TriC

Among the many document received with my recent purchase of a 2006 LS 430 were the window sticker and the original sales agreement. The car was built in March 2006 and sold new at the end of April. It was, according to the original owner, "ordered" by him, so would have only been on the dealer's lot very briefly. Here are the details based on the window sticker and consumerguide.com figures:

$56,525 - MSRP Base Price
$800 - 18 inch Wheels
$4980 - Modern Luxury Package
$1000 - Smart Key
$209 - Preferred Accessory Package
$486 - XM Satellite Radio
$64,000 - Sub-total
$695 - Destination and Handling
$64,695 - Total

$49,176 - Invoice Base Price
$640 - 18 inch Wheels
$4040 - Modern Luxury Package
$800 - Smart Key
$167 - Preferred Accessory Package (est.)
$389 - XM Satellite Radio
$55,212 - Sub-total
$695 - Destination and Handling
$55,907 - Total

Per the sales contract, the actual price of the car was $60,151. After receiving a $15,000 trade-in for a 2002 Cadillac, he paid the balance in cash, so the store made nothing on financing.

These numbers are, at least to me, somewhat surprising. Granted that "invoice" is not true dealer cost, the mark-up to MSRP was quite large. Having no idea of market conditions at the time or the original owner's negotiating skill, the discount seems somewhat modest given that it was toward the end of the model run and involved a store on the East Coast (where there are many Lexus dealers in relatively close proximity). I bought several new cars (none Lexus) around that time and paying invoice or less was considered the norm.

Hopefully, others can post similar detail for comparison.

bloomwcjkl

I have the original sticker from our 2004 LS 430 (we are the second owner). MSRP $61,950. I will have to get the breakdown like above if anyone is interested. Probably similar to the MSRP numbers above. 17" wheels. No XM. $950 destination.

Johnhav430

Lexus sent me my build sheet on my '06, it said $65,300. Nobody has been able to answer (I know it was a long time ago), but I wonder what it was out the door? My guess is 8-10k off list. I test drove the LS430 at a Lexus event on Long Island at the raceway, in July 2005, and NOBODY WAS INTERESTED IN THE LS430s. The were just sitting there, so I drove one 2X. There were long lines for the other cars, including a BMW 330i that Lexus had on hand to compare to the IS. So this must have translated into huge discounts until the 4th gen came out.

Code Description Installation Source
Z1 Preferred Accessory Package Trunk Mat, Cargo Net and Wheel Locks Port
SK Smart Key Factory
P7 XM Satellite Radio Port
PT Modern Luxury Package Includes: EMV Mark Levinson Audio/Navigation System with Back-up
Camera, Voice Command and Bluetooth, Front Climate Control Seat with Heat and Cool ****,
Rear Seat Heaters, Intuitive Parking Assist

Factory

FT 18" All-Season Tires with Alloy Wheels Factory

edit: the build sheet is a good way to confirm the interior

Exterior color: MOONLIGHT PEARL (0072)
Interior color: CASHMERE (LA07)

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

It is also norm to pay invoice on Lexus cars. I have been here 15 years on this forum, and bought 9 new Lexus cars. Most have been invoice plus $500-700 at max.

We didn't pay MSRP for our new LS back in 05. We paid invoice. My parents paid invoice plus $700 in 2006 for their new one.

People are buying LS on the 4th gen forum, brand new for $20K off. GSF and RCF are selling for 18-20K off routinely.

Johnhav430

Did not know Lexus were like that. BMW 7's were routinely $12k off list, and I thought that was a lot. I thought only GM resorted to inflated lists, and steep discounts, $45k car $31k out the door.

It used to be, but I'm pretty sure no longer, that when a new BMW 3 coupe came out, it was backordered 10-14 weeks, and initially would be list price or $500 off at best. Every dealer in the nation would have 2 cars, not for sale, 1 stick, 1 auto. Now I bet all demos are autos because many customers are unsure what the 3rd pedal is for...

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

The dealer's normal tactic is to prop up the sales price in order prop up the trade allowance - a "retail to retail" transaction.

This usually makes the buyer feel better about their trade depreciation.

You "just over invoice" is a "wholesale buy".

Johnhav430

Invoice is another myth....I remember a long time ago Edmunds explained it, and when one looks closely at their "invoice" pricing, first of all they mention holdback, which doesn't apply to many Euro cars such as BMW. Then, they also state that there is proprietary info that the Edmunds site does not reflect as they are not privy to it.

I remember when purchasing my wife's car, all I could go by was the previous dealer basically showed me the door without a counter offer. So this is what I wanted. When I was at the selling dealership, the F&I guy turned his screen to me and stated, "I have no idea why the gm would do this deal. This is how much we're losing. That's why I'm not the gm, and the finance guy." And there was a big red box and it said $9xx.

Of course I don't buy it, they made money or it would have been like the prior dealer, where they simply ask me to leave without a counter. I truly wish I could have had a pic or printout of the screen, it looked like it was DOS based. We were below invoice, again, that means nothing.

Still, nobody has stated what they paid for out the door on a 2006 LS430. I'm now guessing at least 10k off list. There was a YouTube where the guy said his mom paid in the 50's (low to mid), and it was a 2006. Looked like my car's twin.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

For decades - at least to back in the 80's - the manufacturer's have given "dealer cash" to those who sell a particular number of a particular car.

Say, sell a minimum of 50 Nissan Sentras during January, and we'll give you $500 each, retroactively to the first one.

Larger dealers can give better deals, of course.

Bocatrip

How many members really care about the original MSRP? Inflation and time takes it's toll..Doesn't it?

What does it matter? 100K last year... 50 this year.. Just shows loses for members... Not postiives.... unless I missed somelthing.

jayclapp

When the 1992 SC400 coupe came out in June of 1991, the dealers sold them for list price only. Even then, I waited 5 months to take delivery at list price. But what a car!

bloomwcjkl

For me, I KNOW I can go buy a $16k Toyota Corolla for $16k. I bought a $62k (MSRP) car for $12k with ~60k miles.

My goal is to have the nicest cars for the least amount of money. The LS 430 fits that bill for many of us. The actual original cost then and now really make no difference other than it gives us an interesting thread to post on.

Johnhav430

Not sure what year, but maybe 2003 or something like that. I was next to a SC430, and I thought, dang is that a sweet ride or what!! I think that guy is on the Eagles but I can't place him exactly (so even the car told me that guy is in the NFL). I think the SC was hot around that time...

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

That was my very first Lexus. Wife hated the 2-seater (even though my previous car was a Toyota MR2 Spyder) and then I sold it to buy an LS400, and then the 430.

Yeah, I'm hooked.

toddmorr

no offense but either they are fibbing or exaggerating. No way Lexus is doing 20k off on any of their truly new non demo cars. maybe 10k if they're really good at the game.

toddmorr

my dad bought his 2002 new for around a point or two off MSRP out in Portland, OR. No one either there or here in Maryland would do better at the time.