redrocks

I wanted to share my sales experience at Lexus of Richmond on the purchase of my 06 GX470 ($33,995 (listed $38,995) Blizzard Pearl, ML, BT, Backup cam, NAV, Rear DVD Player, new headphones, new floor mats & cargo net). The Pre-owned Sales Manager, Shawn Gusti, was just great! Shawn was very professional and was willing to work with me on making this deal happen. A key point in the sale was my trade-in (05 RX330 Thundercloud Edition), in which I was looking to get the best $$ for it. I had been working with about 9 other Lexus dealers from NJ to DE to MD to VA. I got various numbers and excuses about giving me what the “auction” value of my RX would be. So I received offers of $17000 - $19500 for my current Lexus CPO 05 RX330 Thundercloud Edition with less than 45000 miles on it. Hell, CarMax even offered $20000 and yet I had these Lexus dealers offering less than CarMax. Shawn Gusti, at Richmond, gave me $21,800 for my trade-in. Lexus of Richmond didn’t re-certify the RX330, but had no trouble selling it in less than a week after I traded it in.

The following day after my purchased, I noticed there were really bad scratches on the roof of the GX. These scratches were not noticeable from the ground level. I emailed Shawn and he said no problem, he would take care of it. We set up an appointment to drop off my GX and Lexus of Richmond provided me with a loaner. A week later, I picked up my GX and the body work looks great. Lexus of Richmond filled the gas tank and updated the NAV DVD (v 9.1, the vehicle had v 5.1), free of charge.

My sales experience at Lexus of Richmond was great! Without a doubt, it was one of the best car buying experiences in my 30 years of car ownership. I live about 2.5 hours away from Richmond and it has been well worth the time and efforts. I would encourage those who live in the VA/MD area to give Lexus of Richmond a shot. BTW, don’t go by the list price on their website, just negotiate and work with the sales team. Many thanks to Sherrill and Casey on the Internet Sales Team for answering my questions and getting things coordinated with the Sales Team. Shawn was also got a 4.1% finance rate when other Lexus dealers were telling me the best Lexus rate was 5.9% through Lexus Financial.

Thank you to the members of Club Lexus for all the valuable inputs on the GX. I loved my RX330 Thundercloud Edition, but now, I’m loving my Blizzard Pearl GX470! I’ve already installed a Class IV hitch from Sewell (installed by U-haul for $30, not $400 being charged at Lexus dealer) and replaced my running board lights with LEDs from V-LEDS. I think I have the clunk issue so I’ll have to take to local Lexus dealership to check.

cobra2top

Congrats on the purchase. You are going to really like the GX. How many miles are on it?

redrocks

Thank you, it had about 43,500 when I purchased it last month.

sphy1005

iTrader: (3)

Thats great! Glad you are liking the GX and thats how a dealer should be.

Lexus 4 ME

You will love your GX? Did they paint entire roof?

redrocks

Don't know if the entire roof was done. The scratches were located both in front of the sunroof and behind the sunroof towards the middle. The paint job looks good and the paint flow evenly. The Lexus of Richmond body shop has a limited lifetime warranty on their work.

Lexus 4 ME

How did you like your RX? After I had loaner one time, 2008 Lexus RX. I really enjoyed that car. The only thing I didnt like its FWD. I even thought at one point to get new Lexus RX 350.

redrocks

The RX was great. Doesn't bounce around like the GX but that's probably due to difference in car-based vs truck-based platforms. I had AWD on the RX which worked great in the snow. Easier to zoom in and out of traffic/lanes. With the GX, I just relax and go with the flow! No need to rush!

Lexus 4 ME

I love everything about my GX great reliable SUV. Great towing, great off road vehicle, perfect if you have kids (we do) very comfortable, but MPG is killing me. I try everything the most I got was 14 MPG.

redrocks

LOL Yeah, the MPG is a killer!

redrocks

GX's don't have headlight washers? Interesting, I had them on the RX.

Lexus 4 ME

And no Xenon

redrocks

Or Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) where headlight turn in the direction that the steering wheel is turned.

Lexus 4 ME

It's funny that RX cost much less (probably 10k) less when you compare new vehicles, but have more options.

redrocks

That is funny. The armrest/cupholder, in the rear seat, is much nicer in the RX. Also, my wife's 2002 Honda Odyssey has power tilt out windows in the third row seats, whereas the GX has a manual latch?

Amazing how a $50K+ vehicle could be missing features found in lower priced vehicles. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.