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I've been searching for an LS 460 for a few months, and went back and forth on what to get. This forum has been incredibly helpful, and I really appreciate all of the insights fellow posters have given. I initially wanted a low mile CPO, then thought about waiting a few months for the redesigned 2018. I then decided to see what kind of deal I could get on the remaining new 2017s, and set an arbitrary sales price ($60k) that if I could get under that, then I'd buy the 2017. I figured at that sales price, I couldn't go wrong because it was near the CPO price of the low mileage late models I was looking at, and it was well below what the 2018s would sell for in the foreseeable future.
After a week of working with the internet sales managers at dealers all over California, I found one that would sell me a new 2017 for $59,650 before tax and license (MSRP of $77,454). I figured this was the absolute best I could do because several dealers basically laughed at me for asking, and telling me (politely and respectfully) that it would be way too low for them. Anyway, I bought the car at the great price, the dealer was super helpful and pleasant to work with. I'm coming from a ES 350, and this car is just better in every single way. I love the smooth, quiet ride, and it's been great on my long commute. Glad to have finally joined the club :-)
Eminent white pearl; black leather with Shimamoku espresso trim.
I think if one dealer could offer this price, then all the others should be able to offer it as well. But probably most of them are waiting for someone who does not care to spend several thousand more.
Still a a game of demand and supply. You are the winner this round.
"I think if one dealer could offer this price, then all the others should be able to offer it as well."
This is what has me really confused. My hometown dealer that I have a pretty good relationship with, would not match the price even though they had 4 LS 460s on the lot, including 2 of the exact configuration I was looking to buy. My family has bought 3 cars from this dealer through the same sales manager, and even he told me he couldn't get it approved. I agree with you that maybe they are confident they can sell them before the 2018s come in, and can get a better price. Perhaps the dealer I bought from was trying to hit some commission or sales number. There were 3-4 dealers willing to match and the rest said no way. I have no idea why.
I haven't been able to find out how the dealers incentives work (i.e., commissions or sales quotas). One salesman told me the dealer actually doesn't buy the car from the manufacturer until the car is sold to a customer, so they don't really care how long the new cars are on the lot. Not sure if that's true or not. Seems all that type of information is closely guarded, or I couldn't figure out how to find it. If anyone knows how it actually works, I'd be very interested in hearing about it.
I think the deal I got was purely around timing, as a complete redesign is due in a few months, and some dealers had too many remaining 2017s to be sold. I wouldn't expect that kind of deal under any other circumstances.
i think each dealer has its own marketing strategy depending on location and other factors.
One thing I don't like when buying a car is the price is not as transparent as other commodities. And most of the dealerships are equipped with so called high presssure sales tactics.
It will be interesting to know how the incetives work and what's the deal between dealer and manufacture. But I highly doubt it will benefit us as buyer. They are teamed up for profit, we are individuals and they can take down us one by one. That's for sure.
I am in Toronto Canada. Recently, I saw a 2015 LS460 with 24k KM about 15k miles priced for 48k USD from a Lexus dealership. 10k more for a 2 year newer car with 0 mileage is fantastic.
Personally, the 2017 exterior is better than 2018.
One thing I don't like when buying a car is the price is not as transparent as other commodities.
A particularly unpleasant one is in North Carolina is the "Dealer Documentation fee". Pretty non-negotiable (ranges from $650 to $750) and, unlike many states, is not capped at about $100-$200!
11-26-17, 05:36 PM
Finally pulled the trigger on a new LS 460
17K off a new LS. That is a amazing deal. Definitely worth being persistent and asking around. 
You could probably sell it right away for a few grand less then what the other dealers are asking for a nice profit.
