Might FINALLY purchase new HL this Labor Day weekend-TIPS?

[maverick22]

As title says, I think we may finally get one this weekend. I'm a little hesitant as this is our FIRST car we'll be financing. My wife and I in the past have just been used to cheaper cash cars. I don't want to get screwed.

We'll probably start looking early Saturday morning in the Dallas area and see if we can find any black 2011s left. If not probably go for 2012. Still can't decide on base (V6 though) vs. Limited. Of course we like the Limited more, but it's about $7K more right? Any suggestions? Limited may slightly be out of our budget. We'll have to talk.

Please give any suggestions/things to look out for for 2 "first-time buyers." Thanks in advance!

[lucky777]

Don't be an impulsive buyer. You need to decide first what you want - year, trim level, options, color, etc... Test drive a vehicle of your choice to finalize your decision. Don't talk $$ at the dealership. Come back home and go to sites like Edmunds to price your car with options, see what other people paid for similar cars. E-mail all Toyota dealers in your area for a price quote, don't go to the dealership to negotiate. Unfortunately you don't have much of a leverage since HLs still on a tight supply but try to make as many price inquires as possible before committing to purchase.

[maverick22]

Well I know my wife wants black Limited or base with gray interior. We'll have to test drive both and look carefully at options. She's not one that has to have all the bells and whistles.

If we find the one we want does anyone see any point in waiting for a few months. Possible prices will fall? I know interest rates are GREAT right now. We're in a better financial situation right now so I thought it would be a good time as well.

[AVConsult]

Mav--couple of thoughts. I just bought an '08 Base back in May, here in Dallas.


If you are going to finance but want a better value than new, find a low mileage '10 in Limited trim, vs a new '11/'12 in Base trim for similar money. Still many miles of factory warranty left. Someone else took the $7k~10K depreciation hit. For 2 yr old cars, you can usually get new car finance rates from a credit union. An example.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

In the Dallas area, there's lots of inventory. Don't be afraid to offer them 85% to 90% of the listed price for used. Used cars have much more profit margin for dealers to haggle with. Unknown for how much they can wiggle on new--typically not far unless you hit them at the end of the month and model year.

[AVConsult]

I bought the '08 in Base because it had leather, dimming mirror + compass, backup sensor, aftermarket bluetooth, and was in showroom condition inside and out. Plenty of toy's for the wife, who drives it. And it was a steal!

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by AVConsult

Mav--couple of thoughts. I just bought an '08 Base back in May, here in Dallas.


If you are going to finance but want a better value than new, find a low mileage '10 in Limited trim, vs a new '11/'12 in Base trim for similar money. Still many miles of factory warranty left. Someone else took the $7k~10K depreciation hit. For 2 yr old cars, you can usually get new car finance rates from a credit union. An example.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

In the Dallas area, there's lots of inventory. Don't be afraid to offer them 85% to 90% of the listed price for used. Used cars have much more profit margin for dealers to haggle with. Unknown for how much they can wiggle on new--typically not far unless you hit them at the end of the month and model year.

I have definitely thought of going the used route. However, my wife and I like the 50/50 split in the third row. Also, we like the rear A/C for people in third row that comes standard in the 2011/12 base. We started off our searching looking at a 2008 Limited. It was nice, but could have been a little nicer, and they weren't willing to come down much at all.

[maverick22]

Okay, okay I can't make up my mind. I saw this one which is probably the cheapest black H/L with 3rd row I've seen in my past 3 months of looking: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=305886208...only $17,995.

Anyone be worried about the 61K miles? I ran the VIN#, and it looks good. It actually does have third row I was told. I requested interior pics as well.

I really like the 50/50 split of the 2011s/12s AND the A/C for people who sit back there, but I don't know if that justifies paying almost twice as much. I could probably get this one for $17,000!

[bschurr]

Originally Posted by maverick22

As title says, I think we may finally get one this weekend. I'm a little hesitant as this is our FIRST car we'll be financing. My wife and I in the past have just been used to cheaper cash cars. I don't want to get screwed.

We'll probably start looking early Saturday morning in the Dallas area and see if we can find any black 2011s left. If not probably go for 2012. Still can't decide on base (V6 though) vs. Limited. Of course we like the Limited more, but it's about $7K more right? Any suggestions? Limited may slightly be out of our budget. We'll have to talk.

Please give any suggestions/things to look out for for 2 "first-time buyers." Thanks in advance!

Good luck with your search - I suggest that you try a buying service like zag.com and get educated of the real price that others are paying for new cars prior to walking in...

[JMSinMD]

Originally Posted by maverick22

Okay, okay I can't make up my mind. I saw this one which is probably the cheapest black H/L with 3rd row I've seen in my past 3 months of looking: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=305886208...only $17,995.

Anyone be worried about the 61K miles? I ran the VIN#, and it looks good. It actually does have third row I was told. I requested interior pics as well.

I really like the 50/50 split of the 2011s/12s AND the A/C for people who sit back there, but I don't know if that justifies paying almost twice as much. I could probably get this one for $17,000!

I'd have an independent mechanic and body shop check it out but I'm glad to see it's a Japan vehicle. Over the years of my family owning Toyota vehicles exclusively (since 1984) I always felt that the Japan built (J at beginning of VIN) had better fit and finish.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by jmsinmd

i'd have an independent mechanic and body shop check it out but i'm glad to see it's a japan vehicle. Over the years of my family owning toyota vehicles exclusively (since 1984) i always felt that the japan built (j at beginning of vin) had better fit and finish.

+1

[maverick22]

Does anyone know how to find an exact vehicle in your region? I've looked online at new inventory for about 15 dealerships, and no one has a black 2011/12 base with a V6. I know dealers can look it up and ship it to their store. I would like to obviously see the vehicle first before buying though.

I may give the salesman a try tomorrow I've been working with and see if he'll tell me where exactly it's located.

[TrailDust]

Depends on the trim line, features, etc., whether it is available and/or can be transferred to your area. As an example, when I went to purchase my Base I wanted the 4WD version but it was not being sold in SoCal in early 2008 as the market here was strictly 2WD in the Base model. I went to a dozen dealerships and none would special order it for me, and I finally had to contact corporate headquarters and they special ordered it from Japan and had it shipped to Carson Toyota. That's the saga....hope you don't have to do the same.

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

Depends on the trim line, features, etc., whether it is available and/or can be transferred to your area. As an example, when I went to purchase my Base I wanted the 4WD version but it was not being sold in SoCal in early 2008 as the market here was strictly 2WD in the Base model. I went to a dozen dealerships and none would special order it for me, and I finally had to contact corporate headquarters and they special ordered it from Japan and had it shipped to Carson Toyota. That's the saga....hope you don't have to do the same.

Ouch! I hope I don't have to do that either. Thanks for the reply! Did it cost quite a bit more to custom build and have shipped from Japan?

[AVConsult]

Carmax will get you a specific used vehicle. They don't haggle.

As for 61k miles, that wouldn't bother me at all. I bought my '02 with 72k. Now has 176k.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by maverick22

Ouch! I hope I don't have to do that either. Thanks for the reply! Did it cost quite a bit more to custom build and have shipped from Japan?

Nope, no extra cost, but i did have to wait five months. Thank goodness I'm patient or my head would have exploded from anticipating its arrival.... It was worth the wait!