I am interested in ordering a new rx350 hybrid. I saw a premium plus trim level that had a panoramic roof as an option but the interior was the wrong color at a local dealership. I wanted to order the car in a different color, but I’ve had two dealerships now tell me there’s no way to order the premium plus trim with a panoramic… Even though they had one for sale. The dealerships are telling me there’s no way to order a car exactly like you want it anymore that you just have to get either base, premium, plus or luxury trims and take it the way they have it. is this true?

 

I was told by two local dealerships that you can no longer pre-order a car the way you want it even though you can build the car on the Lexus website. Basically I am wanting to order a premium plus RX 350 but add the optional panoramic glass. I am now being told I can’t do that and would have to go up to luxury. my question is, can we not order cars like the website build shows anymore?

 

You're in the wrong generation forum. Try building your spec on the Lexus website.

 

Seems to vary by model and supply and demand. Right now they are having a hard time keeping hybrids in stock at the dealerships. May be the same case for the RX350 non-hybrid.

For example, I just checked my local dealer here in San Diego. 1 RX350 Premium in stock, 17 RX's with various trim levels on the way over the next few weeks most of which are probably sold. They don't seem to stay on the lot but a few days.

I will say you should consider getting a model without the pano roof. Many have had issues with failure, rattling, etc. If out of warranty, the pano could cost $5k or more to fix.

I had a 2021RX with the pano and never had any issues. But I did not keep the car that long before getting a 2024 with a standard sunroof. I don't miss the pano at all.

 

Moved thread ... Assuming the OP's question is about ordering a new RX.

It seems Lexus is still following the old and established way of "allocation". Allocation in summary is fixed number of vehicles are allocated to each dealership [based on their past sales history]. This further implies that dealerships prefer to get allocation of highly packaged configurations for maximizing their profits. One can approach a dealership and ask them for the must have items and they 'should' try to match with the allocated vehicles in the area and do a exchange with the other dealership preferably when the vehicle is on route [assuming they have good inter dealer relationship]. This typically ends up in a way that the buyer has to compromise/accept the extras or settle for bit less. Keep in mind the dealer will always push to sell the vehicles that are allocated to them [this includes better negotiating terms]

For a buyer I would suggest that first figure out what will be acceptable [exterior-interior color options] etc and talk to their local sales person.
Buyer should look for largest dealership to increase their odds or finding a match.
Not a fact but if you have a long term relationship with a dealer and are a guaranteed buyer, you can ask for a perfectly configured [customized] vehicle at that dealership. The risk the dealership has is if the customer walks away before taking the ownership, they may end up with vehicle that is hard to sell and potentially does not have the maximized payback.

All of the above is due to the fact that Lexus is still a mass produce manufacturer. One vehicle exception creates lots of wrinkles in the production plant.

Extra reading: Lexus also does "bundling" of options. Each model year bundle can be different from previous years. ex: Convenience package, Luxury package etc. Do not assume there is vertical layering where the perceived higher level has all of the lower + more. There are selected features in a bundle based on marketing analysis.

Saliim

PS: Canadian vs Lower states of America markets also have differences too.

 

So….. that does make it sounds like we can no longer pre order a car exactly like we want even if paying in full up front. Is that the case?
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The dealer will find you one on allocation if you give them the rough specs. Unless you want purple with pink interior? Anyhoo, that's how we bought our 350h last Feb. They found almost an exact match coming in eight weeks later.

 

Does anyone know if is is possible to still preorder if paying in full? I am talking about a premium+ RX350H standard black exterior with beige interior (not crazy color combos). All I'm trying to do is order one with the optional panoramic window that is shown as an available option on the Lexus website. One dealership said they have been looking for a few weeks but chances are not good to ever get that....I guess I am just not understanding the definition or a preorder.

 

There have been many threads here about ordering a Lexus from the factory and it sounds like you CANNOT.

 

Thank you for the info

 

Is there a package that includes all the things you want? If yes, it might take time but most likely the dealer will find you one. If not adjust your expectations.

If you still want to insist on a special configuration then go to the largest Lexus dealership around you on neighboring state. See if they will promise to custom order [prepay or not]. Personally i would never prepay in full. Members here can not answer your question and even if they do, you need s\dealer to order you one. You can reach out to auto brokers and let them do your legwork for a cut.

If personalization is really important, I would steer you to Porsche. Be ready to pay many dollars for customization [you can 2x the base price very quickly].

Salim

 

That is correct, at least back in April when I bought my RX350. From my reading then, Lexus stopped doing build to order vehicles during Covid, and never resumed. My approach was to spec exactly what I wanted, every detail, and push my local dealer to either find one, or not sell a car. Took them a couple hours to find EXACTLY what I wanted and to negotiate with the other dealer to get the unit. And while price negotiation is harder, I did get 5% off which was not a screaming deal, but it was OK and I got exactly what I wanted.

 

AFAIK, Lexus does not allow ordering of any model. Dealers can trade for inventory/allocations but ultimately Lexus corporate decides what config permutations to build.

A good dealer should take your list of must-haves, wants, and most-not-haves and show you what they can get you.

 

Perhaps merge this thread with the other one, same title, in this forum area, by the OP?

 

LC bespoke build is a custom order.