I'm interested in buying ES 350 base model without any package or options. Dealers around here tell me that almost everyone gets some package/options. No one buys just the base model. He is offering me a 2023 model with 6% below MSRP that is loaded with packages and options.

Is it possible to order just base ES 350 with a dealer? I'm not in a hurry and don't need any financing. What kind of discount from MSRP I should get for the base model? I'm in the northern part of NJ.
TIA

 

Don't know if you can customer order but start with 10% off MSRP for cars in inventory.

 

2024 model years are in the pipeline now so there isn't going to be any configuration flexibility for any 2023 model years for sale.

As to "Noone buys just the base model" that looks to me to be nothing more than your local dealers stacking the deck with only having more expensive model configurations on hand (or in the order pipeline) so the non-sophisticated buyer will "settle" for a more expensive vehicle than the buyer really wanted.

In contrast to your local dealers' offerings, my local dealer's 2024 ES listing shows 6 out of a total of 22 (most listed as in transit) as bare bones base model ESs. While the base model offerings aren't strictly option/package free, the option/package add-on are mostly in the lower cost, more or less desirable stuff like floor, trunk mat protection package and door edge guard add-ons.

 

What you would be looking for is a special order because even though Lexus.com makes you think you are building your perfect car, in reality its primarily a vehicle finder that searches for inventory that is similar to the car you've built. It also leads you to believe that you could build or at least find a purely base model because it does give the ability to select a barebones purely base model as a build option. However, in reality, it would be a rarity to ever find a purely base model without any options or packages. Likely the only way to ever get a purely base ES 350 is to complete a special order. Unfortunately, special ordering was put on hold towards the end of 2021. I do not know if the halt to special ordering has been lifted as I have not touched base with my Lexus contact for a while now.

I assume you meant a custom order but Lexus doesn't allow custom orders. They do allow for special orders which is actually different even though it seems like semantics. Again, I am not sure if special ordering has been opened back up. To clarify, a custom order would be an order that requests a feature, option, or package combination that isn't offered for a particular trim. For example, ordering an Ultra Luxury with no wireless charger or HUD., ordering a Luxury with rear window side shades, or ordering a base or premium with 14-way semi-aniline seats.

While using the phrase "Noone buys just the base model" is likely a sales tactic and would personally put me off of that salesperson, the assumption that the dealer is stacking the deck, so to speak, isn't an accurate sentiment. Car dealers may attempt to convince you to purchase pricier vehicles, however, It may come as a surprise, that they actually have less control over their allocated inventory than you might think.

To understand the Toyota/Lexus approach to sales and operations planning, an understanding of which entity in the supply chain submits the vehicle order is necessary. Simply put, it is not the dealers. At Toyota/Lexus, the regional offices submit vehicle orders. Toyota uses a monthly allocation process, while Lexus allocates to dealers based on a quarterly sales plan. Regional offices submit orders to allocate the vehicles planned for production to each dealer. This approach can be described as top-down. Many other automobile companies create production plans from the bottom up; that is, they collect the orders submitted by dealers and then create a production plan.

When dealers receive their allocation of vehicles, the type of vehicle specifications that they desire—or do not desire—are matched to the dealer specifications that the region allocates. In order to achieve this, dealers can maintain an allocation preference database that describes their preferences. For example, dealers in Arizona may not want dark colors, and dealers in northern cities may want cold weather kits.

After receiving their allocation, dealers have a few days to accept the vehicles. However, if there are reasons why dealers do not want some vehicles, they may turn down specific units. These units will then be placed in a supplemental pool and offered to other dealers. In the event that there is a surplus of some models due to slow sales, the region may offer dealers a financial incentive to take these slow-selling vehicles.

Once dealers accept the vehicles, they appear in a pipeline inventory report.

 

I routinely drive through my nearby Lexus dealer's lot just to see what is (or used to be) available and believe I have only seen one truly base model. And I'm not sure that ar didn't even have cloth seats which I don't even think they offer anymore.

And that car remained on the lot for some time.

Dave Mac

 

I got a base 2023 ES300h in December but it did have Premium package and a few grand in other options. Got it at MSRP with zero dealer add ons something like 48,300 USD I think it was. Never saw one in inventory when I was looking that didn’t have at least a few thousand in options. Every single base ES in Texas had sunroof and BSM for example, and most had Premium package.

 

Manufacturers and especially dealers do not like base model cars, especially a truly zero option vehicle for two reasons: the biggest is that options represent money and a bigger return on each vehicle; the second is that, yes, it's true, no one buys base models. Ok, practically no one, but you get the point. Unless it were a special order, dealers don't want a stripper sitting around for months on the lot as that costs them money after about 2-3 months as they buy cars on credit and the interest will start to mount. One possible additional consideration is the type of car. Shoppers who traditionally want a base car are shopping Nissan or Kia, often not just because of how much money they have but bad credit that can go along with that. Dealers in premium models usually cater to people with more money to spend, better credit and higher expectations for onboard equipment. There are a few, shall we say "lightly" equipped units, like base plus perhaps one package; that also gives the dealer some wiggle room in negotiating the price - but few and far between.

In short, good luck funding a truly stripped down ES.

 

“No one buys base models”

yet here we have OP wanting one, and I did too. just Because you hear a saying doesn’t make it true.

”Shoppers who traditionally want a base car are shopping Nissan or Kia, often not just because of how much money they have but bad credit that can go along with that”

i paid cash for my es300h last December and paid $25,000 down payment for my wife’s is350 FS. Have excellent credit. I’ve never owned a Nissan or Kia.

“There are a few, shall we say "lightly" equipped units, like base plus perhaps one package; that also gives the dealer some wiggle room in negotiating the price - but few and far between.”

how does this even make sense? You think a dealer doesn’t have room to negotiate on a 43k car but does have room on a 48k car he paid more for?!

 

Nor does the exception make the rule. Yes, there is always someone who wants a base model, but as a percentage of the whole it must be a pretty small number, hence the colloquial "no one". Common parlance that doesn't negate the underlying reality.

 

Then just say “very few people” or “almost no one” instead of no one because even here in this tiny corner of the internet there are already two people who announced they buck the supposed trend. “No one” means not even one person.

Anyhow I doubt it’s even true that almost no one wants a base model. I’ve sought one before, I know others who have, and obviously OP falls into that group also. I imagine it’s the dealers and manufacturers mostly who conspire to load up cars being put on dealer lots especially when demand is high.

People on car forums can be prone to exaggerate. On a BMW forum years ago people were leaning into group think that “almost all BMW owners buy new instead of used” which is ridiculous when you think about it, a car can be sold new only once but sold used many times so it’s obviously not true yet since they fell into that group they assumed how they acted was nearly universal.

 

I try to avoid using absolute language in message boards due to the potential for misinterpretation and the diverse range of opinions present. The recent discussion on this board is a prime example of how using such language can derail a conversation. While I understand that the original poster was simply quoting a salesman's exaggeration, I tend to question the credibility of those who use absolute language without a hint of humor or sarcasm. This type of language can lead to unintended consequences, such as diverting attention from the main topic or creating doubts about the speaker's credibility, even when the intent was not meant to be divisive. Anytime comments or opinions leave no room for flexibility or even a single exception; it can cause friction, and, worst case, it can potentially offend the reader, even when that wasn't the intent. Some are habitual offenders, and some use it as a verbal crutch to express hyperbole. This rant isn't directed at any specific individual but merely an observation where the OP's topic went off the rails, likely due to certain statements that caused defensive reactions from some individuals. They felt compelled to defend their choices so as not to be marginalized or viewed as restricted in their choices and were determined to demonstrate that they were not constrained in any way. And I understand that! It's easy to react impulsively in those situations. During online discussions, it's common for certain statements to trigger defensive reactions among participants and cause the conversation to veer off course. However, staying focused and keeping the conversation on track is crucial, even when defensive reactions arise.

Looking at things in a similar light but with a slightly different choice of words could potentially steer this discussion in another direction. For example:

"It is not uncommon for manufacturers and dealers to be less enthusiastic about base model cars, particularly those with minimal options. This is primarily due to the fact that options generate additional revenue and a higher return on each vehicle. Additionally, it is generally understood that very few buyers opt for base models, save for special orders. As a result, dealers are reluctant to keep these vehicles in inventory for extended periods, as the cost of financing and interest accrual can become prohibitive after a few months. It should be noted that the type of vehicle may also play a role in this equation. Shoppers who tend to prefer base models are often in the market for economy cars from brands like Nissan or Kia and may have more limited budgets or credit concerns. Conversely, dealers specializing in premium vehicles typically cater to customers with greater financial resources, better credit ratings, and higher expectations for vehicle amenities. While there may be a few models that are lightly equipped, such as those with one additional package, these are relatively rare and offer some room for negotiation on price."

It's important to be mindful of the way we communicate with others to ensure productive, civil conversations. While I don't want to come across as preachy or condescending, I think it's worth reflecting on our words and tone. When attempting to persuade or influence others, it's important to convey an accurate depiction of reality. Rarely are situations cut and dried, so taking a nuanced approach is crucial. With that said, I'll step down from my soapbox and put away the chalkboard. 😀

 

Duplicate Post

 

Excellent points and i probably derailed a lot myself. Apologies!

Intereting related anecdote tk the actual subject, wife wanted maybe an RX earlier this year (she ended up getting an IS) I was following inventory online across my state and a dealer in Austin had two RXs I’d never yet seen in inventory: base models and only option on each was the automatic foot opening rear hatch. I called and the sales guy at first was surprised “are you sure you saw those online” and put me on hold, turns out they were special production units for some sort of sports thing like Olympics or World Cup. In other words, the dealership was as otherwise only getting RXs with a lot of options. He apologized, and they disappeared from the dealership website in minutes and what they were getting was whatever was allocated to them not any special orders.

 

I saw what appeared to be a base model at the local dealer near me. Msrp around $48k and advertised $2k discount so just think what you could buy that one for tomorrow.

 

I've been looking at used models and have not come across any truly base models. There were a lot of base models, but they all had heated/ventilated seats and the memory system which I think means they have the Premium Package (but all were advertised as base models and the 'Premium Package' was not mentioned so a bit confusing).