you send me a photo?

    Thx
  • rileyjrileyj Member Posts: 13
    Can you explain the tax advantage for trade-in?

    "you'll probably have to sell it to CARMAX and lose the tax advantage of a trade-in"
  • richard43richard43 Member Posts: 23
    i put my order on 'hold' about a month ago because i wanted to wait awhile for the body-side molding
    to become available. nobody knows when this is
    going to be available so i turn my 'hold' into
    a 'buy'. order is to be submitted jun 16th or so
    and will take 3-4 months to get here.
  • cyclopsstancyclopsstan Member Posts: 24
    'If I am not mistaken, should the windows and the sunroof open when you hold down the unlock button on the key fob?'

    It opens both the windows and slides the sunroof open. Press once then repress and hold down.
  • psychdocpsychdoc Member Posts: 147
    If you trade your existing car into the dealer they will deduct the amount they give you for that car from the purchase price of the new vehicle. Thus, you only pay sales tax on the balance. In states that have no sales tax this doesn't make any difference, in states with a substantial sales tax like NY, this can save you some serious money.
  • kat101kat101 Member Posts: 14
    Not all states allow the deduction. I believe California, DC, Hawaii, Maryland and Michigan do not allow the deduction, and Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have sales tax on cars.
  • rileyjrileyj Member Posts: 13
    Thanks for the info. I live in South Cal and just called a dealer to confirm that they can not make the deduction on sales tax with trade-in.
  • frostyrfrostyr Member Posts: 20
    I heard it from a friend of mine who is shopping for his third Lexus LS. He heard it from the salesman who sold him the first two. This is a lot of hearsay so who knows if it's true. Frankly, I hope that we can upgrade.
  • philo82philo82 Member Posts: 10
    Four Questions:

    1) Pre-collision/dynamic radar system - Is it true that the availble ES350s don't have this, and that cars with this feature will be become available only this August?

    2) Extended warranties for the ES350 - Can anyone give me so idea of what people have paid for these - and also where to get a good deal on this. (I know all the arguments for & against, so let's not go there.)

    3) Lojack - what are people paying for this, and is there a buying club that offers a discount on this?

    4) Lexus 350 Packages - These seem to keep changing over time, why?

    Thanks in advance for your feedback!
  • richard43richard43 Member Posts: 23
    if anyone is interested, i have 3 pictures of a blue onyx pearl car.

    also, i don't know how to post them.
  • lookinginscvlookinginscv Member Posts: 17
    I'd love to see them!!! I don't know how to post them though, either.
  • kreativkreativ Member Posts: 299
    Does anyone in southern California know what ES350 packages are available for this area?

    Or know of a SoCal Lexus dealer website that lists their new car inventory? Of the half dozen I checked, none of them did.
  • cyclopsstancyclopsstan Member Posts: 24
    "if anyone is interested, i have 3 pictures of a blue onyx pearl car. also, i don't know how to post them."

    Try picturetrail.com its ez ... mine are at ... http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=10177617&uid=4946984&members=- 1
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Even better than cyclopsstan's suggestion, you can post them on your personal CarSpace page. Complete and easy to follow directions are right there.

    There is a "My CarSpace" link on the upper left side of the page - click on it. If you get asked to log in, just use the same log in you use here. Then post away!! :)
  • amf1932amf1932 Member Posts: 79
    As taken right out of the Owners Handbook(Page 394)

    http://members.aol.com/amf1932/FuelRequirementsES350.jpg
  • cablondebluecablondeblue Member Posts: 72
    Aquamarine is out. I went to the dealership today to take another look at the Aquamarine. I just can't do it. I love the color but not on that car. A black pulled up beside it and what a difference. Total class.

    I am worried about keeping black clean though. For those of you with black cars, how often do you have to wash them to keep them looking showroom clean? Once.... twice a week? Do those big duster things work in between washings?

    Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.
  • curt2005curt2005 Member Posts: 70
    I need to know who Lexus dealer number 60417 is. How can I do that? Thanks!
  • zekeman1zekeman1 Member Posts: 422
    how often do you have to wash them to keep them looking showroom clean? Once.... twice a week?

    I think you have to ask yourself, how often does it rain in your area to determine how often you have to wash the car. Or is it dry and desert-like? If so, the feather duster might be ok to take surface dirt off, but I would hesitate to use it more often because it might leave fine sratches. When I lived in Tokyo all of the taxi's & hire cars drivers used the dusters - but then, the cars were washed each day by the company owning them. Japanese take great pride in keeping their cars spotless.

    I washed my smokey granite last Tuesday but it hasn't rained here since last weekend AND I keep it in the garage when I'm home - it looks great - just for now, though.
  • richard43richard43 Member Posts: 23
    i downloaded the pictures to carspace.com
  • lookinginscvlookinginscv Member Posts: 17
    Richard, great pictures! I still can't tell... is it a true navy or more navy black? I'm hoping for a more navy black.

    Did Cerritos have a big selection of colors? I've seen the cars, love them, but have not seen the colors I'm interested in... onyx pearl, white, or smokey granite.
  • robynlrobynl Member Posts: 38
    I think you will be glad you didn't get that color. Just not classy on the ES. Maybe okay on another car but not this one. I do think you may regret getting black. Just too hard to keep clean on a regular basis. If I were you, and this is only my opinion, I would consider the smokey granite (great looking on this car and I think would be a bit easier to keep looking clean) the white, or even better than that the Ruby. That is the BOMB on this car! Have you seen the Amber Pearl yet. Really rich looking and doesn't show dirt.
  • mmenonmmenon Member Posts: 6
    To the best of my knowlege they have three levels

    Level 1 is the premium plus package

    Leve 2 is with Navigation

    Level 3 is Ultra Luxury with Navigation and Mark Levenison etc.

    California dealers do not have Base model, they all come in one of the above three levels.
  • mmenonmmenon Member Posts: 6
    Hi

    This came factory fitted, as Alloy wheel is part of the premium plus package. However if you are going for Chrome wheels the dealer will have to fit them they cost around $2000 K.
  • kumar2kumar2 Member Posts: 12
    I see some water collection below the car when I park it (seems to happen only after I have driven it and then parked it)...I am guessing this is condensation of some sort...
    Has anyone else experienced this...is this normal?
This discussion has been closed.