2013 and Earlier - Toyota Camry Prices Paid and Buying Experience

12122242627198

Comments

  • gunturguntur Member Posts: 19
    I would like to get 7 year 100,000 mile with 0 deductible Extended warranty for 2005 Camry LE. Appreciate help with any contact information and prices. Thanks to Edmunds townhall forums I saved a bunch on similar warranty for Honda Ody. Thanks in advance.
  • fl101fl101 Member Posts: 13
    If my calculation is correct, $19500 is approximately $500 over invoice (not include $750 rebate). Can anyone tell me the going price ('05 LE automatic) in Miami/fort lauderdale and Atlanta area? Thanks.
  • fl101fl101 Member Posts: 13
    Thanks for the information.

    According to the Sunday newspaper here, the Courtesy Toyota will sell the standard one for $15498. The invoice is $16509 not including $515 destination change in edmunds.com. This is $1000 below invoice including the $750 rebate. I am hoping I can get better than $500 over invoice. If necessary, I do not mind to go outside the tampa bay area for a better price (or get a Honda).
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    I just helped my Dad buy a 05 Camry LE down there. I worked 6 dealerships within 50 miles of Brandon for over a week. The best price I could get a dealer to commit to was $19,600 out the door including all taxes and dealer fees with the $750 rebate for an 05 LE 4-door automatic with side air bag curtains option. You will have a hard time beating that down there at this time. A non LE is another story. Good luck!
  • downtownbrowndowntownbrown Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for the report Alpha, very informative. I'm leaning towards the 05 SE V6 w/Nav package. I've checked most online inventories around here (Seattle), and it seems most SEs are either 4 cyl. or V6 w/o premium or nav.

    Has anyone who has been to a dealership lately seen any of these in stock?

    For those in the know, will dealers generally consider taking OFF a spoiler if requested??? I love the SE styling but think it would look better w/o the spoiler...i guess it's a matter of the eye of the beholder. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
  • ripperxripperx Member Posts: 3
    hi,

    I'm also int eh San Diego area and am lookign for a Camry LE V6. Was looking at the 2004, but it seems like it's a better deal to go witht eh 2005. Which dealer did you go to in the San Diego area.?
  • ripperxripperx Member Posts: 3
    Hi all,

    I looking to buy the Camry LE. Not sure if I'm going with the 2004 or 2005 since there are so far mixed opinionts on the deals. What the price differences on these, and what's the best deals on these in the LA to San diego , california area.
  • jl547jl547 Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    It's my first time to buy a car. I was initially looking for a 04 CAMRY auto LE+ABS. They all assured me that they have a bunch of them but when I visited the dealer, they only have 1-2 left (w/sunroof+$800 or with 1300 miles). So I have to switch to 05 Camry. Can anyone tell me
     
    (1)what's the big difference bet LE and STD? (I checked their features but really cannot see much difference) I would greatly appreciate expert advice on the choice.

    (2)Can you recommend a reliable dealer at NYC tristate area? (I am in Mahattan) it's very frustrating and painful for me to go through the car-buying process.

    Thank you. have a nice day.
  • baseknock72baseknock72 Member Posts: 8
    Well as I posted earlier jl547, there is some difference between the LE and Standard. But, as others have subsequently posted, there is ALSO a big dollar difference.

    Items missing on the Standard from the Base LE (others can include additional items if any):

    1. Full Size Spare
    2. Body color side mirrors
    3. Power front seats
    4. Remote keyless entry with trunk release.

    Personally, I don't really mind having a donut as a spare. I have AAA, and they will tow 100 miles in either direction. Body color side mirrors would be nice, however, the black goes REALLY well with the Phantom Grey we picked out. The remote keyless entry will cost me $286 to be installed with trunk release, but we may opt to pay a little extra for an alarm system.

    The only thing we cant make up for on the base LE are the powered seats, which would be nice, but there are manual controls that do everything the power seats do. We plan on having heated leather seats put in anyways, and there would have been a slight extra charge for refinishing powered seats.

    The biggest difference that I personally see between the Standard and the LE, is that the LE offers much more options, whereas, the only real option for the Standard is Side Curtain Air Bags, which is definately a great option as to the crash tests links posted by another member.

    Bottom line, if you're looking for an 05 Camry on the cheap, the Standard cant be beat (but that will probably change once all 04's are blown out).

    Just my opinion. Good luck on the car search!
  • mh3mh3 Member Posts: 11
    FYI downtown, if you remove the spoiler, you are going to leave rather ugly holes in the trunklid.

    We are usually willing to remove unwanted equkipment, but not if it something that would leave a hole, like a spoiler. I just thought of the fact that you might could swap trunklids with another Camry without the spoiler. Of course, you could then have color-matching issues.

    Here in the Southeast, the spoiler is optional on the SE, so you have your choice of buying one with or without.
  • baseknock72baseknock72 Member Posts: 8
    How a double post happened almost TWO hours later...???...I dont know...
  • downtownbrowndowntownbrown Member Posts: 6
    Thanks mh3, it's been suggested that the dealer might be able to fill the holes and refinish the top.

    By the way, Toyota has updated its 360 exterior view of the SE...looks nice, i may have to reconsider my general dislike of spoilers on a "family" car.
  • katherinenjkatherinenj Member Posts: 14
    Something very strange happened tonight and I was wondering if anyone has any insight. I went to the dealership (after already agreeing upon a price over the phone) to purchase my car. Everything was fine, I inspected the car inside and out, etc. Then he brought over the paperwork. He filled out the buyer's order and I inspected it very closely. Then, I signed what needed to be signed on the buyer's order. He took a deposit from me (on my credit card) and then that was it... He KNOWS I would like to finance part of the cost (I have really good credit and want to take advantage of the 1.9% APR and the college rebate (which you cannot get unless you finance through them)), but he said to just come back and do it at a later time, like when I pick up the car. That sounds VERY fishy to me (and this is supposed to be a very reputable dealership), and when I told him I won't take delivery of the car until I have my coupon book, he said it would take a "while" to get it to me and that it wont be ready by the time I pick up the car. I dont want to get caught up in one of those scams where they do a bait and switch with the rates. Does this sound fishy to anyone else?? Im not sure what to do at this point. They want me to take the car by the end of the week.
  • bernie3bernie3 Member Posts: 48
    So you signed a purchase agreement, but not the note (finance agreement)? Did they say they needed to run your credit or verify anything? sounds like he didn't prequalify you. Having the coupon book at the point of sale is not that important and probably has to be printed & mailed to you.

    What IS important, and required by law, is that they provide you the note with the contract interest rate, the beginning date & amount of monthly payments, the APR etc, and that they obtain your signature on the agreement. I would follow up by phone within a day or two and confirm they have approved you for financing. Ask them to fax you the terms. I suggest you make sure you agree to the financing terms before you go to pick up the car when they'll have you at a disadvantage.

    When you purchase a car AND financing you have two negotiating battles -- first the price, and then the terms. You're half way there -- probably hardest half... Congratulations!
  • mh3mh3 Member Posts: 11
    I would stay away from patching holes on a new car. Why take an automatic hit if and when you sell or trade?

    Spoilers are definitely a matter of taste I probably have about an equal number of customers who:

    a) Have to have one, or:
    b) Won't take one if you give it to them, or:
    c) Don't care.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    I think you are fine. This is exactly how the purchase of our 2005 Legacy worked. We placed a $1000 security deposit on credit, and completed the financials when the car arrived at the dealership 1.5 wks. later. (We were given a receipt for the $1000 security deposit, btw, and we got the Finance mngr to sign on the interest rate promised.)

    ~alpha
  • katherinenjkatherinenj Member Posts: 14
    Thanks Bernie3 and Alpha,

    I ended up asking for my deposit back (they are crediting it back to my card). I called the business manager this morning to ask about what was going on. He said that my credit looked fine, and that it was under 700. I said no way. I printed out all three of my credit scores last week and they were well over 700 (one was 742). He said the best rate he could offer me was 5.9%, which is way too high. We had an argument, he was EXTREMELY nasty, and then i turned around and said, fine, well, i will get my own financing. He said I would not be able to find a better rate. I said I already did, on Capital One auto loans. He started freaking out, claiming that they do NOT accept them, that they are not checks, etc. etc. I know for a fact there are plenty of dealers who accept them (they work like bank drafts), including one Lexus dealership. So, I was like, well then Im not buying this car. He yelled at me, saying that I "will not intimidate him" and that I will NOT "speak down to him." I was floored to be spoken to in that manner. He said he'd give me back my deposit, that they don't 'do business that way.' So I said fine. Then I called the general manager of the dealership, who was much calmer. HE claims that i DO qualify for the 1.9% and that they would give me that rate. So i said, what's the discrepancy?? then he said, "well there's always two sides to the conversation." I said, What, am i LYING about what the other manager told me!? he said 5.9%!" it was awful. just awful. i dont really trust them. (has anyone heard of the 'spot delivery' scam, where they sign a contract with all the fees on it, but yet the contract states "subject to approval" so they contact you later and say "sorry, loan fell through for that rate! you have a higher rate now" and you already have the car!). Plus they required a binding arbitration agreement. I probably wouldnt be able to find another dealership who DOESNT but that was a turn off, PLUS the sales guy who made me sign the papers purposely held down the backside of the contract and flipped it over just a teensy bit and made me sign the back without even looking at it. he claims i was signing it so that "the ink could go through to the other pages." i cant believe i fell for it. it was a long process and i was ready to get out at that point. UNREAL.
    THIS IS PRESTIGE TOYOTA, RAMSEY NJ, SO PLEASE PLEASE AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS.
  • fl101fl101 Member Posts: 13
    Based on the edmunds.com, the invoice price for the side air bag option is $559. Thanks for the information. I think I get an idea about the price going in the area.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    Go back and read post 1165. I already broke down all of the figures. Let me know what you actually get the car for. It seems like people in other parts of the country are coming up with far better prices. The Tampa area just is not as competitive I guess.
  • rutger3rutger3 Member Posts: 361
    Cannot understand why Toyota continues to play airbag games with consumers while giving up leverage to Honda. Side/curtain bags should nave been standard on all camrys for 05, they had to know that Accord was doing this. Makes the decision process on equipment easier and also eliminates the feeling of having to pay $600 for what should be standard safety equipment. When will they realize that most people are tired of paying more for safety items or having to choose between saving money or maybe saving their life.
  • carrelman2carrelman2 Member Posts: 80
    This is for KatherinenJ. I read about your problem with Prestige Toyota about them raising the interest rate on your purchase and trying to deceive you. This is a very common shtik some dealers try to get away with. I sent an E-mail to the general Manager of Prestige telling him he made a mistake because thousands of people go on Edmunds for worthwhile information and it will cost them lots of business because of the way they do business. Would you believe, he answerd my E-Mail saying "He could care less".You did the right thing by going elswhere
  • katherinenjkatherinenj Member Posts: 14
    Carrelman2-
       You are kidding!!!! UNREAL!!!! These people NEVER cease to amaze me. I absolutely could not believe the way the business manager spoke to me the morning after my deal was signed. He literally screamed at me over the phone and said, "You will NOT talk down to me! You are trying to intimidate me!!" I was like, excuse me, how am I intimidating you!?!" I was simply trying to find out WHAT happened to my 1.9% APR and WHY they were claiming my credit score was MUCH lower than what I know it is. Unbelivable.
    Anyway, I contacted some other dealerships. They are more than happy to take my loan check from Capital One Auto Financing (which Prestige adamantly refused during our conversation (after they wanted a higher APR) claiming it "wasn't a real check." Yeah right.) I also feel more comfortable talking to them. They asked me what dealership I had problems with and when I told them Prestige, they were like, yep... we've heard about them. Anyway, I am totally happy to take my business elsewhere.
  • katherinenjkatherinenj Member Posts: 14
    Did anyone NOT have to sign an arbitration agreement? There was one on the buyer's order (for the car I ultimately did NOT buy..). Is this becoming the majority instead of the minority? I am starting to wonder if there are any dealers out there who do not require this.

    PS- read, read, read what you are signing. when i was signing the buyer's order, there was a ton of fine print on the back. the salesguy very cleverly folded the bottom of the page slightly so i could see the signature line on the back, but not the wording. he told me to "sign so it goes through all 3 copies." what a SLEEZE... I am becoming so disgruntled with this whole process, I am starting to not even want a new car!!!!
  • annettenjannettenj Member Posts: 4
    PLease tell me what dealership you are going to..I had bad experience with town in Fair Lawn and was considering going to Prestige!
  • katherinenjkatherinenj Member Posts: 14
    I spoke with Toyota of Morristown (even though they are like 45 minutes away) and East Coast Toyota in Wood-Ridge. Unfortunately there isn't much selection around here. I'm GLAD you mentioned your experience with Glen because Ive been in contact with them recently!! But I will avoid them now.
    I will say this about Prestige: they were very fast in giving me back my deposit (which was large). They didnt try to keep it. However, their business practices in other areas were questionable. The things that bothered me the most were being screamed at by the business manager, not even receiving a call from anyone at the dealership saying they were sorry that the deal fell through, being stuck with a salesperson the entire way through the process that I didn't like (just seemed like everything he said was either inaccurate or a lie), and of course what happened with the financing. We're talking about a $25,000 car here, I expected to be treated a bit better. They tend to get very cocky because they are usually very crowded and have people lined up to buy cars. Oh well. Let me know if you find a decent dealer, and I'll post if I find one and a pleasant experience!
  • leahnjleahnj Member Posts: 4
    Hi all,

    Has anyone used East Coast Toyota in Wood-Ridge? Good experiences? I heard to stay away from Toyota of Morristown (from badbusinessbureau.com)...
  • stoesstoes Member Posts: 9
    What is the lowest price I could expect to pay for this Camry?

    Thanks

    http://www.andrettitoyota.com/index.php?PO=Details&Vin=4T1BF3- 0K34U579702
  • hank2hank2 Member Posts: 76
    I went thru a similar bad experience, due to incompetence rather than maliciousness, altho the result is the same.

    1. Binding Arbitration Agreement is specific to a dealer, to try to get out of lawsuits. Makes you wonder about quality, but you should be able to find dealers who don't require... but I believe it will become the norm.

    2. Sweet revenge came in a few weeks after my purchase when Toyota and J.D. Powers sent me a survey. I nuked everyone related to Toyota and the horse they came in on... I was probably responsible for a two point drop just based on my survey :-) ... But Toyota Corp has sent me two invitations in the mail to discuss my survey with their customer support reps ... I'm not quite sure how this will help me... but I do see that the Salesman is no longer in the Internet dept.

    3. I like my 2004 Camry SE 4cyl. It has a few small cosmetic and noise problems that are intermittent. But the A/C works fine in Dallas TX. However, my MPG are still only 27 .... nowhere near the promised 33 MPG, but I'm only at 2500 miles

    Bottom line, I agree with you that the process can still be very, very bad ... but the car is OK.

    (BTW, I graduated from Clemson ... in the previous millennium.)

    - hank2
  • rutger3rutger3 Member Posts: 361
    Does anyone have an idea as to whether the 05 LE will be readily available with side curtain airbags, I live in New Jersey. If not, then I will probably get the Accord. BTW, too bad Toyota deleted the cassette player this year.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    Yes, it's a readily available option on the 05 LE. Side airbags with curtains are standard on all 05 Accords.
  • fl101fl101 Member Posts: 13
    autoway want $20,500 for the 4-door LE with side airbag and automatic transmission (including all fees, taxes...etc.). That is approximately $1200 over invoice. I guessed I am going for Honda.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    You are not talking to the right people. I talked to the internet sales manager and got a firm price of $19,600 out the door including all taxes and dealer fees for the same car. Try again, if you really want one. My dad ended up getting the car at Courtesy Toyota in Brandon. He picked it up Wednesday for $19,800 out the door. It was an 05 LE 4-door automatic with side air bags & curtains with full floor mats and mud guards in Desert Sand Mica. He decided he wanted to buy it where he lived. I garrantee that same car can be bought anywhere in town for under $20,000 out the door. You just have to work for it. The $750 rebate expires 31 Aug 04, so unless they extend it, you may have to pay a little bit more. Regardless they are both good cars, but the ride it totally different, so make sure you get the one that really suits your needs.
  • toyotadomtoyotadom Member Posts: 2
    "I bought a new 2005 Camry LE with MSRP of $20674 for $16588 plus tax and license, no trade at Elmore Toyota in Westminster, CA. It's in their Saturaday Ad in the Orange County Register 8-14-04."

    See, this is where I have to say, if you want us as dealers to be honest...then you must be the same...

    The car you are referring to has a msrp of $20,674 has only CA and CF packages, yes the least expensive Camry LE to buy but the invoice is $18,829....

    are you really wanting us to believe that you purchased the car for $2,200 under invoice?

    Yes, there may some different incentives in Cali right now but over 2 grand from Toyota for a 2005?...come on...

    Let me know...my GM would like to buy a bunch and have them shipped..
  • ripperxripperx Member Posts: 3
    Hi all,

    What are the lowest price I can get the 2004 or 2005 LE V6 for?
  • jl547jl547 Member Posts: 2
    I just purchased a 2005 Camry LE for $18400+tax,DMV (total OTD price $19580). I believe it's a pretty good deal here in New York area. The dealer is Fordham Toyota in Bronx, NY. The sales person is good. No BS. No dirty tricks. We are happy with it.

    Thanks to people in this forum providing lots of useful information.
  • fl101fl101 Member Posts: 13
    I talked to J.W. the internet sale department. It does not look like he wanted to negotiate at all. I would give them another try if you can send me a e-mail to tell me whom should I talk to. Thanks for your help.

    p.s. I am waiting for Honda to get back to me for my last offer. I prefer Camry if I can get the $19600.
  • gto2gto2 Member Posts: 5
    A little background
    I just sold my 2002 Camry XLE 4 cyl and bought a new 2005 camry XLE V6 cyl. What a difference in the power and a more quiet engine. I can hardly hear it running. What a difference with the 5 speed transmission vs 4 speed that was on the 2002.
    My question is : I would like to buy the 17" 5 spoke alloy wheels for it. Has anyone out there done this? If so, has it affected the smooth XLE ride. Also , When I bought the 2005 XLE V6 I got every option except the navigation package. Can this be added to the car ?
  • dolphindolphin Member Posts: 71
    Nav can be added by the dealers.
  • bernie3bernie3 Member Posts: 48
    Has anybody had the dealer remove the basic sound system and replace it with the upgraded version? I find the base equipped LE to be well equipped for my needs except I'd like the upgraded sound system. How easy is it to have the sound system upgraded at the dealer? Will the dealer change out the standard system for the upgrade?

    I may opt for the side airbags (not sure yet) but those HAVE to be installed at the factory, I assume.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    Yes side & curtain airbags are a factory option only. You need to spell out what you mean by stereo upgrade. More speakers and the JBL system is also a factory option.
  • bd21bd21 Member Posts: 437
    Pick a dealer that you are not buying the car from. Tell the dealer that you want to buy from that you have a firm deal for $19,800, but you will buy from them if they can beat your current price. It works every time and the price you are shooting for is realistic. Just keep working it. Telling a dealer someone you know got the car for "X" never works. Good luck!
  • twaterstwaters Member Posts: 4
    Dear toyotadom,

    I don't appreciate your reply to my posting
    accusing me of not being totally honest.

    My post on my experience in prices paid is for
    the benefit of all readers here because everyone
    wants to buy the same car at the best deal.
    Right?

    In my post, I said I purchased a 2005 Camry LE
    with mrsp of $20674 for a total of $16588 plus
    tax and license. I purchased at Elmore toyota
    in Westminister CA. It was brand new with
    5 miles on the odometer and was featured in their
    ad in the Orange County Register on 8-14-04.

    Just for your info, the same dealership ran
    an ad for a 2004 camry with msrp of $20574
    (that's a LE, not standard with floor mat sets)
    for $14999 in this weekends Orange County
    Register 8-28-04.

    If you want to verify what I've posted call the
    dealership. If you want to verify their advertisement, just check the newspaper. Many
    public libraries in Southern california will have
    all the back issues of the Orange County Register.

    If you are in the car business you will know that
    dealers will take a loss on their ad car to draw in customers. There is usually 1 car available at the price, but the dealers know that it will
    bring in more traffic to generate sales to make
    their profit. Right?

    Just my advice to all readers here. Don't be
    so narrow minded that you reject some post just
    because the deals seem to be too good to be
    true. Look at the info and verify for
    yourself.
  • scorpio9340scorpio9340 Member Posts: 1
    How does a $17400 for a 04 Camry Std Sedan sound? Does it look like its more than what I should pay in MD? Would appreciate any advice.
    Thanks
  • bernie3bernie3 Member Posts: 48
    You didn't mention if the car had any added options. Your title says LE but your post says "Camry Std Sedan." If you mean LE, it's a great price. I could not find Edmunds pricing for an '04 Camry Standard. The '05 Standard (automatic, no options shows invoice + destination price of about $17,783 when I entered a Baltimore zip (21204).

    Given that '04s are being discounted heavily at this point, a price of $17,400 for a Standard (not LE)doesn't sound that great -- at least by CA prices. I was quoted a price of $16,888 + tax & license on an '04 LE before the '05s came out (Hayward CA dealier). You need to hear from some of the Maryland folks to know for sure. Have you submitted quote requests from dealers in your area?
  • ebiggs264ebiggs264 Member Posts: 1
    I'm being offered a 2005 Camry LE with GY and ZL for $19,700, outside of Philadelphia. Good deal?
  • gw888gw888 Member Posts: 1
    I am shopping around for 2005 SE V6. I'd like to verify whether the information provided by a local dealership is true. Thanks!
    1. VD (Vehicle stability control) is a factory install option? Dealership cannot install it.
    2. N1 (Auto dim Mirror, INV $185) will cost $360 because it need labor to install it ???
    3. V3 (VIP Security Plus, INV $239) does not work on SE V6 due to existing keyless entry. I need a aftermarket alarm installed by the dealer for $495 ???
    4. No one put on Mud Guards any more ???
    5. For 2005 SE V6 with HI/RF/CF/N1/alarm options, does $23435 (plus tax and tag) sounds good to you guys?
  • ian721ian721 Member Posts: 93
    I bought a 2004 Standard Automatic in the NYC area in mid-July for $15,898 + tax and tags. Therefore I would think that $17,400 for the same car is NOT a good price. Newspaper ads in NYC seem to indicate that you can still get that same car for $15,898 or just slightly higher.

    BTW, I love the Standard. The only difference from the 2004 Standard to the 2004 LE is the keyless entry and the full-sized spare tire -- two things I can gladly do without for the $1800 difference in price! (and I already got the keyless entry installed as part of my alarm system last month).

    Oh yeah -- it doesn't have the chrome "LE" tag on the trunk. It just says "Camry." And you know what? It really looks better that way.
  • ian721ian721 Member Posts: 93
    BTW, the dealer I went to was Millenium Toyota in Hempstead, L.I. No problems with them at all except that it took a few days longer than necessary for them to FedEx me my paperwork. Other than that everything went fine. The price they advertised was indeed the price they asked...the salesman seemed honest...the business manager who tries to sell you all the BS stuff after you've agreed to buy the car took no for an answer the first time without any hassle...even though it was an advertised price they had plenty of cars in stock to choose from. No problems.
  • ccc132435ccc132435 Member Posts: 31
    2004 Camry LE V6 with JBL, Mirror Upgrade, Security System Upgrade,Vehicle Shield Package. Total price is $20.3K + TTL (After rebates, Incentives, etc.).

    Is it a good deal? Could it be a little cheaper?
  • 307web307web Member Posts: 1,033
    Per Toyota:

    Lease offer applies only to new 4-cylinder 2005 Camry LE models #2532 with automatic transmission, CA PZEV emissions and floor mats. Lease available only through Toyota Financial Services to qualified buyers with premium-rated credit and Experian Auto FICO Score Two of 700 or above. Lease based on Gross Cap cost of $19,277. You pay maintenance and excess wear and tear. You also pay $.15 per mile over 12,000 miles per year. Payments may vary from dealer to dealer based on final negotiated price. Must take delivery by 9/7/04.

    Begins: 09/01/2004
    Ends: 09/07/2004

    Oddly, it fails to mention how long the lease is and how much money you need up front.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.