bjoraker

We are able to get about invoice on a 2009 RX 350 Pebble Beach or non Pebble Beach. Is this a limited model year as it was only introduced a few months ago and the 2010 will be introduced in Feb? Is it really just a rebadged 2008 with no changes as has been suggested to me by some? Should I suck it up and nearly pay full price for a 2010 because it is new gen?

Any ideas as my wife and I struggle with this decision?

tfischer

My guess is that the '09 is different from (not "different than") the '08 in a few technical areas such as nav, audio, bluetooth, etc. My recollection is that the engine and transmission are the same. Your best bet would be to check the brochures (posted here online) and review the specs to see what the differences are, if any.
With the '10s coming out soon, and car sales in the crapper nationwide, the dealers will be discounting everything on the lot soon to get rid of the '08s and '09s, as they are substantially different from the '10s; if I were in the market, I would consider waiting until late Jan or Feb, as I would expect '09 prices to fall precipitously, although the selection of available vehicles (favorite color - do you need NAV) gets smaller with the passage of time.
On the other hand, the RX always makes a nice Christmas gift.

rklages

I bought an 09 but was looking at an 08 also early in the year - only difference I could find was the NAV - the 08 sill had the I Agree button, the 09 just has the pause, but I think that may just be the 6.1 vs 7.1 DVD possibly as they both have Gen 5 Navigation, other than that, there where no differences except the availabily of the Pebble Beach colors.

ecount00

correct. the nav is no different other than 1 year newer dvd depending on production timing. the newer dvd eliminates the i agree.

tfischer

Is there a list of exterior colors for the '10 yet?
Thanks.

CDNROCKIES

Quote:
Originally Posted by soc7
Any word on exterior/interior colors yet?

I'm holding in my hand a copy of the "Vehicle Ordering Guide" directly from my dealer and it lists the colors as follows:

Deleted Exterior Colors:

Crystal White Pearl
Classic Silver Metallic
Copper Brown Mica
Bamboo Pearl

Added Exterior Colors:

Starfire Pearl
Tungsten Pearl
Truffle Mica
Breakwater Blue Metallic
Cerulean Blue Metallic


Deleted Interior Colors:

Ivory

Added Interior Colors:

Parchment

lucasb7

If you have the money, I would wait and suck up the invoice price. Right now you would be buying a car that although it tried and tested has technology introduced in 2004 with only minor changes. The 2010 will provide many new improvements and technology that is sure to hold up it's resale value. Another thing to mention is the resale hit the 2009 will take with the 2010s out, though this is slightly improved by the lowered price.

RhoXS

Last week we opted to buy a 2009 RX350. Lexus has a $2500 cash rebate to dealers through January 5, 2009. We found that the dealers are giving most if not all of it away to move cars off their lots. It should not be hard to find a 2009 at $2K or more below invoice.

CDNROCKIES

We're really torn on this...lol. Our current lease is about to expire and we can't decide between the '09 vs. '10 either. (We are also considering the ML320 Bluetec and the X6).

We definitely want to see the '10 in person like many others on CL. Our feeling right now, is that with the economy slowed to almost a halt, and the true stimulus efforts not having enough impact right now, there will still be plenty of '09's available in a couple of months when the '10's finally appear. We're hoping that we will either have the choice to spend a little more on the new model or catch an even better, smoking deal on an '09 that they are desperate to get rid of.

kalvano

There will probably be a few 2009's left by February, but color and options will be very limited. Lexus is pushing hard to get rid of the 2009's.

I would wait for the 2010 just because of several of the new features, but you also have to look at paying significantly more. If you like the current RX, then don't worry about the 2010, but if you want SmartKey, ventilated seats, the new interior, etc., then just wait a bit.

bjoraker

Well, we bit and bought a 2009 Pebble Beach Truffle Mica which my wife really liked. Very smooth and refined. Both of us feel that it is a more refined, powerful and quiet drive than the 330 or 350 we test drove a few years ago.

Scottydog

The current 09 cars are going for 2500 under invoice. The difference you will pay for the 2010 model is likely to be close to $7500. If it's worth it to you to have the new technology go for it, otherwise buy now. The drop in resale for the 09s will be more, but only if you trade in in the next 2-3 years. If you keep the car longer it won't matter.