Watch out for dealer antics when purchasing a new car around the Villages
 

I have been looking at new cars the last couple of weeks and ran into issues from local dealers that I think the Village residents should know about so they can watch out for these expenses when purchasing a new or used car.Every dealer that I dealt with within a 200 mile radius adds on to the MSRP a package of STUFF (they call it a Florida package which includes window tint, wheel locks, etc..) and these packages (not shown on the window sticker) can be up to $6000. For example, I looked at a 2022 used car at a local dealer that had an internet price of $40k, but the price they gave me after a test drive out the door was over $53k, which included $8k of dealer Florida package and certified warranty expenses plus taxes and registration. What got me was the manager tried to justify the $8k charge saying that all the people in the villages have done well and they don't mind paying these charges. I told him that it doesn't matter if somebody is well off or not, nobody wants to be foolish and spend almost 17% of the cars value on items that cost practically nothing. Of course I walked. (See below for an example on different values for these fees).

At the same time, I was dealing with a Nissan dealer in Ocala that also had a 2022 new car for sale for an asking price of $39k. I asked for an out the door price and he gave me 1 that didn't include any Florida package, just dealer fee of <$1000, and taxes and registration. When I got this quote from a text message, I called the salesman and asked him about any extra fees and he had to ask his manager and when he came back, he told me they were going to waive the $5900 package that they normally put on the sale because it was a 2022 and they wanted it sold. I told him I will come in the next day. This is where it gets strange.
The next day, I go to the dealers website to get their address and I looked at the car listing again and the dealer raised the price of the car almost $5k. I told him we were talking about the original price of $39k the day before and he told me that the person who puts together the ad/webpage put in a Platinum Altima price instead. I told him that's funny, Nissan doesn't make a Platinum Altima any more AND the highest price for the deluxe Altima isn't close to the $39k they were advertising the car I was looking at. Then he told me "you got me on that". Then he told me they can sell any car at any price. I have all of this saved in emails and text messages, plus a snapshot of the webpage showing the original price of the car for $39k.

I ended up buying a new 2023 Nissan from Courtesy Nissan in Tampa which only charged me $800 for their package fee (which I thought was reasonable and they were upfront, they didn't try to hide it) and they were also the cheapest within a 200 mile radius.

Buyer beware.

Nothing unusual. Order one from the factory and wait. Or walk out once they go above manufacturer list. Do not debate them. It’s only out the door price that matters. Why dealerships should cease to exist,

You can pay a specialist a fee to negotiate for you. Possibly worth it if you don’t want the hassle

I was at one time a new car salesman. Here is the way to buy a car. Go online and get the invoice price. Tell the dealer you will pay the invoice price only and they either agree or go to another dealer. Dealers can even sell under invoice and make money because there is a "hold back" of $xxx that the car manufacturer pays to the dealer after every sale. Our hold back was $750. Never ever give the salesman any cash as a good faith offering so he can show his manager that you are a serious buyer. They will try and hold your money hostage as they keep pressuring you to buy at their price.

One of the largest Dealers in the area is the worst at doing this. The big “J”

I have purchased 2 new Toyotas in the last 4 years. I have never been able to get a good price in Leesburg or Ocala. So I purchased in Tampa and Orlando.

Started looking again this month for a new Toyota again. I got prices from Tampa and Orlando. Then I walked into Toyota Leesburg and told them what I was looking for. I reminded them that they had been servicing my new cars for the last 4 years but I had never been able to purchase from them because of price.

They returned with a price $4000 higher than Tampa for the same vehicle. This included a $2,000 “market adjustment” fee and $2,000 in useless options they require … So it seems the local dealers feel no need to compete

I walked. I can have a very nice weekend in Tampa with the savings.

The dealers can't sell cars and their lots are overflowing to the point that even brand new cars are being sold at auction but they are still trying to cash in with these games ? I will never shop at a dealer that is doing these things.

After listening to the bs from dealership around here we went to Headquarters Honda in Clermont. Got a good price and no runaround.

Had the same experience with HQ Mazda also in Clermont.

:agree:

Car buying always was a dirty business. It sounds to me that where you worked not only shafted the customers but the sales staff as well. The dealer does not get the same, hold back on every car. It is actually called a call back and it changes depending on both brand and model. It is 4-6%. The reason why dealers could sell cars for $100 over dealer invoice.
With cars today costing roughly 30,000 4% is 1200 6% is 1,800.

One of our local dealers is running a radio ad they will not sell for over MSRP. MSRP is manufacturers suggested retail price-LIST PRICE. I've not bought a car in several years.
You negotiate from net net-real cost not from list down

Florida is currently the worst state to buy a car. Inventory is the lowest in Florida than any other state. Also, Florida law does not cap dock fees, whereas other states cap fees as low as $85.

We bought a new Toyota four years ago and the whole experience was very enjoyable.

We discussed our car-buying methods in other TOTV forums and we found others who use the same method. In short, we determine the car we want to buy, do research to determine a reasonable out-the-door price we are willing to pay, and go to the dealer and offer that price.

If we don't hear Yes within 15 minutes, we leave.

I seem to have same story as you, including servicing in Leesburg for my Toyota. I purchased a new one in Clearwater last year - AutoNation, which is not allowed to charge over MSRP I was told.

I was looking at the Hyundai Clermont dealer website. Every vehicle has a listed "Up Front Price". I called the dealership and asked what the up front price included. He told me that you need to add the sales tax (6 percent plus $50) and $474 for a tag transfer fee. But the Florida tag transfer fee is only about $75. He explained that some customers owe money to the state, and, if you don't, the state will send you a refund of about $400. Does that make any sense? I'm skeptical.

There is nothing illegal about charging more than the MSRP. I don't think that person told you the truth.