Buying first brand new truck... Problems

I am new to this group; however I have made a few posts. If you don't know I’m 23 and I’m buying my first brand new vehicle and have decided that a Tacoma is what I desire to purchase. Hello to all!
I currently own a 2003 Dodge Dakota, which I am obviously looking to unload. I made my second visit to my local Toyota dealership today to show them my current truck to get an idea what they would give me on a trade. The visit didn’t go well, the salesmen kept asking me what I want for my truck. His approach to the issue threw me off guard; I didn't want to say to high or too low. I responded with the attitude”no you tell me what it is worth". It didn't go well, I figured there would be a systematic way of determining the trade in value of a vehicle, and apparently they "wing it”. NADA says that my truck, being that it is in excellent condition, is worth $4,700 trade in and $7,500 retail. I figured with the current state of the economy I would be able to get $5,000 easy. I brought all of this to the salesmen’s attention, he responded by informing me that every vehicle that they take in on trade goes through a 128 point safety inspection, they budget $1,500 for repairs when they take in trades. I told the salesmen I could assure him my vehicle is mechanically sound, and I have all my repairs documented. I got very aggravated after realizing that my visit I going nowhere. The salesmen also informed me that the trade in negotiation usually takes place when a person is making a deal on a vehicle, not when their desired purchase date is a month in the future.
As stated before I am new at this new vehicle purchasing “adventure”. Isn’t the dealership supposed to kiss your ass to try and sell you a vehicle? I feel like I am kissing their ass. Also is it so bad that I am meticulous with my finances and I like to create a budget for myself? The amount I get for my vehicle on trade is a key part to my equation to determine my monthly payment, which also determines the amount I have to save for my down payment. I am aggravated to say the least; I would like this dealership to work with me a little more and be straight forward with me I do not think that is going to happen. There are other dealerships in the area however I have heard many bad things about all of them. I could sell my truck myself but it is such a pain in the ass, dealing with people test driving it and nit picking everything to try and squeeze money out of you.

 

if you don't like your dealership...move on to the next one. By the way, its best to work a price on the truck THEN tell them you have a trade. That way they have less ways to work the numbers in their favor.

 

A 2003 Dakota is not the hottest truck in the used market right now. If you say trade is 4700 currently, why would you expect 5000 with the state of the economy? I would say it is worth less than trade value, especially to a Toyota shop that is going to turn around and wholesale it for a small profit or break even.

It sux that you feel that your service is lacking, but buying a month from now is not hot on a salesmans mind right now...these guys live month to month which means sell now. Tell them you are a very serious buyer in about a month and you would like to see some numbers. Don't try and turn it into a game, get the numbers, thank him and tell them you will be back in a month. Bring them back to TW and we will hash them out for you.

 

It seems as if every dealer practices these tactics when you buy or trade in a vehicle. When I was shopping for my Acura TL, every dealer I went to asked me how much I want the vehicle for and what I expect to get in on my trade. It eventually got irritating so I just went home one day, found the blue book value of my car. I added another 3k to that and I got my price. Then I built a TL the way I want it and got the invoice price. I subtracted another 3k off of that and to the dealer I went. Obviously my demands were outrageous, however I did get what I actually wanted for the trade in and the purchase of the new car. If they want to ask you what you want, start off by making ridiculous demands.

 

Wait till you are about to buy and then start calling every Toyota dealership and get quotes. Tell them you want their best price and that they are competing against other dealerships. Always deal with internet sales guys, make sure they e-mail you the quote and don't tell them you have a trade. After you find the best price take your truck down to the dealership and go meet your sales guy. Tell them you want the truck for the agreed upon price and you want $xxxx.xx for you truck. If they say no say thanks and walk out. You have to show them you are not emotionally connected with your purchase. Be prepared to walk away, and motor on down to the next dealership. Bring the best price quote with you and tell them you want them to match it and you will buy the truck right then and there. If they don't have the truck you want at that dealership, they can get it from any other dealer in the area. Don't let them dictate the terms, don't get into the back and forth haggling. Just tell them to give you your deal or you will move on.

 

I'm by no means turning it into a game I'm just a person that has a budget if I plan on getting $4,500 for my vehicle and then find out that I only can get $3,500. Well then I have to come up with another $1,000 to get my payment where I want it don't I? I can’t take on a payment that is more than I can afford. Like I said I have not done this before, I'll admit maybe I was wrong to ask what I can get for a trade, but the way I see it how else would I know? If I had relied on NADA I would be banking on $4,500 or so, that would be really misleading. I’m not trying to be a dick to my dealership I just would expect that they would sit down with me and go over what my trade is worth and why. I’m just the type of person that likes to have all the numbers out in front of me, I over analyze everything I’m sure that is my problem in this situation.

 

Back when I got my Impala SS I was trading in a '99 Grand Am GT with over 100k. Was worth about 3500 in perfect condition. New I had a few issues. They asked what I was looking to get for it I said 3400 and that's what they gave me. Just know what it's worth and at least ask for that. Worse they can say is no.

 

Sell your truck privately then go in there with $. I have done that with my last few purchases and its alot better when they start screwing around with that "fuzzy math" on trades. Put your truck out there at a fair price on craigslist or similar and you shouldn't have an issue getting much more than a dealers trade in.

You sound like me in wanting to follow the numbers straightforward and not the smoke and mirrors with a trade that sometimes occurs.

 

Go to carmax, they will tell you how much they will buy your truck for and you don't have to buy a car from them either.

 

Have you tried selling your truck outright?

That is what I always do then do not have to deal with the hassle with the dealer. It is a straight up deal. Ask for the bottom line price on the truck you want.

It also helps to have your financing squared away before you go in too. That way it totally leaves only negotiating the price of your new truck. You can take advantage of the rebates, etc.

Unfortunately, dealers have overhead and toyota trucks sell themselves. Best of luck with getting your new truck.

 

I would have walked the he'll out..I went to 3 different dealerships before I bought mine..I'm in a military town and I know about bad dealerships..I had the same problem with trade in value..make them work for you..in the end I drove 200 away to buy my truck..got a good deal..I'm happy and they were happy in the end

 

Railtech people like us are far and few between I know so many people that buy new cars when they take their current vehicle in for an oil change BAH how can they do that ugh I’m wayyyyy to frugal with my money for that.

Carmax GREAT idea thanks
Simon's Mom thanks that idea is looking better every second.

Thanks BlueTacoman!

 

Leg Killa THANK YOU!!!!!!! I'm looking into other dealerships

 

I have costco too, and you can get a way better deal just by negotiation.

kbb.com is a good source for pricing - I agree with all above, sell private and you will end up with way more cash than a trade in. I also used edmunds.com and they have a feature to email all dealerships within a defined radius with what you want, and they will negotiate over email. Internet sales prices are WAY better than walk in, and will beat the costco deal by a mile. To give you an example, my local dealership wanted 29800 before ttl at the "costco deal". Exact same truck from another dealership - 27800 after ttl, costco wasnt a factor.

You gotta work hard to find the good dealers, but they are out there. Good luck!

 

No prob..be patient..you'll get your truck

 

I found that the dealership typically craps out on offering near what you want. For my 1990 camry they offered me $500 the bluebook value was close to 3500. There were some minor details wrong with it but not much. I sold it for 2000 on the street and was able to put it into stocks where i lost it all. luckily google is coming back up. Apple is doing well too. Hopefully I will at least be able to break even. But selling it yourself could prove more profitable.

 

The value of your trade is always going to be whatever the wholesale (blackbook) price is! If you want more for trade they will add the numbers to the bottom line of your new car! Your best bet is to tell the salesman you want to get the price of the truck before you tell him/her that you are trading! They wont like this but they will do it! You can get blackbook value by going to www.bobrichardstoyota.com and click the blackbook icon at the bottom! Just give it false personal data and it will give you the wholesale price of your truck on a national average. Now you know what your truck is worth to the dealer and you have the price already for your new truck!

 

Keep going back in to not only check out the trucks, but also to get to know some different salesmen until you find one your comfortable with. I talked to a few before I bought, and really wasn't that impressed with any of them. I ended up getting to know one that a friend had recommended after they had bought, and this guy was real low pressure and a heck of a nice guy.
Another thing...buy on the LAST day of the month. They try to sell as many as they can each month, and on that last day they're more willing to wheel and deal.

 

Try Craigslist! I put my wife's van on there at 3:00pm and it was gone that night. Probably did not ask enough!

 

Be a asshole dont take there shit,,,, no matter how good of a deal you think your getting,,,remember they are still making money... go to a different dealership and see what they will give you,,, then take that number back to a toyota and tell them a different toyota dealer was going to give u 500 over invoice and 5000 for your truck,,,llie your ass off,,,who care's what they think,, it comes down to you, you are the one paying in the long run,,, they will forget who u are by the next day,,,, screw them,,,be firm and you will get what you want,,, thats how i have always done in,,,, best of luck