Couldn't pull the trigger on an 04 LS430 today
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
I'm still getting call from the dealership to come in and make a deal by month end.
Here is the situation, Just bought my 2001 last month for $14,000 with 79K miles. Mint condition with NAV (2007 disk). Bought 18" wheels and tires for $1100. The 04 (nav, 17" wheels) has 73K miles and I have the price down to $17500. They are now offering over the phone $12,000 for my car which is what I wanted while I was there. I told them that offer is no longer good and I now need $12,500 but I told them I'm leaning toward keeping my car (thanks to you guys.)
They may make on final desperation call. We'll see.
Here is the situation, Just bought my 2001 last month for $14,000 with 79K miles. Mint condition with NAV (2007 disk). Bought 18" wheels and tires for $1100. The 04 (nav, 17" wheels) has 73K miles and I have the price down to $17500. They are now offering over the phone $12,000 for my car which is what I wanted while I was there. I told them that offer is no longer good and I now need $12,500 but I told them I'm leaning toward keeping my car (thanks to you guys.)
They may make on final desperation call. We'll see.
I'm sure they regret not giving you 12k when you were there.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 2
From: So. California
Hi JLaws -
We have both an '02 and an '06 and since both are in mint condition, there's very very little in the performance/styling/features department that would warrant the difference in price you're talking about. Sure the '04 - '06 has minor trim differences, back-up camera, transmission & entry key features (et al) which are preferable but in my opinion, they just don't mean that much in the overall Lexus ownership experience.
I still get a kick in taking out my '02 for no other reason than the simple joy of the drive itself. Frankly, it wouldn't and hasn't been any more or less pleasurable when doing the exact same thing in my better half's '06. Both equally great rides!
We have both an '02 and an '06 and since both are in mint condition, there's very very little in the performance/styling/features department that would warrant the difference in price you're talking about. Sure the '04 - '06 has minor trim differences, back-up camera, transmission & entry key features (et al) which are preferable but in my opinion, they just don't mean that much in the overall Lexus ownership experience.
I still get a kick in taking out my '02 for no other reason than the simple joy of the drive itself. Frankly, it wouldn't and hasn't been any more or less pleasurable when doing the exact same thing in my better half's '06. Both equally great rides!
Last edited by mewhee; Sep 30, 2010 at 04:03 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 454
Likes: 8
From: KS/MO
Often, its best in these scenarios to look at what you've got in a tangible form, "on paper"
Let's crunch some numbers here... 14k paid for your car one month ago, plus 1100.00 in wheels equals 15,100.00 total invested in your car (plus taxes that should be a wash in a trade in most states).
Their car is 17500 and assuming they bite at 12500 for yours, when we add in the LOSSES from what you have invested versus their trade offer, what they are basically saying is you can buy their car for $20,100.00 (17,500 purchase price, plus 1500.00 loss in value, plus 1100.00 paid for wheels). I paid 17.5k for my 2004 with Premium pack and slightly more miles, so at 17.5k their car IS a good deal... at 20k, not as much.
Another way to look at it is that the 2004 simply is not worth 5000.00 more than the 2001 (15100 invested in your 2001 versus 20100 after losing 1500 and losing your wheels). If you want a new car that badly, and are willing to "pay" 5 grand for the priviledge, buy something different. So many other things I'd rather do with 5 grand than dump it into the nearly identical car I already own.
Let's crunch some numbers here... 14k paid for your car one month ago, plus 1100.00 in wheels equals 15,100.00 total invested in your car (plus taxes that should be a wash in a trade in most states).
Their car is 17500 and assuming they bite at 12500 for yours, when we add in the LOSSES from what you have invested versus their trade offer, what they are basically saying is you can buy their car for $20,100.00 (17,500 purchase price, plus 1500.00 loss in value, plus 1100.00 paid for wheels). I paid 17.5k for my 2004 with Premium pack and slightly more miles, so at 17.5k their car IS a good deal... at 20k, not as much.
Another way to look at it is that the 2004 simply is not worth 5000.00 more than the 2001 (15100 invested in your 2001 versus 20100 after losing 1500 and losing your wheels). If you want a new car that badly, and are willing to "pay" 5 grand for the priviledge, buy something different. So many other things I'd rather do with 5 grand than dump it into the nearly identical car I already own.
Last edited by Playdrv4me; Oct 1, 2010 at 01:24 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 504
Likes: 54
From: wa
just like other mentioned, look at the hard number, if you want to be a sucker, go ahead and trade in your 1 month old car.
If you like the 04 that much, I suggest you work out the deal without trade in. The dealer knows they are making money by getting your trade, not much so on selling the 04 to you.
One thing you can do is buy the 04, then sell the 01 yourself. I will buy it from you
If you like the 04 that much, I suggest you work out the deal without trade in. The dealer knows they are making money by getting your trade, not much so on selling the 04 to you.
One thing you can do is buy the 04, then sell the 01 yourself. I will buy it from you
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 304
Just remember that as fast as you have somewhat cooled off on your 01 can be as fast as your interest in the 04 might wane after you own it. This is usually how things play out. With familiarity the infatuation diminishes. It's something worth thinking about before reaching into your pocket..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post