UTGS400

I personally think that Austin is one of the worst places to buy a Lexus. That is hard for me to say considering I bought my lexus there, and my family has bought about 5 more vehicles from them. Over the years, the quality of service has slowly decreased and they don't negotiate too much on the price of new vehicles. I would recommend another larger dealer.

Mickeyc001

There can be a very large difference between dealerships..even the ones that are just 20 miles apart. For Example, when I wanted to trade in my 1992 ES300 to purchase a new one in 2000, Park Place offered me $3000 for my car w/ a $1000 discount on a new one. Well, it does not take a genius to know how stupid it would had been to take that offer. So I then went to Sewell Lexus. They immediately offered me $8000 for my 1992 and discounted their new ES300 $4000!!!! Sometimes it's a timing thing. Sometimes it's just the dealer.

You asked where to buy in Texas. If you are willing to drive to Dallas for your car, I would highly recommend Sewell Lexus of Dallas. It is absolutely impossible to be treated badly. These guys are held to a very high standard and totally believe the Japanese philosphy of good service. Also, it does not hurt that they are located just a few miles from Highland Park...the very richest sub in all of Texas!!!!!!

Niloy63

I always thought that "The Dominion," in San Antonio was the richest suburb in TX.

Mickeyc001

Ok, maybe I'm out of line. Let's just say that Highland Park is one of the richest cities in Texas. And the people are very warm and friendly, as well.

Jayson

Wasn't Sewell Lexus in the book, "History of Lexus?" I would almost be willing to bet that Longo (or was it Penske) and Sewell were one of the few who were granted early rights to buy into the Lexus dealership circle. Because of this it would stand to reason that they probably have more buying power with Lexus North America, would you agree? They can then pass this on to us, the end consumer.

I, too, have heard that Lexus of Austin is a bit rough on the sales floor. Their CPO department ticked my wife and I off last year when we were patiently waiting for a GS300 SportDesign to return from a test drive, so that we could also take it out. A frantic salesperson hopped in the car 5 feet from us and was about to give the keys to his customers when the lady who rides along on the drive told him to hold himself back and to let us drive it first. The guy came and apologized later on, but it was too late. We were so irritated that we went to Houston and bought a GS430 instead! The service department is a different story. They are fantastic and I cannot say enough about that team.

Have any of you driven by Lexus of Austin and seen how many CPO LX470s are on the lot? I counted 7 of them about two weeks ago. I have never seen so many at that dealership in my life!

rotoryfan

I will be moving to TX next month....

If I understand correctly the sales tax in TX is 7.5 % (or so). Does Lexus adjust their prices according to local sales taxes or median income, etc.?

Or does MSRP/sale price seem to be the same everywhere?

(The sales tax where I live (near D.C.) is 5 %)

Thanks in advance

dennis250

The sales tax in Houston is 8% but for cars I believe it's about 6%.

Lexus3oi

the sales tax in Houston (Harris County) is 8.25%

i don't know if it's any different for new cars

rotoryfan

"i don't know if it's any different for new cars"

Actually, just wondering if Lexus had "softer" prices (i.e. quicker to come down from MSRP) when other local costs - ie sales taxes - are higher in some areas. Just to keep comparable "prices paid" across the country.

(no, I did not expect a different sales tax for new, vs used, cars.

At least in TX, I understand if you trade in a car on a new car - you only pay taxes on the difference in value. Not the entire new car price - like the tax hungry, rip-off state of MARYLAND, where they add a bogus taxes any chance they get - and then waste the money... Sorry for the MD tax rant!)

Mickeyc001

i just purchased my IS350 last week. The credit union collected the State taxes from me at a rate of .0625%.

Lexus3oi

i wasn't being sarcastic...i thought i had heard once that the sales tax for new cars might be lower than the regular sales tax

Lexus3oi

well, there you go