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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Lexus IS 250 / IS 350 Prices Paid and Buying Experience
2517 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2008 at 8:55 PM
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Replying to: kclb (Mar 21, 2007 3:44 pm) I was stationed at Hickam AFB (Oahu) for three years and had three cars shipped from California. It was easy and inexpensive. Once you are sure which model and options you want, hunt down your best deal via the internet in SoCal. You'll want to consider dealers close to Long Beach because the pier is located there. I dealt with three different dealers and all were happy to deliver it to the Matson pier. Make a contract with Matson to carry the car and name the dealer as your agent. It takes about three weeks and costs about $1000 to ship. Most banks have no problems with these sort of deals--you just FedEx the paperwork back and forth. While you're waiting for your Lexus to arrive, sell your Toyota privately (and probably get more for it). You'll probably have to pay your sales tax directly to the state (just call the tax office downtown for details). Caveat: make sure the dealer ships the car with the original MSO or you won't be able to register it. By the way, if you keep the car in HI less than a year, you can avoid the personal property tax (aka sales tax).
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Replying to: vinnyny (Mar 21, 2007 5:26 pm) Mahalos for the advice. Some of my other friends also recommended that I travel to the States to purchase the car. The pricing is quite expensive in Hawaii. I'd love to do that but my work makes it quite difficult to take a vacation. Plus, I don't really want to wait for it. I must be nuts for wanting it...It's just hard to resist after that test drive...hahah.
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Replying to: kclb (Mar 22, 2007 4:04 am) No need to travel. In fact, you don't want to go to the CA dealer--if you do, you could get stuck paying CA sales tax. Drive the one you want at the local dealer, make sure you want it, and buy it over the phone/internet. It's simple and far less expensive. Waiting is tough, but the $4k you save will buy lots of gas, tires, and dinners at Duke's!
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Replying to: vinnyny (Mar 22, 2007 4:45 am) Thanks for the info. Can you help me regarding my situation? I'm pretty new to this type of thing. I never knew I can just purchase a car over the phone/internet. I was thinking that I physically had to be there for all the paperwork. How about the loan? I had Servco Lexus run my credit and I was approved with a Credit Union down here. Can I still go thru them? I also had my car appraised for trade in. I didn't want to deal with the paperwork and hassle. I don't really wanna wait even though I will probably lose out if I trade it thru Servco Lexus. I hope you can feed me some information and what websites / dealerships are good in California. Mahalo! Tony
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I just got back from Tri County Lexus and they gave me the following deals. $4779 Due at delivery TTL, DMV and all fees included $389 month 36 months/12K +this is the package they've advertised all over up here. They say $2500 down but after the tax and associated fees you pay $4779 out of pocket. or $2000 Total Out of Pocket $475 month 36/12 Either way the price of the car is about 32,500. That's base, No Navi. They're just about the same deal if my math is correct. That's supposed to be $1000 over invoice according to the dealership.
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Replying to: kclb (Mar 22, 2007 12:52 pm) It's really simple. Start by e-mailing dealers in SoCal--there's plenty of reputable dealers mentioned in this discussion. Tell them right up front that you will be shipping the car out of state because some dealers will do it while others won't. Once you have agreed upon a deal ask the dealer to Fedex you the contract and loan documents for the car. Call Matson to schedule the shipment and ask specifically if you need a power of attorney or other such document to allow the dealer to ship the car. You sign the stuff, Fedex it back along with your paperwork from Matson. When the dealer delivers the car to Matson at the Long Beach pier, it will be thoroughly inspected before Matson accepts it, so you shouldn't have to worry about the dealer giving you a damaged car. You can also ask the dealer to send you digital pictures of the car before shipping. You can track the status of your car online (Matson will give you the info). When the car arrives, you'll get a call from Matson, but it sounds like you'll be waiting at the pier already! Financing shouldn't be a problem because your credit union can do it all electronically. If they don't want to play, you can always use the dealer financing. It may be easiest to use the dealer's financing, but make sure they give you a good rate. You'll have to pay Matson directly (about $1000). You'll also pay taxes to HI directly (there's a tax collector's office downtown). Register the car at DMV--you MUST get an MSO with the car (make sure the dealer understands this). I bought three cars this way and helped friends do it as well. You will save thousands...For example, when I bought my 2002 Tahoe, the HI dealers were asking $10k over sticker and sticking to it. I bought the Tahoe from Camino Real Chevrolet for invoice minus rebates and saved at least $10k--after the $1k to ship it.
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Replying to: vinnyny (Mar 23, 2007 5:07 am) Mahalos for the info 'n tips. I look forward to getting the car soon... : ) |
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Replying to: arbor (Mar 22, 2007 2:00 pm) I think you can do better. Check my post post #1574 from February. I live NW Philly burbs. I am one who likes to get a good deal, but not one who is going to go to the ends of the earth to get the best deal ever -- so ultimately, you have to figure out if the deal is good enough for you. Considering the PA/NJ has some good competitors within a close radius, you can work the numbers. How much are you paying for the car? I got a little more than the base (mine had premium package, but no nav), and am paying less than they quoted you and I was $1,250 less out of pocket. And when I got the documents, they made a mistake and only used $1,000 down, so I got $250 back at signing (and I'm paying the same price). Obviosly there was still some money on the table  I priced four dealerships, in the PA/NJ/DE area, and this was the best deal I could get without killing myself. I shopped back and forth for about 7 days both at the dealer and by email. Two of the dealers were also only willing to do the deal with the cars on the lot -- the dealer I ended up going with got my car from Long Island in the color/interior I wanted (which I would highly recommend -- Black Sapphire with Tan). It also sounds like to me they may not be quoting you with the best money factor. You should find out all of the details on that too. I am extremely pleased with my car, and am quite happy with the payment I'm making for this great car. It was AWESOME in the snow. |
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Mainly emailed back and forth with the dealer for a week. Finally agreed on $31699 on MSRP $37772 (dealer said MSRP is actually $37841?). Will probably wrap it up tomorrow. In case people are wondering what MSRP $37772 includes.. Nav 18in wheels/tires HID headlamps Premium Pkg Preferred Accessory Pkg Contacted Longo, Tustin, Westminster, Newport, Cerritos. Only the Longo guy was patient enough with me (I'm not good at haggling, especially over email). Tustin refused to counteroffer saying I was too far from what they can sell it for. Westminster was next closest at $32,256. Newport was willing to match any offer but didn't respond to my emails fast enough. Cerritos only send me an automated email with a quote and never a follow up. Hopefully the Longo guy will keep his word tomorrow.. otherwise we'll have some nice dim sum for driving out there..
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Replying to: ps99472 (Mar 23, 2007 7:03 pm)
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