Hi All,

New here trying to do some research. Anyone knows if Lexus is still taking orders for the IS 500? I know this year is the end of the IS line. but wondering which(if any) dealers are taking orders. I live in Orange county CA.

Thank you
joe

 

at this point your best bet is to place 2-3 refundable deposits across the country. the production of IS500 units are ending in october/november according to the news going around.

 

I would do what I always say to do when looking to buy an IS 500: just call up your dealership and see what the best option they have is. Maybe they'll be able to get an allocation for you, but the car is getting discontinued soon. Either way, you won't find the answer here on CL unless some user happens to work at a dealership or is familiar with dealerships in the area.

 

was told by my dealer that there was no allocation of the IS500 for the month of September for the entire West Coast. They might be switching production over to the Ultimate Edition at this point.

 

^^ It would make sense because I know they were suggesting the UE would be available in Japan in September so they have to start doing those 500 and then the NA models.

 

At this point call around the nation and get a 1way ticket to the one you find. Unless you get lucky and find one close to you.

If you're OK with not getting one, you could hope and wait. Lexus don't do orders, so you'd basically be putting a deposit down on a purchase to get any claim on one.
I'm just saying, expect to have to put in a bit of work to locate one and get hold of it. They weren't sitting around long on lots last year and certainly aren't anymore.

Lexus/Toyota dealers don't get to choose what cars they get. Lexus sends them the cars they must sell. So at that point you really just have to go to where the cars are.

 

Try the dealership in Minneapolis....the gal that runs the show has control over the whole Midwest...and they don't sell well there. she hooked me up with the dealership that had my car in Idaho, and they gladly traded it to my local dealer

 

worst case come to canada but the tariffs might cost you some organs lol...

 

Who is the gal and which dealership?

 

It's been a while since we spoke.... there are only two dealerships in the Minneapolis area, both owned by the same folks. She is the internet manager...if that helps

 

I've been trying to find one too and am in Los angeles. The guy I work with who is a fleet manager said dealers who have them don't want to trade them. Also people are putting up 10-15k over msrp for the ultimate editions.

 

^^ I am not surprised by both statements, because well, that is what dealers do! These are becoming harder to get toward the end of the production line - I don't think many new IS 500 will be built onward as we are toward the end of the line and they are still likely spewing a few 350/300 before they start building new Corollas at the Tahara plant. They also have to produce about 1000 Ultimate/Climax editions - 500 for Japan and 500 for NA. I think your best bet is start calling various dealers if you can see their inventory and either get yourself there by plane and drive it back, or use the trip money to have it shipped.

It is unfortunate that the original OP to this thread asked for people's input and never even acknowledged one single response. It may sound petty on my end but this always rubs me teh wrong way.

 

Still feel lucky that I got mine at MSRP. But I had to battle for even that.

There's just not that many new ones left and CA is a **** market for buying new cars.

 

Ended up getting a used 2024 with 1k miles. Price was still mrsp but not betting on getting a 2025 msrp anyways

 

joesmithf1 - Thanks for acknowledging all the comments that people gave you on your question.