Purchase advice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 328
Likes: 177
From: SC
Purchase advice
About ready to buy a 2024 ES300h Luxury. Dealer offered a 5.3% discount, which included $997 in dealer add-ons (window tint, nitrogen in tires, door edge guards). They then added $500 IMF (SC sales tax?), $55 tag fee and $799 Dealer closing fee. This doesn't include paying the local personal property tax. The dealer closing fee seems high as there will be no financing, its strictly a cash purchase. Should I question the dealer closing fee or ask for a higher discount? I've heard of 7 to 9% discounts late in the model year. Car has most of what I want. I'll need to add a fast charging cord and will look into the dash cam.
Any input regarding purchase would be welcome. Thanks.
Any input regarding purchase would be welcome. Thanks.
Popular Reply
Jun 18, 2024, 01:35 PM
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 328
Likes: 177
From: SC
Just wanted to share an update concerning my journey towards purchasing a Lexus ES300h. With the advice shared in this thread, I finally pulled the trigger and have reserved a 2024 Luxury model. I had to jump to another dealer who wasn't very close, but who gave me a good discount, and eliminated all of the dealer add-on costs to make the sale possible. I'll pick-up my car next week and also get to visit a friend of 50 years. Car is a Luxury model with Technology package (including SmartAccess card key), preferred accessory package, Panoramic View Monitor, NR wheels, Power trunk, and premium paint (Eminent White Pearl). I love that I'm not paying for any dealer add-ons and am only getting stuck with a Dealer Admin fee. The only thing I'm a little annoyed at is the tires are Bridgestone and not Michelin. Pretty happy otherwise.
I was ready to buy an UL for over $3100 above this purchase, and decided we really didn't need the ML stereo and triple beam lights...plus dealer add-ons.
Having been a member of the GS350 forums for a while, I'm looking forward to spending more time here with my new ride.
Thanks for your input.
I was ready to buy an UL for over $3100 above this purchase, and decided we really didn't need the ML stereo and triple beam lights...plus dealer add-ons.
Having been a member of the GS350 forums for a while, I'm looking forward to spending more time here with my new ride.
Thanks for your input.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 573
From: PA
About ready to buy a 2024 ES300h Luxury. Dealer offered a 5.3% discount, which included $997 in dealer add-ons (window tint, nitrogen in tires, door edge guards). They then added $500 IMF (SC sales tax?), $55 tag fee and $799 Dealer closing fee. This doesn't include paying the local personal property tax. The dealer closing fee seems high as there will be no financing, its strictly a cash purchase. Should I question the dealer closing fee or ask for a higher discount? I've heard of 7 to 9% discounts late in the model year. Car has most of what I want. I'll need to add a fast charging cord and will look into the dash cam.
Any input regarding purchase would be welcome. Thanks.
Any input regarding purchase would be welcome. Thanks.
If you wait until new gen model is unveiled, you might get better discount but not necessarily the exact car you want.
There may be some room to negotiate further on the price of those dealer add-ons. High mark-up built into those.
All in all, deal seems reasonable if that’s the car you really want. Personally, I’m waiting to see what the Gen 8 looks like before I pull the trigger on a new Lexus to replace my 2021.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 977
Likes: 548
From: PR
About ready to buy a 2024 ES300h Luxury. Dealer offered a 5.3% discount, which included $997 in dealer add-ons (window tint, nitrogen in tires, door edge guards). They then added $500 IMF (SC sales tax?), $55 tag fee and $799 Dealer closing fee. This doesn't include paying the local personal property tax. The dealer closing fee seems high as there will be no financing, its strictly a cash purchase. Should I question the dealer closing fee or ask for a higher discount? I've heard of 7 to 9% discounts late in the model year. Car has most of what I want. I'll need to add a fast charging cord and will look into the dash cam.
Any input regarding purchase would be welcome. Thanks.
Any input regarding purchase would be welcome. Thanks.
Confused about that. The 300h is Gas-Hybrid not a Plug-in-Hybrid (PHEV). There's no charging port.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 328
Likes: 177
From: SC
Thanks for the replies.
Yeah, the discount is actually 7.2% but then they charge you for the dealer add-ons and it drops to 5.3%. I would never pay for nitrogen, and my past experience with dealer added window tint isn't positive. I think there is more on the table since this price/discount was my 1st discussion.
@subapr The fast charging cord is the $85 "Lexus Quick Charge cables, for your phone...a dealer accessory.
Yeah, the discount is actually 7.2% but then they charge you for the dealer add-ons and it drops to 5.3%. I would never pay for nitrogen, and my past experience with dealer added window tint isn't positive. I think there is more on the table since this price/discount was my 1st discussion.
@subapr The fast charging cord is the $85 "Lexus Quick Charge cables, for your phone...a dealer accessory.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,291
Likes: 1,583
From: SE PA
I've never heard of the "dealer closing fee". This sounds like it's similar to the $500.00 document fee they try to foist on you. I'd say "no I'm not paying that"... When I bought my car they tried the document fee on me and I refused to pay it so they took it off elsewhere. Can the nitro, tinted windows, charging cable, and edge guards unless you actually want them. And finally, WTH is an "IMF charge". Sounds like something out of a Tom Cruise movie... (Impossible Mission Force) 
Then ask the salesperson if they give you a free jar of Vaseline with the sale... 
Then ask the salesperson if they give you a free jar of Vaseline with the sale...
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 977
Likes: 548
From: PR
The 300h is really a nice car. Luxury trim also has acoustic (thicker) glass making the cabin even quieter. The MPG is great; and power in "Normal" or "Sport" mode is very good for a 4cyl engine.
Good luck with the deal!
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Driver
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 75
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Could you try to see if a financing option even with a high APR get you more discounts or freebies? Sometimes dealers get a % cut from the bank on financing and they will be more willing to add another incentives. Just make sure the finance institution does not have early payout penalties. Since you have the cash, you could payoff the loan during the first month.
Confused about that. The 300h is Gas-Hybrid not a Plug-in-Hybrid (PHEV). There's no charging port.
Confused about that. The 300h is Gas-Hybrid not a Plug-in-Hybrid (PHEV). There's no charging port.
Last edited by ConanTheLibrarian; Jun 7, 2024 at 12:01 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 101
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If true that is amazing. My state has uncapped 7% tax on all car sales + some extra local tax items that can add a couple hundred more.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 573
From: PA
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 328
Likes: 177
From: SC
South Carolina favors wealthy car buyers, and high end car sales companies. A few years back, the cap on new car sale tax was $300. If you bought a new Porsche 911, you paid the same amount as someone buying a new Kia. It appears they raised it to $500 max...most likely due to our roads being in really bad shape. Plus we don't have the terrible winter weather that destroys roads. Thank God Biden's infrastructure program is paying to repave most of the Interstate roads. Local main roads in Charleston are in bad condition due to heavy truck/port traffic, and poor state road maintenance support. I won't argue with paying $500 sales tax on a $50k+ car, but the car sales tax here surely isn't fair to the average car buyer. Maybe I should buy an LX600? Sales tax would be limited to $500. Quite comical.
Frankly, I'll be happy with a new ES300h. Just trying to get the best deal possible.
Thanks for your input.
Frankly, I'll be happy with a new ES300h. Just trying to get the best deal possible.
Thanks for your input.
Driver
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 63
From: CA
Ditto … I will never pay for “nitrogen” … and closing fees are pure BS and all dealer profit. We bought our ESh for $4,000 off MSRP ($3,000 dealer discount + $1,000 Lexus Military Discount). And to that was added sales tax, title and license.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 328
Likes: 177
From: SC
Hard to tell what's the truth. I suspect the Sales Team is last to really know.