Hello GX people,
New member here, and new to this whole GX world (not a previous owner or fanboy). I experienced this same madness when the Corvette C8 was announced, many wanted one, dealer lists were hundreds or thousands long, 2-3 year wait times in Canada. Took me 2 years to get my '23. So here we go again with this new GX550.
Last 2 weeks was the big car show here in Montreal, Lexus had their big booth showing off the NX, RX, GX, LX and TX plus a gorgeous LC convertible. The Lexus reps were talking up a storm, if you liked what Lexus had to offer, skip on over to your local dealer, and buy the vehicle you saw at the show. I already knew there was some hype around the GX550, so assumed there would be some wait time on it.
After calling 2 dealers, this is where the shock set in (contradicting the fun spirited car show talk with the reps)
From what I have read on other forums, I do not think it is the same mafia madness in the US as it is here, even though you might have dealers marking up the trucks over MSRP. Remember, I have lived thru much of the same with the C8, and was lucky to be sold one and at MSRP, but had to wait 2 years to get it.
I have an appointment with a sales guy this Sat, best case I convince him that his lease-only option will not work for me, and that another dealer might sell me the truck if my background check passes (sounds so silly). And worst case, I leave a deposit, go on their long wait list, and agree to a lease, and live with the fact that if I want to buy back the truck after the lease, it will cost more than simply buying it outright. Although if financing the purchase, the interest paid might add up to the extra paid on the buy-back, so who knows.
The hype on this new GX550 is beyond madness, I thought I was past it having gone thru it with the C8 (market has calmed down a lot now that the Z06 and ZR1 are out), and the worst part is that I like the truck, but am not googoo over it either, it's a nice looking mid-size truck, period.
And one final note, I also like the family oriented TX, was an option as well (to replace our VW Atlas, similar space). The sales guy told me that I can have a TX in hand within 2 weeks, no wait list, tons of inventory. WTF Lexus ???
New member here, and new to this whole GX world (not a previous owner or fanboy). I experienced this same madness when the Corvette C8 was announced, many wanted one, dealer lists were hundreds or thousands long, 2-3 year wait times in Canada. Took me 2 years to get my '23. So here we go again with this new GX550.
Last 2 weeks was the big car show here in Montreal, Lexus had their big booth showing off the NX, RX, GX, LX and TX plus a gorgeous LC convertible. The Lexus reps were talking up a storm, if you liked what Lexus had to offer, skip on over to your local dealer, and buy the vehicle you saw at the show. I already knew there was some hype around the GX550, so assumed there would be some wait time on it.
After calling 2 dealers, this is where the shock set in (contradicting the fun spirited car show talk with the reps)
- Most dealers in my province of Quebec will NOT sell you the truck, they will only lease it to you. Reason is because of fear of exporting it to the Middle East where it is highly sought after. Was told I can buy it back after the lease term, because nobody in the Middle East wants a used truck, only a new one. Same goes for the LX.
- One dealer told me that I MIGHT be able to buy the truck, but I would have to sit down with a sales guy, show them my family worth, have them do a full background check on me, drop a $5k non-refundable deposit to show I mean business, and then the dealer boss will decide IF he will sell me the truck (which they normally do not do). Same for the LX.
- I am told that most dealers here are telling people NOT to park the truck at a shopping mall, as it will likely get stolen minutes later, and shoved into a metal container, it is a hot ticket item. Same for the LX.
- I am told that a tracking system is a must for this highly stolen truck (I already have some on my other cars so that I was going to do anyways). Same point as above, the truck WILL get stolen, not MAY get stolen. Same for the LX.
- I am told the wait time on a GX550 (as well as an LX) is between 1 to 2 years.
- I am told that this madness is normal for Canada (and specifically Quebec) simply because of our Canadian dollar, where this truck is the cheapest, hence the dealer concerns for it being exported to other countries. There are no markups either, leases at MSRP (or sells for the few people who are hand picked for a purchase option).
- Feels like I am trying to buy an exclusive Ferarri, where they choose you (for multiple reasons) instead of you choosing them.
From what I have read on other forums, I do not think it is the same mafia madness in the US as it is here, even though you might have dealers marking up the trucks over MSRP. Remember, I have lived thru much of the same with the C8, and was lucky to be sold one and at MSRP, but had to wait 2 years to get it.
I have an appointment with a sales guy this Sat, best case I convince him that his lease-only option will not work for me, and that another dealer might sell me the truck if my background check passes (sounds so silly). And worst case, I leave a deposit, go on their long wait list, and agree to a lease, and live with the fact that if I want to buy back the truck after the lease, it will cost more than simply buying it outright. Although if financing the purchase, the interest paid might add up to the extra paid on the buy-back, so who knows.
The hype on this new GX550 is beyond madness, I thought I was past it having gone thru it with the C8 (market has calmed down a lot now that the Z06 and ZR1 are out), and the worst part is that I like the truck, but am not googoo over it either, it's a nice looking mid-size truck, period.
And one final note, I also like the family oriented TX, was an option as well (to replace our VW Atlas, similar space). The sales guy told me that I can have a TX in hand within 2 weeks, no wait list, tons of inventory. WTF Lexus ???
