Can someone describe their special order experience? How "special" can you get? Were you still able to negotiate price?

Basically, I'd like a color combo that Lexus doesn't allow (white/black). Can I special order something like that? Thx.

 

Turned down a 2007 ES350 Ultra white / black at the local dealer in Wilkes Barre, PA last October. Does look nice esp with panoramic roof. Dealer can do a search for you and (a) swap cars with another dealer or (b) put his claim on one when it reaches the dock.

 

Hmm, so white/black does exist. Wonder why they don't send it to the West Coast.

 

I think that is called the Michael Jackson special edition,

 

I liked the metallic white / black ES350 but we had a metallic white / white interior 1999 Town Car and were tired of white.

 

We really like the metallic or pearly effect on the white in the Lexus (and a few other companies). We've had silver for 4 cars now so we're trying to get away from silver.

I wonder how far away dealers are willing to trade cars. Or if Lexus restricts them to dealing within their own region.

 

When we were looking for our SMG/Black UL, there wasn't one to be found at any of the dealers in the US (or so we were told) Our dealer was able to locate one on a ship that was on it's way over from Japan and secure it for us. Being able to get exactly what you want is well worth the wait.

 

Be prepared to wait 90-120 days for a special order. We ordered an 08 350 at the end of August and it is supposed to go to production this month. The boat ride will add another 4 weeks (so maybe by xmas). The others posts talked about intercepting a built vehicle coming on the boat which obviously cuts out the production wait. Technically, you should be able to get a better deal on a special order. Dealers pay interest on cars that sit on their lots. A special order costs them 0 in interest, so they make more money (pocket something called the Floorplan fee or WFR)

 

I disagree. So, lets say I wanted a silver car and only a black one was in stock, the dealer is going to charge me more for the black one? The dealer is going to discount the black one so I take delivery today. This is sales, they want to move metal today, not in 2 months.

If your theory was correct, no one would be buying from the in stock inventory and special order their cars to get a better deal. In most cases, the car in stock will be the better deal. This goes for special orders and DX'd units (dealer exchanges).

Floorplanning is a cost of doing business to the dealer and interest is not passed down to the customer on a per unit basis. So, you have 5 ES's in stock, equipped exactly the same. Do you think you are going to get 5 different quotes from the salesman based on how long the car has been on the ground?

 

The interest is indeed passed down to the customer in various ways but it all depends on when you are buying too. If an 08 isn't on the lot yet (in my case in August), they can't push an 08 from the lot and pocket the entire amount from someone who special orders. Dealers are reimbursed for the floorplan fee up to x many days on the lot, so you are not going to get different quotes. Most people don't special order for several reasons. They don't know you can, don't want to wait, assume the deal will cost more, don't do their homework (most people) and are willing to buy a bunch of prepackaged accessories that the dealers love them for. Without a doubt folks that special order have done their homework and can get exactly what they want and not pay a dime more for options they don't care about.

 

Are you talking about aftermarket? Because I do agree that some dealer groups do place a bunch of aftermarket items on all of their in stock cars, that can raise the price ( and are not needed ). I also agree that the MSRP and invoice price for an in stock car and an ordered car are the same. What I am trying to say is that you are going to negotiate a better deal if the car is in stock rather than ordering. Comparing apples to apples, same equipment (maybe just a different color), you are going to get a better deal on the in stock car.

Now, if there are none in stock (your example about the 08), that is a different story. There is no other way to get the car but to order. But, like my example above, if you have two similar equiped cars. Black is in stock and I want to order a silver one, I am going to get a better price on the black one in stock. Maybe $500 over invoice vs $800 over invoice for example.

I walked into Lexus looking for a PP+ with NAV in silver. They did not have one. I could have taken a silver car that was due in 6 weeks. However, they did have a silver UL in stock (on the showroom floor). I was able to get a better price over invoice on the UL silver than taking the PP+ silver that was due in 6 weeks because the dealer is looking at TODAY! How can they make a sale today? It worked! I love the UL package (not thrilled with the overall car), very glad I did it and my margin over invoice was a better deal because I bought that day and pulled the trigger. I had more leverage too. It was a win/win for everyone.

One side note: I do work in the industry. Not Lexus, but the auto industry in general.

 

It's all about what you know, what you want, and what they have to offer (Using what you want and what they don't have as leverage)

 

I just saw my 2nd choice color combo in real life tinted how I intend to do it. Looked amazing. I'm really going to have to debate whether or not special ordering will be worth it when I'm sure they have a bunch of my 2nd choice sitting on the lots and ready to move.