Lexus GX470...BMW rant

[burnin_up]

My girlfriend (Kristi) is a very spoiled young lady, she just recently traded in her 2000 BMW 328i for a brand new GX470. It is absolutely amazing, other than a gutless engine. Her Beemer always had problems, and when she would take it in, was treated rudely or blown off because of her age (she's 20, but looks like she might be 18, she's very petite) and the overall feel of the place was just hostile. The car was a lemmon in my own opinion. We went shopping at several different places, and Lexus was the only place that took her seriously and actually let her test drive vehicles, etc. Her parents stay in Coronado this time of year, and took care of the money end after Kristi did the deal herself. Other high end dealerships wouldnt even give her 5 minutes for her tell them she could have any damn vehicle in the place she wanted. The saleswoman even had a dozen roses for her when we picked it up. Little touches like that and an all around good attitude made that lady a ton of money...all the while the likes of BMW lost a current and future customer. (the 328i was her second BMW, and everyone else in the family drives BMW, but are now thinking of making the switch to Lexus.) I believe Stephen has often talked about Lexus' customer care and attention to detail, and I would have to agree that I was extremely impressed. It also helps when you see someone you love get treated well after hassling everywhere else. I almost came to fisticuffs with a ****y & rude salesman from BMW when we pulled up in my Explorer.

So after all that, what Im saying is, if youre better off than most and have the money for these types vehicles...give a look to Lexus. They dont mess around. If I ever have the dough I know I will.

To the car... It has the 4.7 liter V8 (235hp, 320 ft/lb; 4585lbs) that feels rather sluggish, its a pearly white color with black leather interior, and every option except the DVD navigation. It seems huge inside compared to the new Explorers, especially the back seat. Ill get some pics soon, its in the shop getting tinted right now, and Kristi is driving the Explorer today. The ride is amazing, and the ajustable air suspension and various other doo-dads have provided me with hours of A.D.D. free activity. Taken from Edmunds.com... "Highlights include 17-inch wheels, heated outside mirrors, illuminated running boards, leather seating, bird's eye maple wood trim, heated front seats, power front seats, automatic climate control, a moonroof, one-touch up-and-down side windows and a power tilt and telescope steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise control buttons..."

And if Im not mistaken, wasnt this Petersen's vehicle of the year?

 

[Alec]

We're now on our third Lexus and like them (and their dealers) very much. They're a step above most other dealers and we've never had a problem with their service dept; can't say the same thing for the Benz dealership where we go for my dad's car.

As for sales depts, when I was shopping a few months ago almost no one took me seriously. Fortunately the dealership that treated me the best also gave me the best deal.

 

[section525]

Originally posted by burnin_up
It seems huge inside compared to the new Explorers, especially the back seat.

You don't waste any time.


Dealers are a-holes when it comes to kids. When I was looking for Explorers I went to a lot of dealerships (I lived in LA). The only one that acknowleged my existence was the one I bought from. I was tired of looking at cars for 20 mins.. then having to go in and ask the salesman if he was on the clock.

 

[Stephen]

Glad to see people agree with my assessment of the customer service!

I've owned a lot of nice cars, Caddys, Lincolns. I've never had a Benz or a Beemer, but I know plenty of people who do. I've never known anyone to consistently have as good of a dealer experience as we've had with Lexus. Where else can you pull up in a 5 year old car with 140,000 miles on it and you'd think you just pulled off in a new one? I've never had a bad experience at Lexus. Some of these guys drive $90,000 Mercedes and the dealers treat them like ****, beat up their cars. I mean, why deal with that when you service such an expensive car?

Now I'm looking to replace the LS probably next month or the month after, and while there are some other pretty exciting sedans out there, the new Audi A8, the 745Li, the new Jaguar XJ I really think I'll again wind up in a Lexus, the refreshed 04 LS430. Simply because its by far the most positive experience I've EVER had with a car, and I've owned a lot of them. Its a great car, and a great dealer experience. I can honestly never see myself in anything else, its perfect, the vehicle and the dealers. Thats why they sell so well I suppose.

Now we have two, my son got into a 03 ES300 back in March I think it was, and they again treated him great, even being young (he's 21), no problems letting him drive it, they treated him the same way they treat me, like a king. The car is gorgeous, you'd guess it cost $20k more than it did, all the toys and then some that my car doesnt even have. Rides and drives great, almost as smooth and quiet as mine.

Its not even a question of ass kissing, its just respect and understanding. A smiling face, true regard and concern for the customer. Thats all it takes and they have it.

Hope she likes the GX!

 

[expo5.0]

i get mobbed at dealers and i'm only 20. either the dealers in phoenix and minneapolis where i have checked cars out recently are different than where you live or you are doing something wrong. i've been to dodge, ford, bmw, lexus, cadillac etc. in both cities looking at different vehicles (mostly test driving for my mom who lives too far from the dealers to get to go out and drive= although i never tell the dealer thats why i'm there) and almost every time i've gone i've been shocked when they handed me the keys to whatever vehicle i first walked up to within the first 5 minutes. i've been particularly shocked at the high end dealers because expo5.0 isn't the kind of thing they usually want in trade or anything.

i usually just act very purposeful/go straight to what i'm looking for and ask technical questions about financing or leasing options. i've found that approach to be the best (and a good approach is necessary because at 20 i'm not even covered by most of their insurances if i crash during a test drive so i can't let them find out)

maybe the dealers are different or something but thats all i've done and i've driven 2 m3s, an x5, an eddie bauer expedition, a 03 cobra, an 03 sport explorer, a durango, a lx470, is300, a 03 suburban on 20s etc.

 

[wired_af]

Re: Re: Lexus GX470...BMW rant

Originally posted by section525
Dealers are a-holes when it comes to kids. When I was looking for Explorers I went to a lot of dealerships (I lived in LA). The only one that acknowleged my existence was the one I bought from. I was tired of looking at cars for 20 mins.. then having to go in and ask the salesman if he was on the clock. [/B]

and the one that do help ya try to take advantage of ya.

 

[Stephen]

Originally posted by expo5.0
i get mobbed at dealers and i'm only 20.

Do people often mistake you for being older than you are? My son is 21, but people consistently think he is in his 30s because of the conservative way he dresses and his mature businesslike demeanor. He has no trouble either. They poo pooed him out of a BMW dealer when he was shopping, but then they've done that to me too and I'm 61 It depends on the dealer like anything else. My guess is since you go straight to business and talk like a buyer they assume you're older.

If you're 20 you are covered by their insurance, rule is you can't test drive the car alone without the salesman or an adult until you're 21. At 18 though you can drive the car. My son ran into this a couple times when he was looking (most places didnt care) and had to have me come in with him to avoid having to ride with the annoying salesman.