NorthWestManiac
New member
For those of you that bought your 4runner from a dealership, do dealerships budge on their prices at all? Or do they pretty much just stay with the price they put it up for? Your input would be a appreciated Thanks!
Buying from a dealership
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KidVermicious
New member
The trick to buying from a dealer is to figure out exactly what vehicle and options you want, and then fax/email every dealer in your area asking for a price on that exact truck. Take the lowest price you get and shop it around to the next two or three lowest, asking them to beat it. Play the dealers against each other.
Don't simply walk into a lot thinking you're a better bargainer than the professional. Don't let them talk to you about extended warranties or financing "deals", don't let them tell you what sort of truck you need, or what options are better, and don't let them talk to you about anything but the specific truck and options package you came for - if you're going to buy from a dealer, do your homework first, then get the lowest price you can on that specific truck, then walk in with your financing in hand and the expectation that your truck is ready to drive off the lot. Be ready to take your business elsewhere the instant they start playing games.
Or, just don't waste your money buying a new truck.
Don't simply walk into a lot thinking you're a better bargainer than the professional. Don't let them talk to you about extended warranties or financing "deals", don't let them tell you what sort of truck you need, or what options are better, and don't let them talk to you about anything but the specific truck and options package you came for - if you're going to buy from a dealer, do your homework first, then get the lowest price you can on that specific truck, then walk in with your financing in hand and the expectation that your truck is ready to drive off the lot. Be ready to take your business elsewhere the instant they start playing games.
Or, just don't waste your money buying a new truck.
CanadianTRD
New member
I personally would avoid dealerships entirely, with 2 exceptions.
1) A new car lease (has it's benefits in certain circumstances) and
2) A ~2-3 year old lease return bought outright with the suggestions above: Shop around and play dealers against each other. I bought an Alpine head unit many years back with ebay print outs (when eBay first came on the scene). I went from shop to shop until they gave me the eBay price with full in store warranty...saved $400.
1) A new car lease (has it's benefits in certain circumstances) and
2) A ~2-3 year old lease return bought outright with the suggestions above: Shop around and play dealers against each other. I bought an Alpine head unit many years back with ebay print outs (when eBay first came on the scene). I went from shop to shop until they gave me the eBay price with full in store warranty...saved $400.
I think it is fair to say they all markup and it is expected that you will negotiate. They, of course, hope you don't.... but it is assumed you will try.
There is no way for you to know what they bought it for, but it is fair to assume they either got it on trade or bought at auction; both well below what you see from ANY of the pricing websites. The beauty of the "trade in" is because so much about a new car purchase is variable in terms of financing and hold back that you can say your giving someone 3k for a trade in, when in reality they managed to get the car from you for 1k.
In general, expect the sticker price to be around 20-30% higher than what you would call their "bottom dollar" price. I sey, in general, some may be higher and some lower.
Your typical used lot that has cars from 3 to 5k usually have no car worth more than 2 or 3 at auction. A 3k car on their lot they managed to pick up at auto auction for 1k, maybe 1500. I have heard from friends that this lot offers the highest profit point. People easily accept 3k as a price and don't get how the dealer got it.
These cars, the 3 to 5k range are usually in crappy condition. But, I was just making a point that 50% markup isn't out of the realm of possibility.
It works like this. For every sucker who doesn't negotiate and buys it at sticker, you have s savvy person pushing the price down. A normal dealership manages to make money by knowing that you will get some willing to pay sticker (well ABOVE what it cost to get it) and those that don't.
How low they are willing to go depends on how the dealership is doing. I manged to pick up my 05 that had a sticker of 15.9 for 12.5..... that was a substantial move down.
It was a tough though and I had to leave the lot. Getting him to shed 3k, plus add in tax and tag (which is worth 1500 alone) was a tough fight and I could tell he couldn't go any lower and still make a profit. I manged to get a car that was KBB'ed for 15-17k for around 11k.....
So. If you are willing to stick your ground and WALK AWAY... you can do really well.
There is no way for you to know what they bought it for, but it is fair to assume they either got it on trade or bought at auction; both well below what you see from ANY of the pricing websites. The beauty of the "trade in" is because so much about a new car purchase is variable in terms of financing and hold back that you can say your giving someone 3k for a trade in, when in reality they managed to get the car from you for 1k.
In general, expect the sticker price to be around 20-30% higher than what you would call their "bottom dollar" price. I sey, in general, some may be higher and some lower.
Your typical used lot that has cars from 3 to 5k usually have no car worth more than 2 or 3 at auction. A 3k car on their lot they managed to pick up at auto auction for 1k, maybe 1500. I have heard from friends that this lot offers the highest profit point. People easily accept 3k as a price and don't get how the dealer got it.
These cars, the 3 to 5k range are usually in crappy condition. But, I was just making a point that 50% markup isn't out of the realm of possibility.
It works like this. For every sucker who doesn't negotiate and buys it at sticker, you have s savvy person pushing the price down. A normal dealership manages to make money by knowing that you will get some willing to pay sticker (well ABOVE what it cost to get it) and those that don't.
How low they are willing to go depends on how the dealership is doing. I manged to pick up my 05 that had a sticker of 15.9 for 12.5..... that was a substantial move down.
It was a tough though and I had to leave the lot. Getting him to shed 3k, plus add in tax and tag (which is worth 1500 alone) was a tough fight and I could tell he couldn't go any lower and still make a profit. I manged to get a car that was KBB'ed for 15-17k for around 11k.....
So. If you are willing to stick your ground and WALK AWAY... you can do really well.
KMAYO
New member
I purchased my wife's 2000 with 69k miles a little over a year ago from a dealer. They accidently posted it for what the lowest they would take and the online manager actually was mad because he had to honor that price. Now that said I didn't overpay but I didn't get a great deal either. Like everyone else has said be willing to walk away.
-KMAYO
-KMAYO
chimpy
New member
I bought my 2001 T4R from a dealership last year(May). It was a carfax certified 1 owner in very good condition. Where I live, 4runners in very good condition don't last long on a dealer's lot. They did negotiate on the price but not much.
In fact, the day I went back to the dealership to purcase the 4runner (after test driving it the previous day), another couple came in right after me to buy it after test driving it earlier that afternoon. They went shopping and got something to eat while making their decision. I told them; "you waited a little too long, this one is sold.......to me!":naughty:
In fact, the day I went back to the dealership to purcase the 4runner (after test driving it the previous day), another couple came in right after me to buy it after test driving it earlier that afternoon. They went shopping and got something to eat while making their decision. I told them; "you waited a little too long, this one is sold.......to me!":naughty:
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Whitson Metalworks
New member
I hate dealerships. Never had a halfway decent experience at one. The last 4R we looked at was at a very reputable Honda dealership. First thing I popped the hood and checked fluids. Tranny dip stick came out with black, gritty, sludge on it... Salesman said that's normal for a vehicle with 160k on it... I drove it anyways and turned around after half a mile, felt like the whole front end was about to fall out from underneath and was pulling hard to the left. Salesman said they had given the buyer room with their price to make a few repairs. They had it a whopping 200 under clean retail nada. For the most part, dealers don't care about you or the vehicle, they're after the sale and maximizing profit there in. I will always prefer buying from individuals.
PitbullRescuer
New member
I love when these threads come up. Honestly, like most other things, you can make a case for or against it.
My dad owns a dealership here locally. He's had it, in the same location for 25 years. He prices all his cars at the bottom line price and that's it.
That said, I still prefer to buy these trucks (and most older vehicles) privately. It's rare to get a full service history from a dealer. And, how many times have you heard someone laughing about how they think they screwed the dealer over by trading in their piece of sh*t? I also think private sellers tend to negotiate more. As other have said, whether it be a dealer or a private seller, be prepared to walk.
My dad owns a dealership here locally. He's had it, in the same location for 25 years. He prices all his cars at the bottom line price and that's it.
That said, I still prefer to buy these trucks (and most older vehicles) privately. It's rare to get a full service history from a dealer. And, how many times have you heard someone laughing about how they think they screwed the dealer over by trading in their piece of sh*t? I also think private sellers tend to negotiate more. As other have said, whether it be a dealer or a private seller, be prepared to walk.
Drcoffee
Senior Member
It all depends on the time the dealer has had it on their lot. They like to keep the inventory fresh so it looks like they move a ton of cars even if its actually just sending them back to the auction. The last dealer we just bought a loaded Sienna from, had a "Certified" 2008 listed for $24,000. We said we really didn't want to spend nearly that much for a used van. They came down to $17,500 right out of the box because it had been on the lot 35 days. Honestly we were thinking we would have to pay that for a 2007 with more miles. It has 56k miles and a Toyota Certified warranty to boot.
If its new on the lot, you won't get them down very much. Here's what I've found in my experience. Check all the high end dealers like lexus acura, etc. They only keep the nicest looking, running trade-ins on their lot. The rest are out the door. They don't want a bad reputation for selling crap. and its the last place most buyers will think to look for a truck. And you may have to visit each dealers website because they won't always spend the coin to advertise a low dollar used car.
Lastly. I must suck at negotiations. But what works is bringing my wife along. She takes a posture like, "lets go dear, these guys are crooks" and for some reason it works. Everytime, I bring her with, I get a screaming deal.
If its new on the lot, you won't get them down very much. Here's what I've found in my experience. Check all the high end dealers like lexus acura, etc. They only keep the nicest looking, running trade-ins on their lot. The rest are out the door. They don't want a bad reputation for selling crap. and its the last place most buyers will think to look for a truck. And you may have to visit each dealers website because they won't always spend the coin to advertise a low dollar used car.
Lastly. I must suck at negotiations. But what works is bringing my wife along. She takes a posture like, "lets go dear, these guys are crooks" and for some reason it works. Everytime, I bring her with, I get a screaming deal.
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NorthWestManiac
New member
I would definitely prefer to buy a 4runner from a private seller but they are so limited as to what im looking for most of the time, so i decided to try and expand my search to dealerships, there seems to be more options of what im looking for. Ill be taking your guys' input into consideration when im looking at 3rd gens at dealerships though!! I just want to make sure i can get the right price so i will for sure be walking away if its not right!
chimpy
New member
When I find a vehicle at a dealer that interests me , I tell the salesman that before he starts his pitch, I want to drive the vehicle then we can discuss the price. Telling me how great the car/truck is before I get behind the wheel means nothing to me. You have your opinion, I will formulate mine on the test drive.Just get me the dealer tag and the keys and get in. I feel this benefits both the dealership and myself by not wasting time.When I get back from the test drive I already know what I will offer and I stand firm on that offer. Remember, they are in business to sell ,not pay taxes on the inventory.
Sometimes I remind them of that fact. My wife thinks I act like an @sshole but I remind her that it's our money to spend ,not their's to take.
Sometimes I remind them of that fact. My wife thinks I act like an @sshole but I remind her that it's our money to spend ,not their's to take.
GX4SEVEND
New member
Maybe I missed it......but what exactly are you looking for? These things are everywhere and new listings always pop up. You might have to widen your selection or lower expectations. I saw my old 4runner come up on Craigslist for $6500 with all the stuff I did to it, it was a deal.
So tell us exactly what you're looking for.
NorthWestManiac
New member
I really don't have anything to to specific, i want a '99-'02 (2001 and 2002 would be most desirable) 4runner sr5 that is automatic, has 4wd, has a sunroof, any color other than that purely blue color, has around 130k miles or less, and the price has got to be around $9000, the less money the better obviously. I look on craigslist everyday (every 2 hours) and i check auto trader and recently there hasn't been any private sellers, and if i do find one its gone before i can get to it because of my work schedule. I will buy from a dealer if i can get the right price.
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GX4SEVEND
New member
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