When to buy a 03 or newer cruiser

[claytorr]

Well I think I have managed to convince the wife to let me get a cruiser. I had thought I wanted an 80's series but release I am just not that hardcore and would prefer to have the pleasantries found in a 100 series. So onto the question I would like to buy the vehicle buy the end of december (taking a roadtrip to Montana for New Years and in January). I am looking for any advice about whether it makes sense to wait till after Christmas.
Also I am trying to decide what year to get, I had an 03 4runner with the V8 and 5spd and think I would reallly like to get that again. The only other consideration is I think I would like the bluetooth functionality is it worth pushing for the 2004? I would also appreciate any suggestions on where to buy (I am in Washington State) and what I should look for in price? Also I have always shy'd away from teh lexus name should I look at the LX's also?

thanks
Clay

 

[jditom]

Well I think I have managed to convince the wife to let me get a cruiser. I had thought I wanted an 80's series but release I am just not that hardcore and would prefer to have the pleasantries found in a 100 series. So onto the question I would like to buy the vehicle buy the end of december (taking a roadtrip to Montana for New Years and in January). I am looking for any advice about whether it makes sense to wait till after Christmas.
Also I am trying to decide what year to get, I had an 03 4runner with the V8 and 5spd and think I would reallly like to get that again. The only other consideration is I think I would like the bluetooth functionality is it worth pushing for the 2004? I would also appreciate any suggestions on where to buy (I am in Washington State) and what I should look for in price? Also I have always shy'd away from teh lexus name should I look at the LX's also?

thanks
Clay

I wanted bluetooth so I went for an 04
I was also looking at the LX and would have bought one but this 04 was to good a deal and it had all the feature I really wanted. The LX would have been nice. Not many to choose from in the NW.

 

[spressomon]

In terms of best price during or immediately after December that's a tough call. I would think any LC is going to bring a higher price in the winter, especially in the snow areas, than summer...all things being equal. When gas hit $3.50/gallon in the West LC values (100/470 series) seemed to dropped...but then gained back after gas prices went 'back down'. If you find the rig you want and it is in your affordability range you better snap it up.

 

[Jim_Chow]

If the vehicle is at a dealership, you can generally get a better deal on the last weekend of the month since they have sales goals/quotas they try to attain. The dealer wouldn't budge below the KBB trade-in price, but I was able to negotiate an additional 2 yrs on the 100K platinum warranty for only $300. Best is if you can negotiate service (e.g., 60K) as a package, but my dealer wouldn't do that.

OTOH, from what I found, used LC's/LX's from '03+ in great condition for a reasonable price are not easy to find. For me, condition was the most important over color or whether it was toyota or lexus. I was originally looking for a 03 LC from either So. CA or AZ, but in the Southwest, they are hard to come by for a good price. In So. CA, a used 03 LC w/ 60-70K mi sold private party or at dealership w/ no warranty were going for as much if not more than 03 LX's certified w/ 100K warranty and 40-50K miles. So it was a no brainer for me. I was lucky to find a local vehicle and know this is only the third 03+ LX/LC in the entire state in my price range to be offered in over 1 year. Otherwise, I was prepared to buy in LA. Whatever you buy, try to get something w/ service rec's. For lexus vehicles, you can take the vin and have your local dealer download the service rec's. The lexus CPO vehicles require full service recs, so it gives you a bit of confidence.

At least last year at this time, there was a good selection in LA of CPO 03 LX's. Most of them sold before Xmas.

 

[e9999]

normally end of month would be a great time at a dealer.
You'd think end of year too, but things are a bit weird with the holidays. Seems like even evil carsalespeople fall prey to the holiday spirit and want to get out of there on xmas and NY's day and in between so could be a tad iffy.
Private parties probably not thinking about selling high end cars at that time.
So I'd start the haggling a bit earlier this month or wait till end of January...
good luck

 

[NMuzj100]

Best time to buy a 4x4 is spring after the snow is gone. I wouldn't worry much about service on a truck that new. Oil changes are about all it's going to need to have done. Nothing major till 90k anyway.

I would consider the LX too. As good or better with the exception of the "L". They actually sell more (lease too) LXs than cruisers so there are better deals out there. For the same price I would take an LX over the cruiser and just adjust my anti-luxury prejudice.

 

[SC4Hundred]

Best time is when you find one you like at the price you like it. End of the month or rainny days are good too.

 

[Greg B]

I don't know about Washington, but in KY, you pay property taxes for the full year based on who owns it on Jan. 1st. So, if you wait until January, you may not have to pay property taxes for that year.

In my case, I bought my 01 at the end of Jan. and didn't have to pay property taxes for that year. The people that traded it in had to pay the property taxes for the full year because they traded it in sometime in the middle of Jan.

I don't know how much the taxes are in WA, but I ended up saving $400 just on taxes for that year. I doubt that $400 will sway your decision either way, but I figured I would throw it out there anyways. Good luck finding your 100.

 

[LXPearl]

I got a good deal on my LC when I bought it in Dec - surprised me. It had been on the dealer lot for about 3 mos, so anxious to move it with end of the year. It was in excellent condition too.

When I was in the market for a 100 again, I started looking at LCs but realized some LXs were about the same pricing - some were poor shape, others excellent. Best value for the condition was the determining factor - ended up with an LX with CPO - at the time less than some of the equivalent LCs.

After the 03 4Runner, you will find the 03+ LC/LX more in line with the features on the 4R. I would place condition and value above Bluetooth, but to each their own. The 04 also had rear camera (NAV) and lumbar in the passenger seat.

 

[SWUtah]

Just bought a 2004 LX470 Black with Ivory interior with the CPO warranty.

 

[DoctorJay]

The biggest problem trying to buy at this time of year is that there may not be too many private sellers with the holidays. People usually get motivated to sell cars after the new year, when the credit cards need to be paid, etc.

The other thing I always do: go to the dealership about an hour and a half before they close. By that time, the salesmen are starting to look at the clock, and might be a bit more flexible with a deal. For them, getting a sale at the end of the day means it was worth going to work for the day.

 

[DoctorJay]

One other trick with the dealers:

This is if you're fortunate enough to be paying cash (and not financing), and know the lot has one that you may be really interested in. Decide on a really bottom dollar price, and get a cashier's check for that amount. Try to drive to that price, and if you get them close... well, waving a bank check at them has some power. If you decide that a slightly higher price may be warranted, you can always write a personal check to cover that, the tags, etc.

If it doesn't work out, you're only out the $5 for the check.