metropol

Folks,
Wanted to know experiences with special ordering a lexus: prices, process, etc.

Problem: SP car is the only one that comes standard with KDSS -- but I hate the polished metal/black wood interior -- kind of cheapens the car for me.
Solution: special order a "regular" truck with KDSS -- can be done according to Lexus and multiple dealerships.
But... the dealer wants to have me sign for a 'sticker' price and the wait is quoted at 3-6months.

Maybe my request is unusual, but then again, I was one of the first to report on the now famous 'clunk/thump'

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Metropol, I thought you bought the GX already

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=149597

KDSS only comes with the sports package.
So by the "special order", they wanted you to pay the sticker price just to get the kdss without the other options?

Wow, I wouldn't mind trading my regular wood trims with your blackwood and you wouldn't have to wait or pay for that sticker price. Are you interested?

AgentWD-40

From what I have heard of doing special orders you do tend to loose your ability to negoiate on price. Why don't you contact some of the internet/fleet sales people and see if they can do a special order and get you a better deal. Typically they are more helpful and will give you a no BS, up front price over the phone or via email.

The first thing they should offer is to check other dealer inventory and look. I wouldn't be surprised if the non-sp KDSS setup is pretty rare though, perhaps special order only.

You might also want to search for dealers (and sales people) that other people have had good experiences with too see how they can help you.

stl2chi

Metropol

I too hated the black trim (interior and exterior) on the SP GX (plus I had no need for the RSES).... Thus in December 2004, I ordered a 2005 meridan blue with the normal tan interior and normal wood trim. I then ordered kdss, 6k tow package, ml, clear front end overlay for bugs and rocks, chrome tips, rear spoiler and third row.

Basically, we got everything we wanted... without the extras. But, after contacting several local dealership and getting a number of stories and different prices... We went out of state (WI). All of the ILL dealers wanted non-refundable deposits of $500 to $5000 Our dealer did the deal for $500 down - refundable.

I was able to negotiate a deal. I have seen others that appear to have gotten a little better deal, but as I said, we got what we wanted and we were very early in the model year. (they weren't released until December)... I got about 5k off sticker... But I negotiated UP from dealer cost. We agreed upon 3k over dealer cost. (I used all of the published numbers, then checked them line by line with the salesman and the dealer order sheet.)

I didn't meet the salesman or set foot in the dealership until the truck was here... Yes it took until EASTER.

If you are working with my dealer in WI.... Let me know.

Good Luck

metropol

Now, that you mention it, I did ask similar questions, almost a year ago. Long story, but I thought, picky customers like me, would force Lexus into providing either different interior combo with the SP car or KDSS with regular. Now, I think, I know better -- ordering a car that dealer could end up stuck with, is difficult at best.



My order had everything, but the RSES. They just wanted me to pay extra (more than the sticker for the SP car!), just because its a special order car.
Hmm... very appetizing proposition -- there is a polish metal middle trim, covering navigation/stereo/climate control as well fyi. Still interested? I thought, making car with different wood paneling would be easier then installing KDSS. Well, it is, but Lexus is not doing it. Only 'special' order option is still KDSS.

caha14

Don't forget the steering wheel would also need to be swapped!

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Wow Metropol, your interest is peaking my interest

All of the pieces either pop out or need to be unscrewed, no problems at all.
Steering wheels are also easy. Since both of our airbags are black already, we just keep ours.

I don't mind that polish metal trim.

This might be the first GX to GX wood swap.
PM me if you are interested and where you are located. I'm down here in So Cal, Costa Mesa.

At most , we can just send the wood pieces

tetra7

It is strange but I was able to order my 04 GX NON-SPORT edition w/ KDSS however it came fully loaded. Basically, I have a GX Sport w/out the wood trim stuff. It's goofy on how Lexus did this....ah c'est la vie.

gs400jon

There was no Sport Package option in 2004.

loflin

Yes, also the Sport Pkg is more than KDSS and Blk Maple with Alum trim. Also slightly smoked headlamps, smoke reverse lamps, smoked/graphite rims, smoked/graphite roof rack, etc.

tetra7

You are right...no sport package and the rest is just cosmetic.

petsb10

If I am planning on LEASING, Am I able to order a KDSS equipped truck without the dark interior??