I know all cars depreciate and I know a car is a horrible investment. But, were you all as surprised as I was that these cars values dropped like a rock according to Kelly blue book. My sticker was 44784, paid 41700 back in May, and now it's value is around 33500. I had a Nissan Pathfinder back in the day that didn't take a hit like this. I thought the Lexus brand was supposed to keep their value. With hits like this, I understand why people lease. At the same time the Lexus lease deals sucked, so I financed with a down payment, so I'm not upside down. However, if I put down less, I would have been really screwed. Now, I'm just a bit disappointed with the depreciation. I understand the other post about getting rid of the car before it drops even more value.

 

Contrary to what Lexus tells you, their vehicles depreciate faster than most other luxury brands.

 

Yeah. It's not good. MSRP on mine was $43,9xx and I got the car for $39,9xx last May. KBB on mine is $33,805 for private party sale in 'good' condition with 8500 miles. That's about as much depreciation as I took on my G35 coupe after 2 years and 28K miles.

 

It will drop slower now that the 1st year has gone by, but cars are terrible investments. Bimmer guys are unhappy about depreciation right now too because the 328 and 335 are replacing the 325 and 330 after only 1 year. Those cars have dropped ~25% in 1 year, just like the IS you posted.

Lexus doesn't have great lease rates though. BMW has better ones. Lots of people post they can get better/same rates on a 335i than a IS350, even though the 335 is more money.

 

Definitely a good time for someone to pick up an almost new IS for a good price unless they get Technique's car that hasn't had an oil change yet.

 

That is the only way I would consider buying one. After watching values on new IS and 3 series sink like stones there is no great reason to buy a new one if you can find a used one with the options you want.

If I could find a blue onyx/black or sterling with nav + lux for about 36k, I'd try to get the parents to hop on that. I don't think they're that low yet, but they will be soon. I wouldn't care if its used. All it means for me is I don't have to worry about break in period.

 

hm... i did retail value for my car with the options that i have.. i noticed that it made a difference with 2k miles.. which is what i have right now... it came out to be a little over 41k. i got the car for 40k....

 

I got a base IS250 and it was about 31k with taxes and all and now the KBB is high 28s and I have had it about a year and put 16,000 miles on it.. maybe a base model holds its value better then one loaded with options.. $2,000 some dollars doesn't seem like a big drop after a year to me.

 

Sticker was $44,929.

Invoice was $38, 984.

My car is now $35,420.

Oh well...

 

Car is the WORST investment in your portfolio but guess what, we are privledged to be able to drive these nice cars so dont look at the depreciation. Just enjoy it and be happy...

 

did people enable like their ML/ Navi / bluetooth? cause it makes a difference

 

I've only had one car that was a good investment. My Supra is still worth quite a bit. However, in 1995 when the ex totalled our one year old Supra with a sticker price of $39,900, the ACV was $31,250. That was painful.

Retail value on my car with my mileage is still more than what I paid for it. No complaints here yet. No plans to sell, so only ACV makes me concerned. I'll be driving this car for some time to come unless I win the Lotto. Maybe even regardless of winning...I like this car a lot.

 

screw kelly and her blue book

 

^ agreed. I plan on keeping the car until the wheels fall off anyways, so i'm not worried about resale.

 

Remember, first year depreciation on a car is the greatest, and as others have suggested, it is probably higher for cars that are heavily optioned.

Look at the bright side, if you owned a GM product, depreciation likely would have been much worse.