I am new to this forum. I am trying to buy a White GX 550. No models are available. One Lexus dealership will order one, but with a premium of $5,000 above MSRP. The non-refundable deposit is $1,000 and wait time is about 3-4 months, but supposedly I get the car I want. Do others have experience or insights they can share on this process?

 

I just took delivery from a dealer in Minneapolis. While I didn’t pay over MSRP the vehicle had options I would not have ordinarily ordered. I waited about 7 months for this one.The dealer couldn’t tell me when I might get another in the color option I wanted so I took it. It seems Lexus is loading all of these up with fully loaded options. I have an over trail plus package. Personally I would not pay over MSRP.

 

First time poster here, and soon to be GX550 owner. My experience in Chicago area....contacted 4 local dealers inquiring about on the lot or incoming vehicles per the Lexus website. All 4 dealers reached back out with varying degrees of vehicle availability. My #1 color/vehicle choice was Nori Green Overtrail+. I was willing to look at other colors but insisted on Overtrail +trim. A couple dealers told me I could put down a $1,000 refundable deposit but would likely take 4-6 months. One dealer told me that they would trade one of their inbound allocation vehicles for the exact color/trim I wanted. I went to their dealership to review everything and they had the print out of the vehicle including VIN and all the dealer add-ons (roof rack, rock guardrails, et al). I didn't necessarily want to pay for some of these add-ons but that's the price you pay, I learned. All this at MSRP.

I put down $1,000 refundable deposit last week and they told me it would likely be in around end of January. Yesterday, I received a text message that the vehicle was on a ship and heading this way, and I could expect it around mid-January. So, while I don't have the vehicle in my possession yet, so far so good...and pretty straight forward. There are dealers out there willing to "find" your specific (or close to it) vehicle, and I don't think 4-6 month wait times are necessary. Just gotta find the right dealer looking to find and sell you a car.

Good luck! I can't wait to get her!

 

It all depends on where you are, really. One of the dealers near me HAD an unallocated white GX in as of yesterday, but it's gone now.

 

That sounds about right. Mine was on a ship on 9/20, and I took possession of it on 11/4. But you are in Chicago, which is a hub for Lexus Distribution, so, once it gets there, you're good. The wait, at least for me, took an ETERNITY! But I'm happy now with my Nori / Black / Chateau Overtrail.

 

no ittook me almost 6 months to get a GX 550 over trail plus and I had to take what came in. I put $1000 down and they actually gave me $1000 off the MSRP

 

Overall I think they're still pretty hard to get and having to pay above MSRP does depend a lot on where you are. If you order it you do get to customize it exactly how you want so that's nice if you are particular on what you want. You can try doing an inventory search on Lexus website and see the overall count of vehicles available. Check nearby metros and if one has significantly more than the other then you might be able to get a better deal there if you're willing to make the drive.

 

You cannot order a GX to your specifications. You get on a wait list with a dealer, and when your spot comes up you either accept or decline the vehicles they receive as they are spec'ed.

 

Do not pay over MSRP, dealers have limited allocations and the models coming in regardless of trim level has all available options included. Whether you want them or not. Dealers in Minneapolis were not charging over MSRP. Also I was on a list for an over trail and received one but, the suspension in the model I received leaned and the car was slightly out of alignment. Long story short sold it back to the dealer for full value because Lexus was unwilling to address the lean issue and the alignment issue. They said both were with in Spec. I was forced to file an arbitration claim for them to respond to my concerns. I don’t believe the lean issue I experienced occurs on the other non overtrail trims.