Thank you for your advice!!!
I've been talking to the dealer (2 hrs away) and the broker both at the same time and the dealer came up with $1000 over Invoice for 08 model. No price info on 08 yet but he's willing to work it based on 07 price. The difference should be very minimal anyway. Since he was on the road when I talked to him, he'd have to get back to the office and fax me the quote so I would feel comfortable ordering the car. So, he'll get back to me this afternoon.
Meantime, I read your posting and I went ahead and called Costco Auto Buying program. I contacted the fleet guy at the Lexus dealer near by through the program and made an appointment this evening.
I'll see what happens :)
Do you think $1000 over Invoice is a good price? If the deal via Costco program matches this, I'm thinking of placing an order tonight.
I have to agree with rivrIS on his experience with IS250 loaners. I too have a 350 and was very disappointed by the lack of anything resembling the power and engineering of the 350 in the 250 loaner. But like you have said, you're not a guy.
As for the negotiation and pricing, I made out better than rvrIS, but it wasn't easy. I was armed with Consumer Reports prices, Edmund's TMV (which they tried to use against me, and just plain determination. It was the last day of the month and they wanted to sell the car to me (I had purchased my wife's car there), but it took me leaving twice and threatening to leave a third time, a call to my wife, and just plain negotiating to make it happen. They used all the tricks like the sales manager, the dealership manager, etc., but I got what I wanted at the price I was willing to pay. It was below the TMV and sticker price. So go in with the attitude that you'd like the car but would walk away if they can't cut you a deal. Takes chutzpah!
I love my IS350! Good luck.
