When I bought my ES, the initial offers that I got from dealers were similarly in a range around $500 or less than Costco pricing, but, once I got multiple dealers competing with each other, the offers from those competing dealers were more in the range of $2000-2500 lower than Costco pricing.

As I explained in a previous post, the key to getting multiple dealers to be truly competing with each other is to do all of your negotiating via the internet (and phone) and not to set foot into a dealer to talk pricing until you have all of the details of the deal locked in, including the price of the new car, trade-in value, and any other charges. Until you walk into a dealership, you have maximum control over the process. The goal of the dealer is to get you into the dealership, and once you do that, you shift some of your control over the process to the dealer. During the time before you step into the dealership is when the dealer has the maximum motivation to make the most aggressive pricing offers.

 

I'm planning on buying a 2019 when they come out in the fall. I contacted my dealer - where I bought the 2013 - and asked if they still accept Costco Auto Buying Program. The salesman stated that they do but usually the price is lower without ANY auto buying program as they must reimburse the program when a sale is consummated. I was surprised but happy to hear that I could use my superior negotiating skills when I'm ready for the new 2019... JK, JK...

I actually plan to utilize the LESZ AUTO BUYING PROGRAM to buy the car and pay as little as I can... In any case, I wish you good luck with your search Dmaxdmax...

 

Where can I send the invoice for using the service?

 

I'll buy you a beer...

 

Dealer #4 is 18.6% off sticker on a hybrid ($5k from the dealer + $4 from Lexus). I think I found my car.

 

Sounds like a winner... GOOD LUCK!

 

True car is pretty darn helpful though, especially in the used car search

 

Electrons are cheap (and the cat's asleep on my lap) so I sent requests to 6 more dealerships, asking about specific models that match the one I've been quoted. All further away than I want to deal with but I can always play them off the closer guy(s).

Couldn't hurt.

 

A couple of dealers keep insisting that i come to the dealership and they will offer great discounts. They are refusing to give a quote via email. Do dealers generally not give quotes via email (a couple of other dealers did) ? will they give via phone.

Wondering how we eke out a quote from such dealers.

 

 

You want to look at the paperwork carefully and make sure that there are no high mark-up dealer installed options or other extra charges added into the deal. It is common practice with some dealers to add on such options and charges, and, when that happens, what might have started out looking like a great deal can end up being, in reality, a high-profit deal for the dealership. Similarly, if you have a trade in, you should make sure, before you go to the dealer, that the dealer is making you a fair and firm offer for that trade in.

 

 

The "wire the money" part makes me nervous... As Les states, examine the sales sheet line by line. Typical add-ons are engine additives, "special" wax, engraved VIN on the windows,
Scotchgard the carpets, nitrogen filled tires, (the air you're currently breathing is 78% nitrogen) and other stupid crap that just adds cost and profit for the dealer. I'd be extra careful with this transaction... Good Luck!

 

 

Better deal - 2018 w/Mark Levinson and Lux package - <41 out the door (before tax)