Order or Inventory Search?

[CtotheP]

Hey everyone, this is my first post!!!

I'm in a Mini Cooper S right now, and my lease is up on Feb. 1. We recently had a baby so of course I'm now looking at something a little bigger We've got a Lexus RX330, and have tons of friends w/ Toyota's who've been more than pleased w/ them.....

Anyways, enough of the background....

I'm interested in getting the "graphite" TCH, fully-loaded (Nav, etc..) and I'm not that familiar w/ Toyota. I was wondering if I need to try and order one through a dealer ahead of time, or if they should be able to do an inventory search and find the one I'm looking for?

Thanks in advance!

[Sallyspal]

Originally Posted by CtotheP

Hey everyone, this is my first post!!!

I'm in a Mini Cooper S right now, and my lease is up on Feb. 1. We recently had a baby so of course I'm now looking at something a little bigger We've got a Lexus RX330, and have tons of friends w/ Toyota's who've been more than pleased w/ them.....

Anyways, enough of the background....

I'm interested in getting the "graphite" TCH, fully-loaded (Nav, etc..) and I'm not that familiar w/ Toyota. I was wondering if I need to try and order one through a dealer ahead of time, or if they should be able to do an inventory search and find the one I'm looking for?

Thanks in advance!

Graphite (called "Magnetic Gray") is a popular color and finding one fully loaded, now, can be difficult. There has been a rush on TCH's as the federal tax credit is cut in half at the end of September. I can't predict what the supply will be like in February, but the remaining credit ($1,300) will be halved again after March 31, 2007, and this may impact availability as well. On the other hand, they are supposed to start assembling the TCH in Kentucky this Fall, and this may positively impact the supply in the US (many of us had to wait 8 weeks or more to get our cars over the Summer).

As you have some time, I'd probably order one, but insist on a fully refundable deposit (many dealers have insisted on deposits). Good luck negotiating, most TCH owners report that they have been paying MSRP for their cars. Then, as your delivery date nears, check dealer inventory around you (and via internet if you are willing to drive alittle), to see if you can get a better deal.

[CtotheP]

Thanks for your reply. I actually gave my local Toyota dealer a call yesterday and they said it'd roughly take 2-3 months. I may see what I can do about a refundable deposit, and then just order one around Nov. 15

[Sallyspal]

Originally Posted by CtotheP

Thanks for your reply. I actually gave my local Toyota dealer a call yesterday and they said it'd roughly take 2-3 months. I may see what I can do about a refundable deposit, and then just order one around Nov. 15

Good Luck.

[utkan]

Call Grossinger toyota at Linkolnwood if you are in Chicago and ask them to check the list of cars they will be receiving to see if they will have the one you want comming. They told me if you put down payment in check they will not cash it will you sign papers. They told me 5 to 8 weeks for Tch's.
Utkan

[schmidtj]

Originally Posted by utkan

Call Grossinger toyota at Linkolnwood if you are in Chicago and ask them to check the list of cars they will be receiving to see if they will have the one you want comming. They told me if you put down payment in check they will not cash it will you sign papers. They told me 5 to 8 weeks for Tch's.
Utkan

I have found Grossinger to be nothing more than a bunch of liars. Everyone of their ads/commercials is misleading if you only take the time to read/listen to them. Of course YMMV.

[utkan]

Originally Posted by schmidtj

I have found Grossinger to be nothing more than a bunch of liars. Everyone of their ads/commercials is misleading if you only take the time to read/listen to them. Of course YMMV.

Realy!
I bought my 07 camry ce from nothside totota in chicago and i will never go there again, they are morons. When i started to search for TCH i called at least 10 toyota dealers and go to Grossinger and the seles guy seam to be helpfull. But again i did not buy a car from them yet. So it is a good experiance till the screw you up right....

At the end i never been to a car dealer that i can say shis guys were helpfull and not liars..

[schmidtj]

Originally Posted by utkan

Realy!
I bought my 07 camry ce from nothside totota in chicago and i will never go there again, they are morons. When i started to search for TCH i called at least 10 toyota dealers and go to Grossinger and the seles guy seam to be helpfull. But again i did not buy a car from them yet. So it is a good experiance till the screw you up right....

At the end i never been to a car dealer that i can say shis guys were helpfull and not liars..

I wish you all the luck in the world. Have they offered to rent you one for 90 days and then sell it to you? Sounds like a way to get one right away until you realize you'll be purchasing a USED car and NO tax credit. That's but one of their practices.

[jcilforever]

Go online like I did and get listings of dealers within driving distance use the advanced search option where you can enter the city and state. Once I went to a local dealer and test drove a TCH and knew that I liked it, I fired off emails to all selected dealers in a tri-state area. Letting them know exactly what I wanted with all of the options (your wish list)

Your best bet is to work with two in your area and target another 4-6 dealers in two large cities around you (larger cities mean larger volume, more chance for the dealer to get their hands on them).

Then when talking to the dealers offer to pay base MSRP on the car then dealer cost on the options (use www.kbb.com to give you a ballpark on base MSRP and dealer cost on options). Those who go for that are ones that are hungry and need the buisness. (these cars are hard to come by especially with NAV).

It is always easier to work with someone you can meet face to face (so choose two local dealers and talk alot)

When it comes down to it the 3 factors that weight the heaviest are 1. Is the car that you want out there? 2. Who is the hungriest and 3. who has the best connections to get you the car.

I would try and get a car that is alredy out there because I have heard to many stories of people ordering and not recieving them.

Remember if you order one and someone comes in after you and wants the same car but will pay more who do you think gets the car (you won't be told what happened you will just be moved around in the que).

This is what I got from a smaller local dealer within 2 weeks who knew the right people (had to take one with a sunroof and heated seats to get the car) (could have gotten one for $500 cheaper from Atlant (larger city ) but would have to wait an additonal 4 weeks and missed the full $2,600 tax credit (goes down to $1,300 after 09/30/06):


Payed $32,563 out the door (includes $299.50 paper fee, $325 sales tax)

MSRP $33,538.28(saved $1,599.78 at full MSRP fees and taxes)
Series:Camry HybridModel:2WD Hybrid 4 Door Hybrid 4x2Model Year:2007Transmission:HybridVIN:don't want to spread my vin aroundExterior:Titanium MetallicInterior:Graphite LeatherEstimated Pricing*MSRPBase$25,900.00Options$6,942.00Manuf. Delv, Proc, & Hndlg$675.00Fuel Surcharge$21.28Total$33,538.28Base - the price the Dealer pays the Manufacturer for the vehicle.Options - the amount of optional equipment (accessories and packages) installed on the vehicle.Manuf. Delv, Proc & Hndlg - Delivery, Processing & Handling - the fee that is paid by the Dealer to the Manufacturer to cover the cost of transporting the vehicle to the dealership.Admin - the Administrative Fee is a charge paid by the Dealer to Southeast Toyota, the regional distributor, and is used for the regional dealer support programs. MSRPComfort & Convenience Package:$470Heated Front Seats and Heated Power
Outside Mirrors
50 State Emissions$06-Gallons of Gas$0Carpet Mats and Trunk Mats$199Leather Package Includes: Power Driver$1,300Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof w/$940w/ Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
and Rear Personal Lamps
Security System Upgrade$487Southeast Toyota Distributor Plus$0Final Quality Inspection
Certified Technician 46 Point
Picture Asset Program
Sunroof Wind Deflector$148Window Tint$259Navigation w/ JBL Premium Audio 4-Disc$1,200In-Dash CD Changer/MP3/Bluetooth with 8
Speakers, In 6 Locations, 440 Watts and
Satellite Radio Capability. Requires:
Subscription to XM or Sirius, Antenna and
Receiver.
18" BBS Wheels w/Michelin Tires$1,93938 MPG Highway40 MPG City