[ERDocDave]

So after a huge deliberation and daily visits to the forum. Today is my day. I'm going to go and put my deposit down. I've tested a number of cars and the CT wins. Of course I know I'm going to have to be patient, but I have a few final questions.

Do some dealers have shorter waiting lists than others? I've been working with one dealer, but have spoken to a few to see if the story changes. Some say they are "large volume dealers" so they get priority. I've never purchased a Lexus (or any other "luxury"car) but I didn't know if some dealers had priority. I am in the DC area, but willing to go to any one of our 6 Lexus dealers. I'm not pressed about the package since I don't need nav and I've found aftermarket items that will compensate if needed. My minimum is the right color combo (top 3) and the premium setup.

I also don't want to seem rude, but would it be wrong to buy from another dealer than the one I test drove? I will still be going to them for service.

Lastly, I am a Costco member and even though there is no "member pricing" for the CT, some dealerships seem to be giving $500 off out of courtesy. Is this the experience of others (the dealer I'm working with said they would not) or are they just hiding the $500 elsewhere?

I hate to sound so mistrustful, but I've had bad experiences with dealerships in the past and my last two car purchases have been with set prices.

Also, if anyone wants to endorse their dealer (or warn about) please let me know.

I really appreciate all the help, this forum really is an amazing resource.

 

[jcpharm]

Do some dealers have shorter waiting lists than others? I've been working with one dealer, but have spoken to a few to see if the story changes. Some say they are "large volume dealers" so they get priority. I've never purchased a Lexus (or any other "luxury"car) but I didn't know if some dealers had priority.

I can't answer the question for sure, but it seemed to me here in Northern NJ that the biggest dealer (Prestige Lexus) did seem to get more inventory than the other local ones (7 units vs. 2-3 for the smaller dealers). that is anecdotal though.

I'm not pressed about the package since I don't need nav and I've found aftermarket items that will compensate if needed. My minimum is the right color combo (top 3) and the premium setup.

Are you sure you want the premium sound? it is $1100 more than the base and it is NOT a Mark Levinson. Do what i did: listen to the two systems side by side - IMO (and i listen to a lot of music), the difference wasn't worth the $1100.

I also don't want to seem rude, but would it be wrong to buy from another dealer than the one I test drove? I will still be going to them for service.

Yes - get the car from the dealership that gives you best deal and treats you the way you prefer.

Lastly, I am a Costco member and even though there is no "member pricing" for the CT, some dealerships seem to be giving $500 off out of courtesy. Is this the experience of others (the dealer I'm working with said they would not) or are they just hiding the $500 elsewhere?

never hurts to ask - if you can get $500 off MSRP, you are getting a better deal than most.

Good luck - it is a fine car, you will not be disappointed (unless you were expecting BMW 3-series performance - in which case you will be disappointed but since you test drove already, i think you know what you are getting).

 

[audi4t]

Grab what you can. Toyota production down to only 3 days a week due to lack of components. NY Times article today reports Toyota/Lexus will only manufacture 30% of pre Tsunami forecast for foreseeable future.

 

[badconexun]

I'm not sure if you're in a hurry to find one, but if I were in your shoes and didn't already have one waiting for me I would call every dealer within 500 miles and get my name on one. I found the smaller dealerships in small towns were sold out but didnt have a list. Large dealers in the city will get more cars but they're already spoken for and have a long list of people waiting. Depending on your financial situation maybe you could put a $1k deposit at a few dealers in your area and see which one lands first? You get your deposit back if you dont buy. And don't sweat the deal over $500, every dealer could sell these at MSRP, or more, so I wouldn't expect a discount. It stinks, but I'm having to swallow the same pill.

 

[ERDocDave]

Thanks for the replies so fast. It seems like everyone has about the same number on the list around here, but I'm not sure about the outlying area, so I'll get on the phone now. I'm not pressed too much about time, but I do know that once I submit my financing I have 60 days before it expires.

I think I'm just going to stick with my original guy. He's been helpful and its appreciated. So is your advice.

Oh yeah, and when I said the premium package, I meant the ct200h Premium meaning with the sunroof and what not, not necessarily the premium audio. I read about the "cheap Kicker sub upgrade" on the forum and could go with that.

Thanks to all

 

[badconexun]

I might be wrong (my wife normally tells me I am), but I dont think the base audio package has a subwoofer. You'll have to get the premium audio, which has the subwoofer, then you can replace the stock sub with the Kicker.

My opinion, the premium audio is night and day better than the stock audio system. I had the option to pick up a CT with base audio 2 weeks ago and passed on it to get one with premium audio. However, this is something that is very important to me and others may not be as picky as me. I do plan on trying out the Kicker sub to see if I can get more lows. Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[trove]

Good luck getting the CT. since it is a hot seller Costco has the right not to give a discount, also how far is Costco dealer?, and if you are trading in they will just take it off somewhere else. Also if you get pre-paid service, a nice deal, it would have to be where you bought the car. I am a shopper but bought it from the local Lexus as they have a good reputation, we got the pre-paid service, and my Costco dealer was an hr away.
Hope that helps!

 

[ctct]

Dave - how long are you being told befor your ct comes in? I ordered yesterday and was told ~4 months.

 

[jimmyc13]

Dave - how long are you being told befor your ct comes in? I ordered yesterday and was told ~4 months.

I placed a special order last week and was told 3 months minimum. If you don't need a special order and pick a conventional setup, it should be sooner. Sounds like yours is a special order too?

 

[ERDocDave]

I didn't special order, I'm pretty flexible on options. The only thing I wanted is that I either get the Fire Agate or Smokey Granite with caramel. Only other thing I want is it to be a CT200h with Premium (ie Moonroof and Heated Seats). I was told it could be a week, or it could be 2 months. There's one I like thats being used as the tester, but someone else has first dibs. I'm not pressed for time so I'll go with "we'll see." Of course you all will be the 2nd to know.

 

[slade037]

Who are you going to end up working with? I'm planning on heading over to Lexus of Rockville to test drive one. My plan was to use them for the test drive, send a bunch of email inquiries to the dealers in the DC area and see how well I can do.

 

[ERDocDave]

Slade, I'm working with Seth at Rockville. Its weird, but I may be able to pick up a Fire Agate/ Caramel this week. It was originally claimed and has been used as their tester, but now it seems that it will be mine. So I went from expecting at least a 45 day wait to a 5 day wait.

Please remember, this only is pretty stripped with only the Moonroof, heated seats, illuminated door sills. I was only picky about either getting the Fire Agate with Caramel or the Smoky Granite with Caramel.

I think a lot of people on the lists are more particular. I didn't want to get many of the packages. I wasnt interested in Nav. I would have taken the premium sound, but wasn't pressed, and I want the back up camera, but could put the same thing in aftermarket (Gentex just like Toyota/Lexus) for less than the package.

If it had the packages B or even C, that would have been fine, but I'm cool without it (may even have a sub put in at some point).

In either case, Seth has been great, the dealership is close to home, and they have good coffee and cookies.

 

[Hey Gurl]

That is exactly what my husband had to do to avoid the wait. He purchased the demo also. It wasn't the color he wanted, but we could not find another one within 400 miles.
So we got a little antsy under the shortage.

He has no regrets! ;-)

 

[slade037]

Slade, I'm working with Seth at Rockville. Its weird, but I may be able to pick up a Fire Agate/ Caramel this week. It was originally claimed and has been used as their tester, but now it seems that it will be mine. So I went from expecting at least a 45 day wait to a 5 day wait.

Please remember, this only is pretty stripped with only the Moonroof, heated seats, illuminated door sills. I was only picky about either getting the Fire Agate with Caramel or the Smoky Granite with Caramel.

I think a lot of people on the lists are more particular. I didn't want to get many of the packages. I wasnt interested in Nav. I would have taken the premium sound, but wasn't pressed, and I want the back up camera, but could put the same thing in aftermarket (Gentex just like Toyota/Lexus) for less than the package.

If it had the packages B or even C, that would have been fine, but I'm cool without it (may even have a sub put in at some point).

In either case, Seth has been great, the dealership is close to home, and they have good coffee and cookies.

I know the exact car you're talking about. I was there last Sat and it's sitting right in front of the entrance of the dealership. I was looking at an IS250 and the CT200h and they asked if I wanted to go for a test drive. I told them no since it was down pouring and i didn't need to hydroplane the CT by accident and have a you broke it you buy it situation

Well i'm glad you got a ct. Hopefully you left me one to test drive when i head over there again this weekend! Maybe I'll see you and your new ride around. I live over in King Farm.

 

[ERDocDave]

That is exactly what my husband had to do to avoid the wait. He purchased the demo also. It wasn't the color he wanted, but we could not find another one within 400 miles.
So we got a little antsy under the shortage.

He has no regrets! ;-)

Hey Gurl,

Glad to hear you say that. I have to admit I was waffling a bit with the whole demo thing being my first Lexus and all.

And Slade, I will see you around for sure. Maybe even Saturday, just say Hi.

 

[ctct]

Quote:
Originally Posted by ctct
Dave - how long are you being told befor your ct comes in? I ordered yesterday and was told ~4 months.

I placed a special order last week and was told 3 months minimum. If you don't need a special order and pick a conventional setup, it should be sooner. Sounds like yours is a special order too?

Jimmy - Yes, special order. I am not in a hurry, however if gas keeps going up I may be. There are a few things I wanted so right now its worth the waite.

 

[slade037]

How did your purchase go? Didn't get a chance to stop in on Saturday cause the woman wanted to get new shower curtains.

 

[ERDocDave]

The purchase went well. I still can't believe that I was able to get one so quickly. To be honest it was a little too fast, I had budgeted to get one in about 2 months, but when opportunity knocks and all that. The guys at Rockville were pretty good about making sure everything went smoothly.

The ride to work today was great, 44mpg right off the bat! I'm looking forward to doing the aftermarket thing to bring it up to what I wanted to begin with.

I still can't believe I own a Lexus, its very weird for me.

 

[Matt_RN]

w00t. Sometimes you just gotta be ready when the opportunity strikes. Congrats!

 

[slade037]

Did you get any discount for the car being a demo?