Omg What A Deal! (Not!)

[jtkoo]

Has anybody heard of something like this before?

We are stuck with one dealer in town, Lexus of Memphis. I was already wary of their sales department due to a shady deal they tried to pull on us in the past, so I bought our 2013 RWD GS350 out of town at another dealer. We have been happy with their maintenance department so far.

Well, the other day, we get a call out of the blue from them...a salesman said he had a client that was looking for our exact car, color, and options. He wanted us to bring it in ASAP so they could make an offer on it becuase they were very anxious to get the car. Well, this sounded intriguing. We called Lexus for the payoff for our car, $38K. Interestingly, corporate must have notified the dealer because we immediately got another call from them wanting to set up an appt. So the next morning, my wife brings the car in for their inspection. They offer to take the car off our hands for our payoff amount AND get us into a newer car for less per month. DEAL OF THE CENTURY, right? Uh, no.

Black book value for our car was just about $38K...but our car also had a $2000 service contract with it! We had done all our maintenance at the dealer, so they knew how cherry it was...with only 20K miles, they would have certified it in just a few minutes. Similar certified cars are going for $46-48K at other dealers...cha-ching$$$

He wanted to put us into a 2014 GS350, same colors, for $300 less per month. Oh, it also does not have the Luxury package...but it is cheaper! Of course, our car is financed and he was offering a lease, but details details. Perusal of the contract also revealed that they were giving us a whole $1000 off MSRP! Wow! Did I mention I got $5500 off MSRP on our car? Oh, and their price included a $2200 manufacturer's rebate on leases for the 2014. Hmm...could that be because the 2015s were coming out and they needed to clear out their old models? Yes indeedee.

Rather than give him a piece of my mind for wasting our time, I egged him on. I wouldn't be interested in a 2014, but rather a 2015 with AWD and only if they were able to offer something close to the deal I had on our car. The saleman said the 2015s weren't due for a few weeks, but he was sure his GM could work something out. Yeah right. I wonder what happened to the anxious clients?

Can you say waste of time? So they wanted us to bend over on our car, and bend over again to take a car they were trying to get rid of. How f-ing stupid do they think we are? Just the nerve of them trying to pull that kind of BS gets my blood boiling. In a way, it's a brilliant way to take advantage of clueless people...wow, get into a newer car for a lower monthly payment! I wonder how many suckers they reeled in like this?

[13IS250C]

I feel your pain about Lexus of Memphis. Must be nice to be the only game in town. I had to beg my idiot salesman to sell me my car. I finally had to go to a friend of mine that was friends of the owner to get them to sell me the car!!!!!! The only other 2 ISc with the F-Sport package within a 300 mile radius were in Jackson, MS and Nashville. I really didn't want to drive that far to make a deal.

I really doubt I will buy another Lexus, and Lexus of Memphis is the reason. Infiniti of Memphis is awesome, but I won't buy another Infiniti.

What dealership did you buy yours from?

[jtkoo]

I got it from Lexus of Cool Springs (Nashville). It was worth every bit of the four hour drive not to buy from Memphis!

[VBdenny]

Any time you buy a vehicle and only consider the monthly payments, you are asking for trouble. Cash in, cash out is the only way to deal. Typical dealer. We have one dealer in Virginia Beach/Norfolk area and they are less than acceptable to me. Of course their toyota dealership which has much competition is great. Go figure.

[lenore]

The American dream (for the dealer) lock you in for even more years. Perpetual customer for life. Nope, for now on only used, and depreciated cars for me. Hey Ford is always offering me deals for my 2005 Ford F150 screw cab, of course with me upgrading for the newest and latest. I have learned (only after 60 years) that new is not the best way on your lives finances. Wish I had all of the wasted money that I blew.....But life is good, I have 9 grandbabies, and God loves me.

[VBdenny]

Almost my whole life I bought used (well used) cars and repaired everything on them myself. I had to be the very last owner of over a dozen cars before they went to the boneyard. By NOT ever financing a car I was able to keep a lot of my money rather than have some dealer enjoy the $$. Now that I am retired, I still have the money I saved so now I can buy new cars. Cash gives you a huge advantage when dealing with a dealer (almost sounds illegal) so that dollar I hung onto is worth more at the table.

Automotive dealers are mostly evil and there really is only one thing they want from you. If you know what that one thing is, you have the advantage.

[lenore]

VBdenny you are my hero, I hope many on this site take heed of what wise words you just gave. Cash is king as Dave Ramsey says. You deserve a new car for your years when wrenching on cars is not as enjoyable. Have a great day.

[VBdenny]

Thanks Lenore. Oh I still wrench but now for my neighbors kids who can't afford to fix their old cars.

[13IS250C]

I have to buy new. I'm to anal to buy a used car. I also don't want to tie up a lot of cash in a car. Even my sister that could afford the whole dealership financed her new BMW because she said she can make more money on her money than the interest rate they offered her.

As with everything, to each his own. :-)

[lenore]

Yea me too, but I sure don't want to do the timing belt again....