Lexus RX 350 / RX 400h Lease Questions

Hey all...first time with this so bear with me. I've been reading a lot of these posts and now have one of my own. Just got the following offer earlier today for a 2009 RX350 AWD w/ the Navi package.
 
Dealership was in Englewood, NJ. Offering fully loaded as mentioned, MSRP is just over $46k. $5,000 down (which covers first payment, tax, title, like $3,700 cap cost reduction) for $450 per month 36 months. Now this is my first offer (and first requested offer) and I feel that it's pretty good but I just wanted to throw it out there for some guidance. I've also placed a call into Warnock Lexus in Whippany but I'm still waiting to hear back from them.
 
I'm looking to land this car before year end but I don't want to rush into the first thing thrown my way. I also don't want to wait until it's too late (even though I'm not even really sure if that's possible in this market).
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Replies to this message:
• Car_man (Dec 24, 2008 4:14 am)
  • rain_man (Dec 24, 2008 9:40 am)

Replies to this message:
• skops (Dec 13, 2008 8:27 am)
  • nyc6035 (Dec 13, 2008 8:55 am)
    • skops (Dec 13, 2008 10:47 am)
    • lex_nj (Dec 24, 2008 3:55 am) and 11 more...

Thank you all for your posts - the flow of information is really helping people make attractive deals i believe.
 
I am going today to pick up my AWD 2009 Pebble Beach Edition with prem plus and nav package - MSRP $47,456. Sales price $40,111, 45 month lease, resid of 47%, MF 0.00095, my total due at signing will be ~$700. I live in the NYC area and i purchased from Rallye Lexus in Glen Cove, NY - what i believe to be a truly professional dealership (for now). $46,241 MSRP models appear to be selling for around $38,500 sales price consistently right now - Lexus of Manhattan and Prestige Lexus in Ramsey NJ are selling them there i understand. I recognize i left a little value on the table in terms of price but instead i had them add features such as a cargo tray my wife wanted and coverage for the 10,000 mile service and maintenance. I also wanted the Truffle Mica color so supply/demand dictated that i had to pay a little premium for that choice in addition to the higher invoice price of the Pebble Beach Edition (which i think is $42,000 vs $41,300 for the Prem Plus + NAV in the Northeast). I decided to capitalize everything in the lease including my taxes and acq cost which is why my drive away costs are so low - figuring that at 2.28% APR i would like to borrow as much money as Lexus Financial would lend me and asked if they would do a side loan with me at that rate but they refused .
 
Once again, thank you all for your posts and good luck to all of you in these tough times.

Replies to this message:
• drjcool1 (Dec 14, 2008 5:13 pm)
  • JBO12 (Dec 15, 2008 2:24 pm)

Replying to: nyc6035 (Dec 12, 2008 6:12 pm)

Replies to this message:
• nyc6035 (Dec 13, 2008 8:55 am)
  • skops (Dec 13, 2008 10:47 am)
  • lex_nj (Dec 24, 2008 3:55 am)
    • nyc6035 (Dec 24, 2008 4:28 am) and 10 more...

Replying to: skops (Dec 13, 2008 8:27 am)

Replies to this message:
• skops (Dec 13, 2008 10:47 am)
• lex_nj (Dec 24, 2008 3:55 am)
  • nyc6035 (Dec 24, 2008 4:28 am)
    • lex_nj (Dec 24, 2008 11:25 am)
    • cityboy2 (Dec 24, 2008 12:20 pm) and 8 more...

Replying to: nyc6035 (Dec 13, 2008 8:55 am)

Hi, I'm considering buying or leasing a Lexus RX 350 within the next 3 months.
 
Although I usually buy cars, I am considering leasing this time around because each of the last 3 cars have developed a maintenance issue that encouraged me to trade it in before "it got worse."
 
Is the RX 350 a good car to buy (and drive for 100K miles) or is better to lease? If I lease, what should I be looking at (sorry for my ignorance, but I would be a first time 'leaser'." If I lease, I would need 15k miles/yr as I live in the suburbs.......
 
I am interested in the basic, stock RX 350. I don't care for any of the upgrades. If I buy, what is the going MSRP? How about holdback? Any incentives?
 
I'm in Central FL (Tampa) but am willing to drive to So. Fla. or even all the way to Georgia to get the best deal.
 
THANKS!!!!

Replies to this message:
• sunshine30 (Dec 13, 2008 3:37 pm)
  • Everythingirl (Dec 14, 2008 5:54 am)
    • sunshine30 (Dec 14, 2008 12:48 pm)

Replying to: Everythingirl (Dec 13, 2008 1:25 pm)

Hey There Everythingirl,
I live in the same general area as you.. After much thought, I decided to buy instead of lease. Have you gone to any dealerships yet in the area? Tampa or Sarasota? Our first attempt at getting a deal, we were quoted $36,000 out the door price for a basic model RX350.
 
Wondering if anyone has an opinion if that is a good deal or not. MSRP was ~ $41,000.
 
Thanks!!

Replies to this message:
• Everythingirl (Dec 14, 2008 5:54 am)
  • sunshine30 (Dec 14, 2008 12:48 pm)

Replying to: sunshine30 (Dec 13, 2008 3:37 pm)

We have gone to Tampa Lexus to test drive and were quoted $40k for "a basic model" RX that included a sunroof, cargo mats, etc. You know- the stuff dealers throw in now but still call it basic. I guess the RX no longer comes with cloth seats and leather is standard now? But when I got home, I saw they had a basic RX on the lot for $37,900 on their website. They upsell for certain colors, etc.
 
I have emailed Lexus of Jax and they quoted me $37,300 + tax,tag, title.
 
Cars.com quoted $36,000 out the door but they also said the MSRP was $33K.
 
These prices do not take into consideration the dealer holdback or any rebates the manufacturer gave the dealer.
 
I think this car can be purchased in the low $30s if you truly haggle and are not afraid to walk or go to dealers all over the state. Of course, if you are financing, excellent credit is a must to get a deal like this.......
 
I know that Lexus is not in the same trouble as in American car makers, but their sales are still way down......
 
I have learned that internet car buying (email the dealer what you want and ask for a price) has become very popular and is a great way to get a handle on what other dealers are offering. I am thinking of pursuing this route and seeing how far it goes. I'll post on my findings- please let me know how it goes with your deals also. THANKS!!!!

Replies to this message:
• sunshine30 (Dec 14, 2008 12:48 pm)