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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Prices Paid & Leasing Experiences Archive Lexus RX 330 Prices Paid and Buying Experience 
3130 messages, Last post on Oct 08, 2008 at 7:33 AM
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I also live in the Phoenix area, but I haven't priced an RX330 for several months. We purchased our '04 RX330 on 6/30/2003, but NOT from a local dealer! Back in June, we were selling our '01 MDX and shopping for a new model, considering the RX330, the base XC90, a new MDX, or even the Murano. While focusing further on the RX330, I became very frustrated with the lack of RX330 discounting at our Arizona Lexus dealers. Someone within a Town Hall forum here posted that Southern California dealers were offering good discounts. For grins, I started sending quote requests from the Lexus website to a few Lexus dealers in Southern California. Their initial quotes were much lower than what our local Phoenix dealers were hinting. When I received a $37.1K quote on a $39.4K Prem Plus FWD model, I forwarded that email to Scottsdale Lexus. The next day they (Scottsdale) called me back and told me they had a model exactly as I wanted, but they couldn't touch that quote! Would I be willing to spend several hundred dollars more in order to buy it locally? My answer: "No!" The final price I received from Crown Lexus in Ontario was $36.2K. I'm guessing the best price I could have negotiated locally would have been between $37.5K and $38K. Another nice bonus is we paid only $45 for Doc Fees instead of the typical $299 Doc Fees we pay here in the valley. We worked this purchase into a vacation trip. Crown Lexus picked us up from our motel in San Diego, and we drove the new car home. The only minus was the extra trip to our DMV office to register the Lexus when we returned home. Hopefully our local dealers are providing much better discounts now. Regardless, when you are prepared to make a purchase, I recommend using the online quote request tool on the Lexus website. Request a quote from both the internet departments at both Bell and Scottsdale Lexus, as well as a couple dealers in Southern California. See if the locals are now willing to compete! |
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| cotmc, Since you had an MDX before purchasing RX330, May I ask you how do you feel about the two cars (MDX vs. RX330) in term of handling, quietness, reliability, cargo room, seating and performance wise. I am considering MDX and RX 330. Do you feel MDX a lot bigger in term of cargo space. Sorry is a bit off subject. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. | |
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Unfortunately, I can't quite provide an "apples to apples" comparison between a new MDX and new RX330, because we owned a 2001 model year MDX. I understand Acura has made some improvements to the MDX since 2001, such as signficantly reducing wind noise, boosting engine output from 240hp to 265hp, improving the brakes, etc. Please keep that in mind as I compare the two vehicles below. Handling/Performance: Our RX330 (with 18" wheels) seems to be more nimble and more car-like than our older MDX. The RX330 seems to be able to stop more quickly, as well as accelerate a little better at highway speeds. It's turning radius is very good. However, the RX330 leans more during cornering than our MDX did, and its transmission isn't as responsive at lower speeds. (That may be fixed with the ECM TSB I will soon have applied.) Our RX330 FWD is averaging about 21 mpg on mixed freeway/suburb driving, while our '01 MDX (AWD) averaged about 17.5 mpg. Reliability: We had a couple problems with the climate control system of our MDX (which were quickly repaired), but I chalk that up to being an early production model. (We bought one of the very first models. The serial number was below 300.) The only problem with our RX330 was a small rattle underneath that was quickly resolved. We now have 10K miles on the RX330. I might give a small edge to the RX330. If nothing else, Lexus provides a longer drivetrain warranty than Acura. For overall reliability and build quality, it's hard to beat either one of these SUVs. Interior: Our RX330 is significantly quieter than our '01 MDX. As I said, Acura has greatly improved the noise issue with their newer models. I personally liked the firm perforated leather seats in the MDX, but I've read several comments from people who disliked the seats in the MDX. The RX330 has better trim with a more luxurious feel and look to it. The RX330 has some other nice features not found in our '01 MDX, such as a telescoping steering wheel, power lumbar adjustment, auto open and close on both front windows and moonroof, power rear liftgate, and a split rear seat that can be adjusted forward/backward as well as for seatback angle. The standard RX330 stereo sounds a little better, and has more adjustments, than our standard (non-Bose) MDX stereo. Cargo Room: This is where the MDX shines. The cargo bay is wider and taller, as well as a little bit deeper. The extra width of the MDX is also evident in the 2nd row seat. It was much easier to fit a child seat with 2 adults in the 2nd row of the MDX than in the back of our RX330. The MDX also provides a split 3rd-row seat, which adds additional seating/cargo flexibility. For example, we could seat 4 adults and one child very comfortably while lowering a section of both the 2nd and 3rd row seats for lengthy cargo items. The MDX beats the RX330 hands down for "utility". Another major consideration is the physical design (the "look") of these two SUVs. That's a subjective question that only you can answer. For us, we liked the sporty look of the RX330 over the boxier look of the MDX. |
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Sounds like you folks had a good experience with your respective dealers. I'm expecting a little-one soon and ready to buy... Please email info on your dealer & contact (name of your sales person). Others Townhall'ers:if you've worked with good sales people in Seattle/Portland. Courteous and not snooty/stuck-up. Please email me too! Thanks! aooolongcha  hotmail.com
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| Thanks for your compirason. That helps. I like the RX330 look and interior fits and finish better than the MDX. However, I like the MDX's iterior size. | |
| I'm interested in getting a RX330, but the best deal I found was through carsdirect in the Chicago zip area. I live in michigan so it's not a far drive. Does anyone know if there are extra issues with buying out of state? Which state sales tax would I pay? My local dealers didn't want to match carsdirect prices... | |
| Thanks for the info on your experience w/ Phx dealers. Hopefully we don't have to drive to southern Cal for ours. | |
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I received two internet quotes from dealers in the Philadelphia area. The best was $1500 off MSRP. The vehicle has the Prem Plus Pkg, leather heated seats, & 6cd changer. Total MSRP is $41,838. All the messages I'm reading show a $3000 - $4000 savings but it seems that they relate to the west coast. Any better deals out there for the NE? |
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| HAS ANYONE HAD EXPERIANCE IN BUYING A NEW RX330 IN THE TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA AREA, WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT KIND OF DISCOUNT YOU RECEIVED AND FROM WHAT DEALER | |
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Inskip Lexus in Warwick, Rhode Island MSRP $41,688 $38,000 |
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