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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Prices Paid & Leasing Experiences Archive Lexus ES 300/ES 330 Prices Paid and Buying Experience 
1357 messages, Last post on Jun 16, 2008 at 7:37 AM
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First of all, I'm a lousy shopper unless it is TV's, stereos or cars...then I shop HARD! Considered the Acura TL (drop dead georgeous car); the Maxima SE and the ES. It's my wifes daily driver so let her make decision. I drive on trips only. Most content is clearly the Maxima (power tilt/telescopic/heated wheel tied to the memory system). Good handling; a bit funky in styling, especially the instrument panel but we both liked it. Can buy '05 for invoice less 1k rebate (32k car for 28k). Downside, not to quiet and depreciation pretty huge. I loved the TL for handling/styling. Had one for an afternoon for wife to drive. She felt it was a little firm suspension-wise (like the Maxima). She also complained that the cupholders were a "pain". Too deep. She had a can of pop in there and had to use her finger in the hole of the can to get it out. She could not get at the second cupholder unless she raised the armrest. I tried it and that is true. In returning the car she was the passenger and was annoyed at the passenger seat---only 4 way. Front/back and seat back tilts and she felt it sat too low (she is 5'7"). Could not get comfortable. Sticker 33.5k (no nav), sell at 31.5k. Then she drove the ES---end of story!!! Ultra quiet and SMOOTH ride. I prefer a little more road feel/handling but was also impressed with the car overall. Shopping began. Went to local dealer and noted virtually all that come without nav have heated/ventilated seats, 6 disc in dash, sunshade, VSC/TC, all seaon tires, power pedals,wood/leather wheel/shift know and the preferred acc. package. Sticker 35,394. Shopped Chicago suburban dealers and one 125 miles away plus the local. Jerked around pretty good by the local and ended up at a suburban dealer who eventually went $500 over invoice of 31,676 for total of 32,176 + doc fee of 53.52 plus tax. Salesman showed me their invoice which confirmed above. Edmunds indicates invoice of about 31,200. Either they are wrong or the dealer lied to me. However all 5 dealers I spoke to advised their invoice was 31,676 and they were dealing off that number. One at 1,800 over; one at 1,500 over, several at 1k over, one at 675 over. Then contacted a dealer who sold me a '92 SC400 when they first hit (finest car I have ownerd). Same salesman still there. He quoted 1k over; told him I had 675 over. He had color combo we wanted and asked if 500 over would do it. YUP!!! Went in following day, wrote check, they swapped plates while salesman was going over the toys in the car and we were gone in less than an hour. Wifey even let me drive it today...impressive for quiet/quality. However Lexus is still missing the boat in not doing electric tile/telescopic for the steering wheel. Hell, My '92 SC400 had it. That's my sole complaint.
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Replying to: gbjerke (Nov 13, 2004 4:08 pm) I still think ES the most refined car among the three you considered, but TL the 'hottest' looking. Even my wife, who loves the ES fit and finish and of course, the ride and comfort, is excited about the TL look the most. There're some feature pros and cons between TL and ES, for about the same money, but TL does win one thing big. It's audio is much better than the base one (non-ML) on ES, if that matters at all. BTW, your ES might have a few more options added than Edmunds' and so the price difference.
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Replying to: igiban (Nov 13, 2004 9:19 pm) Wife loved it also but it had its drawbacks as far as she was concerned, especially the passenger seats lack of adjustments. She even suggested I sell my toy and get the TL as my driver. However, my toy is a Vette Z06 and even at my advanced age, I love that rocket. The 31.5k buy is probably about as good as I could get. Sticker 33.5 and dealer invoice about 30.5 as I recall. Apparently Acura has no "holdback" so there appears to be no perks for the dealer to sell at invoice knowing he will get a 3% kicker from Acura. If we had gone with the TL I certainly would have tossed out 31k to a number of dealers and taken the best shot. Yes, the stereo in the TL is awesome. Had the "demo disc" in it all day...WOW!!! Performance and handling also go to the TL but my wife could care less about this and much prefers the quiet/smoothness of the ES. Funny thing, she had to ride in the Vette for 70 miles to pick up the ES. Noisy cabin, firm ride (she calls it harsh) and then gets into the ES to drive back. When we get home she says, "I don't think I'll ever ride in the Vette again." Anyway, I think your choice of the TL is perfect!
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Replying to: gbjerke (Nov 14, 2004 7:55 am) I am just wondering if I'd driven a Z06 in what'd he have said? LOL.
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Replying to: igiban (Nov 14, 2004 1:24 pm) Who knows, once I grow up I may well consider such an attractive sedan. In the meantime, I'll just be stupid---LOL. |
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About a week ago, I purchased a 2005 ES at Pohanka Lexus in Chantilly, Va. I had made initial contact with an internet manager at this dealership through Cars Direct. Specifications: Dark Blue Exterior with Tan Interior. HID package available here in Nova: 17" all season tires with Alloy wheels Heated/Ventilated Seats HID/Rain-sensing wipers VSC Wood and Leather Steering Wheel and Shift Knob 6 Disc In Dash Cd Player Preferred Accessory Package. MSRP=$35709. Purchase Price after minimal negotiation was $32338 +$249 "processing fee". Total $32587 = 91.3% MSRP. They do charge $55 "dealer's business license tax", which is a bit dubious but not worth it to me to haggle over. Temp tags were $5 (I do my own title work). The personnel at Pohanka were very easy to deal with, and I would highly recommend this dealership. I expect I could have done slightly better due to some bargaining/differences in processing fees between competing dealerships, but in the end I went with the deal that was closest to my home. Currently, dealer quotes from Maryland dealers are ~$33,700. Northern Va dealership quotes are ~33,000, though the value-added in MD may be that they still do the valet service, whereas the Va dealerships have eliminated this service. A plus in purchasing this car is that the sales tax (which I will pay when I title the car) will be deductible on 2004 federal tax. |
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| How is it that the sales tax is deductible on the federal return? | |
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Replying to: fredvh (Nov 20, 2004 9:09 pm) Those of you who are in states/situations that do not require you to pay state income tax who are waiting until Jan to purchase may want to consider buying before the end of the year.
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05 ES330 with: NL- nav sys/Mark Levinson audio WU-wood/leathersteering wheel & shift knob FJ-17" summer tires/all0y wheels HH-heated/vented seats HL-HID headlamps HN-pwer rear sunshade XV-Power Adj accel & brakes w/mem Z1-trunk mat, cargo net,wheel locks tinted windows Pinstripe $38,509 - 2,500 $36,009 plus TTL, fees |
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What geographical region does this quote come from? The Houston area seems to command a higher price than the Southern California (and most other) areas, including that of Dallas. Last year at this time, folks were paying 88-90% MSRP at the most for their new 2004 vehicles. During the July-Sept time frame, folks seemed to be paying about 90-93% MSRP for the new 2005, with Houston area dealers charging in the 93% range. Your quote is 93.5% MSRP, but including your fees, your price is even higher. If I were you, unless I lived in Houston, I'd try and get 90-91% MSRP including EVERYTHING except license and tax. That amounts to about $35,043 for 91%. Your quote seems high even for the Houston area. |
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