The general consensus is that prices on used Lexus have increased this year and this is true.
Between Spring and Christmas last year, used car values plummeted, especially in the premium and 4X4 sectors,
which were hit hardest.
Customers tightened their belts and non-essential purchases went on the back-boiler.
Because Lexus' stock(and everyone elses, for that matter!) kept increasing, dealers were placed under
increasing pressure to move new cars. This was fine if buyers made themselves known but because used
values were dropping so severely (as per CAP and Glass' Guide), dealers had to buy the part-exchanges in at
the right price i.e. in line with depreciation and this led to retail prices adjusting down also
The result was, as some posters have mentioned, that used Lexus became extremely good value for money
and good two year old IS, for example, were to be had for not a lot of money. GS and LS even more so.
Come 2009, Lexus GB cut their order to the factory at the start of the year in order to adjust to the market.
Now, as there are less cars, fewer have been registered by Lexus GB and the network as demonstrators.
This has lead to a shortage of nearly-new cars and, on a sliding basis, has obviously pushed used prices
back to near their normal levels i.e. around late 2007/ early 2008.
As an example, an IS220d SE (non MM) on an 06 plate with, say, 20k on retailed at around £12,500-£13,000 in December
2008. Now, that car would easily sell for £13,500-£14,000 in today's market.
Also last year, dealers could source demonstrator cars from Lexus GB directly if they had an order. Now, all the cars
are processed through Lexus' online auction in order to maximise their price.
It is, indeed, all about demand and supply!