Buying outside of GST and SET

ram2002

Does anyone here travel to dealerships outside of the Gulf States Toyota region either for a better price or to get the Toyota factory options rather than the "port" options sometimes are used in these privately-owed distributorships? Are GST and SET more likely to automatically add dealer add-ons that jack up the price? Is there any difference in the ordering process?

stever

My guess is that you'll still get stuck with the extra fees even if you order, unless you order out of the SET or Gulf States region. (link).

If you buy out of state, you'll likely lose Lemon Law protection, but you'd still have your usual failure of warranty type claims.

Word is that Subaru now penalizes dealers for selling cars to buyers who live more than 200 miles away from the dealer. Here's hoping that practice doesn't spread.

ram2002

Thanks for the links regarding regional pricing of Toyota models. When I ordered my Tundra in 2007, I felt the price difference was worth ordering outside of the GST region. The wheels that GST were installing were different from what was shown in the national catalog. I'm not interested in having any of the dealer options pre-installed. Las Cruces, NM is actually where I ended up ordering from since it's a short drive across the border from El Paso where I was was visiting a lot at the time.

stever

lol, that's funny, we've gone over and shopped cars in El Paso several times and one of my neighbors works for a dealership there. The grass is always greener. Rumor is that the El Paso Toyota dealer is all messed up with ownership issues and family squabbles.

The Toyota dealer here in Cruces does seem pretty good. We've test driven a few cars with them and they aren't putting the "desert protection package" or other junk fees on the sticker like the GM, Kia and VW dealers here.

I have family in Chattanooga and I had a good experience there with some repair work on my old Tercel, but that was back in '83 or so. But it may be worth it to check TN out since they aren't in GST or SET.

Since you're in GST's region, it's kind of too bad you can't pick something up at the factory in Tupelo (N. MS was my old stomping ground growing up).