Drivers Face Negative Equity

[hawk20]

Presumeably Lexus should fare well as the cars are fully equipped as standard.

It is a complete myth that Lexus come fully equipped 'as standard'. If you go to their website you will see there are several different models of the IS, for example, all with different levels of spec. And the top one costs plenty. Even then it still has an extras list which even includes metallic paint.

You tick boxes for the different packages, or extras you want, and it gives you dearer and dearer models. I suppose the advantage is that if you buy the gold star model people can see the depreciation from list whereas the MB and BMW system offers more choice (you can leave out what you don't want) but it does tend to underestimate depreciation as people measure this from the basic list price.

Building different models with different specs can be annoying if you particularly want an extra but don't want all the other bits that are included. I found that problem with Honda. The extras I wanted always involved buying the top of the range model, which had loads of other extras I did not want.

 

[raymont]

The point gIzzE was making (the formatting makes it hard to follow) is that the GFV is £10K and he thinks the car should be worth £16K therefore you should see the £6K deposit back.

Yes, see what you mean.

 

[Rory]

It is a complete myth that Lexus come fully equipped 'as standard'.

It was GS300 I was looking at - a near neighbour switched a while ago after years of having Mercedes.

There are only 3 GS300 models - GS300, SE, SE-L. There's little that can be added other than, annoyingly, metallic paint, and different styles of wheels. Sunroof is an option on top 2 models which is surprising as even our Jazz came with a sunroof (but wouldn't now).
The SE surely has everything one could want - elec memory heated leather seats, navigation, bluetooth phone, parking sensors etc.

However they really don't sell many (some people would like that though) and I've seen a fair number of reports of Lexus dealers closing. Definitely a car to PCP or hire and not buy with your own money.

 

[gIzzE]

Are you saying MB are offering a C180k for £230 a month to INCLUDE servicing, tyres etc and all one has to pay on top is insurance and fuel??

How much deposit?

That seems too good to be true ....

No, sorry. I was looking at it from a personal perpective comparing my £4k car that has already cost me £1000 in 6 months keeping up tip top, and with a Service B due in 3000 miles to hiring new.

I expect to sell it for around £1500 in 2 years so it will cost me around £150 a month, actually forgot about brakes, front and rears will need doing so maybe £170 a month.

Been offered a new C180k sport estate today for £219, 3 months down followed by 23 payments of £219 (£251 including vat). For £19 a week more it seems like a no brainer. I will save most of that in fuel saving over the 3.2 V6.

I was looking at 2003/4 E Class estates, but if I bought one cash for £10-12k it would still loose £250 a month, plus it would be at an age where again you may need brakes, tyres, suspension etc.
What if the radiator is one of the faulty ones and I need a new gearbox and torque converter, I had already decided warranty is a must, and to get main dealer cover through warranty direct it is £42 a month, so now up to £300+ for a 5 to 6 year old car.

Of course you have to service the hire car and put tyres on, but over 24k miles it will be an oil service for £150 and maybe a pair of rears?? No brakes etc. will need doing, no warranty need buying.


Mercedes dealer could not get anywhere near that price on a PCP by the way.

 

[Rory]

Been offered a new C180k sport estate today for £219, 3 months down followed by 23 payments of £219 (£251 including vat). For £19 a week more it seems like a no brainer. I will save most of that in fuel saving over the 3.2 V6.

It's hard to argue with in cold hard financial and peace of mind terms.

I suppose the only thing you could say is that you could keep extending the argument and just say why not buy the cheapest possible new car.

 

[Smiley]

It was GS300 I was looking at - a near neighbour switched a while ago after years of having Mercedes.

There are only 3 GS300 models - GS300, SE, SE-L. There's little that can be added other than, annoyingly, metallic paint, and different styles of wheels. Sunroof is an option on top 2 models which is surprising as even our Jazz came with a sunroof (but wouldn't now).
The SE surely has everything one could want - elec memory heated leather seats, navigation, bluetooth phone, parking sensors etc.

However they really don't sell many (some people would like that though) and I've seen a fair number of reports of Lexus dealers closing. Definitely a car to PCP or hire and not buy with your own money.

I switched to a late 2003 GS300SE about 12 months ago. Great spec, super reliable but awful to drive. Sold it after 3 months and managed to get back what I paid for it. Since then it looks like it has halved in value. I could be tempted at the new price to put up with the awful drive!

 

[gIzzE]

It's hard to argue with in cold hard financial and peace of mind terms.

I suppose the only thing you could say is that you could keep extending the argument and just say why not buy the cheapest possible new car.

Yeah I guess so.

Or go even better and search for any 'auto estate' up to a year old so you have the full 2 years warranty whilst driving it and what does it retrun.

A Chevrolet Lacetti 1.8 auto estate at £7000.

Well that will be worth £5k trade now and £2k in two years and with another 24k miles on it.
Let's say the dealer feels sorry for you and gives you £3k. That still means it is going to loose £4k over the two years, paying cash that is still £167 a month.

So a Chevrolet Lacetti for £167 a month or a Mecedes Benz for £250??

I think I'll pay a little more and take the Merc.

 

[gIzzE]

Lexus customer service isn't what it used to be though!

This was posted on tyresmoke.net regarding their 48 hour test drive...

Here I am, looking at those trees I cut down last month, and wondering how they'll fit in the Beemer's boot to take to the tip. Then I think of how I really ought to take the kids to see their great-grandparents but can't be ****d with the long drive on filthy Lincolnshire roads in the family Scenic at this time of year. Aaaand there's that gearbox I bought and never got round to collecting as its a pig to manhandle... and then, there's Lexus with their 48 hour test drive, no questions asked. RX400h ? That'll do nicely.... :grin:

http://www.experiencelexus.co.uk/form.html 48 Hours with a Lexus


We discussed Lexus and 4x4's for no more than a page and then a very cheerful Lexus Dealer signed up to show what Lexus are really like behind the 'I'm in stage' smile, his first reply was....

Originally Posted by LEXUS-MAINDEALER It's people like you that really piss me off. As a Lexus Main Dealer ... we can well do without vermin like you f***ing us about. ... you ****. Let this be a warning to any other jokers who can't afford to buy a quality prestige vehicle, us dealers have had enough of your crap and you will be chased out of our showrooms and back to your hovells [sic] where you belong. you TIT!

The thread went on with him absolutely going mental, calling eveery one a c*cksucker amonst many other things.
Then his posts started disapearing, and he has not been heard of since.


This is the thread.....

http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/general-cars/113948-lexus-48-hour-test-drive.html

 

[gIzzE]

Oh, and his ip was traced back to a main dealer, he was genuine.
What a numpty!!

 

[crockers]

Awsome post ....on the Lexus RX400h 48 hr test drive ....Hmmm I have one on my drive and am taking it back tomorrow - so will post my views later in a new post....

Now off to the dump this afternoon...........(joking.. )

 

[Biscuit]

bumped for Damian's benefit.

 

[st4]

bumped for Damian's benefit.

Noooooooooooooooo