lexus RX350

[ajay]

I'm in the market for a new SUV and have narrowed my choice down to the RX350. Before i go and start the negotiating, i need to know how flexible they are on prices. My last vehicle was a toyota and i was able to knock off about $2000 off the MSRP. I somehow get the feeling that lexus may not be as charitable considering the RX is a hot seller.

Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[toughb]

Just do the best you can

I'm in the market for a new SUV and have narrowed my choice down to the RX350. Before i go and start the negotiating, i need to know how flexible they are on prices. My last vehicle was a toyota and i was able to knock off about $2000 off the MSRP. I somehow get the feeling that lexus may not be as charitable considering the RX is a hot seller.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Toyota is having a bumper year and has no need to really do any great price reductions. Found that out when I bought mine about a year ago.

 

[basketcase]

There are a bunch of websites that offer information on invoice prices as well as any factory to customer and factory to dealer incentives.

http://carcostcanada.com/1/en/default.asp

One thing that isn't mentioned is that dealers get a "holdback" which is money the factory gives them after a sale. It usualy is between 2 and 3% of the invoice. That means that even if you get the car at invoice, the dealer is making around a grand off of you.

There is also a ton of advice available online as to how to deal with the sales process such as http://www.edmunds.com/caradvice.html (or www.carbuyingtips.com) They have a great peice about a guy that they sent undercover to work as a sales man at a few different dealerships. On a hot seller, you should be able to get the car for about 5% over the actual dealers cost. Also, they always make good money on trade-ins. If you are willing to put up with the hassle, sell yourself. A dealership will give you 1/2 what it's worth if you're lucky.

It is sort of fun to walk in to the negotiations and set down a full report on all the figures that they don't want you to know about. Cut the negotiations short and saved me about 3 grand when I bought my car a few months ago.

I have also heard good things about some of the online sales services where the deal gets done and you only have to talk to the fleet manager at the dealership, not 3 salesmen, a manager and a finance agent.