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Lexus ES 300/ES 330 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1357 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2008 at 8:37 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Sedan

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#52 of 1357 lehigh lexus by rbr Oct 20, 2003 (7:33 pm)
Unless you are specifically spoofing your name to resemble another dealership, I presume you are associated with Lexus of Lehigh Valley in Emmaus, PA (Allentown/Bethlehem). As to your comments, the good news is I agree about the service we received at that dealership (ES 300 and GS 300) -- they did provide valet-delivered loaner cars and for a while even filled my wife's ES 300 up with gas after servicing it. The service manager when we were there (mid 1990s)was great -- maybe he's still there.   However, as to your "markup" comment, I respecfully disagree completely. I have never paid more than 1,000-1,500 over invoice for a Lexus, and that dates back to my first ES250. I cant say this works on all models, but it has worked on the four "Lexi" that we have owned over 10 years, and it seems to me that Lexus as a brand has only improved and expanded. I'm in the market for an ES 330, and if that isn't the margin range the dealer is willing to live with, then there is some very good competition down the street. Its supply and demand, period. If you all are getting more than that I suspect its because people dont want to travel to Doylestown or Philly to get one.   The dealer makes a lot of money, from whatever markup there is to holdback, service visits, accessories, extended warranties, etc. The price, as virtually everything else in the world, is determined by supply and demand, period. Also, most of your customers are there because they manage their money well and can afford a nicer car. They're not going to pay more money because you are complaining about -- reading between the lines, if I may -- not making enough profit on your personal sales. And, although I cant imagine this happening in a Lexus dealership, the first sales person that complains to my face that I'm turning the dealership into a Chevrolet dealership (or a Ford dealership, as you commented on the LX 470 Board) wont have to worry about writing up my purchase order.   In the meantime (smile) lets hear about those "X above invoice" prices, ladies and gentlemen! And, frankly, I wouldn't mind a friendly debate over what constitutes a reasonable price in the mind of a Lexus dealer (if that falls within the limits of this topic, in deference to our moderator).
#53 of 1357 rbr - Supply and demand goes many ways..... by atoews Oct 20, 2003 (8:19 pm)
and lehigh has a point. If some dealer drops the price such that the great service can't be built in, the great service has to go away.   I can see the following scenario: dealer A and dealerB are in a close proximity, but dealer A charges more and offers better service. Dealer B short shrifts the service. So, the buyer ends up buying from dealer B but getting their service from Dealer A.   As a Lexus owner, I know I am paying more for a Lexus than I am for a Camry. What I don't want to see is Lexuses moving over to the Toyota side of the house. I would hate the scenario where, becasue ES300 owners were cheap, they started selling ES300s at Toyota dealers.   I do take issue with one thing lehigh implied. It is not the buyer seeking a cheap price who is to blame for the situation he fears, but the dealer who is undercutting his competitors.
#54 of 1357 jrgosta by arung Oct 20, 2003 (11:07 pm)
I have been offered 32950 for that car and am aiming to get down to 33500. bargain more, answering for the carsalesman.nobody wants to pay more for a car if somebody other has paid less for it.
#55 of 1357 atoews -- agreed by rbr Oct 21, 2003 (5:51 am)
I agree with your price shopping vs. service point completely. I would never buy at one dealership for price and then go to another dealership for service -- I dont think that's fair. That's just me, though, and I will accept your point. I think any dealer, including a Lexus dealer, should have the right to limit the higher-value services (such as loaner cars) to their own customers -- those that are willing to pay the price that dealer demands. I dont know that such a policy isn't followed anyways. Although many Lexus dealers give loaners out for virtually any service visit, the Lexus corporate policy is that you are only entitled to one for a repair that requires the car be kept overnight. In fact, when I moved from MN to Allentown and tried to get my ES250 serviced at Lexus of Lehigh Valley, they didn't give me a loaner.   I dont think there's any risk of an ES becoming available at a Toyota dealer -- its one of Lexus's higher volume cars even though they seems to be selling regularly for $1000 or so above invoice -- my original point was that this has been the case since the ES went on the market in 1990, and it doesn't seem, to me, to have had the effect yet of negatively affecting the brand, or the service associated with the brand.
#56 of 1357 ES 330 Price by babs43 Oct 21, 2003 (5:57 am)
Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess it's supply and demand. I did notice when I walked into the Lexus dealer it was packed! Both Acura and Infiniti dealers were empty. That tells you the more popular car. I'm probably going to wait to purchase my ES 330 around the December holidays. Maybe I'll get a better deal. BUT, if Infiniti is willing to come down a lot on the price of a car, I may be pursuaded.
#57 of 1357 Pricing by lehighlexus Oct 21, 2003 (7:16 am)
First of all I appreciate the positive criticism. I thought I was going to get verbally beaten in this room. Back to pricing. As far as more profit for me, that is a positive but I believe there is more to selling Lexus than just profit. Myself, being a younger guy, can live on very little. I did well at a good university, so I can be doing a bunch of different things. But I chose this because I enjoy sales, and I enjoy the product. And because of that I am not in it to make a quick buck. Sales is based on building a clientele, and that is how you become successful.   rbr-You hit it right on the nose. Our customers could go to other dealerships and pay less, but they understand the benefits our dealership has to offer. Valet service for one. The other mentioned dealerships do not offer it. And the ability to show them how and why we are #1 in service in the district. And the Ford comment was because they were talking about fleet sales. And you are correct about Lexus not becoming Toyota. But there is a large difference between what we sell and what Toyota sells. If you look at the other cost cutting highline dealers, they don't have too much more to offer than their sister stores. (Acura, Infiniti)   atoews- I apologize for making you think I implied buyers are cheap. That is not the case. I know how it is from both sides of the spectrum. And you are correct with other dealers undercutting their competitors. What I meant was rather than looking at price, take a look at everything you are getting. If anyone is familiar with Wegmans, it is the same idea. You pay more for groceries there, but isn't it the most pleasing supermarket to be in? And you rarely come out unsatisfied.
#58 of 1357 Getting mine ES330 at Difeo Lexus, NJ by alexmish Oct 21, 2003 (8:30 am)
Got, what I believe, a very good deal for fully loaded 2004 ES330 (NAVI, VCS, Gold Emblem etc except AVS - the wait for this option is 120 days). The price was about $2K below MSRP (BUT they had it in stock and I also had a trade-in, so you might get a different $ if it needs to be ordered or there is/not a trade-in). Picking it up tonight.   2 visits to the dealership - on Sat for test drive and last night to negotiate/sign the contract. Even though the place was packed on Sat, Marcus Laurence (the sales rep) was very kind, not pushy, let us drive both ES330 and RX330 (we were not decided whether to get a sedan or an SUV), and very polite and informative - spend 1.5 hours on us even though he knew we were just looking. I would recommend him highly (I did observe other sales reps and was not that impressed).   One hint - negotiate the price 30 mins before they close for the night !
#59 of 1357 lehigh lexus by rbr Oct 21, 2003 (9:42 am)
Ahhhh (smile) ... but you didn't comment on the most intriguing issue ... is $1,000 -- 1,500 a fair markup, in your opinion? You mentioned $4-5,000 under MSRP being a problem, and you implied that selling at invoice is a problem if I recall correctly, but you never really commented on that point. Also, I am interested in whether you think Lexus margins have shrunk since discussions like this one have been occuring online.   thanks and best wishes.
#60 of 1357 rbr by lehighlexus Oct 21, 2003 (10:02 am)
Haha. I feel like Joan of Arc. I don't think my posts have changed anything, but I was just giving folks the view from the other side. And as far as the profit issue, which does not reflect my dealerships ideas, would be $1500 off. We don't try to sell you accessories, warranties, insurances, etc. And you mentioned the dealer gets holdback, service work and such, but on the other hand, you have to include internal charges for loaner cars, valet drivers, parts, equipment, overhead, insurance on all vehicles, etc. I've seen posts for 2-3k off, but I would bet they are not getting the entire package that other dealers can offer.
#61 of 1357 1500 to 2000 off by lawyer3 Oct 21, 2003 (2:05 pm)
purchased a es330 today, It had a premium package on it which kicked up the price with leather and wood steering wheel, locks and couple of mats $1,000.00 However, my price was still $2,100.00 off of the invoice. I was sort of urged that $1,500 to max of $2,000 was the going rate off msrp. All of this and I received windows tinted as well and delicious basket of goodies. So stick with it folks there is some room to negotiate. sticker was 33,444.00 paid 31,350.00. This was in San Antonio, Texas

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