Buying A Used Is 250 Se - Help Please

[vitasoy]

Greetings - I'm a newbie to the site and as yet I'm not fortunate enough to own a Lexus, although I'm hopeful that with a little bit of help I can become the proud owner of a Lexus soon as I note most people on this site are.

So here's my situation I live in Essex - I'm looking to buy a 'nearly new' IS 250 SE AUTO and have been tracking the prices on the Lexus website - the going rate it seems is about 24k GBP which is a discount of about 2k+ off list, I'm willing to pay c 22k.

1) Do you reckon its worth me trying for this price level or am I being a bit optimistic about my haggling skills?

2) I'm willing to travel a bit further afield if it means getting a better deal but is there any price difference based on region? Would it be stupid to assume London dealerships - more expensive?

3) Has anyone bought a used IS 250 SE AUTO on the forum? I note that on another thread some poor bloke went and (nearly) sold his IS 200 and ordered a 'demonstrator' model only to have to turn it down because the dealer couldn't manage to give it to him in a decent enough condition.

4) With reference to 3) what sort of condition should I be expecting? As new? Should all the alloys be brand spanking new? Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

5) Not a gold member yet but are there any discounts on there for window tinting? - seen a really mean looking Black IS 250 with rear windows tinted parked at the local pub it really is the business. sigh...

Anyway - fairly long post - any help much appreciated - cheers

J

[Parthiban]

Greetings - I'm a newbie to the site and as yet I'm not fortunate enough to own a Lexus, although I'm hopeful that with a little bit of help I can become the proud owner of a Lexus soon as I note most people on this site are.

So here's my situation I live in Essex - I'm looking to buy a 'nearly new' IS 250 SE AUTO and have been tracking the prices on the Lexus website - the going rate it seems is about 24k GBP which is a discount of about 2k+ off list, I'm willing to pay c 22k.

1) Do you reckon its worth me trying for this price level or am I being a bit optimistic about my haggling skills?

2) I'm willing to travel a bit further afield if it means getting a better deal but is there any price difference based on region? Would it be stupid to assume London dealerships - more expensive?

3) Has anyone bought a used IS 250 SE AUTO on the forum? I note that on another thread some poor bloke went and (nearly) sold his IS 200 and ordered a 'demonstrator' model only to have to turn it down because the dealer couldn't manage to give it to him in a decent enough condition.

4) With reference to 3) what sort of condition should I be expecting? As new? Should all the alloys be brand spanking new? Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

5) Not a gold member yet but are there any discounts on there for window tinting? - seen a really mean looking Black IS 250 with rear windows tinted parked at the local pub it really is the business. sigh...

Anyway - fairly long post - any help much appreciated - cheers

J

1) I think your price should be achievable, just never come across as though you really want it and they'll cave.

2) London dealers aren't always more expensive, but I would recommend ringing every dealer that you wouldn't mind travelling to - a few phone calls can sometimes make a huge difference

3) Can't comment

4) I think you have to be reasonable when buying an ex-demo, but dealers will usually have alloys refurbed if they are damaged (so don't be afraid to ask) and they will usually touch up any major paint chips (using chipsaway or similar)

5) No idea sorry

Hope that helps a little, good luck with finding a car and welcome to LOC :)

[alpappy]

HI

Shop around try out of London Bristol Notts are good and helpful All the nearly new ones I have seen have been almost mint condition There are quite a fe ex demos demos arounf I would think 22 K should be right for a pre Jan 06 and around 23 for an 06 You may not have to pay tto much more for and SE and it woudl be worth it in the long run Lexus warranty seen very good If wheels etc need changing under warranty( unlike merc!) they will do it

Good luck

alan

[Gord]

You could try lexus Edinburgh :D Ian Reynolds is the centre manager, and Gold member on LOC :D

Dont know if thay still doing this deal but at one time if you got a car off them, lexus Edinburgh would fly you up to Edinburgh the day B4 you pick your car up, pay for hotel + meal for the night :D then pick up your car and drive home :D

[Steve ( West Mids )]

You'll be lucky to get an SE Auto for £22k, most will be £24k as you have said. You might get a grand off but you will do well to get more.

[vitasoy]

Thanks for the replies and tips received on my original post, I have started to do a few phone calls to 'local dealers' but just to check availability really as the Lexus website does not always have the most up-to-date used car info. I did a quick bit of research this morning and found that I can get a new IS 250 SE Auto inc metallic for just under 25k from one of those online broker sites...I'm wondering if I can stretch the budget a little further...lol - thanks again!

[autobeach]

Vitasoy,

I reckon you have a chance, just don't appear to be too keen...

(1) the whole car industry is struggling this year, sales are down.

(2) rather incredibly, Lexus sold fewer cars this April '06 comapred to April '05 (912 v 922)

(3) there are plenty of used IS250's on the Lexus site, keep an eye on these to see how quickly they are selling

(4) Good luck and let us know how you get on

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Vitasoy,

I reckon you have a chance, just don't appear to be too keen...

(1) the whole car industry is struggling this year, sales are down.

(2) rather incredibly, Lexus sold fewer cars this April '06 comapred to April '05 (912 v 922)

(3) there are plenty of used IS250's on the Lexus site, keep an eye on these to see how quickly they are selling

(4) Good luck and let us know how you get on

Take the Mrs/kids if you have any and play the good buyer bad buyer...she makes out she wants a BM 'cos it's bigger inside/bigger boot (i.e. she takes the "Head" view, you show the "heart" view)....let them sell it to her...at the right price!

Go for the MM option if you can - it's damn worth every penny!! And will help resale value!!

[Ro1]

Jamboo - that's a great idea! And to top it all off, she can quote Jeremy Clarkson's bits from the Sunday Times and say that women don't really like the Lexus!

[Northern Boys Luv Gravy]

Go for the MM option if you can - it's damn worth every penny!! And will help resale value!!

Is this true? How much of the £2700 would one get back in 3 years time? What are the predicted residuals of a 250 SE with MM and without?

[Steve ( West Mids )]

Don't forget if you are going to buy a new car with that spec. you mya have to wait until SEPTEMBER.

I bought same spec. car ( with MM though ) last weekend and really loving it. Don't wait too long or all the auto SE spec. demo cars will be sold .....

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Go for the MM option if you can - it's damn worth every penny!! And will help resale value!!

Is this true? How much of the £2700 would one get back in 3 years time? What are the predicted residuals of a 250 SE with MM and without?

Typically it's only worth all of.....£500 or so max on a PEX (more likely £300-400), but believe me, I reckon shifting one without will be hard when over 50% are selling new with MM...that's the difference!!

[down south]

(2) rather incredibly, Lexus sold fewer cars this April '06 comapred to April '05 (912 v 922)

Where do you get the car stats from. i've looked as I'm quite interested to compare.

[autobeach]

Down South,

You'll find them at smmt.co.uk (i'm crap with links) in the data section - you can download the (small) files, gives an excel table.

Pretty good info imo. For instance BWM sales have fallen nearly 25% comparing April '06 to April '05 (the new 3 series was launched a year ago). As the site points out, the price of fuel is one factor causing fewer sales in 2006.

[Scarlet Pimpernell]

Don't forget if you are going to buy a new car with that spec. you mya have to wait until SEPTEMBER.

I bought same spec. car ( with MM though ) last weekend and really loving it. Don't wait too long or all the auto SE spec. demo cars will be sold .....

Steve buddy - you may be right!!

Is it my eyes or have the dealers just put the prices up for all Auto's with MM?????? :duh: Check out the Lexus.co.uk approved used cars, advanced search for all derivative's with Auto and Sat Nav. Even the base ones are £25k+.

I think the "high demand" we're all told of is caused by a lack of supply of new UK spec (rather then genuine high demand). However, London and Brstol have Auto SE's with MM for under £25k. Demo car mileage. Compare them to others, which are now advertised for >£27k!

If anyone wants one don't hang around!!

[Fidgits]

my advice, spend 10 mins on the phone, as someone suggested, call all the dealers your prepared to travel to... and ask...

worst case, you wont find anyone prepared to meet your number (but make sure you get their best deal and use that for leverage with another)... but you might be surprised.