marcarl

I got a quote for trading my loaded 2012 450h with 30,500 miles on a new 2013 ES300h in Pittsburgh. We don't need two RX's. Their best offer was $38,500 on a 21 month old car that had an original sticker over $60,000. My car and $7,000 for the ES. I am surprised at how poorly it held it's value.

go3Ds

Without knowing the condition, or other details about your 2012 450h, I will just give you some information on my similar experience, although from last July. I traded in a 2010 450h for a 2013 450h, and paid the difference in cash.

My 2010 450h had 39,700 miles at trade in. Excellent condition except for an estimated $2200 (2 estimates) for 2 (creased) dings just before trade in time, which I decided NOT to fix. Wasn't very noticeable, but would require 2 new panels and paint . The gap between price paid, and trade in, was $14,297. Gap probably could have been more, but discounts were hard to come by with the early release 2010's when they first came out. Should do better for our next purchase with the 2013 trade in gap, as discounts were much deeper, and so far no dings.

As a side note, we went out of state for both purchases.
2010=California, and the 2013=Texas.

RX330inFL

Having grown up in PA, my cousins and I storing our cars in the mines there in your area in many a winter, I would have to say that the area is a very weak market for hybrids and especially the RX450h. Of course, that is just this man's opinion. Things may have changed, however, when I was home last year I did not see many RX on the roads I traveled to the north of you and only one hybrid -- and older RX400h. Hybrid sales in many areas of the country are fairly stagnant. Your mileage is also a bit on the high side, so can only guess that you are being knocked for that as well. Finally, Lexus may be making the sale of new vehicles more attractive than used vehicles depressing trade-in values. In other parts of the country where demand is higher you would more than likely see a better bargaining position.

As go3Ds mentions, I would look outside the PGH area, perhaps heading west to OH and north to NY -- especially NY, to see if you can do better in those regions. Would talk to the dealership(s) in advance before making the drive out if you can. Research the online inventory to see if what you are looking to purchase is available. You could also see about trying to sell the vehicle yourself.

Could only find one RX450h for sale in your area on cars.com:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...RM&enableSeo=1


Go to Cleveland and you see a few but not many more:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...RM&enableSeo=1

Yet, if you go to other areas of the country you will see more available. This could mean more are being sold and therefore possibly more are being sought after. In the end, you may just want to hold on to what you have instead of eating any depreciation at this point in time. If the price of fuel jumps you may want to hold the hybrid or see if its value has increased any. Hurricane season is upon us. Anything can happen.

UCSB

I got an email from my local dealer yesterday offering to buy my 450h for 10% over Kelly Blue Book trade-in. I looked up the value of my car and with the 10% added, the price seemed to be more than fair. Anyway, just wanted to give you an additional data point. I would recommend you look up the car's trade-in value on kbb.com and get an idea of whether the offer was fair. Something doesn't seem quite right here.

Cruiter

When I bought my 2010 RX450h, I had an 03 RX to trade or sell. Car Max paid several thousand more, in fact more than enough to make the tax difference so I sold it to them and bought outright.

kitlz

Hybrids are not common in the tri-state area though I pass two on the way to work and saw two in a mile while driving yesterday. Most people go with the 350. Still there's a market for them as evidenced by lack of inventory. Trading in has its benefits like sales tax savings. For me it also means not having to deal with strangers touching/ driving my car. Do a little homework first to figure out what your RXh is worth, taking into account the condition, mileage and potential tax savings. Then negotiate. That's what I do.

warminwisc

Isn't more of the value set up by auction prices? There is a Mannheim auction in PA I think.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

True and in my tri-state area,also the Galves book is used and trade in value is much less than KBB,NADA etc.

cossie1600

the lease residual value is 66% on a 2 year lease

Tuanle

Are you implying that lease is a better option?


Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android

cossie1600

Nope simply stating what Lexus determines the car to be worth at about that time. It's just a guideline.

vlad_a

Just like with any [luxury] car, you will take the biggest hit in the first 2 years of ownership. The 66% residual seems to be right on the dot. You'd be looking at about $1K/mo depreciation during that time.
Why would you trade-in the car now, though? You could probably drive it for another year and negotiate the same trade-in value. Or keep it long term and get more value out of it.

Personally, I would take AWD RXh over FWD ESh. Winter is coming. You'll be glad you did.

marcarl

I've decided to keep it. Getting new tires today (Goodyear Assurance V rated) and the 30K at Lexus tomorrow ($400). It's a great car, runs and looks like new and I'm getting 27.5 on this tank with Sam's Club regular.

go3Ds

Good choice. Better to be sure on a big decision, before pulling the trigger. With the right timing and research, you could be better off in the future, all things being considered. Your over $1000 a month depreciation did seem high, even with the 30,500 miles. The 2012 is still new, and loaded, plus now you will have new tires and the 30,000 mile service completed. Time to enjoy more time and fun with the 450h! When you have time eventually, give us some input about the Goodyear's on the tire thread.

markrivers

depends on the car and the terms of the lease.
i do both. Lease and purchase.
German cars, in general are for LEASE so you're within the warranty.
With Lexus, i take a different approach.
i normally start with a Lease, just to keep the payments low and enjoy incentives like 0 down and low monthly..and at the end (27months/36 months) i buy my leased because the "residual value" is far cheaper than buying the same car on a used car lot/ dealer/ car max.

Again, it depends on the car and my situation at the end of the lease.
Let's say i'm ending a lease on a 2011/2012 IS 350.. with the 2014 being rolled out i'd probably turn it over and sign up for the 2014.

i hope it made sense...well, at least to me it does.