Hi everyone! I just joined this site after having read up on it for months. I'm not sure where exactly this thread would fit in since I haven't negotiated a deal yet but I have a question I wanted to ask you guys. Here goes.

There's a dealership that is getting in (hasn't arrived yet) a 2008 Platinum Graphite w/ Graphite interior G35 Sedan with the following options:

Tech Package
Sport Package
Nav Package
Premium Package
Splash Guards
Spoiler

Question 1)

The MSRP for that configuration is $41,620. The invoice is $37,858. Obviously there's also a $2000 dealer cash going on right now as well. The dealer has quoted me $37,900 for the car and said he couldn't go lower because it hadn't arrived yet (whatever). I also know that the invoice minus the destination charge multiplied by 3% will give me the dealer holdback. For this car, that would be $1111.29. Since the car arrives in a few days that means he'd get the entire holdback. If I gave him $500 over invoice which is $38,358 minus the entire $2K dealer cash, that would be a purchase price of $36,358 which I think is completely fair considering that still gives the dealer a profit of $1611.29. I haven't tried the serious negotiation yet with respect to mentioning the hold back etc. He was the General Sales Manager (at least that's what he told me on the phone) and he told me that the $2k isn't really a rebate (he's trying to hang on to the whole thing at this point) but I just kind of was like "yeah ok"....what do you guys think? Let me know!

Question 2)

On another note, a Lexus dealership called me and offered me a 2007 IS350 fully loaded (DEMO car) with 3980 miles on it for $36,900...what do you guys think? I know I know..it's a Lexus!

Question 3)

I also have the possibility of getting a 2007 G35 Sedan 6MT with the following options:

Nav
Sport
Tech
Prem
Spoiler
Splash Guards
Net
Mat
Chrome Wheels
Invisishield protector on front of car

Price is $35,050. Car has about 100 miles on it...it's new, never titled but is a 6MT. I can drive manual but my fiance can't I would NEVER teach her on a new car.

So anyway....decisions...decisions...what do you all think?

Thanks,
Jason

 

go for the new g-sedan

 

Although they put the 2 car in the same category I don't think they are. Lexus is more luxury feel and the G is more sporty feel. I think the Lexus 350 looks too big outside.

tg

 

hmm decisions. on number one you should offer invoice, minus the 2k back. the dealer will still get the holdback and right now seems like any dealership is happy to move cars.

the lexus is a nice car too. if it had all the goodies you could work out a better deal since we are coming into the 09 model year.

the 6mt i would leave alone unless they offered you 4-5k off of your posted price otd. same reasoning we are entering 09 model year.

 

I'd agree, although, I would look hard at the Lexus and try to negotiate a good buy on it. They offered me an 08 Ls350 black on black with the sport package and magnesium wheels for $39k. I'd offer them $30k and probably bite at $33-34k.

 

Don't buy the '07 G unless they give you a deal in the low $30s; it's a year old, titled or not. You have to beat depreciation in the initial price, I'd say buy it at $30k or less.

Have never been a fan of buying a demo car, you know those have been thrashed. However, we bought a Mazda exec car (Millenia S) once, and it was perfect at 60% of MSRP. So...if you LIKE the IS350, make them throw in an extended warranty, and push for a really good deal. If you DON'T like it, don't buy it.

 

thats alot for an IS with that many miles .. i say go for the brand new G

 

i'd talk down the manual g

 

One thing I'd check out very carefully before even considering the Lexus is how quickly it's paddle shifter/auto shifts. It's been a long time since I test drove this car, but if I recall, one of the things I liked least about it was the manual shifting mode. It seemed to shift very slowly, whereas the G's shifts lightning quick - much quicker most of the time than I could shift myself.

The other is the steering, which on the Lexus is very light and gives a lot less feedback than that on the G. Course that might be something you like, but the slow paddle shifters I can't see a manual/stick shift guy liking too much.

Finally, if this is important to you - the space inside the Lexus is significantly less than that in the G - in particular the rear seat room. If I recall correctly, they actually fall into different official size categories based on the fed's sizing.

Finally, I would definitely not get the stick shift G if your wife can't drive stick. I've done that myself before, and it just ends up being a problem :-).

Cheers and good luck with your decision!
Tamir