New Lexus: Avg/Reasonable Processing, Documentation Fee?
A lot of times this is what happens. They won't remove the doc fee or dealer add-ons, but they will reduce the price of the car to compensate. Basically you got a $1,200 discount off MSRP, assuming no other fees or add-ons.
When car shopping, always ask for an "Out The Door" price that includes any fees or incidentals.
THAT is what you need to negotiate.
Of course, it doesn't help if your wife shows that "Let's just get outta here" look...
THAT is what you need to negotiate.
Of course, it doesn't help if your wife shows that "Let's just get outta here" look...
Thanks for all of the responses.
Although we've been fortunate to own well over 30-new cars. Things have changed a LOT from when I worked for G.M. and was getting a new G.M. auto every year for a next to nothing trade-in delta (approx. $100 plus or minus my price paid). At that time, there was a specific salesman assigned to Class A buyers. They got used to seeing me every year, so they would just throw me the keys when the car arrived. Over the years that changed and my G.M. Division was sold.
So, we bought our first Lexus RX 330 in 2005. In 2006, the '05 RX got a sibling RX 330. In between the '05 & '06 RX's, plus 2016 & 2020 RX's, we owned a Honda Accord & Nisan Altima (we preferred the former over the latter). But, we still own the 2006 RX and it's still a pretty amazing drive/ride.
Anyway (with the help of AI's), I found that our State specifies the max car dealers can charge/add-on to the MSRP/or negotiated price for paperwork, processing etc. Our dealer changed that exact amount...go figure.
I was able to "preference" the new 2026 RX350h Premium + with just the 2 post production items that we wanted. But prior to that -- out of the gate -- the Dealer "preferenced" a RX with numerous post production items.
And on delivery day (11/19), we had to sit through multiple offers for insurance against this hazard, that hazard, pre-paid service visits etc.. But no special unworldly gas was added to our tires, no (hard as granite) exterior/interior coatings were offered, or applied and no magic lubrication was offered for the RX's muffler bearings,
etc..
After Considering Audi, Mercedes & Porsche SUV's and Test Driving the Following:
Since yesterday, we've put 150-miles on the RX and spent a couple hours scanning through the touch buttons & it's menus>submenus etc.
Compared to our 2020 RX450h Luxury with 25k-miles, there is no comparison. Well, the heritage is there. But handling is better, seats seem more supportive & comfortable, performance is similar (even with the 6 to 4 engine difference). We haven't tried 0-60, but at low revs, the accelerator feels more responsive & it feels quicker. The engine noise may be a bit more noticeable, but it's not remotely objectionable; besides, we both like to hear just a bit of a growl. At highway speeds, interior noise is less & the ride is better.
Technology with the HUD (Tech Pkg) is quite nice and much more to our liking than our 2020RX. And we both benefited from watching these: Part One and Part Two Deep Dive Tutorials.
Lexus needs to hire Melissa O'Connell to create user videos such as these, for all their vehicles.
Melissa went from everything operable exterior bumper-to-bumper, then to everything related to the RX's interior & the vehicle's options>operation>infotainment>technology etc. The production and her performance were superb!
So far (with our past RX history NOT suggesting otherwise), we love our '26 RX!!
Although we've been fortunate to own well over 30-new cars. Things have changed a LOT from when I worked for G.M. and was getting a new G.M. auto every year for a next to nothing trade-in delta (approx. $100 plus or minus my price paid). At that time, there was a specific salesman assigned to Class A buyers. They got used to seeing me every year, so they would just throw me the keys when the car arrived. Over the years that changed and my G.M. Division was sold.
So, we bought our first Lexus RX 330 in 2005. In 2006, the '05 RX got a sibling RX 330. In between the '05 & '06 RX's, plus 2016 & 2020 RX's, we owned a Honda Accord & Nisan Altima (we preferred the former over the latter). But, we still own the 2006 RX and it's still a pretty amazing drive/ride.
Anyway (with the help of AI's), I found that our State specifies the max car dealers can charge/add-on to the MSRP/or negotiated price for paperwork, processing etc. Our dealer changed that exact amount...go figure.

I was able to "preference" the new 2026 RX350h Premium + with just the 2 post production items that we wanted. But prior to that -- out of the gate -- the Dealer "preferenced" a RX with numerous post production items.
And on delivery day (11/19), we had to sit through multiple offers for insurance against this hazard, that hazard, pre-paid service visits etc.. But no special unworldly gas was added to our tires, no (hard as granite) exterior/interior coatings were offered, or applied and no magic lubrication was offered for the RX's muffler bearings,
etc..After Considering Audi, Mercedes & Porsche SUV's and Test Driving the Following:
- 2026 BMW X5 40i
- 2025 Genesis GV70 & GV80
- 2025 Acura MDX
- 2025 RX350 Luxury
- 2025 Lincoln Nautilus
Since yesterday, we've put 150-miles on the RX and spent a couple hours scanning through the touch buttons & it's menus>submenus etc.
Compared to our 2020 RX450h Luxury with 25k-miles, there is no comparison. Well, the heritage is there. But handling is better, seats seem more supportive & comfortable, performance is similar (even with the 6 to 4 engine difference). We haven't tried 0-60, but at low revs, the accelerator feels more responsive & it feels quicker. The engine noise may be a bit more noticeable, but it's not remotely objectionable; besides, we both like to hear just a bit of a growl. At highway speeds, interior noise is less & the ride is better.
Technology with the HUD (Tech Pkg) is quite nice and much more to our liking than our 2020RX. And we both benefited from watching these: Part One and Part Two Deep Dive Tutorials.
Lexus needs to hire Melissa O'Connell to create user videos such as these, for all their vehicles.
Melissa went from everything operable exterior bumper-to-bumper, then to everything related to the RX's interior & the vehicle's options>operation>infotainment>technology etc. The production and her performance were superb!
So far (with our past RX history NOT suggesting otherwise), we love our '26 RX!!
Last edited by RXBuff; Nov 20, 2025 at 03:38 PM.
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