Vermont Lexus Car Dealers

Lexus Buying Experience by lexpaul on Sun Dec 28 20:16:15 PST 2008

Hey Down to the Earth� I�m glad you are finding the forum helpful�because it has certainly helped me. I just pulled the trigger on a Level III ES 350 (Nav+Park-Assist) black/black on Friday at Lexus of South ATL in Union City (off I-85 South) I must tell you that mine is a long story. I have been researching the ES 350 for over a year now. I looked at and test drove other models. I actually was looking at an SUV (4Runner), but after gas prices shot up I began focusing on cars, my first choice was the Avalon Limited a great car, but the salesman mentioned the ES in our conversation, and peaked my interest and from there on my journey began with the ES. I did test drive the Avalon, not bad at all, but the Lexus was just a compelling car in every respect, build quality, fit/finish a solid reliability history. I was also looking at the Acura TL, Infiniti M-35, Lincoln MKS, and the caddy CTS. All good cars in their own right. I did indeed look at the GS350, but the cost for a new one was a limiting factor and I did not want a used one. Two things that I prefer the ES to over the GS, looks and resale. The GS is the least performing ( in terms of sales) Lexus in their car lineup. The car just hasn�t hit the mark like the ES has. Don�t get me wrong it�s a great car, but it doesn�t sale as well as the ES. Another point in terms of performance, the two cars are close, but the GS is geared more to a sporty ride, in other words a stiffer suspension� I wanted a smooth ride and not a stiff one and that was another point in the ES column for me. The ES is a luxury + smooth upscale sedan par-excellence. It is really a vehicle that pampers and cuddles the occupant. It is extremely quiet and smooth on the road, just what I wanted. I�m not interested in trying to negotiate a curve at 40 mph. I don�t drive like that. The Beemers, Infiniti�s and Mercedes will give you that kind of �joy ride� if you want it, but you also feel the road more..bumps etc....�..I would suggest that you checkout some reviews. The US News and World Report Ranking on the ES can be found here: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/2009-Lexus-ES/ Check out what others are saying on this page as well�..Car and Driver, Motor Trend, etc�also see http://www.motherproof.com Question #2. The invoice price for a Level III ES is actually $36.4K, this price can be found on NADA, or here: http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?l=1&w=20&p=36&f=5010&y=2009&m=1201&d=1885- 4&c=16&cc1=7283&cc3=629&vt=new&s=308145 I have selected the options you need for a Level III, so it should come up with my selections, let me know if not. You are correct the 09 Lexus only comes in the premium plus package w/additional options, the premium package has been eliminated for 09. See this link from Lexus: http://www.lexus.com/lexusConfigApp/pub/setStartOptions.do?modelId=44872983&zipC- ode=30358&isSE=false The Navigation package is only available on Level III (premium plus w/Nav+park-assist) or the Level IV which is the Ultra Luxury model which includes everything that Level III has, but adds aniline leather seats, a 14 speaker audio system with the Mark Levison sound system, plus panoramic roof and graphite finished alloy wheels. It�s just about a fully loaded ES with the exception of adding dynamic radar cruise control. Question #3 I think I answered that in 2 above in a round about way, but for clarity, Edmunds is correct, you cannot just add a Nav system and be done with it. The Nav system is added only as part of a �package� and that package is the premium plus package. Keep in mind you can get the premium plus package w/o the Nav, which is Level II. Level III (premium plus) is with Navigation+ park-assist. Park-assist adds the motion sensors and back-up camera, so you have a rear-view of what�s behind you while backing up. So if you just want Navigation only, you�re stuck with Level III, which is invoiced at $36.4K Question #4 I have spoken to all of the ATL Lexus dealers over the last year. I know the pricing structure of each one of them, trust me, forget about getting invoice in ATL, it just won�t happen on a 09, however you can get 1K under invoice on a 08 Level III. There is no difference between a 08 and 09. The 09 added matador red and eliminated royal ruby metallic as colors, that�s it. I wanted a 09, no exceptions. The only discount that would help you is that you were a previous Lexus owner, if so that�s 1K off the selling price. Not bad. I didn�t qualify. Forget Costco that dog won�t hunt. There are two dealers I would recommend: Lexus of South ATL is #1, hands down. They have the best prices. Very aggressive in their price structure (I have been told this by other ATL Lexus dealers) I paid $37.1K for a Level III 09, which gave me an OTD price of about $40.2K. The lowest I got among Hennessy Lexus off Peachtree Industrial Blvd, or in Duluth or Nalley Lexus in Roswell was $38.3K, but keep in mind I had been talking to these guys for over a year and I had a rapport with them and that�s the best I could do, I have also heard from other buyers in ATL that the market is tough. The other dealer would be Hennessy Lexus off I-285 and Peachtree Industrial; they came in as #2. That�s was the $38.3 one. A word of advice, do your homework (know all the options and price structures) and stay on message when you visit them. The only thing you should be talking about when you meet them is OTD cost, nothing else, no trade-ins, discounts, payment targets or anything like that. It�s also good to come in with your own financing. Having a good credit score helps too. Hope this helps. I can recommend a salesman at Lexus of South ATL if you want. Let me know. Thanks and GL.

Re: Good deal?/Safety question.... [osobear] by mpzmba on Fri Jun 13 12:01:44 PDT 2008

Regarding a "good deal"--prices vary by market. I just picked up a GX470 in CT with the following options: Nav/Mark Levinson 3rd Row seat w/AC Convenience Package (net, mat, wheel locks) Tow Prep package Rear Spolier Titanium Silver w/Gray interior $45,800 + tax + tags Only "after market" item we installed was XM radio (so that it would read on Nav sceen)--$695 (a bit more than port installed). With all the travel we do to VT--XM is a blessing (no searching for stations--especially in the boonies). Thought the price overall was pretty good.