sbrown02

I'm close to pulling the trigger on a GS350, but the dealers I've talked to so far here in the midwest are telling me you can't get ML in the AWD model, unless it's special ordered (i.e., 3 mo delivery time). One dealer even said you can't special order it, you just have to wait until they make one and hope the dealer can get it on allocation, while another dealer said I could special order it.

Where's the truth in all of this?

Thanks

LexusChris

iTrader: (1)

I know about a situation for the RX 330\350 models in the NYC area, if you get nav = no ML must be special ordered must be the same situation in the midwest for the GS. I'd recommending calling Lexus directly and see what they can do. Because in my situation I believe the dealer just wanted me to get one with navi w\o ML off their inventory.

HeartDoc

No significant problem getting ML on AWD here on east coast. I have been to several dealers who have AWD w ML/Nav on the lot.

RandalR

I wonder why so many dealers BS people just to try to sell what they have on the lot. Lexus used to have a reputation for being above such things.

GreatSmile

You should not have problem getting one. They just want to get rid off what they have in the lot

Franknyc30

If it's that important to you do some research on the east coast. Make a deal on what you want and make a road trip out of it and drive the car home. I'm sure the couple of extra miles will not hurt the car. Good Luck!

Funky

They do exist in the upper midwest, they are just rare. Plaza Motors in STL did have ONE, but it was already spoken for with a deposit, but they will often bait and switch you into saying "the stereo the non-MLs have is just as good." I saw one AWD in Tulsa (lower midwest) which was already spoken for when I got my RWD with ML.

My best advice is take a page like this from Google Maps:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...6&om=1&iwloc=A

Open another browser window or tab with the Lexus dealers page here:

http://www.lexus.com/dealers/

and start putting the dealers zip code into the "Build Your GS" page to see if what your closer dealers are that can order AWD and ML. Then simply email them from the Lexus page so they have to contact you otherwise they get poor feedback to Lexus.

I did this on a Tuesday evening and had my car by Saturday and couldn't be happier. I gave two dealers poor feedback as they waited four days to contact me. I sent emails to a total of 9 dealers.

Also because one of the sales people's inbox was full I got the following message which is encouraging:

This lead may only be used by you to promote Lexus products and services. Any other use of this information is strictly prohibited.

Because of the federal Do Not Call requirements, each lead with a phone number has an expiration date 31 days after its receipt by Lexus. It is your responsibility for ensuring that your use of this information complies, at all times, with all applicable federal and state laws.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

In my (limited) experience it's been this way at least since 98 when I bought my first Lexus! Can't blame a salesperson really, they have incentives to sell what's on the lot and want to take care of their families. Human nature really.

RandalR

Well, the salesperson I worked with when I bought my GS350 last month was perfectly willing to order me the color combo I wanted. He called around to other dealers in the area and showed me the allocation sheet listing how many of that type were available in CA. He didn't make up some story about ordering from the factory just to get me to accept a color combo he had on the lot that I didn't want. So it isn't quite a universal thing, and his service level is what I think one should expect from a Lexus dealer. Now BS stories - I can get those at any Chevy dealership in the USA.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

You're right, they're not all bad... when I bought my GS400 I had to go to a dealer 100 miles away and the sales guy was awesome. He made ONE phonecall to find out if anything was on the boat matching what I wanted and he found it, they allocated it to him and I got it a couple of weeks later. Why the LOCAL dealers I asked in Atlanta couldn't have done that is beyond me, except they had it too easy with sales.

kissbang

That's BS. When buying my car, my salesperson got me exactly what I wanted. It wasn't available on the lot and had to shipped from the port, but he gave me no BS about it.