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Comments
Your decision about whether to buy a Toyota again will not be dictated on your few hours of haggling with the sales folks on this purchase. It will ultimately be based on how well the car runs over the years. That's why so many people go back and buy Toyo's and Honda's even if the buying experience may have a low rating at times. It beats becoming best friends with the Dodge or Ford Service Manager over the years.
I don't think anybody has a problem with a dealer maximizing profit on a hot vehicle--I know I don't. I'll make an offer--if it works for the dealer, fine. If it doesn't, I'll either up it or walk. Just (a) don't give me attitude--a refusal will do just fine, and (b) don't give me a phony set of circumstances under which I'll get the car just to get my name on a contract.
If, and I emphasize -if- a dealer does this, the dealer doen't deserve your business no matter how good the vehicle is. Unfortunately, sometimes it's hard to find out about (b) until it's too late.
I can wait 2-3 months, but want a better price.
Len
Davenow, the Sienna is a van in high demand with limited supply. But that will ease up. Meanwhile, don't let the dealers get you down - they know the gravy train could end next week so they want to maximize their profits today. Wait them out, if you possibly can. Good luck!
Steve, Host
The base LE / CE was an evolutionary situation. When we first started looking (knowing little about the models), we saw an LE and liked it. We don't want any power doors. We were told LEs are ONLY built with power doors (meaning you MUST get an option package, there is no such thing as a base LE). We also liked the roof rack & tinted windows of the LE. So, the LE was out
We then learned about the CE (like the cheaper price) and wanted to order one w/ the cheapest config. Then read some VERY interesting posts here about the side curtain airbags, hence are wanting the option package with the side curtain airbags (in other words, yes, moving up in $$). Told dealer that was what we wanted (in this timeframe we had placed the order for a CE w/ cheapest config. & told dealer of the color choices - emphasizing one with DISTANT second & third choices). We were then told our Sienna's build date, color, and option package about 1-1.5 months later. Liked one of the three (build date of Sept 26).
Frankly, I've grown very tired of the waiting / supply game. Yes, I do understand the massive recall of 34k vans, but the dealers have done well playing that to their advantage. I have gotten into a mindset of buying a car and have waited months (~3 months), I didn't want to add yet more unknown months into the equation. We also just found out the car was built but not finished (awaiting fuel tank as per Wall St Journal article.
The way this should work is:
1. Go to dealer
2. Select EXACT configuration (color, option package).
3. Place order when a price is agreed upon.
4. GET DELIVERY DATE
5. Wait until delivery date & get vehicle.
Step 2 in this process is VERY wishy-washy. Yes, could be the dealer, but he said that Toyota basically allocates vehicles & configs. He takes what he gets and sells them. Yes, I suppose I could have waited x months until the luck of the draw happened to bring what we want.
Tried configuring a car through the Toyota web site and they didn't offer the package w the side curtain airbags in our area. Also tried a few other zip codes and found some not even offering the CE model.
I simply found this to be a very dissatisfying experience. The salesperson at the dealership is pleasant and appears honest. We did get a good price (more to follow on that when I actually have the vehicle). It should be a demand driven (pull) vs manufacturing driven (push) system.
Excuse the long rant.
Does anybody have any insight into when the supply of new Sienna's will increase, so I can get one at a decent price. Otherwise, it's going to be a Quest and I hate the dash and console layout. But, I can get one at a decent price.
You can send it by private email: pjpw1@erols.com.
Thanks in advance,
Tricia
Thanks in advance,
Chris
The standard stereo sounds and works great. This is my first vehicle with a cd player and this one even plays burned cd's (non mp3's only). I have a Canadian LE model and the wheel mounted audio controls are very handy, though it took me a while to get used to changing where I place my hands on the wheel, especially when making a turn. (for the first month or so I was often accidentally hitting the radio controls)
Of course I am sure that the upgraded stereo with the sub woofer sounds better, however, the standard stereo configuration, more than adequately meets my needs.
The mast antenna looks no better or worse than any other vehicle with a mast antenna, and personally after having an in windshield antenna back in the 80's in a Celica, with it's crappy reception, I'll take the mast anytime.
And to everyone, if you mark your email public in your profile, you'll avoid most of the spam harvesters, not to mention having your email picked up by google or other search engine.
Click on a member's name to get their profile info.
Steve, Host
I am aware that the LE comes w/ roof rack & tinted windows. From what I was told, the roof rack was not an issue on CE since "every CE comes w/ an option package" and all the option packages have roof racks (on CE). So... we're getting aftermarket tinting (we know someone who knows a tinting guru - $175 w/ lifetime guarantee).
Like the Sienna. Not thrilled w/ the dealers in general. As I mentioned before (hopefully) we are getting one in short order (1.5 weeks). Will report back on my last dealer experience then.
Thx.
You might be able to get the color you want by calling several dealers. Most of dealers we first approached only had the silver or gold colors but several phone calls later I managed to locate the color we wanted (Mirage Blue).
Contrary to rbell2, it wasn't a few hours of haggling that turned me off; it was "take it or leave it, we have 40 others queuing up behind you...and you have 5 minutes to decide!" Worse, after agreeing to paying MSRP, there's the two months of wait during which the dealer had no idea of if or when the vehicle was coming at all.
On top of that, I am paying MSRP for stuff that I didn't need (traction control, first-aid kit) and not getting what I wanted (moonroof, power tailgate, CD changer), and getting the arrogant treatment. I am going to the after market for the moonroof and CD changer, but there's no options for power tailgate.
Personally, I just don't see myself buying a Toyota again?
iluv34c@yahoo.com
iluv34c@yahoo.com
When I arrived, it appeared the lady, who is the Internet Fleet manager, would honor what she quoted in the email and we proceeded to do paper works, including a credit app. I told her we wouldn't need financing, but she stated that personal checks still required a credit check. Suddenly, she gets a page overhead and walks out the office. 5 minutes later, she comes back and tells us that the General Mgr (basically, the owner of the dealership) states that someone is willing to pay $500 below MSRP for the vehicle. I then told her she already quoted me a price and we had a deal. She stated the GM had the authority to override the sale. My wife and I then decided we didn't want the vehicle after all, since we figured, this was probably a game.
She then told us she'll check with the GM again to see if she can go to bat for us. 30 minutes later, she finally comes back and states the GM will let it go for $700 off of MSRP. We then got up and said honor your quote or we're out of here.
She then left to see the GM again, which I followed behind and courteously told her we'd just like the credit app back and we'll be off. I then also asked her, in front of other salesmen and the GM, where the other customer was that was making the counter-offer. The GM simply stated there was NO other customer and it was $700 off or nothing. I then again stated I'd like my credit app back which he simply refused stating that by law, once a credit app is submitted, they have to hold it for two years. I told him I've never heard of such a law especially when no transaction took place. Anyways, there was nothing I could do to get my credit app back and my wife and I just left the dealership.
I told them I was going to post on the Internet and let people know that their dealership is shoddy and unreliable. EOM.
Please let us know if you get anywhere.
Steve, Host
I wanted to buy one
Please email me the info of POC and dealer to ksfong@aol.com
It looks like you bought it in MD as suggested in your user name.
Thanks in advance.
Can you email me the info to shuchuchang@yahoo.com? I am very interested to get one too.
Thanks.
Please post the name of the dealership where you purchased your '04 Sienna with options package #14. When did you order the van?
Thanks.
Thanks again
As it says at the top of the page, please do not post salespeople's names, phone numbers or email contact information. Thanks!
Steve, Host
Major gripe: I've yet to find a sales person who could deftly operate the second row seats in a Sienna or Odyssey minivan (either tumbling flat or "slide to side" features). I spent 15 minutes struggling with the sliding seats on the Sienna LE 7 passenger displayed at the auto show at the Texas State Fair. The rep there tried as well, wasn't successful, and then came back to tell me it couldn't be slid over because the battery power was disconnected on the displayed unit. My wife and I just burst out laughing: the second row seats aren't even powered, of course. The seats are just damn finicky to move around, which is my complaint. Also, the rep didn't know if the middle second row seat on the LE 8 passenger could be independently removed or not (I still don't know the answer). I would think that's sort of important to know, if that's how you make your living.
Not to pick on Toyota: I also laughed when the Honda sales person told me how Consumer Reports just ranked the Odyssey tops in the minivan market segment (Sienna was #2, he said). I had the CR issue in my car, if I'd care to call him on his fib/misunderstanding.
I guess these great products don't require much sales expertise.
The 2nd row seats are tricky if you aren't up to speed on them. To remove them you have to rock them forward and then pull the strap under the seat, then rock them back to release them. When replacing them you have to line up the arrows in the floor with the latch on the seat, rock them forward untill the 1st front latch locks in place, then rock them back to lock the2nd front latch. It sounds complicated but after a little practice it gets easier.
Also, I receive a call from 3 dealers this week, who all got 4-7 Siennas off the truck, that they had not expected. 2 of the dealers wanted msrp, but 1 was willing to knock $700 of msrp.
Maybe, just maybe, this the start of additional supply by Toytota.
Was your purchase from existing inventory?
I thought we were permitted to post the names of dealerships? Wouldn't this save "mdsienna" a lot of time responding to emails?
Thanks in advance
We ask that you not name individuals.
Steve, Host
Thanks
Sorry if this has been covered, but what is the reason for this board's rule against naming of reps at dealers? So long as postings are not offensive, potentially libelous, or obvious commercial activity in violation of the Town Hall member agreement, what's the problem?
Thx in advance.
Then some people were bird-dogging; lots of dealers give $50 or $100 kickbacks if you send them a customer. So we'd have folks tout certain salespeople just to get a spiff. Sort of defeats the purpose of offering useful feedback in here.
Finally, lots of salespeople move from dealer to dealer, so the info gets out of date fast.
It finally just got simpler to keep the names and contact info off the boards entirely instead of trying to separate the shills from the real members.
Steve, Host
Any Questions for a Car Dealer?
Steve, Host
we eventually did find 2 LE's with dealer installed leather and DVD; the best deal we could get was 31,000. i walked away twice and even let 2 weeks pass(yes, i am patient for a good deal) and the dealer would not budge any lower. eventually, both were gone.
ultimately, we went with our second choice, the KIA Sedona. sure, it doesnt have some of the goodies like the roll down rear windows, but we got the '04 with every option offered (moonroof, leather, abs, tow hitch, allow wheels, wood trim, etc...) for 22,500. for this difference in price, i can totally justify keeping this van for 5 years, then moving on to the next thing that comes along.
sorry toyota, your little drought lost our business.
What dealership did you purchase your Sienna from?You can post the dealer and the dealer location, or your can email me: pjpw1@erols.com.
Thanks in advance.