fulmitz

Mike which one did you test drive? They gave me the white/ecru that was on the lot. Also I mixed up numbers they offered $59,980 not $59,890 not much of a difference but just trying to be accurate. I was also informed that the 2003 would have Nav as standard and the total price of the car with wheel locks, trunk mat spoiler and runflats would up the price to about $1059 more than it is for sticker on 2002 models. Also right now the money factor is .00250 as opposed to .00300 for a lease. I worked up the numbers they gave me when got home yet no matter what I did my payments kept comming up as less. I don't know if I can trust this dealership, or else I just don't understand calculating leases. Then again, the financeing came up incorrect as well, but by $3 a month or somthing. Just trying to decide if any car is really worth $60,000 considering it will only deprciate.


Fulmitz

MikeP

I first test drove the white/ecru with the salesman, then asked if I could take one for about an hour. They gave me a silver/ecru for the extended test drive since I had told them that would be my color choice. I have previously bought 3 Lexus from that dealer and, like all dealers, it takes patience to negotiate the best price. I still think the '03 would be a better deal with the small savings they were offering on the '02, especially if you plan to keep it 3 years or less. For $60K, I would absolutely have to be "in luv" with everything about the car. The ride is too iffy for me at this point, although "luv" acurately describes my feelings about everything else. I will probably take another look when the '03's start arriving. Good luck with your decision.

Mike

tfischer

"Just trying to decide if any car is really worth $60,000 considering it will only deprciate."

But all new cars deprciate, but the Lexus far less than most others.

To avoid that, you need to buy a used one, which is what I did with my SC400 about two years after its introduction. It looks to me, however, that used SC430s are not being offered yet at much of a discount.

When we hit the two year mark (April 03) and some cars start to come off of 2 year leases, there may be a jump in the volume of used ones on the lot. That's the time the smart buyers will make their move.

. . . and I don't pass these tips on to just anyone.

fulmitz

Mike, when you drove the white, and it may be hard to remember, but did you notice a difference between that and the silver in terms of ride? Also I noticed the white/ecru was pulling to the left if I held the wheel straight.

Fulmitz

MikeP

Actually, I didn't drive the white one enough to make a valid comparison. I did not notice it pulling to the right. In fact, the only time the ride harshness became an issue was when I drove over familiar streets in the Lakeview area with the silver one.

Mike

fulmitz

I went back tonight and my wife drove the Black/Saddle. It seemed to have a much better ride. Maybe the white needed the new Bushings and the black was already upgraded. All my work stuff fit in the trunk so I may be considering the SC430 after all. I really do love the luxury!

Fulmitz

alfa2600

Fulmitz, I would not use the expression "shimmied" for the steering but I agree that it is jerky when the road surface is irregular, my SC430 is now up to 16000 miles and that is my main objection to it. The rear bushings were updated 1000 miles ago, the ride improved a lot, the steering only slightly. Supposedly with ordinary not runflat tires the steering is good, this is per Neil Reiff on this forum, he is practically the only one of us who do not have run flats, on the other hand he has not driven a runflat car so has no standard of comparison.

ceboyd

I just noticed that the website is updated now to show that all 2003 models have NAV as part of the base price. The only options are run flats, spoiler and Lexus Link. With run flats and spoiler, the price is $63,440.00


... base (no runflat and no spoiler) the price is $62,025.00 (+ add $575 destination fee)


so it isn't all that much more than I paid for mine.... it appears to be about $2K more than my 2002 with the same options!