[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.

[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

[Stu from NYC]

I did that with sams about two years ago and gave them cell number. Within 5 minutes got 4 calls.

Did not like the local toyota dealers wound up buying camry in Bradenton about 90 miles away.

[Toymeister]

We went to Jacksonville. MSRP for Toyotas no upcharge and no discount. Pretty simple take it or leave it, no games.

For an in demand vehicle that's as good as it gets in Toyota Land.

The days of discounts on Toyotas are gone. We put purchased two months ago.

Coggin Toyota

[gatorbill1]

Try Autonation Toyota for online quote - saved me a lot of $$$$$ driving to Tampa for my car. They do not add to MSRP anytime, anywhere.

[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!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by gatorbill1

Try Autonation Toyota for online quote - saved me a lot of $$$$$ driving to Tampa for my car. They do not add to MSRP anytime, anywhere.

I did. But the closest AutoNation I found was in Winter Park. I asked them for an out--the-door price on a 2023 Toyota RAV4 that was on their lot. I also calculated the fair out-the-door price on Edmunds.com, who said that I needed to pay about $500 more than the MSRP. AutoNation emailed me a quote that was more than $3,000 above the Edmunds suggested fair price. The quote added about $1,500 for "processing and handling", $399 for Weathertech mats, $199 for electronic filing, $995 for a dealer service fee, and $400 for a regular tag transfer. Also, the "window sticker" that appears on the AutoNation website was not the actual mandated Federal window sticker. It had been altered by AutoNation.

[FromDC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I did. But the closest AutoNation I found was in Winter Park. I asked them for an out--the-door price on a 2023 Toyota RAV4 that was on their lot. I also calculated the fair out-the-door price on Edmunds.com, who said that I needed to pay about $500 more than the MSRP. AutoNation emailed me a quote that was more than $3,000 above the Edmunds suggested fair price. The quote added about $1,500 for "processing and handling", $399 for Weathertech mats, $199 for electronic filing, $995 for a dealer service fee, and $400 for a regular tag transfer. Also, the "window sticker" that appears on the AutoNation website was not the actual mandated Federal window sticker. It had been altered by AutoNation.

Did you finally buy a Rav4 from another dealer? These add-on costs are insane!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by FromDC

Did you finally buy a Rav4 from another dealer? These add-on costs are insane!

I just got the first quote today, based on the AutoNation recommendation in Post No. 5. But, based on the quote, they added about $3,500 to the MSRP. Edmunds said that I should expect to pay $500 over the MSRP, but not $3,500.

[FromDC]

I just found a Facebook site called No Markup Toyota. It is a very active site where buyers want to buy and dealers want to sell at or near MSRP. The focus is across the US, but you can narrow down your review with searches (i.e. Florida, Rav4 Hybrid Limited, etc.)

I am not promoting this site, but maybe some of this information maybe helpful in your search.

[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.

[retiredguy123]

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 agree. In my experience, people who don't do any research will pay between $2,000 and $4,000 too much for a typical vehicle.

[Michael G.]

It's the trade-in that confuses most people.
It's never apples to apples or oranges to oranges, sales aways what's to talk apples and oranges
to confuse a buyer.

Best way, (and I did this many times) is sell your trade yourself, even a little below market value.
Then you can talk eye to eye on a new vehicle you want and any dealership.

There's some good U-Tube videos on car buying.

[Babubhat]

So why would Costco put up with dealer packing nonsense.? Try them first

[retiredguy123]

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.

I am also in the market for a new vehicle. Today, I went to the Deluca Toyota website and inquired about a specific new RAV4 that is on their lot. I asked for an out-the-door quote from their Internet sales manager. I received a quote, but it was $5,000 higher than the Edmunds.com fair value, even though Edmunds indicated that I should expect to pay about $500 more than the MSRP. So, even after adding $500 to the MSRP, Deluca still wanted to charge me an additional $5,000. I may decide to keep my current vehicle.