Filed under: Car Buying, Lexus
Certified pre-owned Lexus standards get more lenient
Certified used vehicles are a beacon for new customers considering a brand switch. Lexus has recognized this for a while, and the luxury marque is trying to keep supply up with demand. Due to an apparent influx in certified used vehicle sales, Lexus will be a bit more lenient on what vehicles make the factory-approved cut, but Lexus execs are insistent that the new policies won't degrade the quality of vehicles available.
Rather than cutting back on Lexus' multi-point inspection, the automaker will increase the allowable mileage for a certified vehicle from 60,000 to 70,000 miles, while extending eligible vehicles to seven-year old models, up from the current standard of six years.
Matt Kaleba, the manager of Lexus' certified used-vehicle program, expects sales of the pre-owned vehicles to increase by about seven-percent, and, more importantly, get buyers back to dealers when they want to upgrade to a brand-new model.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
icu812ru469 11:05AM (12/24/2007)
Hey, if the number of checks is not reduced, but just increase of 10K and 1 year to minimum, then I don't see much difference since the consumer will have a larger supply and cheaper too, since there will be slightly older models. Honestly, most new vehicles nowadays will run to 100K easily, no matter the make, so it's really the 100K+ vehicles that will start showing wear-n-tear for long term use, and CPO or not, it won't be covered past 100K.
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roar 11:18AM (12/24/2007)
The new Lexus sales in my area are off 10% YTD, they need this to sell some used cars to offset the decline in new sales.
roar
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psarhjinian 11:39AM (12/24/2007)
I really miss the IS300 SportCross. If you could get past the lack of a manual, it really was a fun car. It was also awfully rare and owners weren't parting with them for any sum.
The Altezza/IS really was underappreciated. Yes, the interior wasn't quite up to Lexus' usual standards, but man was it fun to drive.
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The Joker 12:41PM (12/24/2007)
I always thought that the Sportcross looked rather ghastly. The sedan or gorgeous, but the Sportcross just looks all sorts of awful.
But that's just IMHO :D
psarhjinian 12:48PM (12/24/2007)
Hey, I drive a Saab. Ghastly is in the eye of the beholder.
TBlueMax 9:57PM (12/24/2007)
I too enjoyed the SportCross. Perhaps more than any man should. It wasn't the awkward but wonderfully functional styling of the rear hatch that caused me to stop pursuing this majestic beast... no, it was the complete and total lack of availability (new or used) in my area. A year after the SportCross had been discontinued, I drove by one that was parked in a mall parking lot. It was forest green with a tan leather interior and looked liked Mother Nature herself had lovingly crafted this chariot of the entry-lux market. For a moment, I considered "liberating" this car and eloping to Canada or Mexico... but the moment passed, I drove on, and that was the last time I saw a SportCross in the wild. Perhaps I will see you again Lexus IS300 SportCross... perhaps.
Mike 12:40PM (12/24/2007)
Kind of like how our government handles money.
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gsolman6 12:46PM (12/24/2007)
For about the same dollars as the certified car premium I'd much rather have an extended warranty. The former is a promise something won't go wrong the latter enforces that promise.
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Hooper 2:07PM (12/24/2007)
CPO vehicles have a warranty. Do you mean you can get a longer extra-cost warranty on a non-CPO vehicle for the same price as a CPO vehicle?
Xcountryflyer 12:53PM (12/24/2007)
The Sportcross was just too ahead of its time. Premium small hatchbacks/wagons didn't hit their stride till the past few years.
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the friendly grizzly 1:57PM (12/24/2007)
"certified pre-owned".
Translation: the lot boy washed it.
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Hooper 2:11PM (12/24/2007)
Yeah, regardless of what the manufacturer touts about its certification process, it's the dealer that certifies a used (excuse me, pre-owned) car. Remember the woman who bought a CPO Monte Carlo that turned out to be two wrecks welded together?
Bryan 5:27PM (12/24/2007)
Depends on the dealer to. I know Toyota is always on our lot looking at our certifieds. If they feel for some reason we didn't follow the rules, we have to yank the certification. Toyota is pretty strict when it comes to our dealership. Then again, we're PA's #1 Toyota Volume Dealer, so perhaps thats why? *shrugs*
gsolman6 2:59PM (12/24/2007)
Not sure about Lexus but I thought most manufacturers don't have much of an extended warranty to go along with the CPO. Audi just gives you a 12 year corrosion warranty and the balance of the initial warranty, if any.
Vik 2:09PM (12/24/2007)
gsolman- hint: CPO = warranty extended for 3 years / 100k total miles.
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sydbot 2:12PM (12/24/2007)
So how long until we get Certified Pre-Owned Buicks?
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the friendly grizzly 2:36PM (12/24/2007)
One reason might be this: I'd imagine that a hell of a lot of Lexuseseses come off lease compared to Buick, so the mileage is relatively low. These are the ones that are washed, waxed, "certified", and put back out on the lot.
Hooper 3:35PM (12/24/2007)
Buicks, along with Chevys, Pontiacs and GMC's, fall under the GM Certified program: http://www.gmcertified.com/certified/ Saturn has its own certified program and I'll bet that Cadillac and Saab do, too. I dunno about Hummer.
Paul H. 2:17PM (12/24/2007)
The Sportcross was perhaps the most interesting car Lexus ever sold, barring the SC300 manual (aka Soarer). A shame to see it go by the wayside.
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CC 2:58PM (12/24/2007)
about time, lexus is so damn anal about which cars get certified
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