vipermann1

I am looking to buy a 2002 LS 430 Ultra-Luxury - Silver exterior/Black interior.

1 - What is a fair price over invoice?

2 - How much did you guys pay for your Ls430UL?

Thanks Everybody - UZY

Ultrasonic

I got $3,500 off MSRP in Florida

VQT

How much total? $65,xxx or $60,xxx?

Cary1952

i paid 3600 over invoice for mine. I think the best thing to do is look up invoice price and start from there. i only had NAV/ML radio package and lexus link. Sticker was 61, 000 . invoice was 53,200. i paid 56,800.

Cary in s.D.

I would offer $4-5000 over invoice and go from there. Walk in there educated. Don't listen to bull**** how rare UV's are.

LS007

My LS430 UL w/17" chrome wheels sticker price was 71,400 , I paid 65K.

vipermann1

I checked with several dealers in the Los Angeles Area and here are their prices for a 2002 LS430 UL.

Thousand Oaks Lexus - sticker period (but for me a special $1000 discount) -

Santa Monica Lexus - no discount, short supply

Keyes Lexus - sticker, UL are very rare.

Valencia Lexus - sticker.

Woodfield Lexus (Chiaco) - sticks minus $1500

Are the dealers kidding me? or are the guys outside Southern California getting great deals?

Dbermanmd

Purchased my LS-430 Ultra Luxury in late January with delivery March 15 for $64,000.00.

Dealership in Southern CT.

Dbermanmd

Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I got the exact same colors you are interested in - Millenium Silver with Black analine leather interior.

Good Luck!

LS007

Same here, Millennium Silver UL with black analine interior. Black analine is higher priced due to coloring process. Do you have black pin stripe?

Dbermanmd

I don't know. I pick up the car next Friday. Can you post a picture?

Thanks!

jtparkes

Vipermann:

I have never purchased a Lexus new , but I do fleet truck purchasing for my employer.

In my experience, unless you already have a working relationship with a salesman or a dealer, you will not get an accurate idea of how low a dealer will sell a car by calling the dealer by phone. They will think you are window shopping. You are much more likely to get a good price by visiting the dealer, where they are more likely to give you a good price to keep you on the lot.

Invoice is a good place to negotiate from. It also helps you to know what the dealer holdback is on the LS. I don't know what it is now, but it seems like it used to be about $1,000.

Also, I see that LS430 sales for January '02 were running about 50% of year-ago levels, if that gives you any negotiating power.

For what its worth...

Jeff

vipermann1

I always walk into the dealer with the invoice from either Kelly Blue book, Carpoint, Cars.com, or Edmunds.

But all the dealers say "well the LS430 Ultra is so rare, that it needs to go for sticker. We know that if you don't buy it, someone else will. So it's the final price, they in so much demand".

And here is what I have found out:

1 - Lexus cut back Ls430 UL production after Sept 11th, anticipating a slowing economy. (plenty of base models available)

2 - The shortage is artifically created by Lexus, not the market.

3 - Dealers outside California are willing to give a much better price. I have spoken to them, but when they hear I am calling from Calif, the price goes up.


4 - For my trade-in they say: We will give you slightly below wholesale ... no way! ...I know they sell my trade-in near retail and "private-party", so they better give a better trade-in price for my car.

Dealers just don't like dealing with educated customers.

jtparkes

Vipermann1:

Sounds like you've done your homework so you may be stuck. Although, have you tried a broker? They may be able to expand your search range outside of California. My mother ran into the same problem you are buying a BMW. A broker saved her $500. Seems like pocket change compared to the price of the car, but it paid her first six months insurance premium.

I ran into "California prices" syndrome when looking for a used LS in the New Mexico/Arizona area: Most Lexuses are financed on lease. According to the dealers here: Lease returns in the west are sent by Toyota Finance to auction in Las Vegas, and all end up in California because Calfornia buyers are willing to pay more than anyone else. So, I had a heck of a time even finding a used LS (that wasn't black).

You are probably familiar with it, but the best source of new pricing info I have found is Consumer Reports New Car Buying Service. The report costs $12, but they give you a key piece of information you don't get from the free services like Edmunds/Carpoint, etc: secret manufacturer-to-dealer incentives/rebates (or 'holdback'). Sometimes they aren't much, but sometimes they are.

jtparkes

PS:

Excellent choice of the UL- The rear seat in the UL is almost worth the extra price all by itself. I got to sit in one at an Auto Show, and it was almost a sublime experience... The back seat of the big Mercedes seemed like a park bench in comparison. With the aniline leather seat that RECLINES, oh man! You will make your wife drive you around while you sit in the back seat and relax...
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