The caveat to using metasearch sites will be that it's quite likely most of the vehicles will be pre-sold, especially the more popular models. It can give you some direction and help guide you on which dealerships to contact but that is really going to be the only way to find out if they have the models you are looking for. Even looking at a dealer's actual website is no guarantee that what you are viewing isn't actually already pre-sold as well. You can always inquire if they have any incoming models not listed. Keep in mind that many dealers do not directly manage their own sites. So there can be delays for updates to their inventory.

 

If I have a particular trim and color in mind, can they order one for me? If yes, does that diminish any bargaining leverage I may have?

 

Bargaining leverage these days is an oxymoron. It also reminds me of a time when I was younger. I asked my mother what options I had for dinner. She told me I had 2 choices....Take it or leave it! That's about what your choices are these days on most models.

There is currently no special ordering available. I've posted on this extensively if you do a search on my name or ordering in general. The dealers would need to have a model in their pipeline to even consider an options change/alteration. It's likely they wouldn't get it through anyway. Every dealer has a build-list profile or template for each of the vehicles that are allocated to them. Production is still backlogged. That coupled with every other issue plaguing most of the industry and it's just harder and harder to get anything the way we want it. My advice is either wait or manage expectations and go with something that is closest to being acceptable. It will likely be this way for a while longer.

 

​​​​​​You mean Mom didn't present you with the roadside diner menu?😂😂 Love that take it or leave it!

 

Nope, just the Lexus prix fixe menu..... Well, you know the choices!

 

I had a 2020 F sport. Had is the key word. I bought it thinking it would be sporty and very smooth. I found it to be neither. Didn't like the ride in any setting. After multiple attempts at wheel balancing/ rotation/alignment. I stopped short of replacing the tires (only had 14k miles)
Wound up trading towards a new 2022 ES F sport hybrid (love the F look)....much better ride, and believe it or not the "power" feels only slightly less during everyday driving.
my 2 cents

 

Wheel balancing is tempermental on any low profile tire. Just make sure they use road force equipment and it will be perfect. The traditional spin balance is not good enough in many cases. My car at 80mph is silky smooth, not even the slightest vibration in the steering wheel.

 

Another reason not to want them on any car I have.

 

BORING APPROACH They look and feel so good!