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Toyota RAV4 pre-2006

2127 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2011 at 8:50 AM

You are in the Toyota RAV4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota RAV4, SUV

Messages Page 42 of 213

#407 of 2127 toyota rav4's by brian125 by rljslick

Dec 02, 2001 (7:57 pm)

I remember when I bought my Rav-4 back in 1997, the saleman try to pull the same thing, saying that the Rav-4 (some what of a new car at the time) was $1000 over invoice. I knew he wanted me to play the game so when I reached into my back pocket to get my wallet out (to recieve is business card) I made sure that I had his competitor (down the street Toyota dealer) card right on top so he would see that I was looking at other dealers. To make things very clear to him, I had my wife, the night before, write down the price of what I really wanted to pay for the car on a small piece of paper, so when he saw that little piece of paper with the other business card, he assumed that was the price the other dealer was able to make with me. I made it very easy for him to assumed that himself. I told him that I needed to make a few stops and I MAY come back, he told me to wait so he could talk to his boss. I asked if I could go with him and he said "no it would only take a second". I knew I had him, since I noticed he went into the break room and not into the room where the manager was located. He made a "speical" arrangement with his manager and I got the car for what I asked for. Funny thing, that guy was let go about 2 weeks later. Too bad, but Dealer beware, I'm in the market for a new car! hehehehe!

#408 of 2127 rljslick plays the game GOOD JOB by brian125

Dec 03, 2001 (12:14 pm)

ITS GOOD TO hear a story like yours.ONCE you know what car/ suv you want, no the invoice price its all down hill from there. unless like i said earlier demand is much greater then supply. good luck on your next purchase.

#409 of 2127 GOOD JOB by brian125 by rljslick

Dec 03, 2001 (4:26 pm)

I'm afraid that might happen if I don't get this 4Runner before the new ones come out later this year! Thanks Brian125

#410 of 2127 Dealership Recommendation by dplatnyc

Dec 08, 2001 (7:39 am)

For anyone looking to buy a Toyota in the New York metropolitan area, I recommend Queensboro Toyota in Jackson Heights, 718-335-8600. Their internet sales manager is Bruce Edelman, ext. 124. Website is www.queensborotoyota.com, e-mail is queensborotoyotaearthlink.net. With very little fuss, Mr. Edelman was able to give me pretty much what I wanted, a leftover 2001 RAV4, AWD, 5 speed, L package without too many superfluous options (just a spoiler and $900 wheels) for $500 over invoice. I did better on my trade-in with them than I did with anyone else, $100 over the Galves price, because they have a used car lot down the street and aren't going to job out the trade-ins.
 
This came after dealing with more than a dozen other dealers in person and online and no one else gave me an honest price--no one. Other Toyota dealers claimed to be cutting me a deal by reducing their prices to MSRP and they insisted that I could not trust the internet. In fact, I was ready to give up and wait out the winter, but one of the internet queries came through with Queensboro. Now I am driving a new car and feel much better.
 
By the way, I like the car. It seems quiet at highway speeds, has okay oomph to reach 60--in fact, I have to watch it on back roads--and handles wonderfully. I do wish it had a little more passing ability, but otherwise am pretty satisfied. I am a stick-shift driver, so I can't judge the automatic. The stereo is pretty good as is climate control. I can't quite get the folding down and up of the rear seats, but that will come with time. I feel very safe in it.

#411 of 2127 The dreaded ADM by suvshopper4

Dec 09, 2001 (8:12 am)

dplatnyc: You said some dealers were only willing to reduce the price to MSRP. Do you mean there is a mark-up above sticker on the RAV in your area?
 
Good luck with your new ride.

#412 of 2127 Reply to SUVshopper4 by dplatnyc

Dec 09, 2001 (6:24 pm)

Yes, in the NY Metropolitan area and up in Sullivan County I found Toyota dealerships who quoted me prices above MSRP and refused to go below MSRP, insisting that I had my information wrong, that I couldn't trust the internet, etc. I ended up walking out of several of them. The worst was Manhattan Toyota--I could see that they were ripping people off left and right and I actually picked up a looseleaf binder marked "CONFIDENTIAL" from the saleswoman's desk just so I could show her that I was not wrong and she was ripping me off.
 
Does this surprise you? I had a similar experience shopping for a Hyundai Elantra GT. I was constantly told it was a hot model and no one could even get them for MSRP--at least they were honest about cheating me, if you know what I mean.

#413 of 2127 Mark-up by suvshopper4

Dec 10, 2001 (8:57 am)

dplatnyc: You ask if I am surprised about mark-up.
 
A little. First I've heard of it.
The reason I asked is, I heard (about 6 weeks ago) that the RAV inventory was decreasing (for whatever reason), which would lead to less discounting by dealers. But I don't ~know~ that the inventory is (still) decreasing, so I wanted to know about any marking-up that is going on.
 
So, what was in the binder marked "Confidential"? Invoice prices? Did the armed security guard then escort you out of the office?
 
Thanks for the info.
 
Oh, and it's true - you can't trust the internet.
Trust me on this.

#414 of 2127 The Confidential Binder by dplatnyc

Dec 11, 2001 (7:11 am)

SUVshopper4:
 
The Confidential Binder only contained the MSRP for the base models plus all the options, but it confirmed that column on the Edmunds TMV print-out and when we did the math together, the saleswoman had to concede that she was charging MSRP+$500.00. No guards came by, but the manager told me he would love to have my business--as I was walking out!

#415 of 2127 02 rav4 prices by brian125

Dec 13, 2001 (1:40 pm)

people i just bought a 02 loaded rav4L I LIVE IN N.Y. DONT BELIEVE what the dealers are telling you they are not selling theses rav's like before.they have rows and rows of them. I KNOW OF 2 DEALERSHIPS THAT WILL SELL YOU YOUR CHOICE OF RAV4'S IN NEW JERSEY FOR 100 OVER INVOICE. THERE NOT SELLING ANYMORE THE BIG DEALERSHIPS NO IT. dont get suckered. 500 over invoice in the n.y n.j. is to much.

#416 of 2127 VERY DANGEROUS hesitates when making rapid acceleration to turn in front of oncoming traffic and brake problem. by al63017

Dec 20, 2001 (8:43 pm)

BELOW VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT
 
Frequently takes nose dive and hesitates when trying to make turn in front of traffic. Very dangerous since you never know if you will have that extra zip you some times need. Dealer said no problem found. Never had this issue with Honda CRV. If Honda only had the RAV 4 styling it would be a non brainer for me to buy Honda. Oh well to each his own enjoy your RAV 4 I like everything else but Accura MDX may be next for me. I push the shift button to turn over drive off and also put it in gear 2 automatic but no help when it takes this nose dive you just suddenly seem to have no acceleration or power. A really strange feeling you have to have it happen to you to understand it. I have floored it when this happens, given it a little more gas but nothing happens. This can happen in warm weather, cold weather, not related to how long car has warmed up. Have seen this posted as know issue here before.
 
RAV-4 2001 with 13000 miles had this front brake noise and dealer (turned rotors/machined) and replaced pads. Seemed to fix problem but never had to have rotors repaired with this low of miles usually more like 40,000 miles. Just a heads up that there is a brake problem with Rav 4--saw this posted here a number of times and in RAV 4 forum. The real problem is when you need brakes the next time you have to buy new rotors since they say they can only be machined once. They are very expensive--Toyota should replace them with new ones--rotors since they are defective. I drive like a little old school teacher no riding brakes or sudden stops all the time-- so know I did not cause it. A first for me after about 25 different cars. Back to Honda next year or so--my CRV after 26,000 miles had never been to the dealer once. Love the style of 2001 RAV 4 traded in 2000 CRV but do not need the maintenance issues. Wonder if Highlander has any of these problems because I sure like the Toyota styling. The sudden loss of power concerns me the most wonder if anyone has heard of a fix for this issue as it seems to be an ongoing issue with RAV 4. If you take this to dealer 3 times for the same problem is it then a lemon law thing????

Messages Page 42 of 213

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