[madpistol]

I didn't think this was going to happen, but here we are. I no longer own a BMW.


Story:
This past Saturday around 10 AM, I got a text from someone at my local BMW dealership saying they had an M3 Competition xDrive in stock. I asked him to work up the numbers for me on a lease. That's the last I heard from him. At 2 PM I decided to go in and check it out, with every intent to buy it.

When I got there... no M3 Competition xDrive. I also could not find my the sales guy helping me. I found the sales manager and asked what happened, and he told me that he "thought" it had been sold. I asked him to please confirm. A few minutes later, the sales guy came up to me and, in no uncertain terms, told me he had called multiple people about the car, and one of them came in and bought it before me. At this point, I felt a mixture of shock, betrayal, anger, sadness; this guy had no intention of selling me the car... he just wanted to make the sale at all costs. My emotions were already on tilt before I came in, but after this... blue balls. Pent up excitement turned to frustration and nowhere to go.

I looked at the guy, said "I'm done" and walked out. All I wanted to do at that point was sell my BMW. This is the only BMW dealership in the area, and this is not the first time I've had a bad experience there... and I certainly didn't want to give them any more of my business, even servicing my car.

So... I sold my M440i GC.


I ended up snagging a 2024 Lexus IS 500 with the Blue Vector Appearance Package. It's a mouthful, but here's the catch: there's only 150 cars with that appearance package in the United States. I just snagged an ultra-rare Lexus IS 500 in its last year of production.

Needless to say, I'm over the moon. I'm not even sure the Lexus dealership knew what they had, but now, it's mine.

Sorry, BMW. I'm team Lexus now.

[TerraFirma]

In demands cars go quickly and even higher demand ones have a waiting list. They would have a few people waiting for a car like this and reaching out to them, I don’t think they are to blame for an awesome product. It happens to us all, you just look for the next one to come up. At lease you’ve got a car you’re happy with 🙏

[Montaver]

Unless you have a deposit on the car, it isn't yours. There are multiple sales people at a dealership, one sales person cant stop another person selling the car because they are working up some numbers. Sales people sit there working numbers for people that don't buy cars all day. Sounds like a somewhat irrational purchase to me, but I hope you enjoy it.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Unless you have a deposit on the car, it isn't yours. There are multiple sales people at a dealership, one sales person cant stop another person selling the car because they are working up some numbers. Sales people sit there working numbers for people that don't buy cars all day. Sounds like a somewhat irrational purchase to me, but I hope you enjoy it.

All performance/luxury car purchases are irrational. I got bit by the “I want more” bug, and here we are. I’ve been driving the IS500 around for about 50 miles now, and it actually “feels” more expensive than that M440i GC did. It’s a hard feeling to describe, but I would say “smoother” and “more elegant” from a driving perspective (not surprising since the IS has double wishbone front suspension, compared to the struts on the 2/3/4.

Personal preference, obviously, but the IS500 so far is a damn good car.

[toddwalton]

Buying a Lexus is a strange way to exact revenge on a BMW dealer. I mean, a Lexus?

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by madpistol

All performance/luxury car purchases are irrational. I got bit by the “I want more” bug, and here we are. I’ve been driving the IS500 around for about 50 miles now, and it actually “feels” more expensive than that M440i GC did. It’s a hard feeling to describe, but I would say “smoother” and “more elegant” from a driving perspective (not surprising since the IS has double wishbone front suspension, compared to the struts on the 2/3/4.

Personal preference, obviously, but the IS500 so far is a damn good car.

Of course, not a criticism. They are all whimsical to some degree, I have a GT4 in my garage after all. I just spent an hour looking at E92 M3’s because I really want another one. If you did your research and got what you wanted congrats. The IS 500 is a very cool car, quite different to an M3 Xdrive in terms of ethos. It’s certainly the last of a generation, I considered one before getting the M340, never had the chance to drive one though. Post up a comparison once you get some miles.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by Montaver

Of course, not a criticism. They are all whimsical to some degree, I have a GT4 in my garage after all. I just spent an hour looking at E92 M3’s because I really want another one. If you did your research and got what you wanted congrats. The IS 500 is a very cool car, quite different to an M3 Xdrive in terms of ethos. It’s certainly the last of a generation, I considered one before getting the M340, never had the chance to drive one though. Post up a comparison once you get some miles.

Certainly. They are apples-to-oranges, for sure. Maybe I’m just getting older, but I like the slightly more relaxed nature of the IS500… oh, and it makes an amazing sound. This 5.0 V8… intoxicating.

Originally Posted by toddwalton

Buying a Lexus is a strange way to exact revenge on a BMW dealer. I mean, a Lexus?

Yes. A Lexus, and it wasn't revenge. It was abandoning the brand. I put $17k on that M440i GC when it was brand new, and yesterday, I found out that it was only worth $2k towards my new car. The "a Lexus?" will hold its value very well, especially since it's a NA V8 and has a very rare factory appearance package on it.

Originally Posted by Montaver

Unless you have a deposit on the car, it isn't yours. There are multiple sales people at a dealership, one sales person cant stop another person selling the car because they are working up some numbers. Sales people sit there working numbers for people that don't buy cars all day. Sounds like a somewhat irrational purchase to me, but I hope you enjoy it.

For reference, it was the same sales guy. He called multiple people, and basically played a game of “who gets it first.”

Why would I want to do business with a company that operates like that?

[rmedina]

Congratulations on your new ride. Honestly you can't beat that V8. It's a beast. Enjoy it brother

[Sparch]

Congrats on the Lexus.

I have a buddy who is in sales for Lexus. He called me a month ago to pitch me the IS500. When they first came out they were asking a massive premium on them, but now he tells me that they are not selling. At the time he told me they were sitting on 14 units and were very motivated to move them.

I hope you got a sweet deal, and enjoy the endangered species.

[Stag77]

Congrats on the new car. The color looks great, and I'm sure it looks even better in person. Despite being in a bad situation, at least something awesome came out of it in the end.

If there's one thing I miss about the car that my G20 replaced, it's the big N/A V8. The IS 500 sounds fantastic, so have fun and be safe.

[toddwalton]

Originally Posted by madpistol

Yes. A Lexus, and it wasn't revenge. The "a Lexus?" will hold its value very well, especially since it's a NA V8 and has a very rare factory appearance package on it.

Yeah, but it’s a Lexus.

[IAmSpeed]

While it seems like an emotional decision, I understand your reasoning. Ultimately, it's all about what makes you happy. I'm glad you found a suitable alternative that brings you joy!

[DenHaag3er]

lol what? Saleseman does his job and lets some customers know about car they might want. I'm sure they are glad you've moved on.

[zoso4534]

Originally Posted by DenHaag3er

lol what? Saleseman does his job and lets some customers know about car they might want. I'm sure they are glad you've moved on.

You guys are pretty harsh, and cut the guy some slack. Dealerships are notorious for these kinds of sleazy sales tactics. I'd expect this behavior from a mainstream brand, not BMW. I hope that eventually dealerships go away and we can buy direct from manufacturer. I've rarely had a positive experience with them.

[Tommo3]

Originally Posted by zoso4534

You guys are pretty harsh, and cut the guy some slack. Dealerships are notorious for these kinds of sleazy sales tactics. I'd expect this behavior from a mainstream brand, not BMW. I hope that eventually dealerships go away and we can buy direct from manufacturer. I've rarely had a positive experience with them.

Any salesman earn his living from selling cars, he does not care what badges are on the cars, they are just a wage for him. If he moves his job to Lexus next week will you sell your newly bought car?

[Burrcold]

Congrats! Beautiful IS and an even better soundtrack. Would definitely love to hear an honest comparison of the two (especially how it compares to your old M340i RWD)!

[zoso4534]

Originally Posted by Tommo3

Any salesman earn his living from selling cars, he does not care what badges are on the cars, they are just a wage for him.

Any job can be done in an honorable or sleazy manner. If it were me, I would have been upfront that the demand for the car is high and they're reaching out to multiple potential buyers. They could have offered an opportunity to leave a deposit. I'm guessing they were looking for someone to come in a drop cash for it, probably way over MSRP.

[dod328430]

Sounds like you should have given a deposit to hold the car if you were really interested. I'd do the same thing call all potential buyers and sell it to the first person that wants it.

Now your feelings are hurt and you will never buy a BMW. This is rich.

[RT1250Ryder]

I can't say anything bad about the IS. I know Lexus was late to the game with interior tech (last ones to implement Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) but they have caught up and on par with the other luxury brands.

That Toyota V8 is about as reliable as they come so no worries there. Drive it and enjoy it.

Shady dealer tactics suck no matter the brand.

[Dan B]

The salesperson should have said "I am telling everyone about this car so whomever comes in 1st gets the car". If they then get back a text saying "work up numbers on a lease" text back and say either already sold or no lease, outright purchase only.

Communication is #1 in sales and poor communication will lose you a lot of clients.

[RTPenland]

Congrats what a kickass car

[Rawhide]

Someone else came in and bought it before you got there. That's how life goes. Would it have been fair to whomever showed up cash in hand to be told they couldn't buy it until (or if) you showed up?

To get all bent out of shape and forsake BMWs forever seems a to be bit silly, but whatever. I mean, if you're that on fire to get an M3 Comp then why not just order one?

Nice Lexus, not my thing but very nice nonetheless.