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2013 and Earlier - Toyota Camry Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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  • mcserimcseri Member Posts: 16
    I brought home my 2007 Toyota Camry LE two days ago and I spend an extra $654 for the Platinum warranty. I went from a 3YEAR/36000 Bumper to Bumper warranty to a 5YEAR/60000 Bumper to Bumper warranty.

    However, I am now thinking I made a mistake and want to cancel the extended warranty. I think if I have a Toyota, there should be no problems with it at all within the first 60,000 miles - at least not $654 worth. Do you guys think I should keep the warranty or should I just cancel the whole thing.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Depends on your personal risk tolerance, financial reserves, and to an extent how well you care(or abuse) and maintain your vehicles.

    It's an insurance policy, and collectively across a large pool of people/cars they are paying all of the claims......and still making money. If you can personally afford in the future the (maybe low) possibilty of a(maybe large) maintenance expense, then cancel. Toyota has a good reputation for maintenance, but then again this is a first year of new model. You also might not even own the car in 4 years.
  • waysidewayside Member Posts: 2
    FROM THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AT FITZMALL CHAMBERSBURG. WE DO REQUIRE A $500 PARTIAL PAYMENT PRIOR TO EXCHANGING CARS AND TITLES WITH OTHER DEALERS.IN MOST CASES, THE DISTANCE IS BETWEEN 100 AND 200 MILES.THIS CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND UNTITLED AND HAD BEEN TRADED TO THE DEALER THAT WE RECIEVED IT FROM WHICH OBVIOUSLY ACCOUNTS FOR THE EXTRA MILEAGE. THE PART OF THE STORY THAT WAS MISSING WAS THE ISSUE OF A TRADE-IN THAT THIS CUSTOMER HAD. WE DID A SIGHT UNSEEN APPRAISAL FOR THIS CUSTOMER. WE ASK THE CUSTOMER TO RATE THE TRADE FROM 1-10 ON THE EXTERIOR , INTERIOR, TIRES, PAINT ETC. THIS CUSTOMER RATED HIS TRADE AS 9'S ACROSS THE BOARD AND WE GAVE A TRADE FIGURE BASED ON THIS INFO. WHEN THE VEHICLE ARRIVED, WE DID A PHYSICAL APPRAISAL AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND DAMAGE AND PAINT WORK. WE ALSO RAN A CARFAX REPORT WHICH SHOWED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAD BEEN HIT SO HARD THAT THE REAR SECTION OF THE ROOF IS BUCKLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE FRONT END HAD BEEN POORLY REPAINTED AND THE LEATHER INTERIOR HAD CIGARETTE BURNS. NATURALLY THE TRADE NUMBER WAS NOW LOWER. THIS IS THE POINT WHERE THINGS GOT DIFFICULT. WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED A VERY GOOD REPUTATION IN THIS BUSINESS AND CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THIS SITUATION WAS UNFORTUNATE AND WE ARE TRYING TO COME TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION FOR ALL. IF THIS CUSTOMER DECIDES NOT TO BUY, THE UNUSED PORTION OF THE DEPOSIT WILL GLADLY BE RETURNED. WE WELCOME ALL OF YOU IN CYBERSPACE TO VISIT US ONLINE OR IN PERSON. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
  • apg97ssapg97ss Member Posts: 21
    hello. i have looked through a lot of postings, but find very few on prices paid for 2007 Camry Hybrid. My assumptions is that prices are at MSRP, but i have seem some references to prices above MSRP. i am looking in Wash DC area if someone has had good dealer experiences.
  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    FROM THE MANAGEMENT TEAM AT FITZMALL CHAMBERSBURG

    This thread is starting to make more sence. Good dealerships don't cause problems for consumers even when the "typical consumer mistake" is made. Good dealerships want your business and don't punish you by keeping money they didn't earn. If indeed they had a cost to drive 400 miles round trip and you back out they should recover costs. In the case of a car they can immediately sell off their lot then perhaps they should eat that cost.

    However in most all of the posts on Edmunds seldom is the trade in mentioned. Perhaps, but I doubt it, many purchases are first time or the owner sold their car prior to the new purchase. If a trade is involved and the poster simply tells what the "cash price" is without telling the whole trade story then the info is totally meaningless. Anyways a "good" dealer will work with you on what the paper work looks like so that doesn't always make much sence either. As far as what we read here we have no way of knowing if the poster had a nice ride or if it was a daily banger that was left out in the sun for 5 years. Usually telling us what the trade in was as compared to Kelly Blue Book trade in value (with the appropriate condition rating) and comparing against the MSRP provides a lot more info than what I've been seeing on this post for several months.

    Cash discounts are great but if your trade is given a $1000 below KBB fair condition trade value then you probably got ripped on the deal.

    On paperwork, my dealer gave me a $500 discount back in may for a TCH. However for tax purposes I preferred not showing the discount and instead showing more on the trade. It didn't matter to the dealer so they did it. Without knowing the story on state tax credits you the readers won't make much sence from that.

    BTW, I was able to get KBB "private party value" with a "good" condition rating against a $500 discount (when they were selling for MSRP. You always lose money trading but this is the first trade (in about 36) that I felt good about not selling outright. In my state we only pay taxes on the difference in trades and I was able to trade very close to "even" on paper. My dealer moved my ride fairly quick. Used cars are a lucrative business but a dealer that wants your loyalty won't rip you. That's a disadvantage some of you in the city have or even some of you shopping on the internet. My dealer knows me, wants my business, knows I'll go elsewhere (i did in the past) and treats me with respect and fairness. I expect them to make money but to not get rich on my deal.

    So please, when you post tell the whole story. Getting sympathy from fellow posters really doesn't make you feel better does it? Especially if we don't know the whole story and you do)

    I'll admit to getting sick about hearing how good FITZMALL is over the past few month, especially with a couple of the posters being obnoxious to the rest of us like we are stupid for not flying or driving there. However they sound like a good dealership and getting blasted just because someone didn't like the deal is not really fair to them or to us as we seek information about where deals can be had and who's good to work with.
  • thetxstangthetxstang Member Posts: 28
    Wow, just wow. I guess peligroso thought it convenient to NOT mention that a trade-in was involved, much less that he completely lied about its condition.
  • jb_turnerjb_turner Member Posts: 702
    peligroso's story is a very good example of us hearing one side of a story. Whenever I read a post I know there is another side.
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Thanks wayside, for helping to clear this up.

    For some reason his experience did sound way out of the norm.
  • georgia411georgia411 Member Posts: 18
    I bought my Camry Hybrid 2 weeks ago outside Atlanta. I knew exactly what I wanted and the price I was willing to pay. I checked 5 Atlanta-area dealerships, then went to CarsDirect.com and found the dealer I ultimately used in Athens, GA (about an hour away). My drive out price (including EVERYTHING) was $31.250 (with leather seats, moonroof, NAV system, heated seats and mirrors, and mats) for a drive out price (including EVERYTHING) of $31.2. The sticker on this particular car was supposedly $23,580 (no options, no delivery, processing, handling, no tax, title, etc) but I did not focus on the sticker price. I negotiated the deal with the Athens dealer, we agreed on price, I drove to Athens, completed the paperwork in about 30 minutes, and was on my way. My suggestion is to calculate your maximum "out the door" price yourself (based on research) and challenge the dealers to meet/beat it. Thanks and good luck
  • armydavearmydave Member Posts: 29
    Cancel it. You don't need that on a Toyota. When you say it is a 5 year/60,000 warranty it is not at all that. It only covers what Toyota does not cover. They call them five or seven year warranties but they are not. The regular one is 3 yrs and 5 yrs. on the power train. The emissions is probably eight years. When you take the regular warranty from the extended one it does not leave much.

    I have never bought one and am thousands of dollars ahead. Most of what you pay is profit. Keep your money and use that if you have a repair to pay for.
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    I didn't lie about anything.Sure I was upset about the trade in,but that is not why I'm mad at fitzmall so indeed there was no reason to mention it.If you read my post earlier I was mad at the fact that they showed me documents that didn't prove the extra mileage including a bank involvement.Before the salesperson asked for the keys to look at my car for trade in I spent five minutes with him sitting on the table.The keys for the car I was going to buy were on the table.That is when I noticed the tag on keys was marked used.I was suspicios why the tag was marked used when it should be marked new.Then I asked for documents to prove the extra mileage.The documents did not seem accurate including some bank invovlment that shouldn't be there on a new car.That is why I was upset and wrote a bad experience with fitzmall because I thought they were hiding something.This all happened before they even looked at my car for trade in and offered a price.The trade in story had nothing to do with being angry at fitzmall because regardeless of the low value I was getting for my trade I would still have bought the car they're selling to me and sell my car privately later and maybe get more elsewhere.I was not really relying on my trade to pay for car I was going to buy from them.If the tags in the keys were maked new and the documents accurately proved the mileage accounts for the car being moved I wouldn't mind paying for it.I even told the salesperson that since they were giving me a low value for my trade I would not trade with them and consider just buying the car.What ticked me off was the used tag on the keys,bank involvement and the unaccounted mileage none of which I was informed when I called them before going there.Also,I was not informed that the unaccounted mileage was on the car because it was traded by the dealer before they got it from them.They told me that when I got there and asked them why there was extra mileage.If I was told all this over the phone then I would have cosidered other options instead of paying the $500 deposit.That is why I feel they should return the deposit.I think they felt I was upset for writing my post earlier because of the trade in when in reality I wrote beacause I was upset at the car I was going to buy.However,I do apoligize for saying to avoid fitzamll and calling them crooked.That was entirely inappropiate to say.After reading all the positive posts about fitzmall I agree they are excellent if you decide to just buy a new car posted in their inventory.I'm sure my experience with them would have been excellent if I bought a car they had in their inventory instead of having them get one from another dealer.I mention that point in my earlier posts.Also,on the positive side they did honor the price agreed for the car I was going to buy.So the delivered price is the price you pay when you get there which is excellent becuase of the savings and no haggle.However,I think they did exaggerate on my trade in value in their written post earlier and it is definirely not the reason I was upset for backing out of the deal and being angry at them.Notice they don't mention the used car tag nor bank involvement and seem to point the fact that I'm dissaopinted at them because of the trade in deal.There was no need to mention that because I am not angry at them for that reason neither did I write a negative post about them beacuse of it.From my point of view my car looked new and according to kelly book price its considered in good condition to excellent.I am no expert on what is considered good to excellent condition and maybe their appraiser thought otherewise and takes a different point of view.They mention that rear was hit so seriously that rear roof is bungled from side to side.That is not what happened,neither does the carfax and police report state that.I was backing the car and hit a lady's parked car.There was a minor scratch on the rear bumper so I had the whole bumper repainted.Also to prove that the police report states the same and mentions nothing of the roof.There were scratches on the roof,but not because of the accident.It was there because it was used to transport lumber from home depot.The roof has never been involved in an accident neither was it ever damaged besides a few minor scrathes.I guess there appraiser jumped to conclusions and thought since the bumper was repainted and the roof had minor scratches he thoght that the entire rear was in a major accident.Also the front was reapainted because of rust and never involved in a accident.They kept telling me that the front was repainted because it was involved in a serious accident when indeed it never was.And to prove that there is not any carfax history mentioning the front being involved in an accident.Also to clarify things I gave 9's when I talked to on phone because in my point of view it is in good to excellent condition,but again I am no expert and the appraiser might rate it differently.I rated my car accordingly to kelly book price and never lied about the condition of car.The appraiser is always going to give you a worse case analysis of the car.Its a common trick to give you less for the car.Again besides the trade in ordeal I was upset at it,but is not the reason why I wrote a negative post about fitzmall earlier.That just wouldn't be right to be angry at them and write a negative post for that reason.In that regard cocerning the trade in ordeal they didn't do anything that betrayed their trust with me so I have no reason to be angry at them.I just didn't like the misinformation and dishonesty about the car I was going to buy.
  • gampagampa Member Posts: 78
    Ok... now that everyone has "vented" ... what was the final outcome?

    Gampa
  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    I'm not sure how new you are to the car trading experience but rating a car 9's when it's scratched on the roof, had a rear accident and the front painted because of rust is a real strech of the imagination. Most dealers seldom give a "fair" rating on kbb even when the car is garage kept and still on warranty. I can understand them doubting your explainations after that.

    I still have some problems with your other comments. The fact that they put the keys on a keychain with a used tag
    doesn't give me a lot to be uspset about. The keys needed to be on a chain before they gave them to the guy to drive it back and since this actually came from another dealer who knows where the chey chain came from. Granted the other dealer should have told FRITZMALL that there was already 200 miles on the car and that they too got it from another dealer. However if that story was true I would have no more problem with that 200 miles than I would with the other 200 miles it took to get the car to you. It will still be written up as a new car and the warranty is the normal miles plus what was on the car when it was bought.

    Since you never got to the paperwork level of the deal I can only guess if there was any real "bank" issues. Not sure why there would be. If the car was used they would not be able to sell it to you with a new title. That would be easy to spot and they would be liable for fraud. If it is new then I don't know what the bank issue is about anyway. Typically if someone drives it away and then something happens to the loan I'm not sure any dealer would be willing to simply cancel the deal. The dealer would not typically let anyone drive it away until the financing is finalized and verified anyway. You drive it away it's yours. Then again it's possible that's what happened, but it doesn't seem reasonable that all these unusual circumstances occurred on this one car and you happened to be that unlucky. But it could be???
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    Despite the entire ordeal I would like to directly apologize to the management team at fitzmall in chambersburg for telling people to avoid them and calling them crooked.If it wasn't for the car having used tags on the car keys or documents not explaining the mileage I would have bought the car despite the trade in offer.Maybe you guys did put the used tag on the key by mistake or maybe not so I don't know.I know you guys didn't have the car and just got it from the other dealer so I don't blame you entirely.It was nice of you to work with me and get the car that I wanted.The mileage really didn't bother me.I just felt you guys were not being straight with me to prove the paper trail of the unaccounted mileage if it was only there on the car because was traded previously by the other dealer.It was also my mistake for not asking about it on the phone and whether or not the car had been traded previously from the other dealer.It would have been better for me ask you send a fax of the cars history before you went out to get it for me so I am at fault as well.I do appreciate the fact that you went out of your way to get the car for me and understand that a portion of the deposit had to be used in any case.I was aware of those terms on the phone so its not accurate for me to demand the entire deposit.In the end I don't think you guys were out there to cheat me.Maybe there was some misinterperetation and mishandling of information.And I hope we can put this behind us and forgive each other.I don't want to discourage readers from getting a negative feeling about fitzmall.You guys did stick to your word that the delivered price we agreed on and posted on your website is the final price which I deeply respect.Alot of local dealers don't work that way and end up cheating you.From reading other posts I know local dealers just lie on the phone to get you to come visit them and then change the entire price deal which is wrong.Your prices are excellent and its worth the trip to visit.However,although we have difference in opinion we are entitled to post personal experience.So I hope my personal experience did not damage you reputation.Happy Holidays.
  • dreasdaddreasdad Member Posts: 276
    The dealers do not "own" the cars one the lot usually , they are floorplanned through a bank.
    When the dealer does a trade with another dealer they also have to draft or write a check for the cars they are trading even though it might be an even swap

    In essensce both dealers buy the cars from the other dealer and add the car to their floorplan. This might be why the was "bank involment" in the dealer trade at Fitzmall
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    Also to wvgasguy's comments what I meant about the car keys having a used tag is that the tag was not used,but on the tag there are two boxes,one is new and the the other is used.The keys I saw had a checkmark on ''used''It should have been marked new.Again maybe they marked it used my mistake or maybe not and knew it was used in some way and forgot to mention it.
  • gampagampa Member Posts: 78
    mcseri,

    Some say that you can cancel the warranty with-in the first 30 days... I do not know if you can.

    ...check post # 27 on the "camry hybrid warranty" discussion,
    click on the first go-to thread
    there should be a list of Dealers with low cost "Toyota care " warranties.

    Now you have to do some leg work and contact the dealers to find out what there costs are now... but if you want to save a couple bucks it is worth it. (Note: rates may go up starting the first of the year... so don't delay.)

    You may be able to get a longer warranty for less cost the what you paid.

    good luck.

    Gampa
  • thetxstangthetxstang Member Posts: 28
    Perhaps Fitzmall decided to rate the proximity of the actual mileage on the car a "9," much like you decided to rate the condition of your trade-in.

    ;)
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Post 4554

    That is one long paragraph - wish my eyes were good enough to sort through that much text all jumbled together.
  • apg97ssapg97ss Member Posts: 21
    Thanks Georgia411. That is list of options I was after as well. One thing to clarify, when you say EVERYTHING at 31,250, do you mean tax, processing included? or before these? thanks for help
  • adam61adam61 Member Posts: 3
    Me and my wife went to buy a '07 Camry SE (4cyl) in Texas. We found a appropriate fit and test drove it and went to sit down with the salesperson.

    Only installed option is carpet mats which makes the MSRP $22,814(Edmund's says it should be 22,759 but close enough). Invoice via Edmunds should be around $20,271 with the regional fees I was guessing like $20,600, I was hoping to pay just under $21,000.

    Well I sat down with the dealer and we discussed how I'd pay (cash) and Trade-in (Old car he offered a low but decent value) and then on price he just was very unrelenting. After nearly an hour talking we had gone almost nowhere. I had originally said I wanted it for $20,500 but as I left had said call me when we can do $21,000. His final offer was $22,400 a whopping $400 off MSRP. We continued to discuss it for a while and I left. He called me the next day to offer $22,250 and I stuck with my $21,000 offer and they said that was all they could do. It's now over a week later and they haven't sold it or called again.

    There aren't many dealerships close by, I knew it would be a chore to negotiate but I never expected them to stop at $1,800 over invoice and give up. Has anyone run into this and what can you do except just drive out of area to another dealer???
  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    Has anyone run into this and what can you do except just drive out of area to another dealer???

    I can't think of anything you can do to a dealer that does not want to deal other than not do business with them and make sure your friends know they don't deal well. It sounds like he not only gave you a low trade in offer but that was against a really low discount. Sometimes a dealer just has to know you'll walk away before they get serious, and sometimes when you walk away you do indeed have to go elsewhere.

    I don't know why, but I have had times a dealer dealt well with me and then later did not. I've been lucky the last couple of years.

    I'd go out of the area for $1000. I usually will bite the bullit if I'm only $500 apart from the deal and I really want the car. However for a "bad" deal, the car should be exactly what you want to be satisfying.

    I'm surprised though with the offer because most of the posts seem to be saying large discounts are available, even on the hybrids.
  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    Oh, by the way [peligroso], Merry Christmas! You seem to be taking this well and that reflects well of your character. Good luck.
  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    The Sandman :)
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    wvgasguy

    Thanks and I wish you the same,Merry Christmas and enjoy the holidays.
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    dreasdad

    Thanks for the input regarding the bank involvement.That makes alot of sense and I'm sure that's why a bank was involved.I'm very naive when it comes to things like this.I was just and being careful on my part so I guess that's why I was curious and backed out of the deal.I was thinking maybe it was used in some way,but your input helps assure me maybe I was wrong.I didn't mean to blast fitzmall.Its just that the mileage,key tags marked used and a bank involvement just made me feel that it wasn't new and maybe I was getting stuck with a lemon.I learned alot from reading these posts.One thing is its impossible for a dealer to sell a used vehicle to you as new so I guess maybe I was wrong for being mad at fitzmall.And the car was new afterall.I also feel bad for criticizing the salesperson for his efforts in getting me the car.He was really nice and worked hard to find me the car I wanted.Although,it wasn't there in their inventory it was nice for him to go out of his way to get it for me.There are very few dealers that go that far to help you and just want to sell what they have in their lot.I know I was partly at fault for not asking him to fax me a report on the car history before he got it from the other dealer.I just hoped I knew what kind of car I was getting before making the trip.It would have been nice if he told me on the phone that there was extra mileage beacause car was previously traded at the other dealer.I'm sure he just forgot to mention that part and in all fairness its no big deal.So please everyone go to fitzmall if you're thinking about buying a car.Don't let my previous comments in my earlier posts discourage you from not buying a car from them.Also,about the deposit I got 90% of it back so I'm happy.Merry Christmas all!!
  • kinglocokingloco Member Posts: 2
    Should I pull the trigger, $20,046 + TTL for Camry LE no options?
  • 07xle07xle Member Posts: 177
    Have a ball but I wouldn't pay more than dealer invoice. The '07's have been out for almost 10 months now.

    $19,731 at Fitzmall with the floor mats which would be $19,605 w/o the mats.

    Maybe you are down in the rip off SE Toyota distribution region.
  • kinglocokingloco Member Posts: 2
    Thank you for your response, yes I am in the New Orleans region. I will check out Fitmall. Thanks for the advice.
  • thetxstangthetxstang Member Posts: 28
    Actually, from what I understand, Toyota's SE Distribution model only includes the following states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.

    Louisiana is not among them.
  • 07xle07xle Member Posts: 177
    Wrong but close!!!!!!!!

    SET is just 5 states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, NC and SC.

    The Gulf States region is AR, LA, MS, OK, and TX.

    The Gulf States region is just slightly better than the SET as far as added $$ and useless high margin package add ons.
  • waysidewayside Member Posts: 2
    From The Fitzmall Management Team.... Wow,folks on Edmunds are pretty serious about facts! We like that about you. I never intended to open such a large can of worms here, I just wanted to protect what we've worked so hard for. This is a prime example of how things don't always work out even when both parties have the best intentions. Peligroso is a good person and always welcome at any of our locations. The description of the bank involvement was accurate. We do have a floorplan like most other dealers. And the used key tag was simple human error. I am glad to know that you have received your deposit and I wish you a very happy holiday season. Thanks to all who posted, we appreciate your continued support.
  • popperpopper Member Posts: 41
    Started my search Monday morning for '07 LE 4 cyl. Auto. with VSC and floor mats. Turns out there aren't any LE's with VSC within a 5-state region of me. I guess they're not making it even though the literature says you can get it.
    So I bought an LE with just floor mats/ cargo mat in Desert Sand from Quality Toyota in Independence, KS. Paid exactly $20K OTD. Doesn't include tag and tax since we pay that later at the tag office in OK.
  • peligrosopeligroso Member Posts: 42
    wayside

    Thanks for the comments and clearing everything up.I'm sorry for all the trouble I put you guys at Fitzmall through.I was wrong about the car being used and feel guilty for blasting Fitzmall.You guys are great.I will definitely come back to visit and buy a car in the near future.Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's!!!
  • dreasdaddreasdad Member Posts: 276
    I am in texas and pulled up what that car would invoice for and it was 20,990.07( I am in sales) so you are right at invoice with your offer. SE's are limited ( i only have 2 and compared to about 50 LE's). But I think they would still do business at a couple hundreded over.

    Try going around the saleman directly to the salesmanger or call and ask if the dealer has a fleet dept.
  • viking4viking4 Member Posts: 5
    Haven't checked the papers for ads recently but a month ago in St. Louis, Camry LE 4 Cyl. automatics were going for about $19K + TTL. I paid $19,188 plus $125 in fees so it was $19313. I think there were some ads for them about $100 less.

    Kind of surprised by what people are recently paying.
  • catalina101catalina101 Member Posts: 39
    I posted here a few weeks ago regarding my upcoming plans to purchase a 2007 XLE V6 in January. My plans remain intact, with the only exception being that I'll be ready, check in hand, to purchase on or around December 29th instead of in January.

    I'm still planning on doing it online, and as the time draws nearer for me to send out the e-mail(s), I find I'm unclear on just how to word my request for an OTD quote.

    My question is this: When I ask for the lowest OTD quote, should I specifically ask that they include TTL, do I ask for their quote excluding TTL, or does the term "OTD" inherently imply that TTL is included/excluded? If so, which one is it?

    I've gone to the AAA website to get a general idea of what CA TTL would be - I want to be as informed as possible - but I'm just not sure if I'm supposed to add this to their quote, or if their OTD quote includes it.

    Is there a certain way to word my request to insure we're all on the same page and clear?

    As an aside, I've already test-driven a car; I've been pre-approved for financing; and I won't be trading in a vehicle.

    As before, I thank you in advance for your input,
    Catherine
  • drjamesdrjames Member Posts: 274
    Hi Catalina101, good question, since I'm not from Cali, I couldn't tell you what the various taxes... are applied to new cars there. However, OTD or "Out the Door' does imply all taxes, title, and license.

    I've never done the email quote game, though I have heard good things... what I have done in the past and if you have the time is simply call 5 or 6 dealers close to you. Ask for sales and briefly introduce yourself and your intentions of buying on a specific date and it being a cash purchase. I'd tell them exactly what model, trim, options, and colours and tell them you're contacting all local dealers for their best out the door price. I'd ask them to get back to me within a few days, and who ever offered the best OTD price would earn my business.

    In the past doing this, I've had great results where some dealers began calling each other to try and beat each other for a sure commission, others can't or won't release an offical discounted price via phone/fax/email.... but always ended up with a price I was very happy with.

    Anyways, best of luck.
  • wvgasguywvgasguy Member Posts: 1,405
    When I ask for the lowest OTD quote, should I specifically ask that they include TTL, do I ask for their quote excluding TTL, or does the term "OTD" inherently imply that TTL is included/excluded? If so, which one is it?

    I don't think it will matter unless the taxes are different in the areas you are considering the purchase. If however the taxes are based on where you live and not where you buy then they will all be the same.

    The processing fees are what could be different, so I would indeed state you want an itemized lowest quote with all taxes and fees included and itemized in the quote. That way if some dealer (as some have stated) want $399 instead of $99 for their paperwork, you'll know who's padding their quote with what use to be industry standard fees that you never even saw until you wrote the check.

    I would emphasize to them that you indeed want to purchase that week and the car must be available on the lot (if that's what you desire). If you are considering several dealers and they each have a car with different equipment you'll need a copy or detailed listing of the cars options with the MSRP of each option (or just a faxed copy of the window sticker). If one dealer has a loaded one and one has a semi loaded one, the best deal may be harder to determine and you'll have to study the options and quote. You may be able to pay a little more but get options that would cost a lot more from the low bid dealer that is quoting a lesser equipped car.

    Your dealers may all have a car just like you want as they probably have a larger inventory, I don't have that luxury as in rural states you either order it or take what they have available as the next dealer may not be close by.
  • 07xle07xle Member Posts: 177
    So drive a few miles to pick up the one you want and save $$$.

    Your local dealer will service it.
  • mbolivermboliver Member Posts: 55
    Do you mind checking my offer? I am in TX also.

    LE manual 4 cyl trans
    moonroof with wind deflector
    tinted windows
    aluminum wheel upgrade with locks
    VIP security system
    leather upgrade
    Vehicle Sheild package
    spoiler

    offer = $22,900

    How much over invoice is this?

    Thanks!
  • catalina101catalina101 Member Posts: 39
    Drjames and Wvgasguy,

    Thank you for your responses. Each of your posts contained information from which I will definitely benefit. :)

    Drjames, thanks for clarifying that OTD includes TTL; that information alone is most helpful.

    I will do just that which you suggested (providing them with the exact date I'll be purchasing, an itemized list of the model/trim/options I want, and informing them that it will be a cash purchase), only in written form, via e-mail. At this point I feel more comfortable/confident with my written skills than my On-the-spot/back-and-forth phone skills. :-)

    Wvgasguy, the taxes will be the same in the area(s) I'm considering purchasing, so fortunately I won't have to use any calculations other than the ones I've done. Whew!

    Hopefully, given my geographic locale I won't have to order a vehicle. However, since I have a car and am not in a rush, I'm willing to wait if they need to preference or order it; this way I'll be able to get exactly what I want.

    I began this process about a month ago not knowing ANYthing, and now I'm well on the path to becoming an informed, educated and serious buyer. I can directly attribute my newfound knowledge to the online education I've received, right here, from all of you who contribute to this site. Thank you! :)
  • ljk3ljk3 Member Posts: 10
    later.

    Does this make sense, or am I being BS? I am also posting this on the buying experience board.

    LJK3
  • ljk3ljk3 Member Posts: 10
    On 12/1/06, ordered a TCH with a built in sirius radio. The contract calls for the car to be delivered with the radio installed. The car is to be delivered next week. Today I received a phone call that said one piece, a bracket was back ordered and would not be available until late January to mid-March. Consequently the dealership cannot deliver the car with the built in sirius radio next week. They want me to take the car without the radio and it will be installed alter

    Does this make sense, or am I being BS? I am also posting this on the modficiation board.

    LJK3
  • shasta67shasta67 Member Posts: 109
    Congrads Catalina. I am still looking for a car too but have been working almost 80 hours a week, so I have had to put it on hold a little bit. January everything should slow down and maybe I can get a little more serious.

    If I could give you some advise put your phone number and name on all of your emails. Yes they will call you and try and get you to come in but they will take you seriously also. There is a very good discussion going on in the internet verses traditional car sales forum. Don't worry about doc fees in California because they are capped at around $60 I think. Always negotiate off of invoice and let them know you know what it is. It is about $300 over what Edmunds lists because of the advertising fees. I think you should be able to get an XLE pretty close to invoice now. The 2007's are not new and the XLE V6 is not rare. It is very nice but not rare.
  • catalina101catalina101 Member Posts: 39
    Shasta 67,

    First of all, I can totally appreciate being busy with work, and I can imagine you're looking forward to January when it slows down - I also imagine that the fact that there may be a new car in the cards for you at the end of it probably helps keep you going. :) I work 12-hour shifts, and tomorrow I begin a five-day stretch. Ugh.

    Secondly, thank you for reaffirming the importance of including one's name and number(s) in e-mail correspondences when requesting an online quote. I certainly want to be taken seriously, and I recall reading here that providing this information lends itself to being perceived as credible.

    Since I'll have, like, NO time between now and the 26th (the day I plan on sending out my requests), I've already formulated an e-mail. I've included my full name and phone numbers, though at the bottom I concluded by informing them that my preference is that they contact me via e-mail at this point. We'll see how effective that is. :-)

    Thanks again, Shasta67, and I wish you the best with the remainder of your busy work schedule ... as well as looking forward to learning what your next vehicle turns out to be!

    Catherine
  • catalina101catalina101 Member Posts: 39
    Shasta 67,

    Also, thanks for the info regarding advertising and doc fees, as well as negotiating off of invoice. Very good advice!

    Catherine
  • dreasdaddreasdad Member Posts: 276
    I figure thats right about 600 over.

    That would also be a special order car , right now only show one 2531(Camry Le 5peed manaul trans) in Gulf states on the ground or incoming and it up in Amarillo and has no options on it.

    Most dealers won't do a specail order like this so the price sounds real far to me
  • mbolivermboliver Member Posts: 55
    Thanks for checking! I appreciate it!

    Happy Holidays!
  • rodolfoarodolfoa Member Posts: 1
    22,283.00 for 07 camry LE, no extra features, including all cost. I'm in Guam and the dealer is Atkins Kroll. I negotiated for about 1 hr. and this is all i could manage. The sticker read 24,219.00 . It seems kind of steep to me. I am military and sometimes it seems like dealers try to stick it to military famalies. Should i take it or run. I already have an approved loan for 20,000.00 from MY credit union and i dont want to ask for more if the car is not worth it.
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