Buying Advice

Hey All,

I just signed up to TW as I don't actually own Tacoma, yet. I plan on purchasing a 2011 4x4 TRD Sport DC LB with the Tow Option and JBL audio. The dealer I'm dealing with is telling me invoice is the best price he can offer. I have two questions:

1. Is $30,140.00 a good deal for 2011 4x4 TRD Sport DC LB with the Tow Option and JBL audio?

2. How can I get the dealer to sell me the truck below invoice?

Thanks for any tips or advice.

 

#2. sexual favor

 

Go online and deal with the internet sales department of several dealers and work them against each other. In So Cal you should have several to choose from.

 

Can the JBL ---- you can do soooooo much better w/ aftermarket goodies

 

Yes, deal with the internet sales department.

Read this thread. Good info.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/112318-dealers-their-invoices-question.html

 

The #1 tip that I can give you is to *not* visit any dealerships in person until you have agreed with them on a price. Deal with them via phone or email. I prefer email because I don't have to worry about the dealer over the phone trying to make me give them a verbal commitment. Let each dealership know up front that you're in the process of calling/emailing around for the best price, and that once you have it you're going to come in and buy the truck. Make sure that you're a serious buyer, and tell that you're a serious buyer (something like "I'm going to buy a truck this week", or "this month").

Here's my specific advice/tips:
(a) Find a list of local dealerships that you're willing to drive to (by using the toyota.com dealership search
(b) Find the email for those dealerships (either thru their web site or by calling and asking for their internet sales department contact info.
(c) **** Tell each dealership that you already have an offer. For example, you have "invoice" pricing and you want to know by how much they can beat it. Once you get a better offer, tell each subsequent dealer what your best current offer is.
(d) I also suggest that you deal relative to invoice pricing. This is for your protection to prevent the dealer from "accidentally" getting you to believe that you have a good price for a truck that may or may not have all of the features that you've specified.
(e) You may find that it's easier to get better deals around the 3rd or 4th week of the month. Dealerships like to increase their numbers at the end of the month. They need to make deals more profitable at the beginning of the month, and their volumes better at the end.
(f) Note that different dealerships will vary their "best price" month to month. That's because each dealership does better or worse from time to time and therefore their need to attract you varies.
(g) Optionally, take your best offer and go back to your local dealer or whichever dealer you want to work with (i.e. your favorite dealership) and ask them to beat your best offer. If this fails, go back to the dealership that gave you the best offer.

**** Note that this step is critical, because you have to baseline the dealership with "an offer in hand". Otherwise, they will continue to treat you as if you don't know what a good price is. In your email, you would write something in the email like: "Hi. I am being quoted for Invoice Pricing for a 2011 4x4. Can you give me a better price?"

BTW, if you have Costco or AAA, you can also use those services to get in touch directly with a dealership that will give you very good pricing without negotiating. Also note however that this will not be the best pricing you can get; it's just a "good price" that you can get without negotiating.

Personally, I ended up getting it for $500 below invoice. I could have gotten lower, but I didn't feel good about grinding too hard. I want the dealerships to make money, but I don't feel good about paying "just came in off the street" pricing.

I hope this helps, and best of luck to you.

Cheers,
-Alan

 

definitely look online and get internet prices. usually cheaper then walking into showroom. you can negoitate everything on the internet.

also search different dealerships. if they want your business they will deal.

 

Like stated above, certain dealerships will "work" for your business. I lived in B.C. (Canada) and the dealer told me they wouldn't budge on price. Ha, yeah right!!! I googled the largest Toyota dealership in Canada, and it was in Calgary, Alberta. Sent them an email, and within an hour, had a response.

I told them I had my truck built (via toyota's website) and I wanted to buy it, but NOT pay sticker price... They said "NO PROBLEM!!!" -- Long story short, I paid $4000 LESS for my truck by buying it in Calgary v.s. Victoria after I paid for my flight, and drive home. Not bad...

Be patient, and take your time. It's not every day that you spend this kind of money, so make it worth your while. And DO NOT sympathize with the dealers "we're not making any money" story... They're making TONS of money! You watch T.V.? Who do you see advertising every time a commercial break comes on???

Good luck!

 

Shop around for the best price and see if they will match it. Also, buy it on the last day of the month...that's the last day they have to get their monthly numbers up and are more willing to come down.