Hey everyone. I've been reading this forum for a while and this will be my first post. I've been researching the IS 350 and I believe the day will come soon for me to place a special order in. I could use some help as to what figure I should negotiate around for the following:

2007 IS 350
Sport Package
Navigation
ML

Those are all that I need on the vehicle. I am in contact with a sales rep from Park Place in Plano, TX, and he said that I would require to put down a non-refundable $2K deposit on the vehicle. Also, it would be about a 3-4 month wait until the vehicle arrives. What do you think would be a good deal to negotiate around? I looked it up at Edmunds.com and it seems like $44,100 is the ballpark figure, but I am sure I can get it lower.

Thanks everyone and I hope to be a fellow IS owner soon!

If you have to order then I would look to get a min of 2500 off the sticker. Check the pricing thread for more information.

^^^ hahaha. Probably not this early in the model year, and NOT on a special order. They KNOW you want THAT config and will make you pay.

Having to put non refundable 2k down doesn't sound right to me.

Yeah, a NON-REFUNDABLE of $2K down DOES NOT sound right. You should have the ability to back out of it anytime you want to. I stay away from that stealership.

I'll do some more price quotes in the area. Thanks for your input, guys.

texas doesnt normally get sport and ML, going to have to be a special order most likely.

I got my ML Sport by luck it was sitting on the lot at a local dealer

I, too, was pricing a special order IS 350. The first dealer I went to was willing to give $3,000 off sticker. He said it would be good for the dealer to get an order on the books for January delivery.

As for nonrefindable deposits on special orders, they are common (although more like $1,000). The dealerr's reasoning is if they are special ordering a car it means it is coming wit equipment not typically seen in your region. And if you back out the dealer does not want to be stuck with a car that won't sell because it has undesirable options.

nonrefundability depends on state laws

Hi Riva, I think I can help you as I have done (almost) exactly what you are doing.

I special ordered the following on September 1st, 2006:

2007 IS 350
Sport Package
Navigation
ML
Park Assist

So, almost identical to you, except I also have Park Assist ($500).

I am getting $3100 off MSRP.

My dealership also requires a $2,000 non-refundable deposit. I gave them my credit card, although they have not charged it yet.

Special order takes 4 months, MAYBE 3.5 months if you are very lucky.

So, it seems to me that everything you are experiencing so far is totally normal.

Now, some data points:

I emailed about 40 dealerships in a 400 mile radius, and went with the 2nd lowest offer. Here's what I found:

1) Non-refundable deposits are normal. About 90% of the resposes I got asked for a non-refundable deposit.
2) The average deposit amount was $2,000. (Although the range was from $1,000 to $5,000!)
3) About 1/2 the dealerships said they will not discount, and offered the car to me at MSRP.

Hope this helps! And remember, I did this 2 months ago, even before the first 2007 had hit the lot, so prices should be lower now. Best of luck! And be prepared for a PAINFUL 4 month wait!

See you all who got discounts make me cry.

I got one of the first new 2007 IS 350s in my area, plus my dealership was selling 2006 at full sticker price.

Supply and demand -- they carry only a handful and sell them like crazy!!

I got a small discount but thats only cause I worked on the woman.. PLUS driving a car back from New Orleans to MS was not safe with their tore up roads. I took the hit because riding back from Mobile to MS, is MUCH safer.

FWIW, I picked up my Nav/ML 350 for an even $41K (approx. 4.2K off msrp). Keep looking, the deals are out there.

It's weird how much mixed feedback I've heard about this...

Some people say it's hard to get a significant discount (if any at all) on special orders, while some say it's EASIER to get a big discount on orders... Which is it??? I didn't order mine, so I didn't get any real experience with it.

EDIT: Irishfan, a Nav/ML 350 for 41K doesn't sound like 4.2K off MSRP... unless you got several other options/packages with it.

He also has the luxury package I believe.

It does seem like YMMV. I'd prefer not to pay more than $42k but since my IS will most likely be special order, I don't know what choices that leaves me.

Technique:
We do have very similar configurations. $3100 off MSRP is not shabby at all, especially for a special order. I hope I can get a similar result, also.

The wait time does seem a bit long to me. However, I can't argue with what's already set.

Thanks again, guys!