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Hi all - I've been thinking this over for the last couple weeks but I'm a little hesitant to pull the trigger. My last 2 vehicles were a 1999 ES300 and 2007 ES300 that I bought privately so I have no experience buying a car from a dealer. I have compared this 2018 to a newer Camry and the costs and future depreciation seem close enough that I feel it comes down to what I would prefer driving (which is almost certainly the IS). Before I schedule a test drive is there anything in particular that I should be aware of for both this model as well as venturing into a dealership for the first time? I'm not so much concerned with the price itself but this would be the first large purchase that I have bought in my adult life which is somewhat... scary.
2018 IS300
V6
35k
AWD (I do a bit of skiing so I like this for trekking up to the mountains)
Thank you all and I apologize if this is the wrong place for a thread like this.
Last edited by sbuck1994; Dec 13, 2020 at 10:03 AM.
Hi all - I've been thinking this over for the last couple weeks but I'm a little hesitant to pull the trigger. My last 2 vehicles were a 1999 ES300 and 2007 ES300 that I bought privately so I have no experience buying a car from a dealer. I have compared this 2018 to a newer Camry and the costs and future depreciation seem close enough that I feel it comes down to what I would prefer driving (which is almost certainly the IS). Before I schedule a test drive is there anything in particular that I should be aware of for both this model as well as venturing into a dealership for the first time? I'm not so much concerned with the price itself but this would be the first large purchase that I have bought in my adult life which is somewhat... scary.
2018 IS300
V6
35k
AWD (I do a bit of skiing so I like this for trekking up to the mountains)
Thank you all and I apologize if this is the wrong place for a thread like this.
You picked a great car. Not really much to lookout for at that mileage especially. I'd like to see that oil changes were done (every 10k) but even if it wasn't 10k on the dot you're ok at 36k miles.
A lot of people would tell you to get an F-Sport, wasnt a must have for me but look into it you may think so. Performance-wise you're not really an difference to write home about. And don't think you'll be able to get the comfort package on an F-Sport like this one has.
This car is the same 3.5 v6 like the IS350. but detuned. There is or will be tuning options for less that $600 to give you greater performance like the 350.
Dealers tend to add line items to your invoice. What is $27k now may be $30k when you are ready to sign.. personally I like to negotiate before i get there. Last car I bought i had the OTD price on the entire sale sheet signed by used car sales manager sent to me before I drove to the dealer. I was 99% sure I was buying the car though. There will be dealer added options (security device, interior protection crap, etc.) Which may or may not be negotiable.
Also if your financing, maybe get your own approval / rates from your bank then ask them to beat it...I like to know my APR, down payment, monthly payment, etc. Before I'm sitting in the show room. Also...expect at least 3 hours after you say "ok ill take it, lets do this". In the past I've left and told them to call me when all I got to do is sign lol. They don't like this but I dont always have all day to sit around, however exciting it may be.
And one last thing....believe it or not they want to sell you the car MORE than you want to buy it...so if you feel just in your negotiating points, if any, stick to your guns. They ALWAYS have room in their final price. But if you're happy with it...then its a good deal and don't stress on a few thousand you maybe could of saved.
You picked a great car. Not really much to lookout for at that mileage especially. I'd like to see that oil changes were done (every 10k) but even if it wasn't 10k on the dot you're ok at 36k miles.
A lot of people would tell you to get an F-Sport, wasnt a must have for me but look into it you may think so. Performance-wise you're not really an difference to write home about. And don't think you'll be able to get the comfort package on an F-Sport like this one has.
This car is the same 3.5 v6 like the IS350. but detuned. There is or will be tuning options for less that $600 to give you greater performance like the 350.
Dealers tend to add line items to your invoice. What is $27k now may be $30k when you are ready to sign.. personally I like to negotiate before i get there. Last car I bought i had the OTD price on the entire sale sheet signed by used car sales manager sent to me before I drove to the dealer. I was 99% sure I was buying the car though. There will be dealer added options (security device, interior protection crap, etc.) Which may or may not be negotiable.
Also if your financing, maybe get your own approval / rates from your bank then ask them to beat it...I like to know my APR, down payment, monthly payment, etc. Before I'm sitting in the show room. Also...expect at least 3 hours after you say "ok ill take it, lets do this". In the past I've left and told them to call me when all I got to do is sign lol. They don't like this but I dont always have all day to sit around, however exciting it may be.
And one last thing....believe it or not they want to sell you the car MORE than you want to buy it...so if you feel just in your negotiating points, if any, stick to your guns. They ALWAYS have room in their final price. But if you're happy with it...then its a good deal and don't stress on a few thousand you maybe could of saved.
Thank you so much - this is a great confidence boost. I will get in and try to drive it to make sure I enjoy it as much as I think I will but I have started going through pre approval through my bank to get a feel for what rates/monthly payments would look like. Glad to hear there's options to get it on par with an IS350!
New (Used) Buyer - 2018
