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**Zoxeeoy** · 03-07-2006, 03:31 AM

Ok. what a day.
I went car shopping with my grandmother today because she is in the market for a luxury car for her retirement present to herself. She was looking to spend $40,000 but could afford to spend 50.
Models She wanted/liked/was looking at:
Infiniti G35x
Infiniti M35x
Lexus GS300 AWD
Lexus ES350
Mercedes C280 4matic
I talked her out of getting the mercedes. Its being redesigned in a few years and its smaller than what she needs.
We first went to Ray Catena Infiniti in Edison, NJ. We looked at the G and the M. The G35's trunk was a little too small than what she has now and needed something bigger (though the price for the car was right).
We then looked at the M35. Even though it was a bit more than she wanted to spend, she figured she could get it down a little bit. What a gorgeous car it is! in the showroom, they had a black on black one. it was soo nice. the sticker was like $45k. She only wanted the M35x with the journey package. Once she decided that was what she wanted because she liked the sporty look of it and the size was great, we sat down with a salesman to talk price. He would only take the car down like $1,000. He wouldnt budge off of that. So we didnt buy it and left.
Next we went to Ray Catena Lexus in Monmouth, NJ. A whole 30 minutes away (keep in mind my grandma lives in brooklyn, ny so it was a big trip to begin with. the only reason she was buying from ray catena was because she worked in the area before she retired and was familiar with the dealers in the area.) So after tons of traffic we finally arrive at lexus. today was a stinky day to go car shopping because it was raining all day. the facility was so nice. it had a large showroom with many models in it. Its the world's 3rd largest lexus dealer. First we briefly looked at the ES350. Then we looked at the GS. For the price, we decided it was too small and that the ES was much bigger and a better value. So we looked at the ES. The Showroom had 2, a dark gray with black leather, and a silver with black leather. My grandma thought it was a nice looking car and after she had seen all the colors, the dark gray (smokey granite mica) was the only one she liked. We sat down with the salesman, and talked about what they had available. They didnt really have much because not only do they get huge volumes into the dealer, but they sell a lot at the same time. She didnt want a navigation system because she doesnt need it and isnt really going to use it. the only good thing about it in her opinion is the rear backup camera. She is pressed for time with the purchase of this car because her car's a/c broke so she wanted to get the car for that week. So they talked about what was available. She ONLY wanted the dark gray, nothing else. So he went back and forth to his sales manager and told us that they had one coming in on the 14th or so of June. the only problem about it was that it had a navigation system. He told her if she waited for one without, it would be in at the end of june or begining of july. at that point she was kind of willing to go for that and i didnt think we'd be getting a car today. Another reason she needs a/c is because my grandfather has emphysema and to travel, he needs to be in a/c.
I kept telling her it wouldnt be so bad if she got it with navigation, atleast she was getting everything else she wanted. So we wound up agreeing to that one.
The sticker price for the dark gray with navigation was $40,635 before tax. If she was gonna take something she didnt want in the first place, she didnt want to pay that much for it. the sales manager wound up coming to talk to us about it and she was very, very nice. She said she would give us $1500 off which would be about $39,000. My grandma wanted 38k or nothing. She gave it to us for $38,500, $41,055 after tax and everything. We saved a little over $2100 off the sticker price (basically she got the navigation for free). she was very flexible because she thought it was very loyal of us to travel so far.
The next thing to talk about was delivery. My grandma is keeping her 1997 Buick Regal because shes passing it on to someone. therefore, she wouldnt be able to make it to the dealer to pick the car up. After hesitation, the sales manager agreed to deliver it to her house for free under one condition: that she fills out everything 100% good on the customer survey she gets when she gets the car. She agreed and said "what reason would i have to not fill it out good."
She put down a $1000 deposit in cash, because she just happend to have it on her and the car is being delivered to the house on June 9th the earliest, June 14th the latest. I'm going to her house to see it on June 18th.
Options included in the final vehicle:
Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System with backup camera and Bluetooth technology
Leather-trimmed interior
Remote keyless entry-linked memory, Push Button Start
Heated, cooled, and ventilated front seats
Rain-sensing intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle
Wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
Dual-swivel Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS)
Full-size spare tire
I'm probably missing a few things but its basically fully loaded. the only thing it doesnt have is the panorama glass sunroof, it has a regular one (she doesnt even want one in the first place but it comes standard). It also doesnt have 'intuitive parking assist', power rear sunshade, and the mark levinson audio system.

This is the color combo. and i will post pics as soon as i get them

.
i told my grandma to be expecting a call from infiniti within the week because they know her timeframe. well, sucks for them

p.s.: the dealer website is http://www.rclexus.com/en_US/
p.s.s. she never test drove any cars. she was afraid to in the rain plus she doesnt believe in test driving before you buy. "you just have to get used to the car"

Modified by stevenzoz at 11:05 PM 6/4/2006

**ImmitsRom** · 03-07-2006, 03:58 AM

The inside is actually pretty nice once you get over the shock factor, especially in that rich grey colour with the dark woodgrain. The grey on the outside does wonders for this car's looks too IMO. Congrats to your nan, she has done damn well!
But can I ask why she didn't consider a BMW or Audi in her choices? But yeah, sounds like you had an awesome day

**Zoxeeoy** · 03-07-2006, 04:04 AM

um idk. she just didnt like them i guess? she wouldnt get a BMW cuz their neighbor has one and shes weird like that. and audi to her is just like an 'out their' brand. nothing to special.
she picked that dark gray because she wanted soemthing sporty looking and i think that color achieves it.
she picked the darker leather because since its her first car with leather, shes a little paranoid about it getting dirty.

**YmolafBp** · 04-06-2006, 09:50 AM

Nice car, your grandma has superb taste

**houkbsdov** · 04-06-2006, 03:18 PM

Congrats to your grandma on the nice car
Thats the brand new one on RT 9 right, lol I live right around there. Infact I passed it twice yesterday and didnt know they opened yet.
BTW when you were at Ray Catena did you check out the Mercedes dealership, its got a lot of rare classics upstairs

**WrigleyMike** · 04-06-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote, originally posted by stevenzoz »and audi to her is just like an 'out their' brand.
Well their motto is "never follow!" Anyway, great choice. I'm sure your grandmother will really like the new ES350. Post pics soon!

**Zoxeeoy** · 04-06-2006, 05:20 PM

we were going to go to Mercedes but since there was the fact i talked her out of it and she didnt want it anymore, we didnt want to waste time.

**beethyday** · 06-06-2006, 04:49 PM

Yeah, i would have talked anyone from a C-class right now (even though i like Merc), nice choice with the Lexus!

**Adimondin** · 06-06-2006, 06:43 PM

nice buy for your grandma, im sure your gonna be at her house alot...lol
one thing that i noticed was an es has more space than a gs? help

**Zoxeeoy** · 06-06-2006, 08:35 PM

yes, the ES is larger than a GS. It has a bigger trunk and more legroom

AND ON ANOTHER NOTE,
THE CAR IS BEING DELIVERED ON FRIDAY!!!! They called her and asked her if it was ok if they delivered it early on thursday or friday but she said friday because of this whole insurance transfer thing with the person taking her car. He's not taking it until saturday or sunday so she needs to leave the car in the street as short as possible because it wont have plates since theyre going on the lexus.
i wont be able to see it until the 18th though because im so busy =[

**Zoxeeoy** · 06-19-2006, 12:52 AM

PICTURES!!! I forgot my camera though! so i had to use my camera phone... not the best quality. the car is so fun. i spent an hour playing around with the nav and controls and smart access. and the new car smell is is to die for =]. and i didnt get a pic of them, but the speedometer/and the controls near it are soo cool looking. they light up in a bluish white color.

**Zoxeeoy** · 06-19-2006, 12:58 AM

i found a pic online of the gauges:

**paydayuscf** · 06-19-2006, 01:22 AM

Wait, did you get the car from Ray Catena Lexus? That's the dealer that was on a Toronto Star newspaper article because they were secretly selling cars to Canadians who came across the border because of the rising dollar. Weird eh?

**Zoxeeoy** · 06-19-2006, 03:37 AM

its possible but there are 2 ray catena lexus's

**valiumcheepval** · 06-19-2006, 03:53 AM

thats so weird that there are 2 ray catenas. cuz isnt ray catena a person? thats so odd how there would be 2 ray catenas in the same relative region who both own car dealerships.

**syptopsygieds** · 06-19-2006, 04:00 AM

I don't think it's that weird.
In NH we have:
2 Merchants Nissans (in Hooksett and Concord)
3 Autofair's (Concord, Hooksett, Manchester)
And there are a collection of Auto City's in NH and ME.
Ray Catena might have two Lexus branches that he owns that are both under his name.

**JohnImamadviser** · 06-19-2006, 04:51 AM

Normally people don't own just one car dealership. They own several. It's not weird at all. Earnhardt? Sterling McCall? John Elway?

**paydayuscf** · 06-19-2006, 01:10 PM

Wait, you got that from New Jersey right? Then it must be the other which is in Buffalo.

**moredasers** · 06-19-2006, 07:45 PM

Mossy Nissan... They are the only Nissan dealer in San Diego County... I think they have eight different dealerships. Here Nissan cars and trucks are billed as "Mossy Nissan cars and trucks" (and there are two in Houston as well I think). Basically, 2 ray Catena dealerships in the same area is not strange at all.
Gorgeous car there, Good taste, hope it lasts her well into the future

**Zoxeeoy** · 08-19-2006, 09:13 PM

I finally got loads of high quality pics. will post them later on today.

03-07-2006, 03:31 AM	#1
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	NEW! NEW! NEW! Ok. what a day. I went car shopping with my grandmother today because she is in the market for a luxury car for her retirement present to herself. She was looking to spend $40,000 but could afford to spend 50. Models She wanted/liked/was looking at: Infiniti G35x Infiniti M35x Lexus GS300 AWD Lexus ES350 Mercedes C280 4matic I talked her out of getting the mercedes. Its being redesigned in a few years and its smaller than what she needs. We first went to Ray Catena Infiniti in Edison, NJ. We looked at the G and the M. The G35's trunk was a little too small than what she has now and needed something bigger (though the price for the car was right). We then looked at the M35. Even though it was a bit more than she wanted to spend, she figured she could get it down a little bit. What a gorgeous car it is! in the showroom, they had a black on black one. it was soo nice. the sticker was like $45k. She only wanted the M35x with the journey package. Once she decided that was what she wanted because she liked the sporty look of it and the size was great, we sat down with a salesman to talk price. He would only take the car down like $1,000. He wouldnt budge off of that. So we didnt buy it and left. Next we went to Ray Catena Lexus in Monmouth, NJ. A whole 30 minutes away (keep in mind my grandma lives in brooklyn, ny so it was a big trip to begin with. the only reason she was buying from ray catena was because she worked in the area before she retired and was familiar with the dealers in the area.) So after tons of traffic we finally arrive at lexus. today was a stinky day to go car shopping because it was raining all day. the facility was so nice. it had a large showroom with many models in it. Its the world's 3rd largest lexus dealer. First we briefly looked at the ES350. Then we looked at the GS. For the price, we decided it was too small and that the ES was much bigger and a better value. So we looked at the ES. The Showroom had 2, a dark gray with black leather, and a silver with black leather. My grandma thought it was a nice looking car and after she had seen all the colors, the dark gray (smokey granite mica) was the only one she liked. We sat down with the salesman, and talked about what they had available. They didnt really have much because not only do they get huge volumes into the dealer, but they sell a lot at the same time. She didnt want a navigation system because she doesnt need it and isnt really going to use it. the only good thing about it in her opinion is the rear backup camera. She is pressed for time with the purchase of this car because her car's a/c broke so she wanted to get the car for that week. So they talked about what was available. She ONLY wanted the dark gray, nothing else. So he went back and forth to his sales manager and told us that they had one coming in on the 14th or so of June. the only problem about it was that it had a navigation system. He told her if she waited for one without, it would be in at the end of june or begining of july. at that point she was kind of willing to go for that and i didnt think we'd be getting a car today. Another reason she needs a/c is because my grandfather has emphysema and to travel, he needs to be in a/c. I kept telling her it wouldnt be so bad if she got it with navigation, atleast she was getting everything else she wanted. So we wound up agreeing to that one. The sticker price for the dark gray with navigation was $40,635 before tax. If she was gonna take something she didnt want in the first place, she didnt want to pay that much for it. the sales manager wound up coming to talk to us about it and she was very, very nice. She said she would give us $1500 off which would be about $39,000. My grandma wanted 38k or nothing. She gave it to us for $38,500, $41,055 after tax and everything. We saved a little over $2100 off the sticker price (basically she got the navigation for free). she was very flexible because she thought it was very loyal of us to travel so far. The next thing to talk about was delivery. My grandma is keeping her 1997 Buick Regal because shes passing it on to someone. therefore, she wouldnt be able to make it to the dealer to pick the car up. After hesitation, the sales manager agreed to deliver it to her house for free under one condition: that she fills out everything 100% good on the customer survey she gets when she gets the car. She agreed and said "what reason would i have to not fill it out good." She put down a $1000 deposit in cash, because she just happend to have it on her and the car is being delivered to the house on June 9th the earliest, June 14th the latest. I'm going to her house to see it on June 18th. Options included in the final vehicle: Lexus voice-activated DVD Navigation System with backup camera and Bluetooth technology Leather-trimmed interior Remote keyless entry-linked memory, Push Button Start Heated, cooled, and ventilated front seats Rain-sensing intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle Wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps Dual-swivel Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) Full-size spare tire I'm probably missing a few things but its basically fully loaded. the only thing it doesnt have is the panorama glass sunroof, it has a regular one (she doesnt even want one in the first place but it comes standard). It also doesnt have 'intuitive parking assist', power rear sunshade, and the mark levinson audio system. This is the color combo. and i will post pics as soon as i get them . i told my grandma to be expecting a call from infiniti within the week because they know her timeframe. well, sucks for them p.s.: the dealer website is http://www.rclexus.com/en_US/ p.s.s. she never test drove any cars. she was afraid to in the rain plus she doesnt believe in test driving before you buy. "you just have to get used to the car" Modified by stevenzoz at 11:05 PM 6/4/2006 Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-07-2006, 03:58 AM	#2
ImmitsRom Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 607 Senior Member	The inside is actually pretty nice once you get over the shock factor, especially in that rich grey colour with the dark woodgrain. The grey on the outside does wonders for this car's looks too IMO. Congrats to your nan, she has done damn well! But can I ask why she didn't consider a BMW or Audi in her choices? But yeah, sounds like you had an awesome day Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-07-2006, 04:04 AM	#3
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	um idk. she just didnt like them i guess? she wouldnt get a BMW cuz their neighbor has one and shes weird like that. and audi to her is just like an 'out their' brand. nothing to special. she picked that dark gray because she wanted soemthing sporty looking and i think that color achieves it. she picked the darker leather because since its her first car with leather, shes a little paranoid about it getting dirty. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2006, 09:50 AM	#4
YmolafBp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 425 Senior Member	Nice car, your grandma has superb taste Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2006, 03:18 PM	#5
houkbsdov Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 709 Senior Member	Congrats to your grandma on the nice car Thats the brand new one on RT 9 right, lol I live right around there. Infact I passed it twice yesterday and didnt know they opened yet. BTW when you were at Ray Catena did you check out the Mercedes dealership, its got a lot of rare classics upstairs Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2006, 05:09 PM	#6
WrigleyMike Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 398 Senior Member	Quote, originally posted by stevenzoz* »*and audi to her is just like an 'out their' brand. Well their motto is "never follow!" Anyway, great choice. I'm sure your grandmother will really like the new ES350. Post pics soon! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2006, 05:20 PM	#7
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	we were going to go to Mercedes but since there was the fact i talked her out of it and she didnt want it anymore, we didnt want to waste time. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-06-2006, 04:49 PM	#8
beethyday Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 497 Senior Member	Yeah, i would have talked anyone from a C-class right now (even though i like Merc), nice choice with the Lexus! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-06-2006, 06:43 PM	#9
Adimondin Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 503 Senior Member	nice buy for your grandma, im sure your gonna be at her house alot...lol one thing that i noticed was an es has more space than a gs? help Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-06-2006, 08:35 PM	#10
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	yes, the ES is larger than a GS. It has a bigger trunk and more legroom AND ON ANOTHER NOTE, THE CAR IS BEING DELIVERED ON FRIDAY!!!! They called her and asked her if it was ok if they delivered it early on thursday or friday but she said friday because of this whole insurance transfer thing with the person taking her car. He's not taking it until saturday or sunday so she needs to leave the car in the street as short as possible because it wont have plates since theyre going on the lexus. i wont be able to see it until the 18th though because im so busy =[ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 12:52 AM	#11
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	PICTURES!!! I forgot my camera though! so i had to use my camera phone... not the best quality. the car is so fun. i spent an hour playing around with the nav and controls and smart access. and the new car smell is is to die for =]. and i didnt get a pic of them, but the speedometer/and the controls near it are soo cool looking. they light up in a bluish white color. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 12:58 AM	#12
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	i found a pic online of the gauges: Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 01:22 AM	#13
paydayuscf Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 410 Senior Member	Wait, did you get the car from Ray Catena Lexus? That's the dealer that was on a Toronto Star newspaper article because they were secretly selling cars to Canadians who came across the border because of the rising dollar. Weird eh? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 03:37 AM	#14
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	its possible but there are 2 ray catena lexus's Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 03:53 AM	#15
valiumcheepval Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 551 Senior Member	thats so weird that there are 2 ray catenas. cuz isnt ray catena a person? thats so odd how there would be 2 ray catenas in the same relative region who both own car dealerships. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

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06-19-2006, 04:00 AM	#16
syptopsygieds Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 391 Senior Member	I don't think it's that weird. In NH we have: 2 Merchants Nissans (in Hooksett and Concord) 3 Autofair's (Concord, Hooksett, Manchester) And there are a collection of Auto City's in NH and ME. Ray Catena might have two Lexus branches that he owns that are both under his name. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 04:51 AM	#17
JohnImamadviser Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 551 Senior Member	Normally people don't own just one car dealership. They own several. It's not weird at all. Earnhardt? Sterling McCall? John Elway? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 01:10 PM	#18
paydayuscf Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 410 Senior Member	Wait, you got that from New Jersey right? Then it must be the other which is in Buffalo. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

06-19-2006, 07:45 PM	#19
moredasers Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 437 Senior Member	Mossy Nissan... They are the only Nissan dealer in San Diego County... I think they have eight different dealerships. Here Nissan cars and trucks are billed as "Mossy Nissan cars and trucks" (and there are two in Houston as well I think). Basically, 2 ray Catena dealerships in the same area is not strange at all. Gorgeous car there, Good taste, hope it lasts her well into the future Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

08-19-2006, 09:13 PM	#20
Zoxeeoy Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 480 Senior Member	I finally got loads of high quality pics. will post them later on today. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote