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Usually, if a question comes up about the actual selling price, the response is "we discounted several thousand off of the window sticker". This technique almost always protects the gross in a high demand vehicle.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Bob
You are geting the run-around. Who at the dealership level has any experience in top repair? Probably no one. First step: contact the regional dealer service rep. Judging from the few posts about the problem, Toyota is aware of it, you just need to make the factory aware of yours.
I do not believe Toyota is importing any Camrys from Japan anymore.
The Solara ragtop is actually the first Toyota to be completely penned in California and mfd. in Kentucky, making it the first "true" American japanese car.
As far as BMW, Spartanburg builds the X5 and the Z4 only. There are a few 3-Series built in South Africa, but generally do not show up on US shores.
If you mention the price you paid for the car in a post, it would really help others if they lived in your area if they knew what dealer, or at least what city has the best deals available.
Just an idea,
Rick
My question is, do you all think I should purchased the extended warranty for $1,500 and Lojack for $695. I'm leaning towards the Lojack.
Thanks for any input.
Look, the big metro dealers get the inventory and the traffic, so to expect to get a good deal from one of them, forget it, someone will pay sticker (or above) to get into the car.
Search your geographic area for a smaller, more obscure dealer that might have one coming in or one on the ground that they just want to move.
Notice where the dealers are that the "deals" are being reported on, for the most part, not your metro dealers.
Also, when posting prices paid, to keep the playing field even, post the transaction price WITH any pacs, i saw a post recently with someone saying what a great dela thay got...but spent six hundred bucks on rust and dust...sorry pal, but that just gets added to the gross.
This is nothing new though, the old, inferior, solara ragtop was the same way right up until it went outa production.
Bottom line: production numbers were almost nil. Even with tepid demand, the vehicle was almost impossible to find.
I remember doing deals on ML320's back in the late '90's when there was a 4 month waiting list and the dealer told the consumer what color they were most likely to get. That is just the way it was. Today, dealers are choking on ML350's.
This weekend, while i was waiting for an oilchange, i saw a ragtop with a $7500 markup on the SOLD line. I guess someone really had to have it!
Scenario: You are going to sell your used xyz model car. You know it's in high demand so you put it in the paper for high blue book (or more!). If you know there many people just waiting to get their hands on the car for the full price, you are going to "be arrogant" and brush off the person that calls you offering lower right?
And, let's be honest, since you got the Sebring you really aren't the kind of person who would see the value in the Solara. I've rented many, many of those and trust me, you won't be keeping that one for "8-10 years" (and loving it, anyways).
I just want to say I am absolutely in LOVE with my new car. I have had it since June 12, a red sle with grey interior and black top.
As I have gotten used to it a little, I am really happy with the pick-up, brakes, and general luxury feel. I am stared at constantly, which was a little strange at first, but now am getting used to it a little. I've only seen one or two others on the roads in Indy, so people are naturally curious. I hope that it stays a rarity, it's kind of fun.
Everything works well, it feels solid, and I'm getting about 27 MPG (even with the top down). This is with 87 octane and mostly freeway driving.
Just thought I'd let you know. If you're considering one...buy it. I paid about 600 under sticker...but I would have paid full sticker. However...I don't think I would have gone over sticker. It's a cool car, but come on! Once you're in the low 30's you have other options.
Good luck, and keep us posted on problems that pop up!
Ken
Last (reported) week Toyota built 725 Solaras, if they are building at a 25% conv. to coupe ratio, they only built 182 convertibles.
For comparos, Cadillac built about 110 xlr's last week. How often do you see one of them?
As long as the numbers are flying, DCX built about 1150 Sebrings and just under 1200 PT Cruiser droptops last week.
Btw..these numbers are provided weekly in the Automotive News.
Tyresmoker-can you please provide a link to Automobile News. Thanks
Also, i carefully worded "US soil" as a reference to the now defunct "big 3", since DCX is owned by the Germans.
As far as the windows, the kids should be thrilled that ma & pa kettle bought such a cool car to cart them back and forth to little league!!
I'm really interested in knowing what's going on, since I'm planning a test drive in one...
thanks,
It sounds to me like the mfr. has found a fix for the cable WITHOUT changing the whole top. Keep in mind, Toyota is in the business to make $$ as well as keep their customers satisifed. I would imagine the whole top assy. costs them close to four figures, so changing out the entire part every time a cable snaps would not be prudent to the bottom line.
Does it stink? Yes, but remember we all bought the "first ones off the truck", and even Toyota sometimes does not get all the kinks out before delivering early production vehicles to the consumer.
I just like to be aware of issues, especially on new (year 1)models, that may factor into a decision to buy/not buy. Considering the top of a convertible is a fairly significant aspect of the package ;-) I would like to know if it's something to be wary of...
I've seen other discussion topics about BMW 3 series convertibles vs. Solara vs. Saab vs....Anyone here looked at them first?
Like someone else posted here earlier, I want to like the Solara, but I'm also carting a family in it more than occasionally, and safety is something else I factor in. WIth no rollover protection on the Solara, that's something else I'm considering. But it's a whole lot less expensive than the BMW too...
I'm new at convertibles, so this is all new research for me.
At least with the Toyota, they are always "on", and of course in the way.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I dont know about you, but kids in the back seat of a 3-series is wishful thinking.
The SAAB, while a nice package, is simply overpriced by about $10k.
One thing to keep in mind too is once mfrs like Toyota find a probelm and a fix, they incorporate it into production asap rather than let it lag. While i am sure this is not the last problem that the car will encounter, it is pretty safe to assure that by the time you decide to buy one, this problem will be corrected on the particular unit that you purhase.
just wanted to clarify- these are two teens in the backseat of the 3 series; no child seats required. (dropping off to school, sports, etc...)
thanks for the info on the Audi, and to others about the built in rollover protection.
Before i dropped that kinda cake on a 3, i would search for an '01 or '02 CLK 320 cab. They are out there in the mid to high $30's.
Keep in mind a new 3 bodystyle is due out this fall, so in either case you would be driving an outgoing model.
Toyota has told me not their problem! I would appreciate any feedback