I can understand test driving to see if you and the wife like it, but that's the last dealership I'd set foot in until signing the papers.

I did a quick Google and depending how close you are to Portland then you have the option of doing a blind reverse auction pitting Toyota dealers against each other. You're the auctioneer, you're the only one who knows the low bid (aka blind), and theoretically the price goes down every round (aka reverse). As an added bonus, you're not driving all over creation getting hard sold by several dealers since all of this takes place from the comfort of your home.

Round 1: Get e-mail quote from the salesman you met in person and e-mail quotes from the other Toyota dealers. You can do it off their website or use Edmonds or TrueCar (doesn't matter).

Round 2: Send separate e-mails (important that it's separate and not group) to your salesman and the internet salesman that they're not the low bidder, but if they sharpen their pencil you'll consider their revised offer. Yes, you're even telling the low bidder that they aren't the low bidder. Some people have qualms about this, but most realize that car salesman will lie to you without batting an eye so turnabout is fair play.

Round 3:

Option 1 - stop here and go with the low offer. Everything agreed to in writing with no hidden costs, and if they pull anything you're going with another dealer (If it were me, I'd go to option 2 for another round).

Option 2 - Go back to 1st and 2nd place, and once again separately e-mail both that they're close but not the low bidder. Insure them that you're doing an apples to apples comparison on the same vehicle, and throw in a compliment of why you like their dealership better.

When I did this in 2016, I had pitted 4 against each other and the final round the general managers e-mailed the dealerships final quote (i.e. stepped in for the sales person). At this point go with the low offer conditional that everything agreed to in writing with no hidden costs, and if they pull anything you're going with another dealer. All of the above is easier if you're like me and don't care about color (my requirement is that it cannot have black exterior or interior). I made a spreadsheet and kept track of bids and made sure I accounted for any price variances on options that I could take it or leave it (e.g. sunroof vs no sunroof).

Another thing I did and would do again - I created a new e-mail address for purchasing the vehicle (e.g. PaulsnewRAV4 at gmail). I don't want to end up in the unsuccessful bidders' contact manager for the rest of eternity. Something I could've done was to get a Google Voice number and that way they could or call for the rest of eternity.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

I'd try the True Car app. helped me when I purchased my 2015 Pilot.
Looks like current incentives of $1,750 cash back on the RAV4

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

It really is the only sure way. All the websites that claim to be able to help are guessing, at best. Actually going down there to make a deal is the way to find out the real price.

True and that's the plan for tomorrow. I'm a cheap SOB and tend to SERIOUSLY undervalue things by today's standards. Needed a starting point. Push comes to shove, I could go $29K out the door but I damn sure ain't starting there.

I'm thinking based on your comments you're looking to buy for cash? If that;s the case, under no circumstances share that with the dealer. There is 'zero' incentive for the dealer to sell for cash. When I negotiated a deal for my neighbor on a brand new Prius, I got her an additional $500 off by agreeing to finance the car through Toyota Credit (no early payoff penalty). She signed the financing/deal, took the $500, and paid off the car a week later.

As mentioned above, don't be afraid to offer what you want to pay. Your $26k starting price is a serious/fair offer and you may be surprised how the dealer reacts to it.

No, sadly, not paying cash. A substantial down payment, but not the full purchase price.

Headed up this morning, I'll let ya know how it turns out.

I realize this is a different not as in demand vehicle as SUV's but, we bought a 2020 Camry in June of this year. Sticker was $33,912, and it was discounted down by $5547, or 16.4%.

Plus TTL of course.

I would offer the $25K plus TTL for that RAV.

quote:

I just priced CarMax Toyota in Laurel MD

I had no idea CarMax had gotten into the new market. That's interesting.

Done. $30k OTD with extended 8/75k warranty. No a,screaming deal, but okay.

quote:

Originally posted by SR:
I don't understand the ins and outs of auto dealers. I can tell you the last two times I bought a car, they would not accept my cash offer but accepted the same offer if I financed the car. The first was zero interest for some period of time and no pre-payment penalty. The second was for some super low interest (maybe 2%) not prepayment. On the second, we asked how much we had to finance to make the deal work. It was like 1/3. So we paid 2/3 cash and 1/3 financed. Dealer asked if we'd do a favor and make at least 4 payments. They threw in a couple add'l items so we said sure. Paid it off in with the 5th payment.

Just be ready for craziness.

Let the dealer make a first offer. Maybe you'll get surprised. Google Edmund's (sp?) and true car for prices. Don't hesitate to make a counter offer based on that info. It's the end of a quarter, they might be trying to hit a sales target.

If they toss out a good number be ready to add options - Ok, we'll do that if you add a trailer hitch (for my wife's bike rack), mud flaps, etc.... That stuff doesn't cost the dealership much.

Let us know how it goes.

That is because they get a cut/kickback of the profit from the financing. It only seems confusing if you don't realize that. They are selling car loans AND cars.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:

quote:

I just priced CarMax Toyota in Laurel MD

I had no idea CarMax had gotten into the new market. That's interesting.

I don’t know that they have per say but the CarMax in Laurel MD has a Toyota store across the street and offers aggressive, no hassle pricing. A Rav4 for $25.5k seems like a good price.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Done. $30k OTD with extended 8/75k warranty. No a,screaming deal, but okay.

Congrats on the new ride.

Correct me if I am wrong but I think the dealers get some form of kick back (money) for any financed vehicle from the factory/banks/ lending instituions. Even if payed off very early can equate to almost better than cash price out the door. ......................................drill sgt.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: drill sgt,

Glad you got a deal you are satisfied with.

Just so you know I know...I caved.

It was one of the last two on the lot (unless they had more hidden elsewhere, which is entirely possible) and the last day of the 0/60, and he wouldn't wiggle on the price.

He may or may not have been fibbing about not having any more and was probably fibbing about having people lined up to buy them. He did "find" a $500 credit for being a veteran and the finance guy extended the 7/75 extended warranty out to 8/75 based on my low annual mileage. That was probably also smoke and mirrors.

Bottom line is I got what I wanted at a price I wasn't exactly thrilled about, but given the sticker, the price of the 2021's and (GASP!) the price of Highlanders, I was satisfied. He was probably rubbing his hooves together and giving with the Evil Chuckle as I drove off, but...

Enjoy! I recently bought my first Toyota and I am VERY satisfied.

quote:

Originally posted by kramden:
Enjoy! I recently bought my first Toyota and I am VERY satisfied.

Our fifth:

03 Corolla
12 Corolla
13 Tundra
19 Yaris
20 RAV4

Tundra and RAV4 are for the wife and I, the Yaris belongs to wife's brother who lives with us.

quote:

He may or may not have been fibbing about not having any more and was probably fibbing about having people lined up to buy them.

Probably not, inventory is still very low everywhere, we are pretty much selling everything we get in quickly. Sounds like you got a fair deal, congrats. Where are the pics?

A Corolla with 27k miles has bookoo life remaining. I have passed two vehicles to a sister over the years, similar circumstances. We bought a new vehicle & passed the perfectly good used one on.

The one had a salvage title anyway, so somewhat lower value to sell.

Our similar vehicle is an AWD CR-V, 2017, been just fine.

Base LE, gas only, 8 speed auto. LOTS of doodads to figure out, salesman paired the phone for me, I got Google Maps to work on the display. Not sure if it has a compass function or not, think that may require a higher trim package.

Overall, pleased, MUCH quieter than the Corolla, somewhat more comfortable but not as comfy/roomy as the Tundra. Being taller, easier to get in and out of for me. Project for tomorrow is to figure out the lebendy-seven buttons on the steering wheel.

Oh, and go down to the town office and pay through the nose for the privilege of a set of tags for it. That's gonna smart...

Very nice.

Very nice, congratulations.

I'd like to replace my Camry next year, so no firm idea yet, but am very interested in the RAV4.
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