Not really confusing. If it is a VALID configuration then they will build it. You can pretty much pick from any of the options on their web site and have it built.

Packages
- Premium Package (RWD only)
- Luxury Package (RWD only)
- Luxury Package w/18-in wheels (RWD only)
- Luxury Package (AWD only)
- Sport Package (RWD only)

Standalone Options
- Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System/Mark Levinson Package
- Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System
- Intuitive Parking Assist
- Pre-Collision System and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (automatic only)
- 18 x 8.0-in alloy wheels
- Headlamp washers (require HID headlamps and AFS) so yes, this means you need one of the packages

Pretty straightforward.

 

So that's where I was confused....never knew it was ever actually available ML alone.

 

Well, it is confusing and conflicting in the sense that, for example, exactly 1 month ago I placed a special order for stand-alone ML, which I was told by my dealer and an October 2005 Lexus options list was a valid configuration. (And I pointed out to the salesmen that the website made it sound like you could not get ML without Nav. They said don't worry about the website.) Now Lexus customer service is saying that a stand-alone ML special order is not available and never was. Meanwhile, another dealer has informed me specifically that they have an IS350 with stand-alone ML coming in through their incoming allocation this month.

So, either it was available or it wasn't; and it is or it isn't. I'm not sure anyone really knows for sure. It's a moot point for me anyway as I wound up deciding to get the Nav. But ML was always more important (read dealbreaker) to me than the Nav system.

 

Sales people are usually always the last to know or care, and ingorant of the details (and usually say anything to make the sale ). Entering the configs into the system should have indicated that standalone ML wasn't available. Hell, it's was never even listed as standalond in the brochure or the dealer education materials. That should have been a pretty strong indicator.

 

on the subject of the post.. I belive I just found a IS350 with ML and no nav by accident. If anyone is interested give me a PM and I will send over the info. Its in northern Cali.

BTW I think its white with black interior? Not sure but I think.

 

I may have the definitive answer to this controversy in about a week. I special-ordered a IS250 on November 26, 2005, and I ordered it with the stand-alone ML option for $940.00. The salesman showed me the order sheet from Lexus where it had that option available. About 2 weeks later he called me to tell me the order was accepted by Lexus for production. The car is due to be delivered this Sunday to the port (Jacksonville, FL) and the dealer should have it by next Friday. So, I guess it will have one of three possibilities: the stand-alone ML, the Nav/ML combination, or the stock audio system. I'll report after I get it on what audio system is actually in the car.

 

If there is no stand alone ML in the US then why is it that my car was special ordered with no NAV and ML alone (for $944)? The special order was accepted and is being built as we speak!

 

A further update. I called my salesman this morning and told him about the information posted here about someone from Lexus saying ML not being available as a stand-alone option. He said that whoever from Lexus said that does not know what he is talking about. Since my car is due into the port tomorrow, he was able to pull up in Lexus's computer system the Vehicle Inquiry Report for my car. It has the VIN, Ignition key #, engine number, etc. and a complete description of the car including all the options in detail as well as the list price for everything. The report clearly shows the "Mark Levinson Premium Audio Package" as a stand-alone option for $940.00. He faxed this document to me, and if I can figure out a way to scan it and post it to the forum I will do so.

 

Well, it would certainly not be the first thing my original salesman was wrong about.

Anyway, part of my personal confusion and frustration over the Lexus purchase process stems the fact that this is really the first car purchase I have ever made where I went to such great lengths to get exactly what I wanted. For my first new car (a boring but eminently functional Corolla), all I was particular about was the color--easily found for a car that was in plentiful supply. All my other cars since then, I have taken something off the lot. I expect to live with my IS350 for a long time and want her to be just right. If only it were easier to get it that way!

 

You claimed that this topic had been discussed at length and that there had been a definitive conclusion to the conversation. From what I could tell by searching the forums, this is just not the case. I was asking if I had missed a thread in which this question was answered with certainty, and I did not. It has just been you telling everybody that standalone ML is not available, and other people disagreeing with you and saying their dealer offered it to them. No consensus was reached of any sort.

I think they just mean they can't process orders that ask for combinations of options that are not normally available. For example, if you wanted wood trim with the sports package. Special orders for normally available options are obviously possible.

If you could give me the VIN, maybe I can send it to the customer service guy I have been emailing with, and see what he has to say about it. Or, if you don't want to post the VIN publicly, you can PM me. I want to know what Tyrone Cadle has to say about it...

 

Fine, live in denial.

 

Haha. Well you have to admit it's a pretty confusing topic these days... Hopefully if people claim to have VINs for ML standalone cars, we can get to the bottom of it soon...

 

Just received my VIN# for 350/LUX/ML-STAND ALONE/18"...........you CAN special order ML stand alone in the US....subject closed!

 

Case will be closed when you actually get it. dmacneill's car was also ordered this way, and he is supposed to take delivery on Fri or Sat, so he will probably have a definitive answer (and hopefully some pics) before you do.

 

Dealer at Ray catena in NJ emailed me saying that he has not seen any IS 350's with Nav and
ML audio. He mentioned that the north East has not been getting them. I do not know if this is true. he said I could place a special order.