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Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Toyota Avalon Prices Paid and Buying Experience
1474 messages, Last post on Oct 01, 2009 at 8:52 AM
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Replying to: mldj98 (Feb 06, 2006 4:08 am) Got a question for ya. Did you make a mistake on the invoice of 32,306.90 or did the spoiler and toyoguard plus combined invoice at $1,450.90?
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Replying to: easttexas (Feb 07, 2006 11:21 am) I think the key to getting a response is to be very clear about what you want and what you are going to do. The dealers are going to focus their energy on "live" prospects. Traditionally, that's a warm, emotionally charged body on the lot. Doing this long distance requires some extra effort to convince them you're for real and that they should take the time to respond. Get your financing lined up so that you can ask for, and close on, a cash deal. Be ready to purchase the car NOW. Be willing to wait for a factory order. Make it clear you will only consider written quotes. Include ALL of your contact information -- you want these people to respond, make it easy for them. And, yes, I know you'll get calls from high-pressure salesmen who want just want you to "come in to talk" (refer to warm, emotional body above). Tell them you'll call them back just as soon as you get their quote by FAX. Buying a car this way takes some work but it saved me a bundle. You won't do this every day so you can afford to spend some time on it. Good luck! |
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Replying to: easttexas (Feb 07, 2006 1:39 pm) No that is the invoice....what you have to remember is that the invoice for the Avalon is different in the SE region of the country......if you go to edmunds, or Kelly Blue Book website and punch in a Tampa zip code you will see that there is an additional $700 added to the invoice price for cars in this region. For people that live in this region it is a big pain in the ass.....but we have no other choice but pay it or buy a different make of car. How I came up with the invoice price is I went to KBB and punched in the car and it's options and came up with that price which include destination of course. If your in Texas your invoice price will be different...... Did that answer your question? Hope so.... Good luck in your search.....
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My thoughts on SET Toyoguard is that it "doesn't count" on the invoice or the sticker ... I count is as "no value" in the deal. (My sticker did not have it, but most in the SE do). I see it as just "fluff" for the dealer to toss away in the wheeling-dealing to make your deal look a little better. At one "what'll ya gimme" session (I don't buy that way, but I gather info that way), the first thing I said was "can the Toyoguard" and the dealer drew a pencil line through it without a moment's hesitation. On the Avalon Limited ToyoGuard Plus invoices (according to NADA.com) at $231 and lists for $699. Here is what you get: First oil change free -- ok, I'll give ya that's worth $20 at Quick-e-lube. Some dealers will throw that into the deal just to get you started on using their service bays. Towing, Roadside assistance -- free or very minimal costs (say $10/yr) with most auto insurance policies. It is no extra charge on my policy. Rental car assistance -- Not a rental car, rental car ASSISTANCE. I am guessing (maybe I am wrong here) that this means the service rep will walk you over to the window where they rent Corollas. Many, many Toyota dealerships run a Rent-A-Car operation ... (and I find it to be a good deal, btw, I toggle between Toyota RAC and Avis.) Exterior paint sealant -- a quick spray of poly wax and a buff. These days, "paint sealant" means "poly wax." Sealant cleaner -- guessing this is a spray of spot-free rinse solution or some other minimal treatment. Undercoating & sound seal -- a quick spray of liquid that deters rusting ... on top of the already protected underbelly ... that is already covered as rust-free in your warranty. Unless I am mistaken they don't put on the gooey tar-like stuff that used to be put on as undercoating long ago. Interior protectant -- Spritz carpets and fabric with Scotchguard. $6 a can at the supermarket. Vehicle VIN etch protection -- Print out your VIN number on strips of acid-coated paper and rub one of them on an edge of each of your windows. It might deter a thief ... who wants to steal your car just to part out the windows. I have seen this offered online (they send you the printed tapes for you to rub on) for as little as $19. Again, when I worked my numbers I just ignored it.
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When you are trying to work a deal in the SE (versus the other regions), you'll have to figure on paying an additional $800 or so, all other things equal. This is not only what others said (like toyodlr, 12/30/05), but it jived out with all the offers I looked at (and the deal I did do) ... AND it says so at KBB.com as well. Here is exactly what it says at the KBB.Com website if you "build your own" Avalon Limited. One of the options to check is: "Southeast Toyota Administration Charge. Touring, XLS & Limited. Invoice--750.00, MSRP--No charge. (Req'd in AL, FL, GA, NC & SC) (Cost Will Be Automatically Included in Dealer Invoice Model Price)" When I was working my deal numbers, all the major websites (kbb, nada, edmunds) showed the base Avalon Limited invoiced at 29,757. Southeast, northeast, whatever (unless you checked the box). What this means is that when A SOUTHEAST DEALER shows you HIS invoice price for a base Avalon Limited (the invoice THEY gets from SET) ... THAT lil' piece of paper will show ... $29,757 + $750 = $30,507. That is $750 that is in the deal (somewhere) that they can't "give up" ... because SET is going to take it away from them, so to speak. btw, the destination charge is $55 higher in SE (I just doublechecked vs. NYC, but I believe I recall it being the same for all regions, $635 in the SE, $580 all other regions). That's surely another SET slice o' the pie. In the SE, the sticker calls it (not a destination/delivery fee but) a "delivery, processing and handling fee." My guess is that is because (I am pretty sure) that a law was once passed ... way back when ... requiring manufacturers to nationally standardize the delivery fee amount, that is, to not have a different delivery fee in different parts of the country. (That was because individual dealers took to the practice of tacking any number it felt like onto the RHS (right-hand-side) sticker and calling it a "destination/delivery fee.") But there's no law in America that says you can't charge a customer a $55 "processing/handling fee" if you feel like it ... So, again, when you are trying to work a deal in the SE region(versus the other regions), you'll have to figure on paying an additional $800 or so, all other things equal.  btw, the numbers I posted about my deal ... the invoice price I quoted did NOT include the $750 charge--I used the NON-SET invoice # in my dealings/calcuating. In my posted calculations the SET $750 number is included in the amount I paid ABOVE invoice. If I include the # as part of the invoice #, then it could be said that I paid "invoice plus" $676.21. If you accept my argument for "giving up" the $575 that I discussed (or even if you feel I just gave it away), what is left is "invoice plus" $101.21. |
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Replying to: mldj98 (Feb 07, 2006 6:35 pm) When things get a little fuzzy to me concerning Avalon price issues ( even small) I ask..and hope it's never taken as abrasive. Thanks
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Replying to: easttexas (Feb 08, 2006 9:07 am) It was in no way abrasive.....in fact it was a real good question....some people around the country do not know about the added fee that SET puts on its autos. I sure didn't know about it until I moved here. Like mention above in some of the other posts.....it is pure profit... Why is it that SET charges extra for there cars....yet, let's say the midwest dealers or the west coast dealers do not? The simple answer is because "they can".....bottom line as I mentioned before.....the only way not to pay it is to buy somewhere out of the SET region.....which would put you either way up north or in the midwest..... And oh by the way......there is no such thing as a stupid question as you know......knowledge is power....especially when you share it in this forum......I simply read and learn....but be careful and not take everything you read here as something that is set in stone.....if it sounds like bs then do a little research....ask questions.....the answer will be clear...eventually.... Happy Motoring! |
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2002 avalon xl, basic model with leather seats [ 1t luxury car but I believe it has just the basic accesories..pretty good for a civic/echo owner!!], tinted aftermarket, certified,23000 miles, good tires..17 inch Dealer = toyota of roswell, 18,995 original price down to 17,500...no hassle deal with excellent service... good deal or not?? Car runs like a spaceship cruicing at mach1...great car!! |
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Replying to: easttexas (Feb 07, 2006 11:21 am) The dealer also added up the approximately extra $950 that apparently Gulf States Toyota charges for regional advertising. Toyota buyers in TX have to put up with this; I dont know if ordering a vehicle with only the options you want would save the money on unwanted ripoffs; Or do the dealers find another way to get you? Final Deal at $35,500 + TTL (which in Texas is almost $2900); I would have felt better if I had the same car for $34,500; Comments welcome |
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Replying to: avaron (Feb 19, 2006 2:42 pm) Congratulations on the purchase of your new Limited and regardless of what you paid, MSPR / Invoice, or something in between, I'm sure you will love the ride. I think the thought of not getting the Avy as close to invoice as you might have hoped for will soon fade from memory. I got a call from the dealership I ordered a 06 XLS Blizzard Pearl / Graphite on 2/10 telling me it was in. Well, after seeing the sweet deals some others on this site were getting I decided to drive over and talk to them about lowering the price or I would drive off into the sunset. They just got through prepping it inside and out and all that shiney stuff on the tires and a set of dice hanging from the rear view mirror (just kidding about the dice). Anyway, long story short, they would not come down on the price. A dealership is good at this game and they know that when a buyer sees the car put together just like they want it...the dealer wins. I did drive off into the sunset but it was in the Avalon. I paid $1200. over invoice... I'll get over it. Love the car and more importantly my wife feels the same way. Perhaps more. This is a replacement for her Camry. Enjoy the ride!! P.S. The above was not to take anything away from this site or the great comments made by other members regarding ways to beat the system. You do have to keep your self discipline and patience cranked up to hit the sweet spot. Mine caved in to a visual. * a special thanks to member tstrick |
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