Hi all,

My dad is looking for an used RX. THe dealer here has 2004 RX AWD with NAVI and backup cam, 35000 miles, and Certified. This is a 1-owner leased return so all the services are up to date. They want $33,5K. He's really likes the car and wants to buy it. We offered $30k but the dealer didn't want.

I said it is too much for a 4 years old car. I rather buy a new one and pay a little higher but have a peace of mind.

He does not like the "NAVI" and prefers NOT too have it. That saves some cash on the new one. Dealers here don't do invoice on new car (it's in NE and we have only 2 dealers owner by the same guy).

So the question is:
Is that too much for the 2004?
What is the best price for the base 08 AWD?

Thanks,

 

Try to meet the dealer in the middle as far as the price is concerned, or buy it out of state.

 

err that isnt way too much, but it is a bit high. the car has considerably low miles on it. i would expect to pay anywhere from 29-32. if you do a kelly blue book on that car, the dealer probably got it for 26Kish.

a base Rx would be around 39K without all the taxes

 

I was recently in a similar dilemma, and ended up getting 2005 AWD NAV Prem+ off-lease. It took me 2 months of hard search, and my local dealer knew that I am on the look out for, and called me as soon as it was returned from lease. No dealer in 200mi area could even come close to the price I got, and I had been laughed at and hung up on over the phone. The local dealer had originally leased the vehicle out so they'd already made $ on it, and looks like were able to sell at a lower price.

If your dad can live w/o NAVI, then its a different game, there are tons of non-NAV off-lease RX330s in every color, and btw prices for 2005 and 2004 are identical, so go with a 2005.

 

They leased this one out so they make lot of money already, the original returns this for a new 07 RX350. I mentioned that they got it in for probably 25-26k, spend $900 to certified it. I offered $30k so i figure they make about 2k right there. They don't want it.

Last time i bought the IS, I asked them 10% off MSRP and I got 8% off, but that is new. for used car, i believe they have higher markup so I started with 15% off then 14% off but they still don't want it.

They have another leased return in a few days without NAVI. Let's see how that turns out.

 

Let me guess, Inskip? If so, I bought my 04 RX there and although their prices seem a bit more, the service more than makes up for it!

 

RX is a high demand vehicle, and it sells really high even at the dealer auctions. Those dealers that buy theirs from auctions incur higher costs, therefore, have to ask a higher price. Lease return or trade-in units are best deals, but still, you gotta do full detail, new tires, new brakes on a 3 yr old vehicle, so there's $1500-2000 reconditioning cost right there. Ask for a non-certified one and save 3 grand.

 

$33k is way too much for '04 RX330. We purchased our '04 RX with Navi, rear seat entertainment and other bells and whistles with less than 40k for $27k, including taxes and everything. Realistically, you shouldn't be paying more than $27-28k for the vehicle you're looking for.

 

that is an incredible deal, sounds like too good to be true. There's gotta be a catch. Did you buy yours from a private party, from the auction, or a dealer? Was it in a major accident?

 

No catch at all. No accidents, clear title, one owner. I did buy from a private party though.

There are a few other folks who are selling RXs in the similar price range here. Also, from what I've seen, usuallly Lexus owners take a very good care of their cars and buying a car from a private party is pretty much the same as from a dealer, except saving $2-3k in their "administrative" fees.

 

even though it is a 1-owner, clean and certified but paying more than $30k for it is too much. I will wait for the end of the month to see if they want to let go at that price.

Thank you all for your comments.

 

GoHuskers, just as FYI, most of RX330 that are available for sale now are 1 owner, unless there is something really wrong with a car. Keep on looking and you should have no problems finding RX300 below $28k

 

ever considered buying from out of state and getting the car shipped over? someone in the IS forums bought a IS250 here in california for 2K less then the best deal he could get in hawaii. Just paid the shipping cost and still saved more then 800+ dollars.

 

Good Idea but this only works well for NEW car since all new cars are almost the same. You can buy it without looking at it. For used car, you need to see it and test drive it before buying it.

Dealer didn't call yet, so I believe they didn't want to let it go at that price yet. Will be still looking.

 

How about bordering states where you can just drive over and take a look at the car in person.