Dealership Experience - Price Mistake

That's why most people hate the so called new car buying experience. It shouldn't take 3 hours to purchase a car.

 

I will say, the best experience I had was when we were the last deal of the day, and got into the finance office at about 9 pm on a Friday. The guy literally asked once if we wanted any extended warranty stuff, and even showed me where I could sign to elect no coverage. I think he just wanted to go home, lol.

This was also at a Kia dealer, and a used car, so maybe they take a different approach, too. But we were in and out of the back room in 15 minutes.

 

Just purchased a 2024 TRD ORP w/ KDSS In Underground 4 weeks ago. Negotiated over the phone only. Searched their website for the exact model/trim/options I wanted then wrote down the vin#. Was in transit, approximately 2-week wait. Called and asked for the fleet sales manager, his name is Allen Hon. Gave him the vin#, ground on him, but not much really. He gave me approximately 5% off Msrp. Asked me how I am paying for it, said I would wire transfer the money when it gets in. He asked for a $500.00 deposit to hold the vehicle, I gave him my debit card number. Around 10 days later he called and said the truck is here, emailed me the purchase agreement which was in a doc-u-sign format. Looked it over very carefully, a couple times. Signed, wire transferred the money, less the $500.00 deposit. He called and said when would you like to pick up the truck, told him this Saturday at opening, which was 9:00 am. Got there 15 minutes early, traffic was light. The truck was parked on the curb out front (see avatar) of the truck dept. on the curb. I texted him I was there outside by the truck. I stopped at the truck and looked it over thoroughly, inside and out. He walked out, I shook his hand, said thanks, he handed me a pair of keys, he said all the paperwork is in the glove box. I got in and drove away, it had 3 miles on the odometer. This purchase took place at Longo Toyota, El Monte, CA. They tout that it’s the largest Toyota dealership in the world. At the time of purchase, they had over 3,000 new vehicles on the lot, of that 103 were new 4Runners. Never saw the F & I dept. Never even went inside. That was the easiest commission he made that day.

 

holy shit!! That significantly more than i paid for my new 2022 lunar rock trail special editon 4rnr with a couple extras added on.

 

Agree it seemed crazy to me.

At least she'll be saving some on gas. She drives quite a bit on the highway and 10mpg over regular Rav4.

Taxes + fees were around 5700.

Hybrid Limited base is 40k.



Add most expensive options package + a few major accessories like tow harness wiring, all weather mats, etc. + for about 3k more, then add dealer crap. Taxes are where it really hurts.

 

This is exactly how I bought mine, but at Earnhardt Toyota in AZ. Easiest large item transaction I've ever done.

 

Yes, I looked at their inventory as well, they offer the “No Bull” price, which I used as a pry bar against Longo Toyota. Good job Jake.

 

I am looking to get the SR5 premium 4WD or the Trd off Road premium. It is hard to get SR5 Premium 4x4. How is the Longo Toyota price compared to Earnhardt Toyota in AZ? Thank you

 

Longo and Earnhardt are virtually the same as far as price discounts off Msrp. Earnhardt just gives you the “No Bull” price up front, while Longo doesn’t, have to ask for it and mention the best price you found, don’t mention Earnhardt though. I went with Longo solely because being closer to me in San Diego than driving to Phoenix, although I would have flown over there to pick it up if the price was right.

 

Just did a little digging and found out other buyers from the dealership we went to have also reported bait-and-switch tactics from the Finance guy where they switch the price on the final sign document, and then claim it was a software glitch.

Where does one report this kind of thing? What news organization would love to do an undercover investigation of this dealership? Anyone I could contact at Toyota HQ ?

 

You can make a complaint with the your state AG office.

 

Anyone who has power over it already knows, and either doesn't care, or actually approves it.

Toyota doesn't care, they are selling the car to a third party (dealer) who does what they wish.

 

Wrong.

 

Which part? Everyone involved is complicit with the dealer business model, including the part where they try to charge more for nothing that's value added.

 

I’d be surprised if Toyota or even the GM approves of that. Finance guys are shady, and some of them do get fired. I’ve been buying cars for 24 years, they don’t get away with shady stuff when caught. Especially, forget GMs, owners!

 

That's bs. No way Toyota would condone such a thing. Would be the quickest way to destroy their brand reputation if this was wide spread.

 

I don't think Toyota has control over it.

The dealer owner is obviously okay with the games, otherwise the finance guy would be gone.

Edit: I realize I'm being a little pessimistic here, but this is my take on it.

And I think you're still confusing Toyota with independent dealers.

 

I was able to buy at MSRP, which I found to be a deal compared to other dealerships that still tried market adjustment me, by asking for out-of-the-door all-included price.

Finance wasted my time trying to sell me overpriced options, but they did take no for an answer.

Dealerships are a plague, I would rather not deal with them but Toyota isn't offering direct sales.

 

Sadly, inflation is out of control. I paid only slightly less for my 4Runner in 2024 than what I paid 10 years ago for an exotic.

 

A car. No exotic woman is that cheap.

 

Wow. This has devolved quickly from the initial topic....