Best prices on 2016 Avalon Limited V6

gregforrester

I just bought my new 2016 Avalon Limited w/Safety Sense, premium carpets, phone cable and charger packages, and the extensive list of standard options and safety features at an unbelievable price. I located the exact car in the color scheme I wanted at 4 different dealerships in the Atlanta area. The base price was the same accross the board. But I was stunned to discover that 3/4 of the dealers add options that average an additional $2,000 per car to all cars prohibiting the buyer from choosing whether or not they want them. These include window tinting, a $798 fee for paint film on the front of the hood, rear and door seals, and a $699 ToyoGuard package that includes service already included for free with ownership of the car. I received the best price from a dealership that still allows the customer to choose the options they want, and drove home the identical Avalon Limited for $38,100 total, including tax, tag, title and Georgia sales tax including new ad valorem one time tag tax fee. The dealer lowered the base price to $35,569.16 + .07 tax and ad valorem and $41 warranty right and tag fee, for a total of $38,535.32, and I paid $38,100.00 cash for the car.

Every dealer has to decide what they want to make in profit on their cars. That is their right. And some dealers may pay more for the same cars than other dealers with higher volume or better relationships with the manufacturer. However, as a consumer, paying from $2,800 to $4,000 more for the same car would be foolish on my part. I understand that adding options like paint film and ToyoGuard to all cars is a business decision. But it takes those choices away from the customer. And in this case, higher base prices and unwanted options lost the sale for those other dealers. Add to that the $697 to $875 dealer documentation fees (which are limited to $75 in most states) and $875 handling fees, make it more impossible for many dealers to be competitive.

Buying a new car is still a challenging prospect but has gotten better over the last many years. There are a few dealers out there who have recognized that we as customers are no longer going to be railroaded, intimidated or lied to and then turn around and buy an overpriced new car from them. My advice is to do your home work and keep your emotions out of the process. Find the car with the features and options you want. Then find several of the exact same car and ask each dealer for their very best drive out price (drive out price means the dollar amount you write on the check.) Then negotiate among the dealers to see who will beat the lowest price you find. Never believe that your lowest price is not possible or that it reflects an option or feature is missing from the lower priced car. You've done your homework, and some will say anything to convince you to pay more for their car. And finally, arrange your financing if needed with your bank before you agree to buy. Then under no circumstances believe that the dealership can require you to allow them to run your credit. Do your homework. The dealership has no right or need to run a hit on your credit rating and will threaten not to sell you the car if you don't. Stand your ground and they will acquiesce after you walk away.

One last thing...check the prices that other people are paying for the car you want on one or more of the Internet sites that specialize in this service. The most well know real car price site indicated that a good base price for my new car before the add on fees was around $39,000. A great price was around $38,000, and an exceptional price was around $37.000. I bought mine At a base price elbow the exceptional price stated by the buying guide by negotiating $35,569. It goes to show you that if you have the time, patience and do your leg work and home work, you can get the best value for your hard earned money. The dealers started out asking $44,187.00 and I paid $6,087 less than that for an Avalon Limited with every known luxury you can imagine in a car that costs twice the price. Good luck!

sandydee1

When you have time, please write a detailed review on how you like your new car. I have owned three Toyota Avalons (1996, 2003, and 2008) and am trying to decide whether to buy a 2016 Avalon or switch to something new. My friends are all starting to buy Subarus in place of their Hondas. Thanks in advance.