[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

Had this happen to me twice and on both occasions I was paid back the difference. However it was not paid by the state. Dealer sent me the money both times.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by huge-pigeons

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.

Good information. Wonder if these car dealers get a lot of sales, due to some peoples belief that they will get better service from a "local" car dealer, like some people get in TV with their golf carts. Cars and carts both are extremely reliable and no one should be paying thousands of dollars for this "promise"

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

Had this happen to me twice and on both occasions I was paid back the difference. However it was not paid by the state. Dealer sent me the money both times.

Why would I pay $474 for a title and tag transfer that only costs about $100? The suggestion that I may owe money to the state was absurd.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by New Englander

Where do you take it for service?

During the warranty time Phillips Toyota, when warranty expires will go elsewhere.

[Limey]

If you want to get ripped off by dealers with their 'fees' then shop in this area, if not then get an out the door price on the phone from several dealers & be prepared to go out of state. We have a long weekend away & go to Tennessee & get great deals.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by New Englander

Where do you take it for service?

Any Franchised New Car Dealership will be thrilled to service your car under Warranty, regardless of where you bought it ... unlike some *un-named* Golf Cart dealers.

Dealers are essentially paid the exact same amount of money for Warranty Work, as they're paid for Customer Paid repairs. Most every state has a "parity" law that requires Manufacturers to pay the same rate. Florida's is not exactly a parity law, but close enough (Chapter 320 Section 696 - 2011 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate)

Manufacturer Paid Warranty work is huge revenue producer for Automobile dealers and their Franchise Agreement requires them to do it, for any owner of vehicles from the specific manufacturer.

[jpvillager]

Last new car we bought near Rochester NY. No additional fees and dealer had a third party that for $100 took care of Florida registration, plate transfer and sales tax payment.

[Villagevip]

Never say Im'a cash buyer...Go in with the lowest acceptable down payment, and lowest acceptable monthlies..Annual precent Rate(APR), monthlies very high for six years, but not important..For the banks to buy this deal, car has to be heavily discounted.. Dealers expect to profit on the back end..Make one, or two payments (if required)..Then cash out, for a great deal... : )

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Villagevip

Never say Im'a cash buyer...Go in with the lowest acceptable down payment, and lowest acceptable monthlies..Annual precent Rate(APR), monthlies very high for six years, but not important..For the banks to buy this deal, car has to be heavily discounted.. Dealers expect to profit on the back end..Make one, or two payments (if required)..Then cash out, for a great deal... : )

Your way involves too much thinking and too much energy. We find it easier to just make a cash off and leave if they don't accept it.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Your way involves too much thinking and too much energy. We find it easier to just make a cash off and leave if they don't accept it.

I agree. Cash is the way to go. I also don't believe in playing the same games the dealer does. I am completely honest and polite with the dealer. If I am paying cash and not trading in a vehicle, I will tell the dealer that upfront. But I don't negotiate. I also tell them that I never buy a vehicle the same day because my mother always told me to sleep on a large purchase before buying. Car salespeople hate that.

[mrf0151]

Do your homework so your prepared. Know what dealer cost is for the vehicle you want to buy. Once you know this then contact ONLY the internet manager at the dealership. Only deal with this person. You can do this online or by phone. Get your firm out the door price including EVERYTHING. Make your appointment with this internet manager to do the paperwork and drive the vehicle home.
You will save thousands.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Villagevip

Never say Im'a cash buyer...Go in with the lowest acceptable down payment, and lowest acceptable monthlies..Annual precent Rate(APR), monthlies very high for six years, but not important..For the banks to buy this deal, car has to be heavily discounted.. Dealers expect to profit on the back end..Make one, or two payments (if required)..Then cash out, for a great deal... : )

Other than your statement the car "has to be heavily discounted", you're reasonably accurate.

Because of current market conditions, dealers are counting on the "back end" to provide additional profits. This "profit" is usually close to 75% of the profit from Dealer Cost to Retail Sales price. In other words, the Dealer may double his anticipated profit, if he provides the financing.

All that said, banks do put some limit on the amount they will finance, but it's usually higher than MSRP, depending on a person's credit.

The caveat, is some Retail Installment Contracts have a pre-payment penalty. I'm not sure if Florida allows pre-payment penalties.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree. Cash is the way to go. I also don't believe in playing the same games the dealer does. I am completely honest and polite with the dealer. If I am paying cash and not trading in a vehicle, I will tell the dealer that upfront. But I don't negotiate. I also tell them that I never buy a vehicle the same day because my mother always told me to sleep on a large purchase before buying. Car salespeople hate that.

Yeah, you and I had this discussion in a different thread a few years ago.
I guess neither of us has changed our opinions since then, have we?

I like dealing with salespeople.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Yeah, you and I had this discussion in a different thread a few years ago.
I guess neither of us has changed our opinions since then, have we?

I like dealing with salespeople.

The problem with sales people is they have no authority and must go to a hire up.

If I negotiate will only do so with the guy who has the authority.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

The problem with sales people is they have no authority and must go to a hire up.

When we bought our 2005 Honda Accord in Fairfax VA, we had a nice salesman. We made our offer but his sales manager would not accept it, so we thanked the salesman, went outside, got in our car, and started to drive away. Then the salesman came outside and said they would accept our offer, so we parked the car, went back inside, and bought the car.

While we waited for the deal to be written up, we had a nice discussion about the history of science with the salesman. Afterwards, we bought a $100 gift certificate for the local supermarket and sent it to the salesman.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

If I negotiate will only do so with the guy who has the authority.

Since we never negotiate, we have no need to talk with the sales manager.