Originally Posted by DebeeDoo (Post 2211432)

I am very curious about how to get around paying sales tax to both states when you purchase in another state? Doesn’t Florida charge sales tax when you go to register the vehicle? I don’t know how that all works. Thanks to OP and all other contributors to this thread!! I’m in the market for a new vehicle and suspected it would be challenging to get a fair deal in this area. And in fact, just yesterday my trusted technician/mechanic told me I would need to go to a big city -Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville - in order to not get “taken”!

Originally Posted by JRcorvette (Post 2210745)

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

Originally Posted by huge-pigeons (Post 2210665)

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.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2211115)

This is why we purchased our last Toyota 18 months ago from a dealer 80 miles away.

They feel we are too dumb to consider buying cars elsewhere.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2211102)

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.

Originally Posted by huge-pigeons (Post 2210665)

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.

Originally Posted by kkingston57 (Post 2211518)

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.

Originally Posted by New Englander (Post 2211506)

Where do you take it for service?

Originally Posted by New Englander (Post 2211506)

Where do you take it for service?

Originally Posted by Villagevip (Post 2211881)

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... : )

Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 2211906)

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.

Originally Posted by Villagevip (Post 2211881)

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... : )

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2211912)

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.

Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 2211927)

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.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2212015)

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

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2212015)

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

Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 2212026)

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.



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

Originally Posted by VApeople (Post 2212026)

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.



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

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2212186)

Your money so your decision but wondering what the salesman did for you that you felt it necessary to give him a $ 100 gift certificate.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2211576)

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.

Originally Posted by mrf0151 (Post 2212255)

The Cart dealer that you did not name had to go this route so they could take good care of "THEIR" buyers/customers. This unnamed Villages cart dealer sells 400 plus carts per month and services over 150 a day in their locations here in TV. Nothing to be upset about that they are doing the right thing.

Originally Posted by BrianL99 (Post 2212043)

I'm sure nothing has changed in the last 18 years.