just switched over from bmw
04-29-13, 05:02 AM
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just switched over from bmw
hey guys, let me preface this by saying i had no problems with my 2012 BMW 535i Msport. after speaking to my accountant (wife 
) we've comfortably set a budge of ~$1,000/month in car payments for me. well, i'm looking into getting into something quite a bit more in 2-3 years (thinking M5 or M6) with a considerably higher lease payment; so in order to reach that goal i needed to reduce my current payment ($927/month financed, not leased). my problem was my BMW; i still owed $48,239 on it. i went to a few dealerships (honda, infiniti, mercedes) to see what kind of trade in value to expect and nobody was above $44K (low of $41K at honda). i saw the lease special on the luxury package GS350 and went down to lexus. after less than one hour we had reached a deal:
1- $47,500 for my car (only $700 negative equity; huge win for me!)
2- 24 month lease on luxury package GS 350 (MSRP was $59K because it was tinted and had trunk mat or something)
3- drive off was $3,500 (about $2700 in fees and then my negative equity)
4- $578 including 7% tax and 15K miles/yr
i didnt want to fight them too much on the fees since they gave me private party good condition KBB value on my car. and most importantly for the next two years my total car payments will be ($578 x 24 + $3500 drive off = $17K instead of $23K. the salesman also told me that at lease end i may have some positive equity so it may make sense to trade it in instead of turning it in.. who knows..
now to the important part. the funny thing is i really dont feel like i compromised on the car. i was ready to compromise for the next two years (even considered accord!). i gained some things (BSM, ventilated seats, window shades). i think my BMW looked better on the exterior (especially with teh M sport) but i do like the interior of the GS a little more. its honestly about a wash for me. the one thing i did notice right away was the throttle response. no lag. very smooth. i am anticipating a drop in MPG, but shouldnt be significant. enough talk, here are some pics:
http://img10.imageshack.us/slideshow...=photo1viz.jpg
) we've comfortably set a budge of ~$1,000/month in car payments for me. well, i'm looking into getting into something quite a bit more in 2-3 years (thinking M5 or M6) with a considerably higher lease payment; so in order to reach that goal i needed to reduce my current payment ($927/month financed, not leased). my problem was my BMW; i still owed $48,239 on it. i went to a few dealerships (honda, infiniti, mercedes) to see what kind of trade in value to expect and nobody was above $44K (low of $41K at honda). i saw the lease special on the luxury package GS350 and went down to lexus. after less than one hour we had reached a deal:1- $47,500 for my car (only $700 negative equity; huge win for me!)
2- 24 month lease on luxury package GS 350 (MSRP was $59K because it was tinted and had trunk mat or something)
3- drive off was $3,500 (about $2700 in fees and then my negative equity)
4- $578 including 7% tax and 15K miles/yr
i didnt want to fight them too much on the fees since they gave me private party good condition KBB value on my car. and most importantly for the next two years my total car payments will be ($578 x 24 + $3500 drive off = $17K instead of $23K. the salesman also told me that at lease end i may have some positive equity so it may make sense to trade it in instead of turning it in.. who knows..
now to the important part. the funny thing is i really dont feel like i compromised on the car. i was ready to compromise for the next two years (even considered accord!). i gained some things (BSM, ventilated seats, window shades). i think my BMW looked better on the exterior (especially with teh M sport) but i do like the interior of the GS a little more. its honestly about a wash for me. the one thing i did notice right away was the throttle response. no lag. very smooth. i am anticipating a drop in MPG, but shouldnt be significant. enough talk, here are some pics:
http://img10.imageshack.us/slideshow...=photo1viz.jpg
04-29-13, 05:23 AM
#2
Congrats!!
I traded in my 2011 BMW 535i like yours for the GS350 F-sport because unlike you, I had problems with my 5 series (vibrations, steering wander, throttle lag) and did not like the steering and handling one bit. I am a bmw-fanatic but the new 5 series was a turn off and soured my taste for the brand. I am very impressed and happy with my GS350 F-sport. I did not compromised much. The handling of the F-sport is much superior then the 5 with sport package. Even your luxury version is a perfect balance of luxury and sport. No turbo lag anymore, yay. You will love it over time! Welcome to CF!
I traded in my 2011 BMW 535i like yours for the GS350 F-sport because unlike you, I had problems with my 5 series (vibrations, steering wander, throttle lag) and did not like the steering and handling one bit. I am a bmw-fanatic but the new 5 series was a turn off and soured my taste for the brand. I am very impressed and happy with my GS350 F-sport. I did not compromised much. The handling of the F-sport is much superior then the 5 with sport package. Even your luxury version is a perfect balance of luxury and sport. No turbo lag anymore, yay. You will love it over time! Welcome to CF!
04-29-13, 06:42 AM
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04-29-13, 06:57 AM
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04-29-13, 08:08 AM
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Congrats looks good. Funny I went to the BMW dealership to check on my mothers car and had my car. I got so many looks and then one of the salesmen came up to me and said a guy just traded his F-Sport for an M5. I said well he probably wanted more power, next he's trying to get me to look at an M5 yeah way to much. Sorry had to tell that story.
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04-30-13, 05:42 AM
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loving the car so far, but i do miss the auto hold feature. where when i stop at a traffic light (or come to any complete stop) it'll automatically enable the parking brake, so i dont have to keep my foot on the brake.. i'm assuming this car doesnt have it?
04-30-13, 06:27 AM
#10
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Congrats looks good. Funny I went to the BMW dealership to check on my mothers car and had my car. I got so many looks and then one of the salesmen came up to me and said a guy just traded his F-Sport for an M5. I said well he probably wanted more power, next he's trying to get me to look at an M5 yeah way to much. Sorry had to tell that story.
04-30-13, 09:33 AM
#11
04-30-13, 01:55 PM
#13
I've not confirmed this feature on the GS, but, as far as I know, most current model Toyota's have this feature. I'd be very surprised if your GS didn't.
04-30-13, 02:07 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
While stopped, push down on the brake pedal firmly. Slightly before reaching the end of the pedal travel, you will hear a few beeps. Your brakes are now engaged until you touch the gas again.
I've not confirmed this feature on the GS, but, as far as I know, most current model Toyota's have this feature. I'd be very surprised if your GS didn't.
I've not confirmed this feature on the GS, but, as far as I know, most current model Toyota's have this feature. I'd be very surprised if your GS didn't.
