Hi members, I just discovered this board. Has anybody purchased a Toyota recently? They are advertising 2.9% interest. If you bought a car, where did you go for the financing if Toyota did not give you the 2.9%. What rate?
I'm curious also. In the fall, they said you needed a 680 FICO to qualify for their best financing. Does anyone know what they are asking for now? And, since we are on the topic of Toyota financing, how long is the term for the 2.9%, and are they offering it on Camry's. or just selected vehicles?
For what it is worth, a finance manager said 3 years at 2.9% on all models. He would not talk any other details but invited us in to see him on Monday. Car dealers have an opportunity to screw you over on the price, rate and trade. They also know not to talk too much until we are in the showroom.
The last two times I got cars (a Camry and an Accord), I went to Atlanta where the competition is greater. I shopped on the internet on price and they competed with each other. I got each car at a few hundred over invoice, about $2000 less than I could buy it here. I shopped around for interest and got a decent deal both times. When I'm ready, its back to Atlanta. I hate going into the dealership and playing their games. Last time, on the Accord, the dealer had the car on the lot ready to go when I pulled up. Financing was approved with a better rate than I found through the banks or CU's. I just signed the papers and was on my way. No suprises.
I bought a Camry in '98. No trade in. I got excellent pricing but had to go to the credit union for the loan. Toyota was 8.9% and the CU was 7.7%. This time I want to trade my Camry. In my opinion, the end of Jan is the best time to buy a car. Paricularly, this year. Although since my car only has 47K miles, I don't really have to buy.
I have the '98 Camry with 48,000 miles. Best car I ever had. I plan to drive it as long as possible. Why would you even think of getting rid of yours? I am going to get another Camry this year because we need a third car.
Karen, Exactly which Toyota dealerships in Atlanta did you visit/bargain with wrt the Camry? I live near Atlanta, love Toyotas, and wouldn't mind at all traveling to Atlanta to get a car. Thanks,
Atlanta Toyota will almost always be the cheapest. There are 2 internet guys there. You get a better price through them than through regular sales guys. see if you can get a quote through the internet first. then go in and take their doc fee (I think it was about 300 or so) and have them reduce the price at least by that much... On a normal car you can normally get one for a couple hundred over real cost.
Thanks, Marie! I will check them out. The 3 Toyota dealerships in my city aren't all that competitive and their salespeople have all ticked me off in some form or another. I love my Corolla, but it doesn't have a sunroof/moonroof. I'm itching for a new Corolla with that feature. (Their 2002 Campry is too large for me). If I don't get another Corolla, I will consider their 2002 Highlander. It comes in a *gorgeous* pewter color. dreamin' away...
Ah. the Highlander is a nice one. Amazingly, you can get one from them for about 400-500 over true cost (including their beloved doc fee). they have a very large selection there. I shopped 4 dealerships before helping someone get their first Toyota. I was surprised at what a good deal we were able to secure (I get the honor of negotiating all my friends and family members' cars because I can Oh, and about negotiating. Normally they'll tell you that the internet prices are fixed. talk to them before making the trip to Atlanta. then, before you drive all the way here... call and get them to drop the price another 100 or 200. I always leave a dealership, call back and do a "How about ..." and to date, I've always gotten a bit more out of them. When talking price, make sure to tell them you know the car is reasonably new on the lot so they have maximum holdback... meaning it's a good gross profit deal for them even if there's less "profit" on the front end. If you want to read a good book on buying a new car read an old one "How not to get taken every time". I think the author is Sutton. I used to date 2 sales managers, so I know all the tricks... ))
Marie, Thanks for the great tips. I'll grab that Sutton book from Amazon. LOL! You know how to maximize the most out of all your relationships with people. I hope your company pays you well. Hmmmm.... I vote Atlanta for the spot for the CreditNet gathering... preferably on the day I go car shopping! Thanks again,
I've found that World Toyota in Chamblee to have the best prices. I'd also vote for the creditnet party to be in ATL.
Sorry I took so long to answer. I used Sandy Springs Toyota. The neat thing is that they advertised a price, and had over 50 in stock at that price. No games at all. Last year I got my Honda in Atlanta at Milton Martin. Same deal - no games. Plenty of cars at the advertised price. Each time the car was about $200 - 300 over dealer cost. The bottom line is that none of my local dealers could come within $2000 of the Atlanta dealers.
