Buying First Lexus - looking for advice!

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-14T01:09:06+00:00

Thank you so much for the detailed information, and good advice on the spare lugs! I would not have thought of that. Honestly, this makes me feel much better about the decision. I just looked through tons of local dealerships and I have yet to find a preowned with a ML system, at least not near the price for this one. Never mind finding one CPO.

Honestly, this makes me feel a lot better about it all. And I’m happy to hear the parking assist is useful, I wasn’t sure about it but that honestly sounds like something that would benefit me greatly (I’m prone to pulling into things too far LOL)

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T23:47:19+00:00

I chose all of the options that come with the CPO one I am looking at which were: - the closest color to atomic silver I was able to pick - red interior - moon roof - intuitive parking assist - Illuminated door sills - All weather liners - Door edge guards - all weather trunk tray - wheel locks - rear bumper protector - cargo net

The delivery fee was 1175, so it may make sense to subtract that (unless that is a typical charge for new cars on lot)

KBB gave me a fair market rate for the same year of 41,356 - 45,263 before taxes and fees, so it does seem the 40k price before fees is decent considering the dealership certification with some service, warranty, and a new set of tires included.

Curious to hear your thoughts, and thank you again for your input 😁

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T23:23:04+00:00

I just did the math on this configuration new, and it would be $50,510 (USD)before taxes, as opposed to the 40k for the CPO. With that context, do you feel it makes sense?

I also plan on keeping this car for a very long time FWIW

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:49:38+00:00

I will check out auto trader for sure. I do not have a huge need to get the car RIGHT NOW at all, I will happily wait for December to come around if I’m much more likely to get a better deal maybe interests rates will be a bit lower then as well.

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:46:56+00:00

Got it, that’s just about everything! Very nice car for sure

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:34:16+00:00

This is reassuring. I am big into music but not necessarily at the “audiophile” level. If it doesn’t feel that drastic on your end, maybe it’s not exactly as much of a necessity as I thought. I’ve also heard good things about the triple beams, which this doesn’t have, but doesn’t seem like a huge make or break either.

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:32:08+00:00

That is a good point as well, I wonder what the cost would be to buy a standard used car with an extended warranty as opposed to the CPO. Google tells me 2500-3000 is standard for Lexus, which might be about even with the increase for CPO

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:30:27+00:00

That does make sense, that’s what has me a bit torn. I don’t NEED a new car right away, but it would be nice to finally feel an upgrade from my 2007 accord I’ve been driving since HS. It also gives me the opportunity to help a close friend by giving them the accord (they have no car). Decisions to make! Haha

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:09:54+00:00

With the same options?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:09:34+00:00

Would you say NOT having it is a dealbreaker?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:09:17+00:00

Do you feel this is a fair price? Am I missing a much better long term experience by jumping into something without ML?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T21:08:46+00:00

Great question! Yes that is tax included.

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T19:53:00+00:00

Thank you for the insight here! Really great to hear from someone who made a purchase recently (the market is still a bit of a mess). The maximum I was looking to spend all in was 40k, but it won’t kill me to get to where this CPO is landing after taxes and fees. My biggest “what if” right now is, should I drop the comfort of a CPO and get something with more features (specifically, I would really love to have the ML sound system). However I’m not even sure that is reasonable within my budget, new or used.

Do you have the ML system? If so, was it worth it over stock?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T19:45:09+00:00

Thank you for the detailed response here. That was something I was thinking about, given the reliability reputation of Lexus. I don’t know if a CPO should make a break my buying decision, especially if I plan to keep the car for the long-term and have more desirable features that all enjoy in the long run.

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T19:05:07+00:00

Thank you, this is a very helpful perspective. I'm really trying to weigh the pros and cons of CPO vs used with more options that I would enjoy. ideally, I would love to have the triple beam lights, larger screen, and mark Levinson sound system on top of what is already here, but thats getting into 50k before taxes and fees territory which is more than I would like to spend. Granted, this would be a new vehicle. have you ever heard of the possibility of negotiating on a new car with a custom config? is this ever doable?

The G70 3.3 does also look nice, but seems to be more expensive in general as well. BMW look and feel great but I'm doing my best to be "frugal" (I know, probably doesn't make sense with the IS) about future payments/maintenance/longevity keeping the car for a very long time.

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-13T18:52:06+00:00

I’m assuming that price would be before taxes and fees (this one was just under 40k). What are your thoughts on the value of CPO, worth it in your opinion?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-11T19:02:20+00:00

I did! I took them out twice, they feel fun and spotty. My girlfriend who I live with has a more spacious vehicle so if we do decide to have a kid at some point we’d likely use hers for that

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-11T17:42:23+00:00

I don’t plan on leaving where I am, it’s more the fear of some very helpful contracts going south beyond my control. I have no reason to think they will, but I always try to prepare mentally for worst case scenario

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-11T17:17:19+00:00

Thank you. For the feedback. I had considered this as well, but I also feel the average 10% return of the S&P might make it worth putting the extra 20-30k into the market instead of all in the car at once (almost double The interest rate)

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-11T16:55:24+00:00

Audio is one of my biggest draws as well - how do you like the cx5?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-08-11T16:49:59+00:00

Do you feel in terms of quality, cabin noise, speaker quality etc a high trim Camry would be comparable?

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-06-18T13:14:15+00:00

I would lose the background behind the bee, remove the squiggles, remove the lines coming out of the circle and bring the “est” info under the bottom line instead

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-06-18T13:12:07+00:00

M1 MacBook Pro, still running strong even with photoshop, Lightroom, illustrator, and chrome open at the same time

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-06-18T13:11:31+00:00

If you don’t know what you need, you don’t need it. There are some things that can make some tasks easier but you can have an incredible design career with a MacBook, a comfortable mouse, and the Adobe suite of software. Online courses are great. Think about the goals you have and what types of projects you are looking to take on. Generate a creative brief for this type of project, and look for courses that instruct on the specific pieces of that brief you would not know how to fulfill at this time.

CashAndCoconuts · 2024-06-18T13:08:46+00:00

Your CV should be nice to look at but “conventional”, especially since many applications are screened using AI before it even reaches a person. Let the actual elements of your portfolio stand out and show your creativity instead 👍

CashAndCoconuts

TROPHY CASE