Recently bought a '16 Limited. Don't want to id the dealer, because I got a great deal for this area, $3000 off MSRP. And the guy was super nice and easy to deal with. Two things, though. He insisted that the 4Runner had direct injection. I tried to explain what that is, but he wouldn't relent. I think he was a victim of his youth. Also, he explained a bunch of stuff when I took delivery, but he didn't mention the break-in period. I suspected break-in might be recommended, so I checked the owners manual while eating lunch before I started my 250 mile drive home on the interstate. Which said avoid driving at constant engine speeds for extended periods of time for the first 1000 miles, like er uh, the interstate. is it really asking too much for a salesperson to actually study up a little and know his products?
Was your salesperson knowledgeable?
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kevinpt
Senior Member
dealers never really know the cars or trucks, they are just there to sell them and get paid. you will not see a car guy selling cars. every time i have gone to get a truck for me or my family we have been able to get great prices but the sales guys were never able to answer any of my questions. with as much time you see them just sitting in front of the place thy have time to read about there cars but they dont
T4R2014
Elite Member
It honestly is a Euro thing. Do you really need to be a car guy to sell Camrys to Camry people?
I know that there are interesting vehicles like the TRD Pro lineup and the soon-to-be Toyota FRS, but the majority of their sales come from grey appliances. As long as they sell, that is fine. Then can say all the incorrect crap they want because the majority of buyers will take their word. Sure, you may have a genuine car guy or a faux car guy that read every Consumer Reports and Car & Driver magazine spec article about that beige 2016 Highlander LE that he has to have come in and challenge the clueless salesman, but with such a few of those being a problem, they probably don't worry too much about those complaints.
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CookieRoe
Senior Member
I agree. The guy who sold me my 4Runner knew dick about it. He told the obvious things (sunroof, leather, CD player............ no, really). He knew (and I didn't expect him to) nothing about the 4x4 mechanism and engine. This is why I research the vehicle BEFORE I head to the dealer. Too bad many don't.
A.Wilson013
New member
I took a class once that had a week long section on how to buy a car for 1/2 price at a dealership. It essentially came down to preying on their lack of knowledge (price comparison with cars of the same model, but less options, asking about "funny noises" that didn't exist), telling them no a lot (like when they ask if you want to sit in it, if they can make a copy of your insurance), and wasting their time (bringing a lunch, going back out to look at the vehicle over and over).
I've never tried it EXACTLY, but when I bought my wife's car a few years back I did a few of the steps and landed a pretty slick deal. The salesman knew NOTHING about it and I made it very clear to him. By the end of the day he just wanted to be done with me, I think..
I've never tried it EXACTLY, but when I bought my wife's car a few years back I did a few of the steps and landed a pretty slick deal. The salesman knew NOTHING about it and I made it very clear to him. By the end of the day he just wanted to be done with me, I think..
5ontheFloor
New member
Mine actually knew how the 4x4 worked including the dials and what they were for. He even knew about the "funny bumps" on my side views were. At the end of the day they are there to sell you a product not know how it works. Funny aint it
Boardmember
New member
Show up understanding the features of the product and negotiate.
Show up knowing nothing/little, then you're on the same level of all the other mediocre salespeople & customers.
Which might render a more satisfying deal?
Show up knowing nothing/little, then you're on the same level of all the other mediocre salespeople & customers.
Which might render a more satisfying deal?
mnofpeace
Member
Did he know anything? Pullleeeezzz
i have an SR5, and my saleman thought it was full time 4WD..." i know the trucks with this dial are full time..." i just looked at him and shook my head.
i knew if had asked him anything, it would have made his head explode. he was just happy to have a buyer who had his own financing and a good credit score/downpayment. it meant he didnt have to actually do anything, except shake my hand.
with the internet, it kills me how many people dont do an ounce of research about a car they want to buy. they'll read the preview of a movie, but wont spend one second learning about any stats of a 25-40K purchase. now, the salesmen are standing in the room with all of the necessary information, and they know just as much or even less...smh
i have an SR5, and my saleman thought it was full time 4WD..." i know the trucks with this dial are full time..." i just looked at him and shook my head.
i knew if had asked him anything, it would have made his head explode. he was just happy to have a buyer who had his own financing and a good credit score/downpayment. it meant he didnt have to actually do anything, except shake my hand.
with the internet, it kills me how many people dont do an ounce of research about a car they want to buy. they'll read the preview of a movie, but wont spend one second learning about any stats of a 25-40K purchase. now, the salesmen are standing in the room with all of the necessary information, and they know just as much or even less...smh
Rickybobby5
New member
My salesman was actually a member here [MENTION=138802]Kgallardo93[/MENTION] (I'm pretty sure that's his user name). Guy works at Toyota of Henderson. Super knowledgeable guy and gave me a great deal. Most salesman I have ever worked with don't have the best knowledge about their products. Kevin eased my mind big time seeing as I bought without seeing it in person. Guy really knew what he was talking about and had the power to hook me up to where I felt I got an honest deal without any bs back and forth.
I encountered the same type of guy 2 years ago. How ironic the customer was more knowledgeable than him. But personally for me, it won't be an issue with me as long as the dealer will give me a good deal., if not then it would be hell for him.
that's the advantage of a wise buyer, do the research first to avoid fraud dealers and lemon cars
that's the advantage of a wise buyer, do the research first to avoid fraud dealers and lemon cars
I just don't asked them questions anymore....I just tell them I want and what I want to pay and go from there. My past 2 cars I bought through the internet sales and it was the least frustrating thing to do.
I just visited a dealership in Houston and the salesman I dealt with was awful! He acted like we were annoying him, he didn't know the basics about the vehicle.
He showed me a limited when I asked to see the SR5 premium 4wd and then when I asked him to see the red SR5 premium that was advertised on sale for 38000$( I was standing right next to it, the only red one on the lot.) he told me it was already sold. He told me that the limited didn't come with 4wd...
When my 5'1" wife asked if she could see one with a 3 rd row seat, he pointed to one and said you could look through the window and see it.....
Needless to say we left.... The best part was he asked if he should contact me when another red one arrives on the lot, I said sure.....
P.s..... He never asked my name or phone number
I just visited a dealership in Houston and the salesman I dealt with was awful! He acted like we were annoying him, he didn't know the basics about the vehicle.
He showed me a limited when I asked to see the SR5 premium 4wd and then when I asked him to see the red SR5 premium that was advertised on sale for 38000$( I was standing right next to it, the only red one on the lot.) he told me it was already sold. He told me that the limited didn't come with 4wd...
When my 5'1" wife asked if she could see one with a 3 rd row seat, he pointed to one and said you could look through the window and see it.....
Needless to say we left.... The best part was he asked if he should contact me when another red one arrives on the lot, I said sure.....
P.s..... He never asked my name or phone number
northcoast
New member
I was looking a few months ago before I actually bought, and while I was driving, the salesman threw it into 4H on dry pavement at 45mph. I suppose technically that should be at the upper limits of "ok", but I wouldn't do that.
Salesman that sold me my 2016 SR5 knew a good bit. He laid on some stuff pretty thick, but realized he was just trying me to buy a car. Did most of the finding and negotiating over email. Insisted that he had 4 different people looking at the truck i wanted to buy. He backed off when I told him that was fine with me, I'll look around.
He knew all of the electronics, most of the mechanicals, break in recommendations, etc.
Insisted that I stole it and and the dealer did not make any money....right.
Overall it was I expected in the car buying process.
He knew all of the electronics, most of the mechanicals, break in recommendations, etc.
Insisted that I stole it and and the dealer did not make any money....right.
Overall it was I expected in the car buying process.
Beaumont67
New member
^^ Absolutely correct - Knowledge is money saved, show up to playball...
layball:I setup a killer deal (Dec. 2015) on a brand new 2015 Lexus RX350 loaded, at 13.3% off MSRP and the 2016 models was +7%$ / effectively saving +20% and still getting new:
a) I went into the dealership (alone), looking for the youngest salesman, with knowledge & ambition (hungry for the sale, and not an old-beer-belly-BS'er sales type, with an established client list, of repeat customers for decades).
b) I found the man / chit-chatted and formed a relationship / told him:
"I got a qualified customer, to hand you on a silver platter"
c) My son has his heart set on a new Audi S5, so I shared my respect for the Toyota brand (wife has a v6-RAV4 & I looking for a older Gen3 4Runner) & huge Audi dislike personally (quick depreciation & expensive repairs)
d) Salesman spent 1.5 hours with me / and was so impressed with my knowledge, he handed me a most generous 63 page Lexus Brand coffee table book (2015 President's Message), on my way out
e) 2 weeks later, son test drove the Lexus with salesman in front (explaining all the electronics) with dad riding in the back
f) returned SUV to Dealership & went straight into a 1 hour (2 on 1) serious price negotiation
g) vehicle purchased that night, the same week the new 2016 models started entering dealer showroom floors / at huge savings
^^ Let Sales Agent clearly know: "a fantastic deal (right now), or we are ready to walk, at any time (without much notice)".
- got 48 month low financing, on purchase & buy payments worked out $40/month cheaper, than a crappy 4 year lease option
- put oneself, in full control / take drivers seat, in the Sales process / after-all, Dealer wants our $$
The buying purchase, was a fun experience & very rewarding - a natural high/rush !!
- torture yourself instead, is only due to lack of true auto knowledge & real bargaining skills / & easy gross overpay results
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socalmatthew
New member
Most did not know the difference of up from down but one guy knew his stuff.
tS_kStin
Member
Not 100% relevant because I have not gone in to buy a new vehicle ever. But I have a story of salesmen.
So I needed some TouchUp paint for my 98 runner and the auto parts store stuff didn't match my color at all even though it was supposed to, so I went to the local Toyota dealer. Park right up front and walk in to the parts department, as usual there are the 1 or 2 salesmen there asking how they can help. I go back to the parts tell the guy what color and we go through the whole what vehicle what's the Vin yada yada yada. Get the paint and am leaving, walk past where all the desks are that they used to be at to find out I have 4 salesmen oogling around my 4runner outside!!! They were all marveled that I had a "TRD" edition and that they had no idea that it existed and how cool it was! I just played along with it saying i was super lucky to get one and it's all sorts of cool. After a few minutes of this I just get in and drive off laughing to myself. What I should have done was told them I'd do a straight trade on a new TRDpro or something because mine was so "rare and special" and it's a one in a lifetime opportunity!
I found it very funny that I tricked 4 salesmen with some $11 TRD stickers front eBay. It looked like I had driven a Lamborghini or something up! (I live in Montana so there are not many supercars to be had here).
So I needed some TouchUp paint for my 98 runner and the auto parts store stuff didn't match my color at all even though it was supposed to, so I went to the local Toyota dealer. Park right up front and walk in to the parts department, as usual there are the 1 or 2 salesmen there asking how they can help. I go back to the parts tell the guy what color and we go through the whole what vehicle what's the Vin yada yada yada. Get the paint and am leaving, walk past where all the desks are that they used to be at to find out I have 4 salesmen oogling around my 4runner outside!!! They were all marveled that I had a "TRD" edition and that they had no idea that it existed and how cool it was! I just played along with it saying i was super lucky to get one and it's all sorts of cool. After a few minutes of this I just get in and drive off laughing to myself. What I should have done was told them I'd do a straight trade on a new TRDpro or something because mine was so "rare and special" and it's a one in a lifetime opportunity!
I found it very funny that I tricked 4 salesmen with some $11 TRD stickers front eBay. It looked like I had driven a Lamborghini or something up! (I live in Montana so there are not many supercars to be had here).
Booyashaka
New member
I have to give a big up to Jeff from Longo Toyota in SoCal. This guy was VERY knowledgeable on the 4Runner. He took the time to go over the ENTIRE car with me especially all the 4x4 controls. Knowing I was new to 4x4 vehicles, he didn't rush anything, wanted to make sure I was comfortable and confident with the information he provided. We went through every 4x4 control, when to use it, when NOT to use it, how to know when certain options are engaged.
The best part? He has a 4runner goes off-roading. Even extended an invite to go along on one of his monthly group outings to show me the ropes.
Also, dealt entirely through email with him during my purchase and he provided the best quote out of the SEVERAL dealerships I contacted. No bait and switch when it came down to purchase either, the price he quoted was the price I got.
I have to admit, it was the best car buying experience I ever had. Got in and out within 2 hours, and most of that time was going over all the car controls!
If you're on this forum Jeff....THANKS AGAIN!
The best part? He has a 4runner goes off-roading. Even extended an invite to go along on one of his monthly group outings to show me the ropes.
Also, dealt entirely through email with him during my purchase and he provided the best quote out of the SEVERAL dealerships I contacted. No bait and switch when it came down to purchase either, the price he quoted was the price I got.
I have to admit, it was the best car buying experience I ever had. Got in and out within 2 hours, and most of that time was going over all the car controls!
If you're on this forum Jeff....THANKS AGAIN!
