Bluto
New member
Kennedy said:
Ever travel to Chicago for work or vacation?
Check out http://www.carmax.com/
They sell at invoice. Not really worth the 4-5 hour trip just to buy a car.
Very frustrated with trying to buy new
- Thread starter Kennedy
- Start date
Ever travel to Chicago for work or vacation?
Check out http://www.carmax.com/
They sell at invoice. Not really worth the 4-5 hour trip just to buy a car.
jj8111
New member
biglatka said:Can't help you in that area of the country. Maybe there's not much in stock because I hear the 2005's are soon to be out in the dealers showrooms. If you could wait until they are (the 2005 model), you may get a better deal on a 2004 or a chance to pick up an improved 2005. If it was me, I'd tough it out and wait. It's worth waiting for.
I agree
If the rumors about the new V8 & 5 speed for the V6 for '05 are true wait until the '05s come out you will get a much better deal on an '04.
I bought my '03 in december of 03 and the dealers were all itching to get rid of them and ready to deal. You may have an easier time getting the price you want if you buy a leftover. But you run the risk of not finding the exact model you are looking for (color, options etc.) The only thing I settled on was the low end 6 speaker stereo. I just upgraded to the Scion 6 cd head unit.
So if you willing to compromise on the little things (or your feeling lucky) I think waiting is the way to go. And if you cant find what you want you can always order a new '05.
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I'll echo what everyone else has said. Read and follow the tips. Check carsdirect.com for the real price. Check the dealer's inventory online if possible. I got mine for $500 below invoice that way. Specifically:
I searched the dealer's online inventory to see which dealers had the models I was interested in. None had the exact car, but one had several that were close.
I checked carsdirect.com and found that all 4runners at that time (all models, all option combinations) were going for $500 below invoice. I printed out a few samples to take with me.
I decided to play with the dealer. I first looked at a Tundra double-cab and then a Tacoma double cab. Test drove both. Acted like I couldn't make up my mind. Finally decided on a Tacoma.
They then wanted to talk about my trade-in. We negotiated a good deal on that (for me).
When ready for the paperwork on the Tacoma, I asked if I could test-drive the 4runner, "just to be sure". The salesman didn't seem to mind because the 4runner was several thousand more than the Tacoma. So we found the exact 4runner I wanted and knew they had on the lot (make sure you get one that hasn't been used as a test-drive vehicle for the last few months). After the test drive I changed my mind and decided on the 4runner.
The salesman was very happy.
So he comes back with new paperwork and starts talking about price, saying I'm getting a good price at MSRP. So I pull out the carsdirect quotes, say I'lll save us both a lot of time and offered $500 below invoice. No negotiation. Take it or leave it. I was willing to put my trade-in down (which we had previously negotiated a price on) and pay off the rest with a check.
By this time, the salesman had put in about 3 hours into this deal and was now NOT happy at all.
But a quick check with "the boss" and I had my new 4runner.
I played a similar game with the salesman for my wife's new civic.
So as people here have stated, it can be done and is done every day. Just have as much information on your side as you can and be prepared to walk away from a bad deal.
I searched the dealer's online inventory to see which dealers had the models I was interested in. None had the exact car, but one had several that were close.
I checked carsdirect.com and found that all 4runners at that time (all models, all option combinations) were going for $500 below invoice. I printed out a few samples to take with me.
I decided to play with the dealer. I first looked at a Tundra double-cab and then a Tacoma double cab. Test drove both. Acted like I couldn't make up my mind. Finally decided on a Tacoma.
They then wanted to talk about my trade-in. We negotiated a good deal on that (for me).
When ready for the paperwork on the Tacoma, I asked if I could test-drive the 4runner, "just to be sure". The salesman didn't seem to mind because the 4runner was several thousand more than the Tacoma. So we found the exact 4runner I wanted and knew they had on the lot (make sure you get one that hasn't been used as a test-drive vehicle for the last few months). After the test drive I changed my mind and decided on the 4runner.
The salesman was very happy.
So he comes back with new paperwork and starts talking about price, saying I'm getting a good price at MSRP. So I pull out the carsdirect quotes, say I'lll save us both a lot of time and offered $500 below invoice. No negotiation. Take it or leave it. I was willing to put my trade-in down (which we had previously negotiated a price on) and pay off the rest with a check.
By this time, the salesman had put in about 3 hours into this deal and was now NOT happy at all.
But a quick check with "the boss" and I had my new 4runner.
I played a similar game with the salesman for my wife's new civic.
So as people here have stated, it can be done and is done every day. Just have as much information on your side as you can and be prepared to walk away from a bad deal.
I agree with Fish. That's just too much work and waste. We can all agree that car salesmen are not the biggest saints of the world, but sleaze or no sleaze, they want to benefit from a deal as much as you and I want to benefit in savings. This is, after all, how they make a living.
Nonetheless, I went to Edmunds.com, printed out the TMV sheets from their site and sat down with the sales guy to discuss what I wanted. After falling in love with a Titanium, Sports, he tried to sell it to me for MSRP. I quickly pulled out my TMV sheets and some other quick quotes, and 10 minutes later, I had a deal on the table for $600 over invoice. I gladly paid it because I got a 1% concession on the interest rate and they gave me a great deal on the extended Lexus warranty.
Do your homework, print out your supporting documentation and show up with a set price in mind. When they see what others pay, they will either match, or you will simply walk away and go to the next Toyota dealer. Chances are the latter won't be necessary.
Nonetheless, I went to Edmunds.com, printed out the TMV sheets from their site and sat down with the sales guy to discuss what I wanted. After falling in love with a Titanium, Sports, he tried to sell it to me for MSRP. I quickly pulled out my TMV sheets and some other quick quotes, and 10 minutes later, I had a deal on the table for $600 over invoice. I gladly paid it because I got a 1% concession on the interest rate and they gave me a great deal on the extended Lexus warranty.
Do your homework, print out your supporting documentation and show up with a set price in mind. When they see what others pay, they will either match, or you will simply walk away and go to the next Toyota dealer. Chances are the latter won't be necessary.
the_josh
New member
hey if u wanna come to cali, i can set u up with a great deal...
i know that totally not worth it, sorry for all the trouble your having. i have one bit of advice: "Never Settle"
and i agree with some of the other posts in saying: talk only to the fleet manager. they are smart people and have been with the company for awhile. thats what i did and i was gonna pay $250 over invoice and then when i came back the next day to pick up my truck and finalize everything, i managed to squeeze a extra $100 off invoice
i know that totally not worth it, sorry for all the trouble your having. i have one bit of advice: "Never Settle"
and i agree with some of the other posts in saying: talk only to the fleet manager. they are smart people and have been with the company for awhile. thats what i did and i was gonna pay $250 over invoice and then when i came back the next day to pick up my truck and finalize everything, i managed to squeeze a extra $100 off invoice
Regarding Edmunds, go to carsdirect instead. Edmunds is often just plain wrong on their prices and just as often do not take into consideration the latest incentives. I found a lot of differences between their prices and carsdirect. And when a few dealers gave an email quote exactly the same as the carsdirect price, I figured carsdirect is more accurate. Plus, on the cars I was looking at, they gave the lower price as well.
Regarding wasting time, I agree and disagree. I agree that my time was wasted. I disagree about the salesman's time. They sold it to me precisely because they had already invested that much time in me, that I had the full price up front, and that they knew I would walk if they didn't agree. Better to get something than nothing.
Yes, I could have told them my price up front, and they very well could have said no. In which case I would have spent the same amount of time (or maybe more) going from dealer to dealer and MAYBE have been able to get the car I wanted for the price I wanted. Maybe.
I do not feel the least bit bad about "wasting" that salesman's time. Just as he would not have felt the least bit bad if I had accepted MSRP. It's their game. I'm just playing it.
Regarding wasting time, I agree and disagree. I agree that my time was wasted. I disagree about the salesman's time. They sold it to me precisely because they had already invested that much time in me, that I had the full price up front, and that they knew I would walk if they didn't agree. Better to get something than nothing.
Yes, I could have told them my price up front, and they very well could have said no. In which case I would have spent the same amount of time (or maybe more) going from dealer to dealer and MAYBE have been able to get the car I wanted for the price I wanted. Maybe.
I do not feel the least bit bad about "wasting" that salesman's time. Just as he would not have felt the least bit bad if I had accepted MSRP. It's their game. I'm just playing it.
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True, you played the game and got a great deal. For all intents and purposes, there's nothing wrong about your approach.
However, it took all of 10 minutes between talking MSRP, then showing my comps, and the sales guy "talking to his manager," before I got the price I wanted.
I too had a trade-in. But I called about 6 different "We Buy Cars" places and got an upfront quote on what I would get. I even managed to send digital pictures to one of them so they could make a better assesment of the vehicle condition.
I showed up at the Yota dealer with my trade-in price in mind, based on my quotes and after a 20 minute inspection, the price was matched and I walked away happy.
All that said and done, it took roughly 45 minutes to see the car I wanted in the lot, talk and settle on trade-in price and then establish my sales price.
Again, I don't pitty sales people when I talk down the price. If you let them, they will eat you alive. But that doesn't mean I have to "waste" their time unecessarily. If the shoe were on the other foot, you'd want to make the most money on a deal if you could. Not many people work for charity, after all. So, if there's a better way to get the price I want, without wasting my time and the sales person's time...I would much rather spend 45 mintues than several hours. Either way, if you do a little leg work online, or on the phone before you show up at the dealer, I really don't think you have to spend too much time haggling for a good price. Better yet, ask around this very forum for some quality dealers. In Long Island, I happened to be the beneficiary of excellent service and a hassle free experience I would reccommend to anyone.
Just my 2 Cents.
However, it took all of 10 minutes between talking MSRP, then showing my comps, and the sales guy "talking to his manager," before I got the price I wanted.
I too had a trade-in. But I called about 6 different "We Buy Cars" places and got an upfront quote on what I would get. I even managed to send digital pictures to one of them so they could make a better assesment of the vehicle condition.
I showed up at the Yota dealer with my trade-in price in mind, based on my quotes and after a 20 minute inspection, the price was matched and I walked away happy.
All that said and done, it took roughly 45 minutes to see the car I wanted in the lot, talk and settle on trade-in price and then establish my sales price.
Again, I don't pitty sales people when I talk down the price. If you let them, they will eat you alive. But that doesn't mean I have to "waste" their time unecessarily. If the shoe were on the other foot, you'd want to make the most money on a deal if you could. Not many people work for charity, after all. So, if there's a better way to get the price I want, without wasting my time and the sales person's time...I would much rather spend 45 mintues than several hours. Either way, if you do a little leg work online, or on the phone before you show up at the dealer, I really don't think you have to spend too much time haggling for a good price. Better yet, ask around this very forum for some quality dealers. In Long Island, I happened to be the beneficiary of excellent service and a hassle free experience I would reccommend to anyone.
Just my 2 Cents.
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Tripyn
New member
Buying new T4R
Yes, I agree!!! I bought my new 04 Sport about a month ago and did all my research online before hand. I read everything I could at carbuying tips, printed out my TMV report from Edmunds and even had the VIN # of the one I wanted thanks to the inverntory serach at toyota.com. Once at the local dealer I walked out twice on two different days, and played phone tag for a few more. I finally went to another dealers website, emailed Internet sales and got a quote for the VIN I had found ( the truck was still on the ship, not in port yet) and called the Internet guy back that day. After all the headaches I had at the local dealer, the Internet guy was not pushy, laid back, and was almost right on the money. He also told me if I was willing to drive into Orlando ( about 35 miles) they would see I was serious and play ball. Well, they did and I got all the options I wanted and paid what I thought was fair. I even got them to toss in the 5/60 extented platnuim warranty. So, as everyone said, never settle, get what you want for what you are willing to spend. There will always be someone out there willing to play. Make em bark!!!!
jj8111 said:
Yes, I agree!!! I bought my new 04 Sport about a month ago and did all my research online before hand. I read everything I could at carbuying tips, printed out my TMV report from Edmunds and even had the VIN # of the one I wanted thanks to the inverntory serach at toyota.com. Once at the local dealer I walked out twice on two different days, and played phone tag for a few more. I finally went to another dealers website, emailed Internet sales and got a quote for the VIN I had found ( the truck was still on the ship, not in port yet) and called the Internet guy back that day. After all the headaches I had at the local dealer, the Internet guy was not pushy, laid back, and was almost right on the money. He also told me if I was willing to drive into Orlando ( about 35 miles) they would see I was serious and play ball. Well, they did and I got all the options I wanted and paid what I thought was fair. I even got them to toss in the 5/60 extented platnuim warranty. So, as everyone said, never settle, get what you want for what you are willing to spend. There will always be someone out there willing to play. Make em bark!!!!
