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.
Comments
One dealer in Chicago land offer us LE 7 passenger + Package 2 + floor mats with $23,847 + about $200 fees (Which is $615 over edmunds invoice: $23,232).
The same dealer offer us LE 7 passenger + package 6 + floor mats with $25,700 + about $200 fees (Which is $752 over edumuds invoice: $24,948).
BTW, We are four families to buy FOUR LEs.
Good luck!
Long story short - I did some research, and found the exact car I wanted at FitzMall, and they were located only 20 miles from DC. So, I emailed the dealership, made arrangements to reserve the car, and then picked it up the day after Thanksgiving. I then drove it home Sunday/Monday.
I bought a 2005 Sienna XLE Limited with:
*** Arctic Frost Color ($220)
*** DVD Package ($1700)
*** Carpet Mats ($200 or so)
*** Wheel Locks ($50 or so)
*** Two additional wireless headsets ($80 or so).
Total MSRP was $37,897. Total invoice was $34,233. Sale price was $33,867, or about $350 UNDER invoice. Dealership fee was only $99 additional. I figured I 'saved' about $2200 by purchasing from FitzMall vs. locally.
Overall great experience.
And for those interested, the drive home was wonderful in the Sienna - very, very easy to drive long distances.
I'm looking at an XLE package 6, but can't see how I could do better than about $31K, given that invoice is about $30.4K.
The '05 Odyssey EXL goes for about $30K, and seems like a better value.
Any thoughts?
I spoke to the Finance guy at KC Toyota in Illnois and he said that I just have to wait for the vehicle to come in and we can proceed with the paperwork then.
$795 ( before tax ) for the top of the line Platinum Zero deductible Warranty.
Funny thing....when I checked with a local dealer just to confirm that they would honor the warranty, the finance guy asked how much I was paying to see if he can match it. When I told him that it was $795, he didn't have any real response other then to make sure that it wasn't a special "Dealership" specific warranty that would only be honored at the dealership that it was bought at.
Again....thanks for the advice.
Just today, I got an email from a dealer that said that he would match the offer that I got from the other dealer and ( I suppose because of the Thanksgiving Sales ) he would offer me some "scratcher tickets" that COULD ( notice the word COULD ) give me a chance to save up to $500 off of ( I guess ) the vehicle.
The catch is that I would have to back out of the agreement that I made with the other dealer where I gave the deposit from.
Ignoring the ethical reasons to back out of a deal that I already made with the other dealer ( which I know is wrong ) along with the really stupid "incentive" to save UP TO $500 ( which could very well turn out to be saving me $.01 ):
Am I able to legally back out of an agreement that I made with a dealer to purchase a car when all I have put down is a deposit?
I would guess that I would lose the deposit at the very least.
I am 99.9999% sure that I won't do this cuz I am somewhat sure that he won't match the offer that was $1200 lower then what I got from other dealers.
I am wondering if I should politely reply back to the dealer and say that I will stick with dealer that I agreed to buy the car from
or
If I should send back some type of nasty email suggesting that it would not be ethical to back out of such a deal.
BTW...I have already dealt with this guy earlier when he did a "bait and switch" just to try to get me to come in.
reefshasta suggested that I go to Google and do a search on "KC Summers Toyota".
When I did that, I went to their website and got the main # to call and asked them to direct me to the people that deal with Extended Warranties.
When I spoke to the finance guy, I told him that I read on the Internet that KC Summers Toyota offers the Platinum Zero deductible Warranty at $795 and he said that they do that.
They are in Illinois....so depending on where you are ....you may need to call them earlier in the day.
Good luck...and if you do that....please post your experience with them...I am curious on what to expect ( paperworkwise and what I have to send them ) when I do purchase it when my vehicle finally does come in.
anyway, every dealer with whom i've corresponded says they would have to order it. the lowest price i've been quoted is $35,900+tax otd. is this the best i can hope for? thanks.
You may include the dealership name, city and state in your post. Please do not post names of salespeople, telephone numbers, email addresses, or other contact information. It is in red lettering. We do not want to turn the board into a sales board. It is meant to help others with their buying experience. Hope this clarifies.
Package 6
Floor mats & cargo net
I will be getting this for 27,100 OTD( 3% state tax(NC) + 57$ tag & reg ).
Is this a good deal?
Your quote does not sound bad at all.
However, given your past experience with the other dealer, I am at a loss to understand why you would even consider doing business with someone who already did a "bait and switch" on you.
In most states (all that I know of, actually), it's not yours til you drive it off the lot. The dealer may kick and scream about giving you your deposit back, but that doesn't change his legal obligation to do so.
That being said, wouldn't you much rather do business with someone who treated you fairly? In the words of GW Bush, "Fool me once, shame....shame on you. Fool me twice... won't get fooled again." (huh?) But putting yourself at risk of getting burned by the same salesperson twice doesn't seem wise.
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Obviously, the specific language of the sales contract will govern but, in general, once a purchaser signs the contract, he is liable for damages if he breaches the contract. Damages are calculated as the difference between the contract price and the price at which the item is eventually sold.
Example: I contact to buy a car for $30,000. I default. Dealer sells same car to a different person for $29,000. My breach of the contract has resulted in the dealer being damaged to the extent of $1000 (the amount "lost" on the eventual sale) and that is how much I owe the dealer.
Example: I contract to buy a car for $30,000. I default. Dealer sells same car to a different person for $30,000. Leaving aside the possibility that the dealer incurred additional financing charges due to having the vehicle for a longer period, the dealer has lost nothing and the deposit (in whatever amount) would be fully refundable.
This, of course, also applies in reverse (and that is why it is SO important that someone with authority sign the contract on behalf of the dealership and why many such contracts are never signed by dealerships).
In the real world, usually (but not always) the dealer will refund the money (without consideration of any of the above) in the interest of customer good will. I would think that would be particularly true with an AWD Sienna XLE Limited unless the store is located in an area where there is little demand for a high-end Toyota.
After going nearly blind doing my research on these forums (and no, I do not need another disability) it occurs to me that I should just ask if there is anyone as competitive as Fitzgerald's. They really seem to have the best deals for someone who is just going to blow into town, hand 'em a check and clear the lot headed westbound.
I find that in my aged and deteriorated state, I would rather stick 8" silver needles in my eyes before "negotiating" with a dealer, so getting the cheapest, simplest, hassle-free deal is of paramount importance to me.
I frankly haven't found anyone mentioned, besides Fitzgerald's, that offers the combination of low price, selection and straight dealing that I'm looking for. But I only buy cars about once every 11 years.
As I don't mind driving halfway across the country to get a deal, are there any other dealers that compare favorably to Fitz's in other parts of the country?
I believe the procedure was that I talked to the guy at KC Summers and he told me what he needed. I faxed him a copy of sales slip showing date of purchase, model, etc. plus current mileage. He sent me the application filled out. I signed it and sent them a check. They then sent me the warranty papers. Took about 7-10 days from first contact.
I was more curious to see if that other dealer would match the $40200 OTD price that he would have to quote me in order to match the OTD price that I got from the dealer MINUS the $1000 that I will likely lose from the deposit ( which would have been very close if not below the Edmunds Invoice price of the vehicle ).
After a few emails back and forth, the dealer was becoming rather pushy and acting like a jerk. I wanted to send him a nasty email...but decided to come off the ledge and stopped emailing him to simply end the conversation.
BTW.....if you are in the Northern California area, looking for a Toyota and want to know the name of the Dealer that I dealt with through email....let me know, I can email you his name and dealership. Based off of my bad experience with this guy, he is the classic dealer that you would want to avoid or at least be weary about.
Again....thank you all for your sound advice.
I don't know of any dealers outside of Northern California. The only thing I can give you is some helpful information ( which may or may not be helpful ).
If you are looking for an AWD ( either XLE or XLE Limited ), it will be harder to find one from California ( if that is where you live ). This would suggest that AWD inventory is very low in California ( due to the lack of snow and adverse weather ). That said...I would guess it would mean that AWD would be far more abundant where there is snow ( such as the MidWest or East ) which also means that it would be easier to find better deals.
I can suggest that the best way that I was able to negotiate was to do it via Email with Internet Fleet Manager. I never gave my phone number....much less talked to the dealer until I was 95% sure that I would go with them. This helped me avoid any verbal negotiations and get the information that I wanted in writing. I found that negotiating via email was much more convenient and had less pressure since I was essentially in the drivers seat. I could essentially walk away from the negotiation table by simply not responding. I was in and out in 1 hour negotiating this way.
Sorry I don't have any info on any specific dealers....but try the email route first.....especially if you have to drive a couple of days to a dealer...you would have something in writing to show them if something goes wrong.
Good luck!
For XLE limited you need to buy the mic and plug into back of navi for $50 (10 minute job). If you like OEM look you can buy a voice command button for your steering wheel for about $7.00. total $57.
For XLE- you will need to replace the key pad on the right hand side, as well as mic and plastic button. For total of couple hundred dollar.
2005 LE Passenger FWD
PACKAGE 5
Floor Mats + Cargo
OTD PRICE = 26,294.50 USD
2005 LE Passenger FWD
PACKAGE 5
Floor Mats + Cargo
OTD PRICE = 26,294.50 USD
Used car values are in the crapper everywhere right now. Trade value varies from dealer to dealer and you just have to shop the vehicle from store to store. Your trade is worth only what a dealer is guaranteed to be able to sell it for immediately (whether at auction or otherwise).
Earlier this year I was trading an '03 that had about a 1000 miles on it, in effect a new car. There was a $2500 spread in what was offered me ($13,500 to $16,000) that, percentage-wise was gigantic. Now, I'll be the first to admit that the higher figure was a fluke because I only paid $16,074 for the vehicle new.
If, in shopping your trade, dealer after dealer offers the same money for it, the "fair" value has been established.
Better still, they post their prices right on their website. Based on favorable posts here, what you see is what you get.
Even better, they are in a major metro area with easy access from airports.
To that extent a centre console that flips to allow us to walk back is very important.
We are looking at the Sienna, MPV, Odyssey and Caravan.
My father's 1995 Caravan accommodated us as the emergency brake was on the front floor by the left foot and there was no impediment to get to the back.
Any comments are appreciated. I can't determine if the front centre console in the Sienna moves.
In the Sienna CE and LE models, there is a tray table between the front seats (similar to the Honda Ody) which folds down out of the way. The Sienna XLE model has a standard center console. This console can be mounted either between the front seats OR between the 2nd row seats. From what I understand, moving the center console from the front row to the 2nd row is very quick and easy. The XLE Ltd. also has the same console but you can also order, as an option, the center tray table (from the LE model) in addition to the console. This would let you leave the console between the 2nd row seats and have a fold down tray table between the front row seats.
After much reading and research, I went out to find the best price on a new 2005 Sienna - although the Odyssey seems like a nice vehicle, it's the first year out of the box for the new design and the prices seem pretty inflexible. Plus, we liked the Lexus-like feel of the Sienna.
I contacted some Bay Area internet sales departments with somewhat lukewarm response. Some, like Hayward Toyota responded immediately with a decent price (nothing to write home about though).
Then I tried the CarsDirect route and also got an ok price. About 1,000 below MSRP. Pfffttt.
I ended up grinding a deal out at Putnam Toyota in Burlingame for a 2005 XLE FW with package ES (DVD, 3 row side curtain air bags, 17 alloy wheels, leather, etc..) for 32,354. Edmunds TMV for the car was $34,151.
The out-the-door price (including fees, taxes) was $35341. Although the process took about 3 hours, the haggling was worth it. I got the car for $1450 over invoice.
I didn't expect this result - I figured the Internet sales departments and the direct car companies would offer better prices...in this case they didn't. Your mileage may vary.
- Sasha
How am I doing? Based on TMV, looks OK, but Edmunds invoice much lower then dealer. Is there still room to move
Thanks in advance
an ad fee charged to dealers which is NOT included in published invoice prices. The figure for this can be significant. For example, in Ohio, TDA for an AWD Sienna XLE Limited is about $800.
That said, the price quoted you is not the best. Try Fitzgerald in suburban Washington, DC., for a comparison.
any input will be very much appreciated
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
We do clearly state this policy in our Membership Agreement, but if you have further policy questions or comments, it's appropriate to handle them by e-mail rather than posting in vehicle-specific discussions.
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Not sure if this is "break-in" issues or cause to walk-away
wen