Ok I'm very confused on this matter...by next month my girl and I are getting a ct200... I've checked kbb and even plugged in the miles on the cars I've seen and they seem to be asking the suggested price and not private party price...I've even had my car broker look into them and at the auction they are 25k with under to around 20 k in miles...kbb had it at 24k so auctions are usually much cheaper but what gives? Are people just asking high to deal with low balling?

 

bump? any input

 

The general prices are high because there is little margins on these cars. Dealers are asking outrageous prices but there is room to haggle. Most 2012s with navi are going ~29k range (<10k miles)

 

You can negotiate. If that dealer will not, try another dealer. There will be more room on the 2012s. You can indeed negotiate down on the 2013s if you are going in hard core, but there is a limit when the car is in demand and inventories are low. Timing is important.

The asking price is always the starting point, and it you catch a dealer at the right time they will be more willing to work with you. You can also have them include other items in the price that they can more easily add for free or mark down. This is minor mostly, but can be important to some buyers.

Also use the CPO link at Lexus. I saw at least 5 great deals on pre-owneds go by when I was looking, but then I found a 2013 on the lot that I liked.


And never tell your salesman you love it, like my wife likes to do....

But since you are looking at auctions and using a broker, your ability to negotiate is limited. If you are concerned with a $1000 difference then just keep trying. You will get what you want with patience.

 

Definitely try a variety of dealers if you go the dealer route. I tried for a week to get the price I wanted from my local dealer. I finally gave up and called another dealer in the state. I was able to negotiate over the phone and got the price I wanted for a car with more options. I drove up to the dealer after work and got the car the same day. I was amazing how resistant one dealer was to work with me and the other dealer made the process a cake walk especially since I was clearly ready to buy a car. In my opinion my local dealer gave a sale away.

 

Did you try Costco? Depending on where you live, I heard it's around $500 over invoice.

 

I'm looking to spend no more then 25k with taxes...I don't know how possible that can be but kbb shows it at that price and auctions are around 25.5gs so I'm not sure if it can still happen...

 

What year were you looking for again? I highly doubt you will find that price on a 2013 at this time, but I wish you luck. You will have much better luck once the 2014s hit. But remember, if you are looking for a pre-owned, you have a lot of negotiating room. It is all about finding the right dealership, Lexus or not, at the right time. Keep looking around. I think you will have better luck looking for 2012s. Generally the asking price on the lower optioned cars is much closer to what you want to spend.

 

2011, I know 2012 will be much higher but 2011's are projected at being 23,800 used but so far seeing people selling them for much higher.

 

You should be able to find 2011s at that price, post negotiation. I see some already listed near that. Just go in and tell them you want it for less. They are out there:

$24,000 Private owner.

$24,995 Miles are a bit higher than you want.

$24,997 with nav at a Toyota dealer.

Carfax on that last one says it has been in their stock since at least 11/09/12:
11/08/2012 26,539 (miles) Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

If you are in SoCal go offer them a few thousand less as a starter. Tell them you know it has been in their inventory since November. Tell them that many people are waiting on the new model year, others are looking for 2012s and you have the money now. If the salesman is not wanting to make a deal, speak with the sales manager. If he is not, see if you can speak with the general manager. If they do not budge, walk away. Eventually you will find a dealer that will work with you.

 

Another thing to be wary of is the wrong pictures on the listed car. The Odo in the pics does not match the stated mileage, so those might be the wrong pics for car.

Man, that annoys me. Makes it seem like a bait and switch, but you can use that to your advantage.

Anyway, good luck. Hope you find something you like.

 

Ive only looked at autotrader and craiglist and nothing good around here, couple in Florida...are there other sites? Were in a point that if it doesn't work out we might look into a fully loaded mini cooper non S...

 

Alexbenz, I will be putting mine up for sale on here soon. Keep an eye out for it. 23k miles, like new condition.