Chariot of the Gods-Lexus RX450h
06-18-09, 06:47 PM
#16
The dealer gave me no discount.
He was so dishonest, or rather his firm Autonation is so dishonest, they tried to charge me sales tax on value of my trade in. My wife had to throw a screaming fit to get that removed. I'm filing charges witht he state of Florida for an attempt to illegally collect sales tax.
I'm a Costco member and he is a Costco dealer but I got no Costco discount. I'll complain to Costco.
It was his first one. A second one is due in a day or two. Another dealer contacted me today with another one.
The interior is grey.
He was so dishonest, or rather his firm Autonation is so dishonest, they tried to charge me sales tax on value of my trade in. My wife had to throw a screaming fit to get that removed. I'm filing charges witht he state of Florida for an attempt to illegally collect sales tax.
I'm a Costco member and he is a Costco dealer but I got no Costco discount. I'll complain to Costco.
It was his first one. A second one is due in a day or two. Another dealer contacted me today with another one.
The interior is grey.
I'm retired from the business and it galls me to pay full retail but I understand the market and want to play now. I was told today my the ship with my car came in a day early and it's in 'freight' now so I still don't know if it will be late this week or next Monday. And like you, I'm paying retail. Ughh, but I'm able and I think extra special attention to detail will always be paid to the hybrid production and especially the 1st ones going to market so.....
Oh, now that you've had it for a day and you already had a 400h, what are your 1st impressions of the driving difference ??? I'm betting it's all you hoped for and more.
Last edited by Cruiter; 06-18-09 at 06:55 PM. Reason: grammer
06-18-09, 06:54 PM
#17
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two comments on discounts-
1) american express has a website to get car discountss--there is a $1 discount on the 450h
2) Just got a message from a dealer I had contacted but not followed up on--said not much execess inv on 450h and do not expect discount so if I want one---
1) american express has a website to get car discountss--there is a $1 discount on the 450h
2) Just got a message from a dealer I had contacted but not followed up on--said not much execess inv on 450h and do not expect discount so if I want one---
06-18-09, 07:14 PM
#18
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Sorry I'm such a lousy photographer. The light color in the interior is actually the gray leather, not white. The black did come out correctly. Maybe when my new iphone arrives tomorrow I will be able to take better pictures. I think it does a better job of taking pictures.
06-18-09, 07:26 PM
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Here is a copy of the e mail where the general manager of the Lexus dealer told me what he was going to do (locations deleted): "do you absolutely have to trade the vehicle? you can go to Carmax and they will give you a formal appraisel as well that we will match less the sales tax." I thought that was great as I know there is no sales tax deleted from the appraised value when you sell your vehicle. I was petrified when I was given a bill of sale to sign that had the value CarMax gave me reduced a thousand dollars for sales tax. Unbelievable.
06-19-09, 06:26 AM
#21
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art123, I think I understand Autonation's reasoning and it is not illegal. The car you were trading must have been valued by Carmax at about $16,500 (6% sales tax in FL). If instead you traded that car with Autonation and received $16,500, you would have also saved about $1,000 in sales tax in the trade. The dealer is saying by paying you $15,500 for the trade, you will still save $1,000 in sales tax which in total equals what you were going to get from Carmax (i.e. $16,500).
I've had friends tell me the same thing from other dealers when they got a price from Carmax. This enables the dealer to pick up an extra $1,000 instead of the state. I sold my car to Carmax and didn't waste my time with the dealer.
I think because you made a stink, you saved yourself $1,000.
I've had friends tell me the same thing from other dealers when they got a price from Carmax. This enables the dealer to pick up an extra $1,000 instead of the state. I sold my car to Carmax and didn't waste my time with the dealer.
I think because you made a stink, you saved yourself $1,000.
Last edited by psu77; 06-19-09 at 03:13 PM.
06-19-09, 02:34 PM
#22
CARMAX got my Lexus
art123, I think I understand Autonation's reasoning and it is not illegal. The car you were trading must have been valued by Carmax at about $16,500 (6% sales tax in FL). If you instead you traded that car in with the Autonation Lexus dealer and received $16,500, you would have also saved about $1,000 in sales tax in the trade. The dealer is saying by paying you $15,500 for the trade, you will still save $1,000 in sales tax which in total equals what you were going to get from Carmax (i.e. $16,500).
I've had friends been told the same thing from other dealers when they got a price from Carmax. This enables the dealer to pick up an extra $1,000 instead of the state. I sold my car to Carmax and didn't waste my time with the dealer.
I think because you made a stink, you saved yourself $1,000.
I've had friends been told the same thing from other dealers when they got a price from Carmax. This enables the dealer to pick up an extra $1,000 instead of the state. I sold my car to Carmax and didn't waste my time with the dealer.
I think because you made a stink, you saved yourself $1,000.
. They did for $13,000 and they got it. I have the dealer is350 demo and waiting for my car.ANTICIPATION REINS STILL
06-19-09, 04:23 PM
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Every other dealer I've traded with always gave me the advantage of the sales tax reduction. That always accrued to me in past deals I've done, not the dealer.
06-19-09, 09:07 PM
#25
06-20-09, 02:41 PM
#26
Alleluia! We were told yesterday that our RX450h will be here "any minute". It looks as if it will be ready for us to pick up prior to our departure for Seattle next Friday, June 26th. We probably will not have much chance to drive it before we leave, but it will be great to look forward to it upon our return.
I hope I learn how to post photos of it here once we get back. It should not be rocket science, but if I have trouble, I'm sure you techies will help me out.
I hope I learn how to post photos of it here once we get back. It should not be rocket science, but if I have trouble, I'm sure you techies will help me out.
06-20-09, 03:59 PM
#28
Sorry I'm such a lousy photographer. The light color in the interior is actually the gray leather, not white. The black did come out correctly. Maybe when my new iphone arrives tomorrow I will be able to take better pictures. I think it does a better job of taking pictures.
06-20-09, 05:20 PM
#30
I just checked the new update, roof rails are standard on both fwd and awd models.
Standard Luxury Features RX 450h AWD RX 450h FWD
LUXURY AND CONVENIENCE
SmartAccess [3] [4] with push-button Start/Stop and touch sensors on exterior front-door handles
Dual-zone automatic climate control with interior air filter
Power tilt-and-telescopic steering column
Power windows with one-touch auto open/close feature
Remote-linked opening for windows and available moonroof
Power door locks
Multifunction, in-key remote entry system with rolling-code technology [3]
Electrochromic (auto-dimming) inside rearview mirror
Cruise control
Sliding front center console with storage bin, dual power outlets and pass-through storage
Front and rear cupholders
HomeLink® universal transceiver to operate compatible garage, gate, home lighting and home security systems
Lexus Personalized Settings (LPS) [5] to customize select electronic functions
Illuminated entry system
Accessory power outlet in front center stack, rear console box and rear cargo area
Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
Sun visor extensions
Roof rails [6]