I have waited patiently for my 2025 bespoke coupe to be built and shipped. I was informed by my dealer on February 25th, that my car would enter the factory for assembly on March 21. The vehicle was completed on March 24. The vessel departure date is March 31. Arrival in Long Beach is scheduled for April 17. Delivery to dealer sometime after April 22. As you can see, this time frame will cause the 25% tarriff to be applied. As this car is expensive without tarriffs, I am seriously considering walking away from the purchase. Please offer your opinion on this situation. Is there any chance that Lexus would absorb the tarriff? Would you eat the tarriff?

 

Only you can decide for yourself if you are willing and able to eat the additional fees. To some people that's a drop in the bucket financially and to others it's a lot of money. I would speak with the dealership to find out the exact cost.

 

Agreed. It’s very hard to gauge what’s a comfortable price for an LC500 for each person. Cars like this is usually an emotional purchase.

I would at least talk with the dealer and hear what they say. Most likely, they have no idea what’s going to happen and how much the price will increase if any.

If you think you can’t bear any increase at all and still want an LC500, perhaps think of what’s special about your bespoke build and see if you can live with a vehicle that’s already on the lot or at another dealer elsewhere. Remember, the wheels can be purchased. Even the dark chrome trims can be purchased and installed. But then again, this would cost a lot more than the Bespoke build(even after the tariffs).

I wouldn’t panic too much at this point. Worst case, you walk away and possible lose the deposit if the tariffs increase the price too high. The last thing you want to do is make an impulse decision and lose a car that you’ve waited for.

Also, if you have a trade in, the dealer might be able to give you a higher trade in value and might offset some of the increase in price. I’m betting, IF the tariffs goes in effect, both new and used cars price will cost more. Not just new cars.

 

I would think if you already had a purchase agreement and a deposit they should honor the purchase price before the tariff was set in place. That is where I stand also. If they apply a tariff to my agreed price I am walking away for sure. we will see.

 

We have a new LX on the way and are in the same position. I think this will all blow over soon. Japan does not impose any tarrifs on US car imports to Japan so they have a pretty strong bargaining position and a close relationship with the U.S. I think Toyota's support of Trump will pay off for them in this matter. Hold tight. don't panic.

 

I would not go through with the deal if I had the option. The 25% over prices the car. The tariffs may be pulled anytime after you purchase it and then you are in the hole for ever on your purchase. If you have your heart set on very specifics on the car you want that limits your choices of cours.

 

I would re-read purchase agreement for 'Price subject to change' statement...

 

These tariffs seem to be a bit volatile, so I'd just wait until you have to make a decision then do so. Wish you the best, it's so unfortunate it's timed out like this for you.

 

I’m in the same boat…no pun intended. Dealer said car would be built on 3/20 at port 3/27. Would be at dealer late April to late May. Not bespoke and not worth 25% more. I will wait till it shows up and see what happens.

 

If the tariffs go into effect prior to your car making it through customs then that duty will apply. Even it the tariffs get cut after the fact, the car will still be worth that much more since the duty on it was already paid.

I'm in the same boat but my car wont be here until july, so do i wait to see if it all gets cancelled or do I just go and get one thats sitting at the nearby dealership?....decisions....

 

Would appreciate follow-up from both of you as your situations progress. Hopefully the tariffs are rolled back. Best of luck.

 

this is interesting to follow.

 

Just saw under normal circumstances there is a duty window. CBP US Customs says if the car is on the water it usually falls under the old tariff of 2.5% not new 27.5% CBP is unclear if this is the case this time.

 

Agree, watching Dealership stock seemingly drop (buyers front-running the price increases?). I've been watching to add an LX, my Dealership has just this week dropped from 7 to 3. This maybe a boost to the Dealerships for this month, even the Certified used vehicle sales have seemingly increased.

 

Here are my thoughts after thinking about this for some time.

There is a mix of Canadian, Japanese, and USA assembled Toyota/Lexus cars, they won't let tariffs effect single models but would spread out the cost of said tariffs among ALL models so I feel as if we can expect to see a base price rise spread out among all the models regardless of where they were manufactured. They can't have a specific model that's tariffed costing more than a model that isn't, that would create too much of a discrepancy with respect to prices.

I hope I'm right and my LC500 only ends up cost a reasonable amount that I can stomach versus 25K.