Surprisingly enough, the majority of the Lexus lineup renamed the same as February (that’s three consecutive months with same rates!). However, there are exception. The GS350 AWD had 1% drop in residual and the HS got a drop in MF (residual stayed the same). Lastly the RX350 gets a drop in money factor (same residual). Not a bad month for Lexus (just look at the IS250, cheap!). Overall, you should enjoy about the same payments as last month for most models and slightly less for others (HS and RX). Lower prices should also make March a better month than February.
A special note regarding when to buy/lease. It has been statistically proven that buying/leasing towards then end of a month is generally cheaper than at the beginning. Therefore, if you can afford to wait until the end of each month, do so. You could be saving hundreds just by being a little bit more patient.
Here is a sample calculation based on TrueCar’s Southern California sale price and do not include local taxes. Please note that your dealer calculations may vary due to local fees/taxes.
2011 Lexus IS250 AT Sedan
MSRP – $34,690
Sale Price – $30,265
Monthly – $361+ tax
RWG Rating – 93.9
2011 LEXUS RX350 AWD
MSRP – $39,250
Sale Price – $34,329
Monthly – $435+ tax
RWG Rating – 89.8
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2011 LEXUS ES350
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00175 base money factor
2011 LEXUS GS350 AWD
36 month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00150 base money factor
2011 LEXUS GS450h
36 month | 15k miles | residual 50% | .00150 base money factor
2011 LEXUS GS460
36 month | 15k miles | residual 50% | .00150 base money factor
2011 LEXUS GX460
36 month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00175 base money factor
2011 LEXUS GX460 PREMIUM
36 month | 15k miles | residual 51% | .00175 base money factor
2011 LEXUS HS250H
36 month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00170 base money factor
2011 LEXUS HS250H PREMIUM
36 month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00170 base money factor
2011 LEXUS IS250 AT SDN
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00175 base money factor
2011 LEXUS IS250 AWD AT SDN
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00175 base money factor
2011 LEXUS IS250 AT CONV
36 month | 15k miles | residual 59% | .00185 base money factor
2011 LEXUS IS350 AWD AT SEDAN
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00175 base money factor
2011 LEXUS IS350 CONV
36 month | 15k miles | residual 56% | .00185 base money factor
2011 LEXUS IS-F
36 month | 15k miles | residual 53% | .00210 base money factor
2011 LEXUS LS460
36 month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00190 base money factor
2011 LEXUS LS460 AWD
36 month | 15k miles | residual 52% | .00190 base money factor
2011 LEXUS LX570
36 month | 15k miles | residual 50% | .00210 base money factor
2011 LEXUS RX350 AWD
36 month | 15k miles | residual 55% | .00145 base money factor
2011 LEXUS RX450H AWD
36 month | 15k miles | residual 54% | .00150 base money factor
That’s a HUGE difference between the MSRP and the Sale Price on the RX example above. Is that a typo or could I really expect to get a $49K car sold to me for $35K?
I was just offered an RX with an MSRP of $46,246 for $41,912 but I am trying to confirm that the sale price isn’t including my trade-in (which I think it does, and that’s worth like $3500), so if your numbers are correct, the price I am being quoted sucks!
And thanks so much for this site. I’ve certainly found some great info on it since I stumbled upon it in January.
Sorry, typo. It’s 39k. Will fix it.
Hey G,
Thanks so much for the quick reply. So it seems the numbers I have are OK then (not great, but not terrible)? The MF and residual values I was quoted do match what you are saying.
Again, I appreciate your help!
Hey G,
Got a question for you.
We have an 2009 RX where the lease ends on 4/1/11 so we’ve already made the last payment. I have also been in touch with a dealer and have a deal in place to lease a new RX, and since we have a lot of positive equity on the old RX we are using that towards the new lease. My question is, since the old RX is paid thru the end of the month, should I wait to get the new car? The old payment was $466 so essentially I’m giving up $233 since my new lease would start right away.
The numbers are:
$47,246 MSRP
$42,805 Purchase Price – $1000 Lexus Loyalty – $3800 for my trade-in
Cap Cost= $38,005
36mo/10,00 miles/.00145 MF/58% residual
Monthly=$389.35 + tax
Acq Fee, 1st month and DMV in drive off of around $1700
So I guess I have two questions.
1) Is this a good deal? It’s about 9.4% off MSRP and my trade-in is valued very close to KBB trade-in.
2) Would you do it now or wait to the end of the month so as not to lose the money I’ve already paid for the current lease? I mentioned this to the dealer after we came up with these numbers and his response was “maybe we should just wait until the end of the month”.
Thanks again for this site. It was a HUGE help when working on this deal.
-MC
1) 11.5% off MSRP with the Lexus Loyalty cash (excludes trade-in). That’s actually pretty good. As for the trade in, I wouldn’t use all of it towards the car. Apply the equity towards the $1700 in drive-off costs and pocket the rest. Better yet, ask the dealer about Multiple Security Deposits and then apply the trade-in money towards that. MSDs is money you get back when your lease matures (you won’t get it back if you sell/trade in the car early like you are doing now though). This will save you some money on the MF and you can get some money back at lease end. A win-win situation if you ask me.
2) I would wait until the end of the month, unless there is one specific vehicle you want and you are afraid it might get sold. You already paid your last payment, so why not milk it? I doubt the miles you put on your old RX will affect the trade-in value that much. Just don’t go on a road trip or something.