Ok, so I'm pretty picky when it comes to spending 30+ G's on a vehicle. It's gotta be something i not only like, but LOVE. In this case it's an SR5 v8 4x4 with sunroof in galactic gray.


There aren't ANY in the area. And finally a couple dealerships are calling to tell me they can acquire one (from the "fleet" or whatever, don't know what that means).

The invoice for the vehicle should be around $31,070. Minus the $1500 rebate = $29,570.

One dealer offered me $30,780 off the bat.
I countered with $30,000.
He said he could do $30,531.
I countered with $30,200.

THEN he backs off and is like, "sorry, but i just can't sell this below our costs, the best i can do is $30,700"

WTF, he backed off from 30.5 back to 30.7 ???


Being that a 4Runner with these options in this color is rare, is my negotiating leverage compromised? Should i take it for $30,700???

(take it easy on me, this is my first time negotiating the price of a car!)

The more you indicate to them you want the car, the less negotiating power you will have. You really have to do your homework to get the best deal possible, expecially with Toyota's (and 4R's!). Check other dealers within your geography, maybe 50 miles or so. Spend time, visit, etc. You may want to sign up for Consumer Reports and check their 'real car pricing' (it's a pay service)

Also, they're starting to move all of the 07's off the lots to make room for the 08's. That should work to your advantage. Hand them a deposit check for what you want to pay and tell them to take it or leave it. Be prepared to walk out. Good luck!

I thought kbb.com also gave dealer invoicing, but their web site is having troubles right now so I can't confirm. You may try it later.

Although my initial reaction is that $30,700 is about $1100+ over invoice which seems a teeny bit high, you have to take into account the local market in your area. People who posted better numbers here could be in a market where 4Runners are sitting all over the place. If there are no others in the area as you say, and it's the exact vehicle you want, then you may have to give them a little more cash than you planned. When I say $1100 is high, I'm thinking that $600-700 is good, so you're only a few hundred bucks off, and finding exactly the right 4Runner is probably worth it.

Since they've already offered $30,500, I would make them stick to that, but I'd most likely give it to them.

What's $200 if you really like the vehicle and it will give you many, many years and miles of driving pleasure? And it fits your option requirements. Make sure it has less than 20 miles on the odo and if they transfer it from a dealer have them do so on a flatbed, not driven by an 18 year old punk on a summer job.

I would say you will be there to write a check if you can close at $30,600.

If you fly too close to the sun you will get burned.

Like mentioned above, act like the decision is between the 4Runner and a Pathfinder, you don't really care, and you have a Pathfinder with similar options being offered for $30,400, act totally uninterested. That gets their attention.

Remember they are not your friend and if you tell them you really, really want a vehicle with those options you will pay more.

He won't lose a sale over $200, especially since he already offered $30531.

Tell him you'll write a cheque for $30500 and that's it. If he says no let it go. He'll probably call you back.

If not, then find the dealer who does have it and buy it from them directly at even less (as someone must have it there and it'll save the freight of getting it to you!).

Hey, a fellow Hornet alum!

damnit i already indicated i wanted the gotdamn thing . Couldn't help it i guess.

does the fact that they have to acquire it add to their costs? Does is not matter to them if i walk away, since the car is not even on their lot and they don't need to move it? Is the dealer just being a greasy little salesman that he is?
(BTW, i came about my invoice price using edmunds.com and kbb.com by adding the options that this vehicle has)


i think i might wait til the weekend is over, and if they don't lower the price, i'll have to take it. (the sooner i know how much my car note is, the sooner i'll know much i left i have for an apartment, etc)


thanks!

come to think of it, i DID tell the guy "no thanks, first you said $30,531 and now it's $30,700." and told him I had a reference at another dealership (thanks lawwailok ) trying to get me a better deal...

Stick with the lowest offer they gave you. Going from 30,531 back 30,700 wasn't really a good faith negoiating effort on their behalf. If you wait a couple more weeks closer to the end of the month, the dealer will most likely give to make their numbers for that month. It's still early right now, that's why they're moving back up on their price.

If you can wait, then you have time to your advantage. Worst is you might pay a bit more and drive off with an '08. Even expressing great interest in a vehicle, the ability to walk from a bad deal will get you a good price. The only time you'll get hosed is if your offer and the dealer's asking price is so far off and they keep stringing you along and you keep upping your offer to meet them way beyond half way. Don't fall for it.

Most people that I know gotten really crappy deals on their cars were due to emotional attachment and they had to bring the very car home that day. But then if that's the case, you got pay to play.

hey Uneek...

yea, i'll see how long much longer i can wait. But like i said, the sooner i know how big my car note is, then sooner i'll know how much i'll have for rent...

BTW, Cory put in a request for a special order for me to Toyota, and is waiting for them to accept/reject. He wants me to let him know if i find a 4R locally, and to let him know to cancel my request...thanks

Have you looked at Cars Direct.Com? For example based on my zipcode of 90731

Your 4Runner SR5 V8 with Sunroof has an MSRP of $33470 but at carsdirect.com it is $28,344

I forgot to mention its a 4WD too

Haha, we are everywhere. I saw a fellow alumni the other day with a Sac State sticker, we are both over 3,000 miles away from J. Street.

You may want to secure financing outside the dealer. They are going to make their money somehow and if they give you a 'rock bottom' price they will just stick it to you in the APR% of their in-house financing.

Also, don't fall for the Toyo guard crap either. I paid $30,500 for my '03 Sport 4WD V8 in '03, and that was at or near cost, so your quote four years later isn't too bad with the quality of the vehicle you are shopping for. I didn't have rebates back then as gas was $1.75/gallon and the new model was just released.

Good luck. I agree the later in the month you wait, the more they will squeel. You should not pay a transfer fee, they want to count the sell against their quota. Remember, the dealer is taking a 3-4% holdback fee, so believe me, they are not losing money no matter how much they say they are.

not a problem, it's my pleasure to help members to find their 4R. well, i guess you can call chris and let him know the situation, maybe if he can do a dealer trade with that dealership and get your car to elk grove and end the sale at elk grove? i'm not sure, just a thought. keep me post here. good luck!

yea i will probably call chris today. He said he needs to check with his fleet manager, who was on vacation but should be back today. If he can get it for me under $30,500 i'll take it. I'm not going with the guy from Maita, can't even keep his word