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Lexus LS 400/LS 430 Prices Paid and Buying Experience - READ ONLY

537 messages,  Last post on Sep 14, 2008 at 1:48 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus LS 400, Lexus LS 430, Car Buying, Sedan


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#472 of 537
Year old..... by nvbanker
May 25, 2006 (5:26 pm)
I agree - if you like the car and the discount is good, buy it - unless you plan to trade it in a few short years. You'll depreciate more than you want to. But if you're going to keep it 6 years or longer, it won't matter much.
#473 of 537
LS 430 Prices by lxpatel
Jul 08, 2006 (9:55 pm)
I am considering purchasing 06 LS 430 as they seem to selling at considerable discount. Any one know of recent sales.
#475 of 537
2006 LS 430 Closeouts... by thegadgetguru
Jul 09, 2006 (10:13 am)
I've visited two Lexus dealers in the South Florida area and they both have a heavy inventory on the LS 430s. While talking to the Internet manager, I noticed on his computer screen that he had a listing of around 30 of his most recent inquiries...not one of them was for an LS. It seems that the buyers entering the showrooms at this time of the year are looking for the lower priced models. In terms of the LS, I am under the impression that the only model selling at a decent pace is the base LS. The fully loaded LS's and the Ultras don't appear to be selling. Since most dealers keep an Internet listing of available vehicles, I've been trying to keep tabs on the inventory levels of the LS and it appears they are selling very slowly. Most new LS buyers appear to be waiting for the LS 460. With this in mind, I'm thinking of waiting another month or so and then making a very agressive offer. I've let two dealerships know, that when they want to do a quick deal on a fully loaded model to contact me. The reason I'm taking this tactic is because it's an end of the model run, it will depreciate at a much faster pace than a new model introduction. Since I keep my cars less than two years, I don't want to suffer at the time of trade in.
 
My question to this board is how do you determine the true cost of the vehicle? I think we all know that the "Invoice Price" is not what the dealer pays and includes a tidy profit, hold-backs, etc. Also, the factory is surely giving additional incentives to the dealerships to assist in moving out the inventory of the 2006 LS models. I'm one of those "pain in the behind" buyers that refuses to pay any dealer fees as I feel to pay a dealership $700 to remove the plastic from the seats and to do a final detailing is exhorbidant. The way I like to negotiate on a closeout or high inventory vehicle is to work off the sticker and come up with a discount (let's say $10,000 or more) and then show them the Edmund TMV Trade In Price and offer to write a check for the difference. My logic is that if they want to allocate the net profit to dealer fees or towards the trade in, that's up to them. I like to call it something like an "out the door" price. This tactic can't be accompished on every vehicle, but seems to be effective on end of the year or end of the model run vehicles. Also, I never opt for the additional warranty (I trade before the warranty expires) and definitely don't buy the undercoating, paint protection or other gimicks the "finance mangager" attempts to hard sell you as necessities. Any advice on getting the best price on a fully loaded LS? Is there any mathmatical formula to figure out what the true net cost is on an LS? HELP!
#476 of 537
Re: 2006 LS 430 Closeouts... [thegadgetguru] by nvbanker
Jul 09, 2006 (11:53 am)

Replying to: thegadgetguru (Jul 09, 2006 10:13 am)

I'm not saying your strategy is flawed in any way, guru. I'm just wondering have you bought a Lexus before? (Your profile tells me zip). Reason being, most Lexus dealers pamper you to the highest level I've ever experienced. You won't find a "hard sell finance guy" there to try and slap undercoating on your car. I doubt they'll even try to sell you the extra warranty, you can always buy it right up to the day your factory warranty expires, should you keep it that long. Also, they'll annoy you incessantly after the sale about your satisfaction with the car, the deal, and the dealer.
 
It's quite different than buying a Chevy.
 
I'm guessing you can get up to a $14,000 discount off that sticker on an Ultra Luxury if you try several dealers. The December to Remember sale is usually the best time for unbelievable deals on a Lexus, but if the 460 is due out soon, buying just before they appear should be a good time also.
#477 of 537
Re: 2006 LS 430 Closeouts... [nvbanker] by thegadgetguru
Jul 09, 2006 (12:29 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Jul 09, 2006 11:53 am)

Thanks Banker. You're correct, this will be my first Lexus. By visiting two dealerships I've already learned that not all are created equally. One of them appears to be in a class by itself. The lesser dealer...well, let's just say that it is a result of poor management. I live in the South Florida area and there is an abundance of Lexus dealerships within a 50 mile radius.
 
Great minds think alike as I already offered $15K off sticker for an Ultra and they didn't even get close. But, the salesperson was very nice about it! I had a check in hand along with the title of my existing car and was ready to sign. When they counter offered, I tried to be tactful and let them know that I've never seen a car go "up" in price, so this offer was only good for seven days. If they come back 60 days from now, my next offer will most likely be less as I'm a bit concerned about the depreciation from an end of the model run vehicle. Yes, Lexus has the best resale history, but when the 460 comes out, there will be many existing 430 cusomers wanting to upgrade...meaning an abundance of inventory of used 430s flooding the market. This is a double edged sword as the good news is that due to its high customer satisfaction reputation, they will most likley churn many existing LS owners to its new model.
 
If I was to take the leap (which I most likely won't do) into a 460, I'd be a bit nervous about intital defects that are common with any new model vehicle. Remember the problems when BMW launched it's 700 series? The joystick and electrical systems were nightmares!
#478 of 537
new car blues by nvbanker
Jul 09, 2006 (5:50 pm)
I wouldn't be afraid of the 460. There may be an issue or two, but Lexus will stand behind it quickly, and I'm expecting this has been tested to death. It for sure will be nothing like the Bimmer disaster.
#480 of 537
Re: new car blues [nvbanker] by rgsw
Jul 10, 2006 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Jul 09, 2006 5:50 pm)

I concur on your thots regards the LS460. I went thru a recall on my 2004 LS430 for Transmission and Fuel Pump swap out. The dealer filled up the empty tank with gas, provided a loaner, and one day service. Lexus USA sent me two $100 gift certificates for Chevron gas and "hoped I was not inconvenienced by the recall experience". I agree with your comments.
#481 of 537
2006 LS430 Modern Luxury by carman88
Jul 12, 2006 (4:53 am)
Offered a Modern Luxury for 11K below MSRP in S. California.

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