Help with $$ on almost new 2011...

[steved192]

Hi! We currently own a Sienna and are wanting to get a Highlander. We are considering purchasing a 2011 Limited in Blizzard Pearl- it has NAV, JBL audio, running boards, and a couple of other small incidental options added on to it. 6500 miles, and it is certified. Sticker price is $38,900, "special" internet price is $37000. I know they can do way better than this, even though they say they can't. What would be a good starting point with them? Edmunds says around $34,000. Thoughts on this? It is in excellent condition, but it is still a used vehicle. It's almost worth it to pay a few extra thousand and get the 2012 Limited with 1.9% financing! Thanks for any help.

[boodawg71]

When looking for a new vehicle last year, it was very typical for a dealership to ask $1,500 to $2,000 (above retail) for a certified vehicle. Each car company has their perks and benefits of being certified. Outside of inspections the main benefit being usually an extended warranty. Some even offered a lower interest rate on a used vehicle. Would certainly ask what are the benefits of Toyota certified.

With that said, not sure why anyone could justify certified money for a vehicle that only has that many miles. Car is still under warranty and Toyota offers the free maintenance up to 25K miles (assuming it transfers if car is considered used). That will include all of the inspections, oil changes and tire rotations. If car was getting ready to go out of warranty - I can see some value in the certification to know you are getting a vehicle with no issues. But not with a car that still has almost a full warranty.

What type of rate can you get on a used car? That was my deciding factor. With the promo rate Toyota was offering, the money I saved on interest made the cost of buying new almost equal to used.

Make them an offer between dealer retail and private party. If they won't get close, I say keep looking for another vehicle.

[steved192]

Supposedly, we can get an interest rate of 2.9% on the used vehicle. Apparently, certified with that low mileage can qualify for new car rates, but not the incentivised rate of 1.9%.

I am thinking that the reason the price is higher is because it is certified. I know that does add some value to the car.

We are debating between the SE and Limited.