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Lexus RX 330: Prices Paid & Buying Experience - READ ONLY

3130 messages,  Last post on Oct 08, 2008 at 7:33 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 330, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 312 of 313

#3111 of 3130 Re: 330 vs 350 price difference [kariroma] by lexusrxsearch

Aug 09, 2007 (6:20 am)

Replying to: kariroma (Jun 02, 2007 9:48 pm)
I'm evaluating the price differential between buying a CPO RX330 and a new 08 RX350 (AWD with Nav and Premium packages, no DVD). To my surprise, there doesn't seem to be a huge price differential -- CPO are pretty costly.
 
Asked CPO prices locally run around $30-31k (before tax and fees) for 2004 models with 20-30k miles. $33-35k for 2005s. That seems to put the CPO prices within $10k of a brand new 350. Can anyone else comment on this seemingly narrow spread? Are there any guidelines for how negotiable CPO asked prices are? (I've seen suggestions that for new $5000 less than MSRP or up to $2500 below dealer's "invoice.") Any suggestions would be much appreciated. THANKS.
 
For reference: per post #829 from 2008 RX 350 forum, Glendale CA deal price on a new 350 was:
  
2008 RX 350 FWD
Premiuim plus package, navigation system, 18 inch wheels, heated seats with rain sensing wipers, wheel locks, cargo mat, tow prep package.
  
MSRP - $44,306
Dealer Invoice - $39,513
**** PRICE PAID: $38,213 ***
Doc prep fee - $55
Sales Tax (CA 8.25%) - $3157
DMV electronic filing fee - $28
License fee - $301
CA tire fee - $8.75
Smog fee - $12
TOTAL OUT THE DOOR - $41,775

#3112 of 3130 Narrow price difference between new RX350 and used RX330 CPO by lexusrxsearch

Aug 13, 2007 (7:00 pm)

OK, to net out my inquiry: how much lower cost makes it wiser to buy a used vs new? It seems the price difference between buying a certified pre-owned ("CPO") RX330 and a similarly-equipped new 08 RX350 (AWD with Nav and Premium Plus packages)is about $10k.
  
Asked CPO prices locally run around $30-31k (before tax and fees) for 2004 models with 20-30k miles. $33-35k for 2005s. That seems to put the CPO prices within $10k of a brand new 350. Can anyone else comment on this seemingly narrow spread? Are there any guidelines for how negotiable CPO asked prices are? I wanted to buy used CPO, but for $10k more, doesn't it make sense to avoid 4 years of someone else's use? HOW MUCH MAKES USED CPO WORTH THE LOWER COST? $11k? $15k?
 
Any advice/experiences would be much appreciated. THANKS.

#3114 of 3130 Re: 330 vs 350 price difference [lexusrxsearch] by robinhan

Aug 23, 2007 (7:47 am)

Replying to: lexusrxsearch (Aug 09, 2007 6:20 am)
unbelievable deal, however how come carsdirect/edmunds all show the invoice for this car at 40.8k or higher? how did you get that 39.5k? mind sharing more details?
 
(is this 350 fwd with premium+, nav, performance, towing prep and heated seats w/ rs options?)
 
thanks!

#3115 of 3130 Re: 330 vs 350 price difference [robinhan] by lexusrxsearch

Aug 24, 2007 (5:04 am)

Replying to: robinhan (Aug 23, 2007 7:47 am)
I think you mis-read my earlier post which quoted from another buyer's experience in Calif:
------------
For reference: per post #829 from 2008 RX 350 forum, Glendale CA deal price on a new 350 was:
   
2008 RX 350 FWD
Premiuim plus package, navigation system, 18 inch wheels, heated seats with rain sensing wipers, wheel locks, cargo mat, tow prep package.
   
MSRP - $44,306
Dealer Invoice - $39,513
**** PRICE PAID: $38,213 ***
--------------
The main diff (besides being in a different market) is that car was FWD. East coast AWD seems to be around $40.8k with Premium and Nav -- which ought to be your target price. I was able to do slightly better $40.7k before tax and prep from Prestige Lexus in Ramsey, NJ. Ask for the Lamb.

#3116 of 3130 Re: Narrow price difference between new RX350 and used RX330 CPO [lexusrxsearch] by kostyan

Sep 18, 2007 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: lexusrxsearch (Aug 13, 2007 7:00 pm)
In Baltimore MD area, dealers do not negotiate at all. I hope they are punished by very slow sales. Dealers have been able to lower prices a bit on units that were traded in vs. ones bought at the auction, because auction prices have been high. If you are bargain hunter, absolutely stay away from Lexus Certified- dealers make $1500 on this package without doing anything special. CPO is valid only for 3 yrs or 100k since your purchase date, so what if you bought a used one with 30k miles on it and will not drive to 70k mi in 3 yrs? A $2500 price premium not worth it.
 
Someone mentioned that brand new 07s are going for 1500 under invoice. If invoice incl destination is 38500, that would be 38.5 OTD price. Does it make any sense at all to pay 34-35K for a used 2005 AWD NAVI with reasonable 20-30K mi if, when tried hard, may still be able to get into a brand new one for only 3-4 more grand!?

#3117 of 3130 Re: Narrow price difference between new RX350 and used RX330 CPO [kostyan] by lexusrxsearch

Sep 19, 2007 (7:35 am)

Replying to: kostyan (Sep 18, 2007 12:13 pm)
I also found that Lexus used CPO dealers in CT would not negotiate much. However, I found the price difference between buying a relatively recent used CPO and a new 2008 RX 350 about $8000, which was still worth buying new. No regrets -- I drove over to Prestige in NJ to pick up mine.

#3118 of 3130 Re: Narrow price difference between new RX350 and used RX330 CPO [lexusrxsearch] by krisv

Sep 19, 2007 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: lexusrxsearch (Sep 19, 2007 7:35 am)
LexusRXsearch - You mentioned you got your 350 for $40.9 +++, Just curious, can you share what your MSRP & Invoice were for the vehicle. Based on your recommendations of Prestige, I called the Lamb yesterday and he would only come down about $3.5K from MSRP. How much time did you spend negotiating with him to get to the $40.9. Was it in person or online? Just wanting to see if it's worth my time to go back to him. Thanks!

#3119 of 3130 Re: Narrow price difference between new RX350 and used RX330 CPO [krisv] by lexusrxsearch

Sep 20, 2007 (7:26 am)

Replying to: krisv (Sep 19, 2007 2:52 pm)
I did almost all my initial outreach with dealers via e-mail, and let them reply online and/or leave me voicemails. I told them the price I was looking for ($40.9k) Some dealers were willing to meet it/negotiate, others were not. Timing: It was mid-August and I believe the monthly quota/sales incentives may have been a factor. The Lamb (we're not supposed to use names here!) replied online, via voicemail and then strongly suggested we speak by phone. He was very straightforward about what he could do (meet my price) and could not do (i.e. he couldn't take my trade-in at my inflated $$ value!)
In the end, Prestige accepted my offer of about $5k off of MSRP($45.9) and I sold my old car independently. I never saw their dealer "invoice" but understand that my price was within a few hundred $. It's clear they made some profit and it's a good deal all around.
The first time I ever went to Prestige was to pick up the car. Overall, I had an excellent experience, and appreciated the very to-the-point discussions. He did take the time to answer all my questions -- and once he knew I was serious, i.e. I gave him my credit card as a deposit, he met every need and addressed every issue. I suggest you show him you are serious (if you are) because dealers are inundated by mere "prospects." Make an offer for a specific car, but then be prepared to commit with a deposit -- otherwise, they'll rightfully know you're jerking them around. BTW, the deposit is not irrevocable.
Ray Catena dealership in NJ also was ready to bargain, but had a very junior guy communicating with me -- slower decisions.
Good luck, I'll be curious to hear what you do.

#3120 of 3130 Maryland, DC, Virginia Lexus Dealers by vcn

Nov 03, 2007 (2:25 pm)

I have been reading these postings for the past week. I started my search for an 2004 RX 330 a couple of months. I have purchased 2 IS300's in the past (the 1st was totaled). The dealers in the DMV area really do not budge on the price. One internet salesman must have forgotten that we had communicated before his first quote was for a little over $30k (32k miles)well the price on their website for this vehicle was $28187. He claimed his manager must have changed the price without telling him. Two days later he emailed me and again started with the higher price for the same vehicle. I once again referred him to his website for the stated price and his response was exactly the same.
 
I am looking for an '04 RX330 for $27500 out the door. Is this really unrealistic? I average about 20k miles per year so warranty is a must.
 
There is one listed in virginia (Nissan Dealer) that was listed at $26900 (38,700 miles)the carfax report is clean. The salesman admitted that it had been keyed and repainted. The next day the price was dropeed to $25900.
 
Thoughts?

Messages Page 312 of 313

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