Mors

I'm planning on buying a new RX450h and had a question about how to approach this. I'm looking to buy one of the higher priced ones.
Is it best to go in there looking at the hybrid and the higher priced one, then go down to a lower priced one (in which case the salesrep may try harder to get me into the higher priced one giving me a better price).
OR
Is it best to go in looking at a lower priced one, then go looking at a higher priced one (in which case the salerep may try harder to get me into the higher priced one giving me a better price).
OR
does it really matter?

vlad_a

Figure out exactly what you want. Any jumping between options will get you more confused.
Then e-mail all of local dealerships for a price quote. Some will respond.
Pick the best price and go there. Internet sales reps will get you the best price because of a more fierce competition. I drove to Philly to pick mine up, because the price diff with local dealers was $1,100.

cubbie036

Options options options... you should ask to drive a fully loaded one. then have them explain the features. Stuff like the HUD and auto power folding mirrors are nice to haves. Something like the active cruise control might not interest you if you're one who never uses it. However, i believe the active cruise feature comes with the pre-collision system. This might be something you really want. so if you take your time and have them show you ALL the major features you're in a much better position to know what you want. then haggle with them.

On a side note, remember if you are trading in a car, get what they are willing to give you for it BEFORE you talk numbers for the new car. then try and get them down in price of the new car. once you get them down to the lowest they will go, ask them to give you a few minutes to think about it. go walk and look at the car you want... stroll back in and tell the sales person you'll take it at the agreed price if they will give you say $2000 more for you trade in. (unless the car is really a beater and in poor shape) they will push back and tell you no. you tell them you know they will sell it for close to $4000 higher than what they will give it too you for. then say $1500... see if they will budge. tell them you you will walk if they don't work with you... and really mean it. I did exactly this and actually got $2000 more for my car. they still made $3000 off it. (oh and if you are trading in a car, spend the $50 -$100 to get it fully detailed before going to the dealer. having a trade-in that needs no work to clean up for resale gives you more leverage in how much they should give you for it. I told my sales guy, "Look the car is in excellent shape (it truly was) and you guys don't have to do a thing to it for resale. So save me the speech about the cost to the dealership. You're gonna make money off it."

Good luck!

Mors

Thank you both for the advice. On another note, do power folding mirrors only come with the luxury package or are they on other RX's as an option? I think the PCS and Adaptive Cruise Control are pretty much special order items from what I've read, is that true too? I don't live near a Lexus dealer so it's not very convenient for me. I noticed they seemed to have changed the packages a little bit for 2014's, which is disappointing - the luxury package now comes with the Rear Entertainment System so it's quite a bit more expensive to get all of the extras the 2013 luxury package came with)

dwlink

Could always save yourself a nice chunk of cash and buy a 2013 unless you absolutely want to buy new.

Evitzee

Determine the dealers invoice cost....various sites have this info. Then knockoff 2-3% and this is essentially the bottom line cost to the dealer after holdbacks and incentives. From there negotiate up to give him a reasonable profit and you a good deal.

markrivers

When you walk into a Louis Vuitton store to buy a handbag.. do you haggle?
When you walk into Target/ Walmart to buy grocery.. do you haggle?
How about starbucks? that overpriced cup of joe...and yet WE pay $5. everyday.

There are tons of articles about buying/ leasing BUT still the Dealership wins.. like a Casino.
My point is do you want to drive the car you want OR do you want to save as much money you can?
You can't have both. the answer is somewhere in the middle.

IF you don't care about make, year model, color combination or options/packages then you're in a better position to negotiate.
if you don't care about about time, then you can spend 3 weeks and thousand of miles to FIND the BEST deal.

Years of experience taught me, anything below MSRP is a good deal, especially if it's a "Hot" car like an RX350.
i believe i got a good deal for a 2013 RX 350 FWD ($47,000 for a $49,800 MSRP) before loyalty discount and financing incentives.
I got the BEST deal on a 2013 Toyota RAV 4 EV.

GoGiantsNJ

I agree with some of the advice you've been given, but I find that I don't even mention my trade till after I negotiate the price of the new car. I always buy on the last day or close to the last day of the mont. If you plan on keeping your RX long term and don't mind the depreciation,buy a leftover year's model when the new year models are coming in.

Good Luck.

Mors

Thanks again all. Very helpful. I figured I may not get much off an RX. I currently have a 2002 RX300 (bought from Sewell in Dallas), so I've had that for a long time. I typically keep my cars for awhile. If 2013 had Siri access via the button on the steering wheel, then I'd easily take the 2013 and know I'd get a better deal than the 2014. Who knows, they may update the 2013 software to actually do that. Some of these things I've read about. I've been waiting for 2014's to come out, so waiting a bit longer isn't a big deal. I've walked away before when I didn't get the deal I wanted so that's not a big deal to me either. Don't think I'll trade in my current car. I'm sure I can get a much better deal if I sell it outright - it's still a great car, and I'm sure someone will pay for it. I also understand the dealer always wins; otherwise, they wouldn't sell me the car. I think I can take the advice given and go from there. Once again, I appreciate it.

markrivers

@ Mors, if you're keeping the RX 300.. and you're open to a hybrid vehicle.. why not consider an electric.
Whether a nissan leaf or a Toyota RAV 4 EV depending on the range that you want.
Difference is night and day..