[retiredguy123]

New vehicle pricing update: So, far, I have received "out-the-door" emailed quotes from 3 local Toyota dealers for a new 2023 Toyota RAV4, which is actually last year's model. They range from $3,000 to $5,000 above the fair value suggested by Edmunds.com. The Deluca quote was $5,000 above the Edmunds value, and the salesman said it was because of Covid. Go figure. I will keep looking, but I am beginning to think that these dealer Internet sales departments are a crock.

[GatorFan]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

New vehicle pricing update: So, far, I have received "out-the-door" emailed quotes from 3 local Toyota dealers for a new 2023 Toyota RAV4, which is actually last year's model. They range from $3,000 to $5,000 above the fair value suggested by Edmunds.com. The Deluca quote was $5,000 above the Edmunds value, and the salesman said it was because of Covid. Go figure. I will keep looking, but I am beginning to think that these dealer Internet sales departments are a crock.

I worked by email with sales agent. Advised what I was looking for and what I would pay. Went back and forth by email. Stood my ground. After 3 weeks Drove to Gainesville and signed the papers.

Give it a try. Nothing to lose

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Try one of the free car buying price sites to get a starting point. Negotiate from there. Use a disposable email and phone number. Your credit card may also offer this

And there is Costco. They have a Toyota dealer participating

Auto Buying ZIP Code Entry | Costco Auto Program

I was thinking maybe I should replace my 2012 Prius with 180,000 miles on it. It’s never needed any work. I thought maybe a new Prius Prime. Then I discovered in the Consumer Reports review that the 2023 Prius models have been redesigned and have much lower doors. The review said that unless you a very limber, a Prius will no longer be a good choice. They also have a lot less storage room in the back with the seats down. Alas! I already have to be careful about hitting my head in the one I have now. I love my Prius (which I use as a minivan), and I don’t like SUVs.

[cjrjck]

Florida dealers charge a high doc fee. For years I have tried to get around it. The only way I have found to do so is to have the dealer come off the price the same amount as the doc fee. I also only ask dealers for a "drive out" price. The final price I would pay for the vehicle, everything included. No matter which method you use to come to a "drive out" price of your vehicle after shopping around, you may want to go to the local Toyota dealers or go back to them and ask if they can beat that price. You'd be surprised how often they can at that point. If they can't, you probably have the best deal.

[Jolson]

Originally Posted by FromDC

Thanks to the OP for posting this timely thread! We want a new Rav4 Hybrid, but will not buy local due to the upcharges. Will check into these dealer suggestions. Any other thoughts would be appreciated!

We thought the same. We went to Clermont to get away from TV but ended up back at Phillips in Leesburg. Same car, RAV4 Hybrid, same base price but $200/month less per month on a 36 mo lease (we always lease). How can that be?? I have never liked car shopping!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by cjrjck

Florida dealers charge a high doc fee. For years I have tried to get around it. The only way I have found to do so is to have the dealer come off the price the same amount as the doc fee. I also only ask dealers for a "drive out" price. The final price I would pay for the vehicle, everything included. No matter which method you use to come to a "drive out" price of your vehicle after shopping around, you may want to go to the local Toyota dealers or go back to them and ask if they can beat that price. You'd be surprised how often they can at that point. If they can't, you probably have the best deal.

I don't include any "doc fee" when I calculate an offer to a dealer. Neither Edmunds.com nor KBB.com recognize a doc fee as a legitimate dealer charge.

[hoot2602]

Originally Posted by Doro22

I’m looking to buy a new car. Have you dealt with DeLuca Toyota? Good or bad experience? I’d rather have a tooth pulled than purchase a new car.

We've dealt with Delucca once and it will be the last time! The upcharges are ridiculous and the BS abounds. Watch out for those warranties!

[Mrfriendly]

Originally Posted by justjim

I’ve satisfactorily purchased my share of new cars. If you haven’t done your due diligence prior to making that trip to a dealership you can be frustrated at best and angered at worst that you got “taken” for several hundred dollars by a quick talking salesperson. Some advice, first research the exact vehicle and model you wish to purchase. Yes, talk it over with your wife. For example, my wife always has “colors” on her mind and she likes to research too. After making that decision and finding its price, don’t settle for anything else. If you have a trade, research what your trade is worth. After subtracting your trade from the sticker price and adding taxes you’re ready to “shop” for that vehicle. I’ve called dealerships to see if they have the car on site that we are wanting to drive and purchase. No need to waste your time and a salesperson’s time if they don’t have that vehicle in stock. With your due diligence research, you definitely are confident and ready to buy or walk and move on if the dealership isn’t ready to sell you the vehicle at the price you’re willing to pay. Walk if you were told they had the vehicle but didn’t and they try to sell you a different vehicle. That would be a “red flag” for me. Finally, you can check with friends and neighbors regarding various dealerships and salespersons reputations prior to going to a dealership. If you are prepared and done due diligence, purchasing a new car can be a good experience.

I totally agree to prepare before going to dealer. We just bought a Subaru two days ago and first dealer wouldn’t take away added fees next day another dealer more than happy to work with us and we bought the car without any anxiety.
For the last year, I have been watching this YouTube channel: Kevin Hunter The Homework Guy - YouTube. They offered great advice on how to buy cars.

[NoMo50]

Car dealerships have refined the practice of adding additional "fluff" to the bottom line car price in order to increase dealer profit. The most prevalent, and insidious, is the "doc fee." Why should anyone pay extra for something the dealer is mandated by law to provide? With just a few keystrokes on their computer, the dealer inputs all the information necessary to generate the documents required at the time of sale. The documents are then printed out in a matter of minutes, and they think this justifies charging a huge extra fee?

I have purchased countless new vehicles at dealerships in my time on this planet, and never once have I paid a "doc fee." I tell the salesperson up front that I will not pay whatever it is they want to charge to generate the documents, and if they refuse, I walk out. Yes...there have been times I have walked away from the dealership over this issue, but have always been able to find a dealer who wanted to make the sale. There is plenty of profit built into the sales price of new vehicles without the additional markup, even if the dealer were to sell the car at "invoice." But, as long as people fall for these tactics, dealers will continue to use them.

Be smart, be a savvy buyer, stand your ground, and be prepared to walk away if the deal isn't right.

[Robbb]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I was thinking maybe I should replace my 2012 Prius with 180,000 miles on it. It’s never needed any work. I thought maybe a new Prius Prime. Then I discovered in the Consumer Reports review that the 2023 Prius models have been redesigned and have much lower doors. The review said that unless you a very limber, a Prius will no longer be a good choice. They also have a lot less storage room in the back with the seats down. Alas! I already have to be careful about hitting my head in the one I have now. I love my Prius (which I use as a minivan), and I don’t like SUVs.

Just a for what it's worth.

I'm a car guy, I would never trust Consumer Reports in making a car decision. I remember a few years ago they tested cars with the collision avoidance systems. They tested the Prius and it failed the test but, surprisingly, finished in the middle of the pack of cars tested. A few months later Toyota posted a response saying the Prius model Consumer Reports tested did not have the collision avoidance system and it fact, at that time NO Toyota models had the system installed. At that point I lost all faith in Consumer Reports.

[Loug56]

Did my first service there after moving here after trying Phillips in Leesburg, very satisfied with Deluca.

[melpetezrinski]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

Car dealerships have refined the practice of adding additional "fluff" to the bottom line car price in order to increase dealer profit. The most prevalent, and insidious, is the "doc fee." Why should anyone pay extra for something the dealer is mandated by law to provide? With just a few keystrokes on their computer, the dealer inputs all the information necessary to generate the documents required at the time of sale. The documents are then printed out in a matter of minutes, and they think this justifies charging a huge extra fee?

I have purchased countless new vehicles at dealerships in my time on this planet, and never once have I paid a "doc fee." I tell the salesperson up front that I will not pay whatever it is they want to charge to generate the documents, and if they refuse, I walk out. Yes...there have been times I have walked away from the dealership over this issue, but have always been able to find a dealer who wanted to make the sale. There is plenty of profit built into the sales price of new vehicles without the additional markup, even if the dealer were to sell the car at "invoice." But, as long as people fall for these tactics, dealers will continue to use them.

Be smart, be a savvy buyer, stand your ground, and be prepared to walk away if the deal isn't right.

I can appreciate your car buying abilities, as I also consider myself extremely savvy in the process. However, these are different times. The market is heavily weighted in the seller's favor. Demand is strong, inventory is tight and prices keep rising. Just take a look at the inflationary details on new car sales and even used car sales. Do a search for on the lot inventory for RAV4 prime or Prius prime. Markets dictate price and the dealerships have us at every angle. Sure, you can still pit dealers against each other but the price is still going to be inflated. Now, if you have time, I strongly suggest waiting 6 months. I think we are going to be in a completely different buying environment.

[daniel200]

I have been looking to buy a new RAV4 hybrid for several months now. I refuse to pay $3,000 to $5,000 additional for Toyota add ons. So far, I have not been successful. The real problem seems to be the huge demand for this vehicle. Toyota is selling everything they make and dealers in Florida are just not willing deal. I keep hoping higher interest rates will cut demand ..

[Ecuadog]

Originally Posted by melpetezrinski

I can appreciate your car buying abilities, as I also consider myself extremely savvy in the process. However, these are different times. The market is heavily weighted in the seller's favor. Demand is strong, inventory is tight and prices keep rising. Just take a look at the inflationary details on new car sales and even used car sales. Do a search for on the lot inventory for RAV4 prime or Prius prime. Markets dictate price and the dealerships have us at every angle. Sure, you can still pit dealers against each other but the price is still going to be inflated. Now, if you have time, I strongly suggest waiting 6 months. I think we are going to be in a completely different buying environment.

Bingo.

[srswans]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

It's the trade-in that confuses most people….
Best way, (and I did this many times) is sell your trade yourself, even a little below market value….

I agree - taking the trade-in out of the equation simplifies the deal and reduces your chance of getting ripped off.

However, one needs to factor in the sales tax savings when considering skipping the trade-in: tax is computed after subtracting the trade-in value from the new car value.

If your trade-in is worth $30k, you’ll save $2100 in sales tax.

If you could sell old vehicle for $33k outright, then skip the trade-in process. Otherwise you may want to see what the dealership can do.

Of course, if your trade-in is only worth $3k, it is not worth the hassle - see if CarMax will buy the old vehicle.