Finally, I got my new LS430...
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 16
From: California
Finally, I got my new LS430...
Months of months of dreaming, it finally came true...
It is a LS430 with UN package (UL + PCS precollison system which in Northern California they force you to have.)
$63894.31 I paid. It is $9044 off MSRP ($72939) and $1348 over invoice ($62546).
I believe it is a good deal but I have to wait until now (late August) to get it.
($63894.31 + $45) x 1.0875% + $461 + $5 = $70K out the door.
(Price+docfee) x damn tax + lic fee + tire
Did I get a good deal considering the 05 is coming in three weeks?
I plan to keep it for five years. In 2009, this 04 will be about $2500 less than a 05 with the same mileage.
The 05's coming out in three wks will be priced about the same ($300 more according to two dealership and there are NO differences in terms of the options except the 18" optional wheels available even in non-sport version). I figured no dealership will want to sell a 05 at $4000 above invoice (or $6500 off MSRP) when they first come off the boat so here gone my money.
If you are shopping, this is so you know what is possible.
It is a LS430 with UN package (UL + PCS precollison system which in Northern California they force you to have.)
$63894.31 I paid. It is $9044 off MSRP ($72939) and $1348 over invoice ($62546).
I believe it is a good deal but I have to wait until now (late August) to get it.
($63894.31 + $45) x 1.0875% + $461 + $5 = $70K out the door.
(Price+docfee) x damn tax + lic fee + tire
Did I get a good deal considering the 05 is coming in three weeks?
I plan to keep it for five years. In 2009, this 04 will be about $2500 less than a 05 with the same mileage.
The 05's coming out in three wks will be priced about the same ($300 more according to two dealership and there are NO differences in terms of the options except the 18" optional wheels available even in non-sport version). I figured no dealership will want to sell a 05 at $4000 above invoice (or $6500 off MSRP) when they first come off the boat so here gone my money.
If you are shopping, this is so you know what is possible.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 6
From: California
Re: Finally, I got my new LS430...
Originally posted by DEREKC
Months of months of dreaming, it finally came true...
[IG]http://www.beyondautomation.com/aimages/truecome!.JPG[/IMG]
It is a LS430 with UN package (UL + PCS precollison system which in Northern California they force you to have.)
$63894.31 I paid. It is $9044 off MSRP ($72939) and $1348 over invoice ($62546).
I believe it is a good deal but I have to wait until now (late August) to get it.
($63894.31 + $45) x 1.0875% + $461 + $5 = $70K out the door.
(Price+docfee) x damn tax + lic fee + tire
Did I get a good deal considering the 05 is coming in three weeks?
I plan to keep it for five years. In 2009, this 04 will be about $2500 less than a 05 with the same mileage.
The 05's coming out in three wks will be priced about the same ($300 more according to two dealership and there are NO differences in terms of the options except the 18" optional wheels available even in non-sport version). I figured no dealership will want to sell a 05 at $4000 above invoice (or $6500 off MSRP) when they first come off the boat so here gone my money.
If you are shopping, this is so you know what is possible.
Months of months of dreaming, it finally came true...
[IG]http://www.beyondautomation.com/aimages/truecome!.JPG[/IMG]
It is a LS430 with UN package (UL + PCS precollison system which in Northern California they force you to have.)
$63894.31 I paid. It is $9044 off MSRP ($72939) and $1348 over invoice ($62546).
I believe it is a good deal but I have to wait until now (late August) to get it.
($63894.31 + $45) x 1.0875% + $461 + $5 = $70K out the door.
(Price+docfee) x damn tax + lic fee + tire
Did I get a good deal considering the 05 is coming in three weeks?
I plan to keep it for five years. In 2009, this 04 will be about $2500 less than a 05 with the same mileage.
The 05's coming out in three wks will be priced about the same ($300 more according to two dealership and there are NO differences in terms of the options except the 18" optional wheels available even in non-sport version). I figured no dealership will want to sell a 05 at $4000 above invoice (or $6500 off MSRP) when they first come off the boat so here gone my money.
If you are shopping, this is so you know what is possible.
Does that look like Hercules to me, the way the houses there look?
Last edited by nthach; Aug 29, 2004 at 09:27 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,067
Likes: 457
From: Pennsylvania
I agree with your financial analysis, mainly because dealers won't discount (much) on the '05. For American and less "in demand" vehicles, however, the 2005 is generally the better way to go as they will end up with big discounts in just a few weeks.
Trending Topics
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally posted by flkey
'03 Cocoon
I get $65,100 out the door, by your adds, where is my arithmetic at fault?
'03 Cocoon
I get $65,100 out the door, by your adds, where is my arithmetic at fault?
Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Derek-
If you're anything like any of us new '04 LS owners, you'll be hoping it wasn't all just a dream. I had to go check the garage the first few mornings to make sure the car was really there...The old Lexus commercials are accurate in that you will find any reason to run unnecessary errands now.
Congrats! Your car looks great! Sounds like you made a smart deal as well!
If you're anything like any of us new '04 LS owners, you'll be hoping it wasn't all just a dream. I had to go check the garage the first few mornings to make sure the car was really there...The old Lexus commercials are accurate in that you will find any reason to run unnecessary errands now.
Congrats! Your car looks great! Sounds like you made a smart deal as well!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Florida
'03 Cocoon
You have made a great deal, and I applaud your deal but,$70,000 - $4900 = something is missing.
Please explain what I don't understand.
Whatever I missed, you have a wonderful automoble, and you will be foreever pleased with your choice.
Good night'
You have made a great deal, and I applaud your deal but,$70,000 - $4900 = something is missing.
Please explain what I don't understand.
Whatever I missed, you have a wonderful automoble, and you will be foreever pleased with your choice.
Good night'
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 170
Likes: 16
From: California
A week of owning this car..
A week of owning this car and let me tell you what I feel honestly.
First of all, I also have a 2000 GS300 that I added an remote start alarm and DVD changer with two headrest monitors. Also have 95% tint on the rear windows, camera looking at the rear traffic and Pioneer Navigation. I also put some 18" wheel and some wider tires on it.
This LS430 is certainly feeling luxury and quiet. But since I haven't finished reading that inch thick manual, I still have not figured out how to use most of the features. I feel like it is too much to play with when I have to concentrate on driving.
I missed my remote start on my GS to cool down my car 5 minutes before jumping in.
The smart key is too smart. I have to walk around to open the doors for my family before I get into my driver seat. I read the manual and figured I could program it to unlock all doors when I touch the driver handle. But then what if I am by myself? I miss my 2-step unlock on my GS.
I am still learning how to use the smart key. I can't control when it allows me to unlock and when it doesn't (like after you pressed the lock button on the key transmitter, you have to wait for a few sec to smart-unlock the door.)
And it doesn't do auto lock. I am so used to the passive arming and locking on my GS.
The window shade doesn't really do much shading. 80% of the sun still pass thru the holes and it is not as cool as you have 95% tint.
I have the rear passenger luxury package but I will have two baby car seats mounted in the rear. Now the cool box and those buttons will be folded up and never be touched. Why did I buy a UL package I ask myself.
So far I don't see the cool box working. It is just not cool.
The seat cooling was working sometimes. I felt it working (a little bit) when I was test driving it and last weekend I felt it in the morning but most of the time I couldn't feel it. My rear passenger could never tell if it was on.
The navigation has a feature that tell the street numbers of the houses you are driving by. The street name is of course right but the number is definitely way off.
The voice command is quite useless to me. I guess I really have to spend an afternoon reading the manual. I wish the voice commanding thing could record my voice.
Last nite I picked up some go-to dinner and put it in my trunk. I was surprised I could smell it from inside the cabin. I wondered if the micro-filtering thing is working. I hope it is because I didn't press the right button filtering out the smell from outside (trunk is outside??)
The fine wood portion of the steering wheel is too smooth for my dry hands. I can't get a good grab of the steering. I want my leather steeling wheel.
When you have car seat, I don't recommend getting the UL. I constantly have to remind my 4-years old not to touch the button. I don't like the idea of massaging the car seat or declining the seat when the car seat is tightly secured. That could easily tear off the soft leather. There is no disable button.
I thought the car has turn signal lights on the outside mirrors. I guess it is still a mercedes thing.
Wish DVD was at least an option. Usually my 4-years old jumps into my van and put on the IR headphone and I don't hear a word from him for the trip.
Too much luxury and too much distractions. I have a feeling that I want just the basic enough for me to drive.
But please don't get me wrong. It is still the world's best luxury sedan for the money. Any other cars costing over $20k can't even touch it. It is just me needing more time to adjust to these luxury features.
DC
First of all, I also have a 2000 GS300 that I added an remote start alarm and DVD changer with two headrest monitors. Also have 95% tint on the rear windows, camera looking at the rear traffic and Pioneer Navigation. I also put some 18" wheel and some wider tires on it.
This LS430 is certainly feeling luxury and quiet. But since I haven't finished reading that inch thick manual, I still have not figured out how to use most of the features. I feel like it is too much to play with when I have to concentrate on driving.
I missed my remote start on my GS to cool down my car 5 minutes before jumping in.
The smart key is too smart. I have to walk around to open the doors for my family before I get into my driver seat. I read the manual and figured I could program it to unlock all doors when I touch the driver handle. But then what if I am by myself? I miss my 2-step unlock on my GS.
I am still learning how to use the smart key. I can't control when it allows me to unlock and when it doesn't (like after you pressed the lock button on the key transmitter, you have to wait for a few sec to smart-unlock the door.)
And it doesn't do auto lock. I am so used to the passive arming and locking on my GS.
The window shade doesn't really do much shading. 80% of the sun still pass thru the holes and it is not as cool as you have 95% tint.
I have the rear passenger luxury package but I will have two baby car seats mounted in the rear. Now the cool box and those buttons will be folded up and never be touched. Why did I buy a UL package I ask myself.
So far I don't see the cool box working. It is just not cool.
The seat cooling was working sometimes. I felt it working (a little bit) when I was test driving it and last weekend I felt it in the morning but most of the time I couldn't feel it. My rear passenger could never tell if it was on.
The navigation has a feature that tell the street numbers of the houses you are driving by. The street name is of course right but the number is definitely way off.
The voice command is quite useless to me. I guess I really have to spend an afternoon reading the manual. I wish the voice commanding thing could record my voice.
Last nite I picked up some go-to dinner and put it in my trunk. I was surprised I could smell it from inside the cabin. I wondered if the micro-filtering thing is working. I hope it is because I didn't press the right button filtering out the smell from outside (trunk is outside??)
The fine wood portion of the steering wheel is too smooth for my dry hands. I can't get a good grab of the steering. I want my leather steeling wheel.
When you have car seat, I don't recommend getting the UL. I constantly have to remind my 4-years old not to touch the button. I don't like the idea of massaging the car seat or declining the seat when the car seat is tightly secured. That could easily tear off the soft leather. There is no disable button.
I thought the car has turn signal lights on the outside mirrors. I guess it is still a mercedes thing.
Wish DVD was at least an option. Usually my 4-years old jumps into my van and put on the IR headphone and I don't hear a word from him for the trip.
Too much luxury and too much distractions. I have a feeling that I want just the basic enough for me to drive.
But please don't get me wrong. It is still the world's best luxury sedan for the money. Any other cars costing over $20k can't even touch it. It is just me needing more time to adjust to these luxury features.
DC
Last edited by DEREKC; Aug 30, 2004 at 08:40 PM.
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: A week of owning this car..
I have a 2004 with the Custom Luxury, so I'll comment on the common features.
Originally posted by DEREKC
A week of owning this car and let me tell you what I feel honestly.
The smart key is too smart. I have to walk around to open the doors for my family before I get into my driver seat. I read the manual and figured I could program it to unlock all doors when I touch the driver handle. But then what if I am by myself? I miss my 2-step unlock on my GS.
I just use the remote to unlock all the doors as I walk up to the car. It works the same, if you press the unlock button twice, it unlocks all the doors
The window shade doesn't really do much shading. 80% of the sun still pass thru the holes and it is not as cool as you have 95% tint.
I only have the rear sunshade, but the dealer tinted my windows for free. With the window tinting, the sunshade works very well. I would suggest that you get your windows tinted.
IThe seat cooling was working sometimes. I felt it working (a little bit) when I was test driving it and last weekend I felt it in the morning but most of the time I couldn't feel it. My rear passenger could never tell if it was on.
I think the seat coolers work pretty well. I find that I need to turn them down (less cooling) after a few minutes. That's in Houston summer heat.
The voice command is quite useless to me. I guess I really have to spend an afternoon reading the manual. I wish the voice commanding thing could record my voice.
I think that's a universal opinion.
Last nite I picked up some go-to dinner and put it in my trunk. I was surprised I could smell it from inside the cabin. I wondered if the micro-filtering thing is working. I hope it is because I didn't press the right button filtering out the smell from outside (trunk is outside??)
There should be a "pass through" into the trunk. Make sure it's not open.
The fine wood portion of the steering wheel is too smooth for my dry hands. I can't get a good grab of the steering. I want my leather steeling wheel.
I agree, I want leather too. I made a post a few months back...
DC
A week of owning this car and let me tell you what I feel honestly.
The smart key is too smart. I have to walk around to open the doors for my family before I get into my driver seat. I read the manual and figured I could program it to unlock all doors when I touch the driver handle. But then what if I am by myself? I miss my 2-step unlock on my GS.
I just use the remote to unlock all the doors as I walk up to the car. It works the same, if you press the unlock button twice, it unlocks all the doors
The window shade doesn't really do much shading. 80% of the sun still pass thru the holes and it is not as cool as you have 95% tint.
I only have the rear sunshade, but the dealer tinted my windows for free. With the window tinting, the sunshade works very well. I would suggest that you get your windows tinted.
IThe seat cooling was working sometimes. I felt it working (a little bit) when I was test driving it and last weekend I felt it in the morning but most of the time I couldn't feel it. My rear passenger could never tell if it was on.
I think the seat coolers work pretty well. I find that I need to turn them down (less cooling) after a few minutes. That's in Houston summer heat.
The voice command is quite useless to me. I guess I really have to spend an afternoon reading the manual. I wish the voice commanding thing could record my voice.
I think that's a universal opinion.
Last nite I picked up some go-to dinner and put it in my trunk. I was surprised I could smell it from inside the cabin. I wondered if the micro-filtering thing is working. I hope it is because I didn't press the right button filtering out the smell from outside (trunk is outside??)
There should be a "pass through" into the trunk. Make sure it's not open.
The fine wood portion of the steering wheel is too smooth for my dry hands. I can't get a good grab of the steering. I want my leather steeling wheel.
I agree, I want leather too. I made a post a few months back...
DC
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: California
Re: A week of owning this car..
Originally posted by DEREKC
A week of owning this car and let me tell you what I feel honestly.
First of all, I also have a 2000 GS300 that I added an remote start alarm and DVD changer with two headrest monitors. Also have 95% tint on the rear windows, camera looking at the rear traffic and Pioneer Navigation. I also put some 18" wheel and some wider tires on it.
This LS430 is certainly feeling luxury and quiet. But since I haven't finished reading that inch thick manual, I still have not figured out how to use most of the features. I feel like it is too much to play with when I have to concentrate on driving.
I missed my remote start on my GS to cool down my car 5 minutes before jumping in.
The smart key is too smart. I have to walk around to open the doors for my family before I get into my driver seat. I read the manual and figured I could program it to unlock all doors when I touch the driver handle. But then what if I am by myself? I miss my 2-step unlock on my GS.
I am still learning how to use the smart key. I can't control when it allows me to unlock and when it doesn't (like after you pressed the lock button on the key transmitter, you have to wait for a few sec to smart-unlock the door.)
And it doesn't do auto lock. I am so used to the passive arming and locking on my GS.
The window shade doesn't really do much shading. 80% of the sun still pass thru the holes and it is not as cool as you have 95% tint.
I have the rear passenger luxury package but I will have two baby car seats mounted in the rear. Now the cool box and those buttons will be folded up and never be touched. Why did I buy a UL package I ask myself.
So far I don't see the cool box working. It is just not cool.
The seat cooling was working sometimes. I felt it working (a little bit) when I was test driving it and last weekend I felt it in the morning but most of the time I couldn't feel it. My rear passenger could never tell if it was on.
The navigation has a feature that tell the street numbers of the houses you are driving by. The street name is of course right but the number is definitely way off.
The voice command is quite useless to me. I guess I really have to spend an afternoon reading the manual. I wish the voice commanding thing could record my voice.
Last nite I picked up some go-to dinner and put it in my trunk. I was surprised I could smell it from inside the cabin. I wondered if the micro-filtering thing is working. I hope it is because I didn't press the right button filtering out the smell from outside (trunk is outside??)
The fine wood portion of the steering wheel is too smooth for my dry hands. I can't get a good grab of the steering. I want my leather steeling wheel.
When you have car seat, I don't recommend getting the UL. I constantly have to remind my 4-years old not to touch the button. I don't like the idea of massaging the car seat or declining the seat when the car seat is tightly secured. That could easily tear off the soft leather. There is no disable button.
I thought the car has turn signal lights on the outside mirrors. I guess it is still a mercedes thing.
Wish DVD was at least an option. Usually my 4-years old jumps into my van and put on the IR headphone and I don't hear a word from him for the trip.
Too much luxury and too much distractions. I have a feeling that I want just the basic enough for me to drive.
But please don't get me wrong. It is still the world's best luxury sedan for the money. Any other cars costing over $20k can't even touch it. It is just me needing more time to adjust to these luxury features.
DC
A week of owning this car and let me tell you what I feel honestly.
First of all, I also have a 2000 GS300 that I added an remote start alarm and DVD changer with two headrest monitors. Also have 95% tint on the rear windows, camera looking at the rear traffic and Pioneer Navigation. I also put some 18" wheel and some wider tires on it.
This LS430 is certainly feeling luxury and quiet. But since I haven't finished reading that inch thick manual, I still have not figured out how to use most of the features. I feel like it is too much to play with when I have to concentrate on driving.
I missed my remote start on my GS to cool down my car 5 minutes before jumping in.
The smart key is too smart. I have to walk around to open the doors for my family before I get into my driver seat. I read the manual and figured I could program it to unlock all doors when I touch the driver handle. But then what if I am by myself? I miss my 2-step unlock on my GS.
I am still learning how to use the smart key. I can't control when it allows me to unlock and when it doesn't (like after you pressed the lock button on the key transmitter, you have to wait for a few sec to smart-unlock the door.)
And it doesn't do auto lock. I am so used to the passive arming and locking on my GS.
The window shade doesn't really do much shading. 80% of the sun still pass thru the holes and it is not as cool as you have 95% tint.
I have the rear passenger luxury package but I will have two baby car seats mounted in the rear. Now the cool box and those buttons will be folded up and never be touched. Why did I buy a UL package I ask myself.
So far I don't see the cool box working. It is just not cool.
The seat cooling was working sometimes. I felt it working (a little bit) when I was test driving it and last weekend I felt it in the morning but most of the time I couldn't feel it. My rear passenger could never tell if it was on.
The navigation has a feature that tell the street numbers of the houses you are driving by. The street name is of course right but the number is definitely way off.
The voice command is quite useless to me. I guess I really have to spend an afternoon reading the manual. I wish the voice commanding thing could record my voice.
Last nite I picked up some go-to dinner and put it in my trunk. I was surprised I could smell it from inside the cabin. I wondered if the micro-filtering thing is working. I hope it is because I didn't press the right button filtering out the smell from outside (trunk is outside??)
The fine wood portion of the steering wheel is too smooth for my dry hands. I can't get a good grab of the steering. I want my leather steeling wheel.
When you have car seat, I don't recommend getting the UL. I constantly have to remind my 4-years old not to touch the button. I don't like the idea of massaging the car seat or declining the seat when the car seat is tightly secured. That could easily tear off the soft leather. There is no disable button.
I thought the car has turn signal lights on the outside mirrors. I guess it is still a mercedes thing.
Wish DVD was at least an option. Usually my 4-years old jumps into my van and put on the IR headphone and I don't hear a word from him for the trip.
Too much luxury and too much distractions. I have a feeling that I want just the basic enough for me to drive.
But please don't get me wrong. It is still the world's best luxury sedan for the money. Any other cars costing over $20k can't even touch it. It is just me needing more time to adjust to these luxury features.
DC
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: California
Re: Re: A week of owning this car..
Originally posted by houstonnw
I have a 2004 with the Custom Luxury, so I'll comment on the common features.
I have a 2004 with the Custom Luxury, so I'll comment on the common features.
It was replaced by a refrigerated box.