First some background:
I sent out a simple email to about 25 dealers within 50 miles of my home using email addresses available at this link
Google Answers: Toyota Dealerships Email addresses East of the Mississippi. My email stated I was looking to buy a Platinum Sequoia. No financing. No trade-in.
About half the dealerships didn't reply. Most just wanted me to call or visit them. Some offerred a new Sequoia at MSRP. 2 offered a new Sequoia at $2000 off MSRP. 1 dealer offerred a Platinum at $1500 over Factory invoice. 1 offerred to sell a plat to me for $1000 over factory invoice. Both of these last 2 offers were in writing (email) without me having to provide any information about myself.
I contacted the dealership where I bought my last Avalon to provide them with a chance to sell me a new Sequoia. I even visited them to talk with my previous salesman. I told them I had a $1K over invoice offer and asked if there was anything they could do for me. After the salesman discussed it with the manager, they called me back to tell me that they did not believe any dealers were offerring '08 Sequoia's at $1K over invoice. I assured them I wasn't lying and they suggested I follow-up with them if it didn't work out. I said thank you.
I contacted the dealer that offered a new '08 Plat Seq at $1K over factory invoice. The Internet Mgr assigned me to a sales rep and I met with them this evening to write-up a contract for my new Plat Sequoia (7933). My contract is in hand for a new Black (202) Platinum Sequoia with a Red Rock interior (21) plus the following options I wanted:
- Rear Entertainment - EY
- Cold Kit - CK
- DRL On/Off - RL
- Preferred Accessories Package (carpeted mats, cargo mat, door sill protector, cargo net, first aid kit) - Z1
- Wheel Locks - WL
The factory invoice for this vehicle in the NE included Destination charge, TDA, gas, dealer holdback and financial reserve was $52,418. The contracted price was $1000 over this factory invoice price ($53,418). The final price for this Platinum Sequoia was $5126 under MSRP or .912 of MSRP.
The out-the-door price included the following in addition to the vehicle cost above:
- NJ sales tax - 7%
- NJ tire tax (5x$1.50) - $7.50 (Is there anything NJ doesn't tax?)
- On-line registration fee - $8.30
- NJ Title and 4 yr registration - $334
- clerical expense and document fees - $145
For a total out-the-door price of $57,676.06. It'll probably take 8+ weeks for this combination to be assembled as there is only 1 black/red rock Platinum combo in the Toyota inventory system (according to this dealer). As I'm in no hurry, that's OK from my perspective.
I specifically asked the dealer if he was OK sharing this information with all of you on this forum. The internet mgr. said it was absolutely OK and that he would welcome the opportunity to offer this same deal for any of you interested in an "internet sale" at this dealership located in Northern NJ. I have no personal interest in this dealership and did not meet the Net Mgr before this evening. I found both the Net Mgr and Salesman to be both competent and professional. The Net Mgr is Ron and my salesman was - Andrew. Very good guys that made the entire process an enjoyable experience.
I hope those of you on this forum that are interested in a Sequoia consider Ron as an option if you are in the market for a new Sequoia. Here's Ron's email address:
rbailey@caldwelltoyota.com