2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Prices Paid and Buying Experience

curtsail

Has anyone recently ordered a Corolla from the factory. We are in the Portland Oregon area and cant find a 2005 Corolla S 5sp with ABS and Side airbags, so it looks like factory order is my only option. Anyone with related experience?

toyotaken

See if the dealer has a "pipeline" analysis showing how Toyota is building vehicles for your region. If they are building them in that configuration, it shouldn't take more than 4-8 weeks to get one in most instances. If they are not, I have seen it take 9months or longer to get a vehicle that is different than how they are building them in a particular region.

Hope this helps.

Ken

corpchimp

I am facing this problem, too!! Why is it that Toyota doesn't recognize that a) people still like manual transmissions but also value safety features --especially in this day and age of having to navigate the streets alongside behemoth SUVs and/or b) people want to save $$ by buying manual vs automatic and then use those savings to get other options for the car. Oh well. Mass market dictates. . .

I was about to look into the whole factory order process myself. . . :sick:

mekimeki

After shopping around for a few weeks, today we bit the bullet and bought a 2005 Corolla CE automatic for an OTD price of 15,800, which included taxes (6%), title, and destination charge on top of my initial negotiating price of 14,300 (just below the cars.com invoice price of 14,543).

The only frills were power locks, cruise control, and the "Toyoguard Protection Plus," all of which were already added to every CE on the lot.

Southeast Toyota Distributors seems to put the Toyoguard package onto every vehicle as soon as it makes port, and every car on the lot of the dealership I went to (Toyota of Hollywood) had the Toyoguard listed on the dealer side of the sticker. At $699, it's outrageous, and the salesman was quick to deduct it when I complained. We also got the floormats at no charge. With an Edmunds TMV of 15,506 before taxes, I guess we did all right.

In retrospect, perhaps I could have negotiated a better deal, but it seems that prices for Toyotas down here are just a bit higher than some other parts of the country. The postings concerning Maine and Boston prices have particularly struck me as being unreachable down here. Any thoughts?

corpchimp

Had to give up my dream of finding a well-equipped manual Corolla LE and bought an automatic this evening:

Silver
Automatic
ABS
Side curtain airbags
Aluminum wheels
Rear spoiler
Audio value package/cruise control
Floor mats (why these are extra, I don't know)
Security system

Paid $15,865 + $45 doc fee + tax, license, CA tire fee for OTD price of $16,853.57. Happy with this price b/c it was lower than Edmunds TMV pricing, Carsdirect.com, Autoland's preliminary quote, and below Consumer Reports' suggested asking price

ghulet

...apparently, since there are three of us here alone who want(ed) a well-equipped manual 'S' and dealers never seem to have them, Toyota needs to make some changes. I want(ed) a manual 'S' in gray, silver, black or blue (in that order) with sunroof and ABS (could go either way on the side airbags), I was told I'd have to order one. At this point (nearly June, so if I ordered today, if they'd even let me at this point, I'd likely end up with an '05 in like August/September), it seems like a dumb idea. Guess I'll have to wait, which isn't a problem, or go with something on the lot (a loaded automatic or a stripped-down stick). Problem is, I doubt the dealers will offer the deals on an '06 that they have been on '05s (pretty much $2k off MSRP without any haggling).

allenchung

Hey in the Washington DC area,
I Paid 14,868 for a Gold LE
- ABS
- 6 Speakers / 6 CD Changer
- Tire Pressure Monitoring
- Side Airbags
- Floor Mats / Trunk Mat / Trunk Cargo Net

Out of the Door I paid just a little under 16,000

They had a $200 instant discount and a $400 cash rebate

I think I got a pretty good deal, what do you guys think?

tanker13

Cathy
I just bought my corolla last Friday paid otd 17334.00. It came with power package, limousine tinted windows. As well as a set of tires when I need them, sunroof, automatic, blah, blah. I just wanted you to know if you feel comfortable with the sales people and the offer they give you than do it.

jad

Your best bet might be to buy your corolla in California. I bought a 2005 Corolla S for 14,527 with alloy wheels, rear spoiler, and auto. I bought it in san diego, but you can email dealers in Orange county and Los Angeles. Stick with the high volume dealers like Power or Manhattan Beach. They offer quick quotes via internet. Good Luck

zitlow

I have a dealer offer on 2005 Corolla LE. Is the bottom line a good price?

$15,790 MSRP
540 destination
88 carpet cargoe set
70 all weather package
200 AV value package
$16,688 total sticker price
LESS
1,291 Discount
PLUS
75 service fee

$15,471 DELIVERED PRICE :confuse:

carshopper12

Can you tell us what dealer. I want to buy a car with same exact spec.

Thx
carshopper12

carshopper12

I would like to know what at what dealer you got this price. My son who lives in Boston wants to buy an exactly the same spec car.

Thx
Carshopper12

mugen

Just bought a new Indigo Ink LE Auto last weekend:

All weather package
ABS/Tire pressure monitor
Side/Curtain airbags
Audio value package (6-disk CD and cruise)

Final price: $14,750, plus $100 processing fee, plus 3% virginia tax, plus tags/registration. Price includes a $400 rebate.

Could have gotten $750 recent grad rebate if I went with Toyota Financing since I got an MBA degree last year. Would have made it $14000, But I am buying a house so I can't use my credit. Anyway. Still a decent deal. Oh, I would have gladly paid another $300 for the alloy wheels, but I couldn't find a car like that.

The dealer is Darcars Toyota in Silver Springs Maryland.

kayt

The lowest price I've been able to get for an automatic LE in Minnesota with weather guard and audio value package (that's it; no other options) is $15,472. That's before fees and any incentives. And believe me, I've really had to work--going to multiple dealerships, getting quotes and rebuttal quotes onsite and over the internet, etc.--to get down to that price.

Am I doing something wrong here? :confuse: Prices in that range on here seem to at least have the options I mentioned PLUS side airbags and ABS.

cetus

I just got a 2005 corolla sport automatic with the 6 disc cd changer, floor mats, and the extra value package #1 ( spoiler and power everything) for 17,300 out the door. I am from california.

kayt

If that's your price before any incentives, it is good, but if not, I think you should try to get a few hundred more dollars shaved off.

allenchung

355 Toyota in Rockville, MD

hcasey

Toyota is one of the last manufacturers that has independent distributors. Southeast Toyota is owned by Jim Moran. Every Toyota that is sold in the south eastern states that are supplied by SE Toyota have "packages" or options installed at the distributors port . The retail dealers have no say in ordering theses features. They are added to build additional profit for SE Toyota. Thats why you can't get the same deals as in the north east (and other areas). As far as Mazda 3's go they are selling faster and better then Mazda had anticipated and there is no need to offer rebates or incentives on a car that is selling on its own and there is a relatively small margin between cost and retail price so dealers don't have a lot of room to move. Dealer holdback on a Mazda 3 is only around $300 on average. If you can buy one for $500 to $800 over invoice you are getting a fair deal. The 5 door model with abs and side air bags is more in demand and you may have to pay a little more. As far as so called Document or process fees or delivery fees ( not freight, freight is legit it is listed on the invoice) don't pay them. They are strictly hidden profit. In New York they are not legal ( although some dealers still try to charge them).
hcasey

jdx

Hi, I'm interested in getting a new LE w /ABS/Sidebags at around $15k. But looks like the Audio pkg and weather pkg are the minimum options. And the price here is much higher than the good deals mentioned in MA/MD/VA areas (where the price is lower than $15k). The invoce price for these options are above $16k before any fees/tax so do we have more room to negotiate further? Thanks for any information.

LE w/ options:
---------------------
All weather package
ABS/Tire pressure monitor
Side/Curtain airbags
Audio value package (6-disk CD and cruise)

seattle_auto

I am considering to buy corolla le sedan in seattle area. please let me know the best prices and buying experiences.Any tips are welcome.

the options would be

ABS/Tire pressure monitor
Side/Curtain airbags

ohmygosh

What should I expect to pay for a new Corolla S with Value package option, i.e. stability control, curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, moonroof. Philadelphia area.

tiger10

i paid about 15,900 for my REdCorollaS out of the door in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. i bought mine in February. it has rear spoiler, alloy wheels, abs, power package etc. fantastic car no problems everyone says its a beautiful car and has all the stuff i needed. i would recommend it to anyone. and you could get a CE for about13,500 in the Oklahoma City area, just in case anybody wanted to know. and LE could be about 14,300. great car Corolla S. Thanks, Tiger

carshopper12

About 2 weeks ago, I paid 14K for LE automatic with CK, VV, CF, plus sales tax, licence plates etc. This is in bay area (Northern CA).

carshopper12

ohmygosh

I dread buying a new car . What should take about an hour turns into an eternity. Oh well I just purchased a Toyota S with Moon roof, side air bags, value pkg, and anti-lock brakes. Came in at around $16,700. Probably could have done a couple hundred better but I was exhausted. The only problem was that I wanted a specific color. The only one they had in stock did not have side air bags. They went to their computers and found '3' in the area. They told me it would take about '3' days to get the car. I told them I would not accept the car with more than 100 miles on it, or if it took longer than '3' days. I made them put it in writing before I plunked down a $100 deposit. The big questions, did I pay a good price, and will the salesman really be able to get the car, or is this a common sales tactic ?

ohmygosh

The Corolla S I am buying for $16,700 ( without tax & tags) had an MSRP of around $19,000 with the extra value pkg.( cruise, power windows, spoiler, etc.), moon roof, air bags, and anti-lock brake options. I thought I did pretty good having gotten them to knock off more than $2300. Maybe I am wrong. Edmunds has the average consumer paying over 18K for this car. Other opinions welcome.

breena

I plan to buy a new Corolla as early as this week. I'd like to buy an LE with a moonroof. The sticker price was $18,050. I'm nervous about getting the car dealer to negotiate with me to knock the sticker price down. Unfortunately I won't have anyone to accompany me on this purchase to "guide me" on how to do this effectively. Myn fear is that in asking the car dealer to negotiate with me, I might make things worse.

I plan to make a down payment of $2500-$3000. I also will be trading in my car if Toyota offers me a decent deal.

Can anyone give me pointers on approaching the car dealer about knocking down the price? Is $18,000 for a 2005 LE, fully loaded with moonroof overpriced?

toyotaken

The car itself is not overpriced, but there are some tips you can use to help in your negotiations and to smooth the process out so it's not as stressful.

First, make sure you're comfortable working with the dealer and sales consultant you purchase the vehicle from. If you're not comfortable, you're not in the right place. And keep in mind that you're not obligated to do business with ANYONE. I would recommend that you speak with at least a few dealers to make sure that you're getting a fair price though. If, however the one that you're most comfortable with didn't necessarily give you the absolute lowest price quote, give them an opportunity to match that quote for you. The lowest price doesn't always mean the best deal for you. However, if the dealer that you felt most comfortable with isn't even close to the best quote you got (i.e. $2000 more), they obviously were trying to pull something over on you even if you were comfortable there.

Second, the best place to start negotiating from is from invoice. ANY reputable dealer should not have a problem with showing you the invoice on the vehicle that you're purchasing. Different vehicles demand more or less markup from invoice with more volume based cars calling for closer to invoice and more unusual cars calling for more markup. The Corolla itself is a volume car, but ones with moonroofs are relatively unusual, so it may be a bit more than a "reguar" LE model. Typically, I offer invoice for the purchase when I'm buying and am willing to give the dealer up to 1.9% over invoice potentially for dealers that treat me/my family well and for harder to find vehicles.

Third, keep the figures for the purchase of the new car and the trade seperate. They do NOT have to be combined. You can choose to only purchase the new car and sell your car on your own or sell it to anothe dealer for that matter. That way you can see that you're getting the most competitive quote on both the new as well as the trade vehicle.

Lastly, check with your local bank or credit union before going into the dealer to find out what competitive rates are for you. Again, you're not OBLIGATED to use the dealer provided financing, although they often have some of the most competitive rates available to them. However, if you have something that is MORE competitive on your own, you can choose to do that too.

Hope this helps.

Ken

ohmygosh

Finally got the Corolla S with options and color ( indigo ink blue ) I wanted. Don't know where the dealer found one but he came through. Car listed for around $19,850. Tried ta sell me an alarm system for about $450 but I passed. Any info on this would be appreciated.

gduffy

Here are the details:

'05 Corolla LE 5spd (cactus mica + pebble beige interior) :

Options:
Audio Value Pkg
All Weather Guard Pkg
Floor mats

Total MSRP : $15888
Invoice : $14417
My Price (including $300 rebate & $540 dest'n) : $14000 + $103 doc'n fees + 5% MA sales Tax
Dealer : Toyota of Watertown (just outside Boston)

Impression : Dealt primarily w/ Internet Sales Dept. Pretty easygoing with
no hard sell. Price was comparable to internet price of another local dealer
but Watertown Toyota had a car w/ the color & options I wanted. All in all,
it was pretty easy w/ minimal haggling. Would recommend them.
Pick it up tomorrow!

billxiao

I am new to Georgia. I am also new to Toyota Corolla LE.

I got almost the same offers from serveral dealers, the price is around $15,900

$15920 = base price
+ Audio Value Package($200)
+ carpet mats ($159)
+ tax (7%) + title
- cash back rebate ($500)

Is it a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance.

htownpimp786

Looking for a 2005 Corolla LE. Looked around the entire city of houston but everyone was saying that the car was not readily available and that since everyone has low stock on that car it will not go around invoice. Most dealers were at 300 over invoice minus 500 rebate which would put me at 200 under invoice. However i ran across one dealership that said if i order the car....i can put exactly what i want on the vehicle (meaning i dont have to pay 200-300 for vin etcing and those other profit padding things). This is the best deal ive gotten so far on the car.....let me know if i can do better? Thanks

2005 Corolla LE Automatic

Leather Package
Alloy Wheels

MSRP 15790
Leather 900
Alloy Wheels 499
Total (including destination) 17,729

Im getting the entire deal at invoice.....minus 250.....minus 500 rebate.

Invoice price 14287
Leather 720
Alloy Wheels 399

Total price including destination 15946 minus 500 minus 250.....total price is 15196.

OTD = 16,370 including everything.

Good deal or noT?

ariana

Toyota Corolla LE
Options: BE, AB, VV, CK, Z1

According to Edmunds.com TMV in NY area with options included - $16,087 before rebate, including $540 destination charge, regional and color adjustment fees.

No trade-in
$300 rebate

Base price with options $15,500.

OTD price including everything - $16890.
NY area

Wanted to get BE and AB. Came only in package with VV and CK.

Ok, now you can rip my head off for paying too much. (I FEEL I paid too much). Could negotiate Z1 package (front and rear car mats, trunk mat, cargo net) but was too tired on a 95 degree day to huggle for a hundred bucks.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

sh76

I got an LE auto w/ no extras except a 6 disk CD changer. I paid $13,900 + $515 detination and $425 prep = $14,835 all together (not incl. tax and DMV fees and a few other small fees)

Also NY area

ohmygosh

Corolla S Automatic - Pa. Area
Moonroof and Side Air Bags
Value Pkg - cruise, power windows and doors etc, keyless entry
Weather Guard Pkg.
Anti Lock Brakes
Indigo Ink Pearl
Sticker Price - $19,885
Purchase Price - $16,300
Comments ??

spacewagon

Hi Sh76,

I'm in Rochester NY, could you please let me know which NY dealer you've deat with? I want to buy a LE also.

Many thanks!

By the way, if I buy a LE in Maryland, what kind of fee I should pay if I live in NY state?

toyotaken

Seems like a VERY reasonable price from what I can tell. Nice job.

Ken

sh76

spacewagon,

The dealership I bought from was Westchester Toyota (www.westchestertoyota.com)

I also got a similar offer from Bronx Toyota (a little higher, actually), but I didn't like their service. They pulled the bait and switch on me about 4 times and the manager and the salesman kept contradicting each other on price quotes until I finally got fed up after about 3 hours and walked out.

Good luck!

Steve

happynewowner

$12,496 Car Price + $599 doc fee= $13,095 out the door! Add taxes, tags and such for your county or state. The current $500 rebate which expires 7/5 was assigned to dealer for that price. Yes, I think $599 doc fee is ridiculous but that is about the rate in Atlanta Metro. Oh, well.

Just bought a spankin' new 2005 Corolla CE with auto (No other options) from Atlanta Toyota which is Duluth, GA off I-85. It's in their weekend ad and they had 15 at that price. The $500 rebate was used and assigned to the dealer.

Their Sunday ad states 10 left for $12,654 so I assume that will be their current price but if you take in the Friday or Saturday ad you never know.

The BEST and EASIEST new car purchase I have ever made by far! (This was a cash purchase though.) I just showed the ad and picked out my color and I was done. No haggling! --- No hard sell for anything. They only mentioned financing, gap insurance and extended warranty. Yes folks those ad vehicles do exist.

The absolute best part was getting the many quotes from carsdirect dealers. I loved being able to email them back that I already bought FAR below their quotes. Their quotes were all for $700-$1200 over what I paid. Oh, what a FEELING!

I hope I've helped somebody get a good deal too. Have a happy and safe 4th!

spacewagon

Thanks Sh76!

ruthyeh

I am planed to buy a toyota corolla le, would you please tell me, where you bought your car, I live Bay area. Thanks

Ruth

svec7186

what are people paying before tax and dmv fees for a basic 2005 corola ce with auto? i'm in the ny/nj area.

thanks

zjw

your car is CE auto?

I got one today CE/auto at 13400+TTL at Vandergriff Toyota.
What's your balloon finance APR?

cooldoc

hi folks,

Toyota is not giving any manufactoring deals at present. I am wondering if they might renew previous rebate or issue a new one. Anyone has any ideas. Of course Toyota does not disclose any such information. I am waiting till end of this month for rebate. Will I be able to get good deal in the beginning of August or end of July due to arrival of 2006 vehicles. Any folks who are thinking to buy car now a days.

Thanks
Cooldoc

johlia04

I "bought" a 2005 toyota corolla LE last night but still can back out of the deal as it stands. i wanted side air bags and was told that i was getting them but then oops, the car they were bringing in for me didnt have them. oh, they werent trying to get me to sign anything or pull one over on me or anything it was just an "honest mistake".... im so freaking annoyed. anyway, i got the car (with what i THOUGHT had side curtain air bags), the audio plus pkg, vehicle shield, 5spd, 6 cd changer, alloys, security upgrade, and something else? for 16,200 otd. now they cant/wont add the air bags that my salesman said i had unless they charge me. do you think im asking too much for them to make a mistake right or will this truly and honestly be putting THEM in a bad place? (i have no CLUE how to haggle and want to know what is reasonable to push for and when i should let go...) any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!! :mad: :confuse:

redacr

Side airbags cannot be installed/added by your dealer.
take the car back asap.
if they give u any lip, mention that you'll show the attorney general your paperwork, and the car you were given.
good luck and keep us updated.

toyotaken

Side airbags cannot be installed after the fact. If you have a purchase agreement showing the equipment agreed upon and purchase price, they should honor it. If you don't you may be out of luck though.

Good luck in any case.

Ken

johlia04

I'm pretty sure I'm out of luck because it was all verbal. The conversation went something like this when it came down to signing,

"I don't see the side air bags on here. The vehicle has the side air bags like I want right?"

"I'm not sure....but I'm pretty sure they do...." (RED light that I completely missed...stupid stupid stupid)

"Well, what if they don't??"

"Then we'll get it for you."

"OK! LET ME SIGN MY LIFE AWAY LIKE AN IDIOT!" ok...I'm being melodramatic but now I'm out of luck. Actually, the sales manager called me today because I'm so pissed and I am going in tomorrow to talk with him about some other options. I stressed to my salesman that I wanted ABS and side air bags. So come to find out, no ABS for me no matter what because there are none in my five-state surrounding area (and 2-3 month order status) and now no side air bags. I'm so freaking annoyed. Is 16,2 a good price for all the other stuff minus the ABS and air bags??

Thank you so much for your replies. I appreciate it immensely!
Johlia :sick:

toyotaken

Johlia,

I don't know what the taxes and fees are in your area so can't really tell based on an OTD pricing. If you could break down the numbers for us, we may be able to be more helpful.

Ken

johlia04

I'm so dumb, I don't even know how to figure that out. All I know is that I told them I want my OTD to be 16,2. So there was one doc fee (that I'm aware of) of 199 and they took the car (RELUCTANTLY) down to 16 so the bottom line would be 16,2. Now, after I added my stupid maintenance and GAP thingamajigger, the cost went up of course but..... is that what you mean? The only fee I am aware of is the mandatory "processing" or doc fee or whatever, which was 199 and that was included in the price. Sorry if I'm completely confusing but I'm still riding my feel-sorry-for-myself-I-got-taken-I'm-just-a-girl-in-the-world pity party wave...

Thanks for your help. :confuse:

toyotaken

That's ok... Look at your purchase agreement. On one of the top lines it should show the amount you're purchasing the vehicle for. Under this will list any additional options you purchased, taxes, registration/title fees, dealer fees, etc. then the total.

Ken