Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
If it helps. We pitted them against Lexus of Westminster (who I will never do business with) who offered $1500 below invoice.
I have spoke w/ couple dealerships. And they don't seems like to bargain anymore. Probably March just started it.
Should I wait until the end of this month? Getting little frustrated when try to surprise my wife with the new car.
Oh, the best price I got is from Putnam.
They offered $31600 for IS250 RWD + HID + 18" wheel + Premium package but NO NAV.
Please let me know if anyone got better deal in San Francisco area.
MSRP = $39,072 (AWD, Navigation, HID headlamps, wood interior, wheel locks, trunk mat, cargo net)
Invoice = $34,111
Price to me = $35,000
So I paid $889 over invoice. I have certainly seen better deals shown here, but the really great ones all seem to be in California. To me this seemed fair, especially given what they gave me for my trade-in.
How come #1486 mentioned "Putnam willing to go like 32,200 OTD but i was already down Southern Cal. " ? and it seem same package with yours. Check it out
It really depends on your goal for the purchase.
I was considering the IS about two months ago and drove the 250 and 350 back-to-back. From a performance perspective, there is no comparison between them. After all, the 350 has 50% more horsepower and accelerates 20% faster to every speed. If you want a serious sports sedan, spend the extra cash on the 350. If you're looking for a really nice near-luxury sedan, buy the 250 and invest the $6k.
39 mos., 12,000 miles/year
$399/mo.
total out of pocket at signing: $3600 (includes MV)
Hope this helps.
haven't stepped foot in - only through email, but what other surprises will I be hit with? What are the real fees that they won't take off, if any?
huge thanks!!!
I am about to wrap up a deal and may have even hurt myself by arguing about this point (based on prior postings).
I finally called DMV myself this afternoon, and they told me that I could not do the documentation myself, the dealer HAS to do it. They do not regulate the fee that the dealer can charge for this.
(If you are getting an IS250 with nav for $31,500, you are getting a GREAT deal. I've now heard from a number of sources, including several different dealers and another poster on the 'what color did you buy?' thread that there was a big sales push in Feburary, that is now essentially over. "We have to start making some money" said one.)
https://mv.dmv.ca.gov/FeeCalculatorWeb/newVehicleForm.do
It will enable you to estimate your registration costs based on the purchase price and where you live. The document fees are additional, and apparently mandatory. I'm not sure whether dealers tack on other charges or if they are negotiable.
Would've been 37,700 but the spoiler pushed it right above 38.
Anyway, I bought mine fo 34,000 before TTL... However I got an extra 1,000 on my trade according to blue book. I negotiated it both ways... I simply asked them to buy at 33,000 or take more for my trade. Same thing either way.
I also was able to choose any color as well...
According to consumerreports.com the Mercedes is roughly 30% WORSE than average in terms of reliability and the IS250 AWD is roughly 20% BETTER than average. And for the Mercedes they don't differentiate between the AWD and RWD models...I would bet that the AWD has worse reliability than the RWD due to the added AWD system.
While it is true that you might get lucky and get a C280 with no problems, or you might get unlucky and get a lemon IS250, you are MUCH more likely to have issues with the C280. I would DEFINITELY go with the IS250 AWD.
If you like the C280 much better then roll the dice and hope for the best.
Non-Nav
Premium Package with extras
MSRP $35,222
Price Paid:
$29,936 - more than $1K under invoice
Newport Lexus
I got the price of $29916.48, on 2/28/2007
IS 250 Premium Package with Extra (18 inch wheels, and heated seats)
MSRP: $35,222
Offer: $29915.48
After TTL: $30588.48
36 months lease, 15000k miles/year, 2000 Drive off, $400/months, include Tax.
I was still giving him a hard time, so he gave me a $100 GC for Lexus parts/services.
This is within SoCal, LA/OC area. if want to know where to get the Deal, e-mail me at flashzoom@adelphia.net
hope this is a decent deal.
Mike
I am specifically looking for IS350 in IL w/ nav some luxery features for $37-$38k, does anyone know if this is possible?
Thanks
Jeff.
I started phoning Bay area dealers on March 1 and spoke to a total of six. All offered me 1K under invoice, which seemed to be a holdover from February promotions. The only other dealer who suggested there might be any negotiating room was Lexus of Pleasanton. Putnam’s initial offer was lower, and they stuck with it. When I called Pleasanton back the next week the negotiability had vanished, and the guy I’d talked to said Putnam's offer was a great deal. He confirmed that there was a sales push in February, and I'd gotten in on the tag end.
For the name of the salesman I dealt with, contact me at optimoms@comcast.net
One, I was told by Lexus that it makes 20-25 250s for every 1 350. (I was quoted the TX/OK region received 10 350s in Jan and 11 in Feb). So, it is hard to find the exact model, color, etc. And many (if not most) will use that point against you to stay near MSRP...(i.e. There's not a lot of supply out there so we'll stay high).
Two, the clientele for the cars are somewhat different. The people who buy the IS350s are aggressive performance driven drivers. I can say that because I am one:) They compete directly with the BMW 3-series (roughly the same price as the 328 and less than the 350).
If you are driving the 250, then the price is now equivalent to that lower tier (G35 & TL-S category). And those drivers are not horsepower driven...they are price driven. And that's why you are seeing some of these deals on the 250. Lots of supply...some demand.
With all that said, I looked at two dealers for my car. Neither had it on their lot. But my eventual dealer realized I had my info together (Don't go into a negotiation without doing your homework on all the costs.) and lowered her cost pretty quickly. And in the end, I received close to 10% off MSRP. They made a little over invoice but wound up eating the car transportation and XM radio.
1) Is this possibly the last year before a redisign? This is only the 2nd year of this design, right? So actually I'd expect at least one more year with this design...
2) The new 2007 Infiniti G35 offers 100 more horses than the IS250 at a slightly higher price. The G35, in other words, offers IS350 performance and is priced much lower than the 350. So the 250 is "overpriced" and I think the market is reflecting this.
it's a supply and demand thing.
the 1st year(2006) there was a huge demand on the IS, since it was it's 1st year, and brand new design. everyone wanted to get one, but since it was the 1st year, they didn't have enough to supply. I shopped around for a IS250 in June/July 2006, it was on shortage!!! everyone was low on the IS250, and what they had in stock was $36000MSRP to $38000MSRP. So, they were not willing to make deals, it was either take it or leave it.
Now for 2007, since they had a great year in 2006 on the IS250, I assume they prepared, and produce a lot more hoping to meet the high demands they had last year. I guess they over estimated the demands. Because almost any Lexus Dealer I call this year in SoCal area, they all had tons of IS250 in stock, and they almost got any color you wanted. That tells me they got tons in stock, you can pick anything you want. I got that reply from like 90% of the Lexus dealers from SoCal area. I am just hoping IS250 is not going to be all over the street, like my 350Z. ;-(
In any case, I’m grateful to this thread and to you and onlinespending for posting your deals. I was about to buy used from a private party when I saw your posts and started calling dealers. I got exactly the '07 I wanted for about $1500 more than I would have paid for a year old '06. I’m actually NOT surprised people aren’t getting better deals currently, because several sources indicated that there were special incentives in February. Prices definitely seemed to firm up in the course of my negotiations during the first week of March. Whether the end of March (and the quarter) will soften prices again, as onlinespending predicted, or whether they’ll stay up for a while as several dealers predicted is an open question. Watch this thread...
Thanks for the replies. It appears the IS350 is a tougher model to get. One of you said you got close to 10% off MSRP, I'm curious if anyone else who may have purchased one got any similar prices?
I'm from IL, from what I gather, the McGrath Lexus Dealership is stingy, I don't think I will get a good deal with them, but I will try.
I'm pretty specific on the options I want, the MSRP comes to $45,160 w/ (VN,ST,XF,HW). If I got 10% off that, it would come down to a price I would purchase for, $39,530. Although thats just a little above invoice ($39,235). Will the dealerships laugh if I ask for that price? What should I do if they won't go that low?
Thanks
Jeff.
Lease
IS250 AWD
Base Model with Nav
36 months
12,000 miles
No money down
479.00 plus tax with only
first payment,bank/doc/plates fees due at lease signing
MSRP $39,171
internet price $36,386
Told salesmen I read better deals, he said because of location,(Cleveland, Ohio). That is what he can offer. I see a lot buys in California, Texas, and Arizona. Does location matter with sales price? Has anyone in Ohio, received a good deal, Dealership? I am Not really a good a negotiator. Thank you!!
In other states, it varies
In Florida, it can be as high as $500 to $600
All it is pure profit for the OWNERS of the store .. the salespeople & mgrs get NOTHING of this "junk" fee
Got quoted 32000 (car only) from Glendale a few days before end of Feb. Come the 2nd of March as we were about to close, the nasty dealer raised the price to 33500. I hung up.
Got in touch with Westminster instead. Professional and friendly. Hassle free. Bought at 32500 with approx. 50 dollars of documentation fee.
Not the best deal but still bang for the buck (I am in the North West).
600 for shipping (arranged by myself).
Great car. Not as atheletic as the 3 but it sure is fancy!
This forum helped a lot in my decision making process. Just wanted to contribute my share and say thanks to everyone!
Good luck to all!
I am in Iowa, and I am very tempted to go to Cali to but it if it is possible. Thanks.
Once the car arrived, I paid my state tax (I live in Wa.) and showed them a copy of my Sales Contract. They issued me a 60 day tag.
It takes the dealer a few days to send my MSO (Manufaturer's statement of Origin). I will bring that to exchange for my actual plates.
To sum it up. Bought the car from my desk, arranged shipping from my desk. Car arrives, paid taxes and currently driving around with Temp Tags until my MSO arrives. Did not set foot in Ca. but I had a close friend go to the dealer to look at the actual vehicle.
Hope that helps.
I got one in OC area, in the end of Feb 2007. IS250 with Premium package. for Less than $30,000 plus TTL.
and YES. IS250 there are no "Base" base model in US. At least not that I've seen. It's either IS250 w/ Premium package, with navi or without navi. But if you can get a IS250 w/ Premium package for $30k, why would u want one without? I believe I got the best deal so far on this site in So Cal area. My MSRP was $35222, final offer was a little less then $30k. So, let me know if you want to know where I got it from. e-mail me at flashzoom@roadrunner.com
Mike
Unless you special order a base model, in which case you’d likely pay MSRP or close, the cars are all shipped with a standard package of ‘extras’: premium interior, HID lights, 18” wheels, and something called “preferred accessories”. The Tustin dealer failed to mention one small variation apart from navigation – the spoiler – which is a $355 (MSRP) item.
So, an IS250 with nav typically includes the following in addition to the navigation pkg: premium interior (perforated leather, wood trim, heated and cooled seats), HID headlights, 18” wheels, preferred accessory pkg (wheel locks, trunk mat and cargo net) The MSRP is $37772, invoice $33354.
With spoiler, the MSRP is $38127, invoice $33600.
From flashzoom’s reported MSRP of $35222, he got premium interior, HID headlights, 18” wheels, preferred accessory pkg but no spoiler. Don’t know the invoice, but you can look it up.
Bottom line: unless you are special ordering a car, there are only small number of alternatives to consider (e.g. nav or no nav, spoiler or no spoiler) and you should go into negotiations knowing the MSRP and invoice price of the typical packages. Good luck with your shopping
Lease
IS250 AWD
Base Model with Nav
36 months
12,000 miles
Have you made the deal yet? I'd drive to Cleveland to get this deal. Please hook me up with as much info as possible so I can contact the dealership.
Thanks and good luck,
sfulton
Metro Lexus, Brookpark, Ohio(right outside of Cleveland)
I hope this helps!
Thanks and Good Luck to you!
Smit