I saw this really cool little IS300 at the Lexus Of Annapolis (Maryland) dealership last night. I went and test drove it and everything and I really liked it.

The car was two years old with 22,000 miles on it and they wanted $28,000 bucks. No Nav or anything, just a normal 2002 5 speed IS300. So I look at the brand new 2004 IS300's with 0 miles on them, and they are $30,000.

They were VERY FIRM on their prices. The salesman was like, "I don't understand why anybody would buy this car for 1500 dollars less than a brand new one, either."

 

I also noticed how overpriced most of the used IS 300s are around the tri-state area. Even more surprising are the ones with high mileage on them Maybe one part of the reason why these sedans retain most of their original value is the fact that they were introduced only 2 years ago (in 2001). If you wait like 3-5 years later, you'll see the prices start dropping down at about the same rate as the next-to-current SC and ES. Just my $.02.

 

Could also be because of the 5-speed. There aren't that many used sticks out on the market since it was introduced in a later model year.

 

Yes, and due to Murphy, the value of the car will not drop until the day AFTER I buy the car. Not one second before.

But I would still never buy a used car with 20k when a brand new one is sitting right next to it for a couple bucks more.

 

That's what my friend says too. He would rather pay 2K more and get a new one.

Ed