Any advice on buying a car from a dealer??

[Nebe]

chef tacomas are so reliable and hold their value so well i wouldn't buy a new one- get a toyota certified used tacoma from a dealer thats 5 years old and you will be happy as a clam for around 8 grand. thats what i did. never show interest, talk them down until they say no.. dont look desperate and make them think your 'thinking about a new car' if i remember right i got the guys at tarbox down 2500$$ Dont be afraid to low ball them and walk out- ALso make them think that you are interested in tacomas at other dealerships, they want to outsell other dealerships and will cut deals just to make a sale over a competitor.

[cheferson]

Only problem eben is that both the dealers have no pre-owned tacomas. Cheapest they had was $16k + , only 1 base model, non-extended cab at the local dealers, no used ! I looked for the tacoma near your shop today too . Didnt see any for sale, say one black one one the road near your shop , but didnt see any for sale sighns on it . %$%$%$%$ing pain in the ass !!!

[gone fishin]

Chef - just remember, if the sales mans lips are moving he is lying!

[Jenn]

OoooooopS! ...last night I could not calculate properly! damn those decimals and extra zeros! Good thing I am not a banker....anyway I have edited the following with what I THINK is correct math!!Sorry!!


Cheferson....If you can take your time and keep looking. I got mine at 130,000 miles. It now has 145,000 and doesnt/hasnt needed a thing other than tires, gas and oil changes...HONEST. I have had plenty of vehicles with less miles that I wouldnt drive more than 45 minutes from home in. But I would drive this truck across the country and not worry one bit. Look at it this way if you bought a new $30,000 truck with a $500 a month payment driving 20,000 a year it would cost you 30 cents a mile just to OWN (never mind insurance gas etc.) And lets say you owned it for 5 years and got 100,000 miles on it. Still with me? Now you could buy a tacoma with 100,000 miles knowing it will last another 100,000 for $10,000(no loan) and at the same rate of driving it would cost you only 10 cents to own per mile (again not including gas etc.) so at a rate of 20 cents difference per mile X 100,000 miles thats a savings of $20,000!!! which I am sure you could deal with if the used vehicle needed any repairs along the way!

[zimmy]

If you go the new car route, DO NOT give a deposit to the dealer untill the car you want to buy is on the lot and in front of you. I gave a deposit to a dealer to bring in a car. First they brought in a color that was completely unacceptable, which we had previously made very clear to the salesman. Then they said they could get the correct one in 3 days, then another week, then there was a "paper work" problem so it would be a few more days. Another week went by and so on. Ended up buying a different brand as the vehicle we were looking for could not be found at any dealer from NY to Maine. We were royally getting jerked around by the original dealership. The fight is still on for the money... it started last July. Other dealers didn't take a deposit or guaranteed we could get the money back no questions asked even up to delivery. If a dealer requires a non-refundable deposit, go somewhere else.

[MotoXcowboy]

Chef, I have 2 friends that are mechanics at the NK tarbox, they pretty much get first dibs on the customer trade ins..You gotta have cash up front I believe, most of em get sent right to the auctions or something if no one wants them. I will tell my friends to let me know if a tacoma comes through, and PM you if you want.

[Mike P]

Non-refundable deposits are illegal in many states, by the way.

[cheferson]

Decided to save and got an older tocoma, and have no payment and same $40 insurance. Found a 98 with 130,000 for 3k.

Thanks

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by cheferson

Decided to save and got an older tocoma, and have no payment and same $40 insurance. Found a 98 with 130,000 for 3k.

Thanks

good for you- that taccoma is just getting broken in