Hi all,

My dealer up here in Boston wants to buy my 2018 ES back for 30K, I originally bought it back in 2019 for 27.5 k it has 18K miles on it. Would you do it and move up to a 2020 or 2021? I'm on the fence....

Thanks,
fdiphill
Boston

 

What options/packages does your ES have?

While it seems nice that you are being offered a good price to trade back your ES, the bad thing with today's market is that, if you need to replace the car, you aren't likely to get much, if any, discount when you buy a new vehicle. With the way that the market is now, many people are, depending on the car model and their location, paying a premium above MSRP, instead of getting a discount.

In the last week, I sold my 2017 UL ES350 for $5000 more than I could have sold if for just a few months ago, but, for me, the ES was an "extra" car, and I don't plan to replace it. Had I needed to buy another car to replace the ES, I'm not sure whether I would have decided to sell the ES now.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...to-the-es.html

 

What does a new ES cost these days?

That's the "rub", sort of like property prices are insane right now in my area, but where do I move if I cash out? I'll have to overpay for a replacement in the same area, so I don't really "make" any money doing this.

I don't think all of this inflation is transitory, its in too many sectors and places right now. I was at Home Depot a few days ago, $92 for a sheet of plywood. Not exaggerating.

 

Is the dealer offering that price for just your car alone or as a trade-in on a new one? What is it's current Kelly Blue Book value? Caveat emptor. I'm sure the value now of used cars are tempting a lot of folks to consider selling. The new LS prices start at only $76K. Only. What are they're getting for new cars now, on top of that? I guess the current inflation problem will take a while to calm. Along with new auto inventory increasing. That's got to better than another recession, or owning a car that's a worthless piece of junk? Let us know. Good fortune.

 

The issue seems to be that, due to a shortage of computor chips, there is an increasing shortage of new cars. So you sell your used car…what do you replace it with? A bicycle? Sorry, there’s a shortage of them too!

 

Used car prices are soaring, maybe that's why you are seeing these "offers." Be wary and do your own math. If it is good to be true, then it is not. Anyway good luck to you!