How far would you drive to save $1,500

792 miles to be exact. I flew from the detroit area to Atlanta to pick up my new 2010 dclb. It gave me a chance to drive it before I lifted it. I flew down on thursday night and drove home friday, woke up saturday morning drove to the shop and installed the lift, wheels, tires and alignment by 3:00 in the afternoon. Saved 1700.00 on the truck 125.00 to fly, 40.00 in flea bag motel and 125.00 in gas to get home.

 

The Hendersonville Toyota dealership doesn't have a doc fee either. They charge $99 for tags and title and that's it. I didn't know about that dealer until another poster mentioned them.

The original $1,500 off from local deals (actually $1,600 off) dealership I was referring to was Carmax in MD. It's a new car dealership, which I didn't realize they had until recently.

The Hendersonville NC dealership is about $1,700 off from local deals since they don't charge a doc fee, whereas the Carmax charges a $99 fee.

The Asheville dealership is around $1,200 off.

Hendersonville is about 250 miles away, but it's doable considering it would save me $1,700.

Now I just need to decide whether I want to pull the trigger and buy a 2010 or wait a few months for a 2011. They're not offering any cash incentives on the 2010... just the 2 years maintenance promo.

 

I drove from Newnan, Ga to Augusta, Ga which was 190 miles one way so I ended up driving 6 1/2 - 7 hours. However, I also saved way more than $1500.00, it was more like $5000.00. Atlanta area wanted 32 OTD, I gave 25,9 OTD. He'll, I seem a couple of stealerships around here that wanted 25,5 for a used 09 with 42,000 miles on it. So the drive was very much worth it to me. But I would say it's what ever makes you feel like you got a good deal.

 

Hey man, where did you get your truck from in Augusta? I just got mine from Milton Ruben.

 

Milton Ruben also. They were great. I also love the fact that they don't put their name on the truck except for the tag trim. That was replaced the day I bought it.

 

Why not buy it over the phone and have them ship it to the other dealer for you to pick up?

Or give a friend $150 to drive you there....

 

Yeah man, they were great! I worked with Wayne in the internet sales. I sent him an email about how much I wanted to pay and he replied promptly no problem....two days later he had the truck drove up here for a small fee. Awesome customer service. Well worth the out of town purchase.They did have a little badge on mine but it came right off .

 

TacomaFanNC,
Thanks for the info on Asheville and Hendersonville. I'll check with Asheville when I am over there next month.

 

Have you looked at the Toyota dealerships in Charlotte? I'm from the Wilmington area and I looked locally and in Raleigh, but the best deal and the people who got me what I wanted was Town and County Toyota in Charlotte. Stay away from Scott Clark (the Walmart of Toyota dealerships in NC) as they were complete idiots and the salesguy basically chased us out of the store. Town and County got me exactly what I wanted for a VERY good price. Not to mention it should only be a 130ish mile drive or less.

 

I definitely agree on Scott Clark's, the guy was being an ass about his pricing and quoted me incorrectly twice. Town and Country is good and also Toyota of Concord is right outside of Charlotte. The guy there (Tommy) was real cool but couldn't get me the price I wanted.

 

I Would say YES. If its any great distance it better be a hell of a savings

 

100 miles

 

option d - one way airfare = ? (atleast $2000) seems worth it to me if you have the time IMHO

 

Let's see... I drove 122 miles to save $1000 (and 40k fewer miles on the used Taco I bought), so that's roughly $8.2 saved per mile traveled to pick it up. In my opinion you should drive 182.9 miles to save that $1500 on a new tacoma.

 

I parked my butt at a local dealer and while he was "working" up the best price I called another dealer 100 miles away on my cell phone. I kind of pitted each of them at each other. Also the 3 major local dealers here have their inventory online. Take a web enabled smart-phone with you to look up stuff. When a dealer says that the vehicle is the only one of it's kind in inventory for miles, I just show them the other dealer's inventory on my Blackberry.

Funny how my local dealer finally accepted my researched offer. The Consumer Reports report for $15, Edmunds, and other resources helped formulate what I thought was fair offer that gives them a profit (which they deserve) without taking me to the cleaners. Make sure you know the option codes (OF, TO, etc.) before you go and know what each cost. Ask before you even start talking price what the dealer's filing fees are. Some are $150 and others ar $350. Even though they have signs all over stating that it's not negotiable, when they need to make the sale it is.

I have to say I kind of enjoy the challenge. We squabbled for an hour over the last $85. "I need to put food on the table for my family" he would say. I would say "I need to keep food on my family's table". He finally threw his pen on the table and said he will eat the $85 if I promised to give him all excellent ratings when I got my Toyota survey. I'm a man of my word and did it.

Also you are not done until you leave the financing/payment office. There's much more to say "no" there. I just about laughed when they wanted me to buy the extended warranty for only $120/month. "No thank you, No thank you, please just the tax and license fees". "Take that advertising fee off or I'll leave now". I'm a negotiating Nazi and I find it's kind of fun. BTW - I ain't making any of this stuff up. You to can be a dealer's nightmare customer. Remember they need your business to survive, you are the one in control. I was there for over 6 hours AFTER the test drive.

Man, I'm all worked up and wish I had money to buy another car for my wife today. Oh well, I'll go golfing instead.

Now go out and get that truck and make 'em cry!

 

Yeah I worked with Mr. Wayne Bumpus myself. I saw my truck on ebay and called and made an offer, he accepted and I drove out there a picked my baby up. Where was your "little badge" I may have over looked it, if they stuck it in a less than obvious place?

 

a

 

paid $175 for a plane ticket to save $1,700 - bought right after cash-for-clunkers and there was zero inventory and no one locally was dealing - at the time there were only a handful of Pyrite Mica DC 4x4 Off-Roads in the north east -- enjoyed the 250 mile drive home

 

It was on the left side of the tailgate above the Tacoma sticker. It is about 1.5"x4" as I remember . It came off easily though.

 

Nope I'm in the clear...no dealer badge.