'06 SR5......Good Deal?

[dano100]

Looking at a 2006 SR5 Access Cab, 2WD, 23K miles, tow package, V8, bench seat, Toyota Certified. Looks perfect. Dealer has it marked down to $15,999 frm $17,999. Good deal????

[JBK23]

I would say that's bout fair maybe they can go down a 1,000 dollars !

[Matador98]

Not bad. I think you can get it down a bit more. I'd go in and offer 14,000. If they don't take it, leave and give them a couple days to respond. They will. You should be able to get anywhere from 1.5 - 3K off of asking right now. I got 3K below asking on my 06 in december, and a friend got 2.5K off asking off of his in november.

[dano100]

They were asking $17,999 a month ago so they have come down $2000. Sales manager said they may be able to come down another $500 off the $15,999 but that is it. I crossed shopped on Cars.com and in a 250 mile radius from my zip this was the 3rd cheapest price for an '06 AC. The 2 that were cheaper had between 45,000-60,000 miles and not Certified. This one only has 23,000 miles.

edmunds.com TMV for this Toyota Certified. truck is $17,450.

[Matador98]

There's a reason they came down $2000...nobody has bought it. Always know the salesman is probably blowing smoke, and go below what he says. I still wouldn't offer more than 14.5K and let them think about it, especially on an AC.

[dano100]

Originally Posted by Matador98

There's a reason they came down $2000...nobody has bought it. Always know the salesman is probably blowing smoke, and go below what he says. I still wouldn't offer more than 14.5K and let them think about it, especially on an AC.

I think the reason they haven't sold it is because it is 2WD. Here in Ohio probably 90% - 95% of Tundras and 4Runners sold are 4WD. Truthfuly, you only need 4WD 5-10 days out of the year. The MPG advantage of the 2WD outweighs the convenience of the 4WD, IMO.

[Matador98]

Another reason to hit 'em low, IMOP. You may be surprised. When I hit my dealer with a lowball offer, they took it without any counter. I was shocked. It's a weird time.

[JBK23]

I would have the truck inspected and ask to see paper work of things they did to the truck. Dealers can lie when it comes to that certified thing just a heads up.

[tundradreams]

Originally Posted by JBK23

I would have the truck inspected and ask to see paper work of things they did to the truck. Dealers can lie when it comes to that certified thing just a heads up.

I am not sure how much you know about a vehicle being Toyota Certified, but it is not something a dealer wants to mess around with. TCUV will send out people to check dealers CPO vehicles randomly to make sure they are compliant with the rules of Certified Toyotas.

When it comes to used vehicles right now, the prices are being driven up by people buying more pre-owned than new, which makes the value higher. Also, on a Certified Toyota, the dealer has the cost of reconditioning a vehicle to CPO standards, as well as an additional cost to Toyota to sell it as CPO. This raises their cost in the vehicle, which ultimately reduces the amount they can reduce the asking price.

You all ready have $2,000 off, and they said they can probably knock off another $500. Give them an offer of $1,000 to see if they will bite, or go a little more than $500 off the reduced price. If they stay firm, and you like the truck, buy it. I have seen many people leave to try to "stand their ground" and make the dealer budge, just to see someone come in right behind them and buy it, many times for more than what you would have paid. I know, many people will say it was fate and not meant to be. Really, it was stubborness, and now you will feel like crap for settling for another vehicle other than the one you wanted.

[dano100]

Originally Posted by tundradreams

I am not sure how much you know about a vehicle being Toyota Certified, but it is not something a dealer wants to mess around with. TCUV will send out people to check dealers CPO vehicles randomly to make sure they are compliant with the rules of Certified Toyotas.

When it comes to used vehicles right now, the prices are being driven up by people buying more pre-owned than new, which makes the value higher. Also, on a Certified Toyota, the dealer has the cost of reconditioning a vehicle to CPO standards, as well as an additional cost to Toyota to sell it as CPO. This raises their cost in the vehicle, which ultimately reduces the amount they can reduce the asking price.

You all ready have $2,000 off, and they said they can probably knock off another $500. Give them an offer of $1,000 to see if they will bite, or go a little more than $500 off the reduced price. If they stay firm, and you like the truck, buy it. I have seen many people leave to try to "stand their ground" and make the dealer budge, just to see someone come in right behind them and buy it, many times for more than what you would have paid. I know, many people will say it was fate and not meant to be. Really, it was stubborness, and now you will feel like crap for settling for another vehicle other than the one you wanted.

I totally agree with what you said here. The quote you responded to was not from me, the guy interested in the Tundra. I fully understand that a Toyota Certified vehicle has to meet certain standards to qualify. I checked this truck out in person and it looks "brand new". It is an off lease vehicle with full service records. Services were performed every 3000-5000 miles. Clean CarFax that also lists all the service done.
I think $15,999 is a fair price for this truck. I guess I am looking for opinions from others to either verify my opinion or to enlighten me with information that could sway my opinion the other way.
Thanks for your input.

[Matador98]

Originally Posted by tundradreams

You all ready have $2,000 off, and they said they can probably knock off another $500. Give them an offer of $1,000 to see if they will bite, or go a little more than $500 off the reduced price. If they stay firm, and you like the truck, buy it. I have seen many people leave to try to "stand their ground" and make the dealer budge, just to see someone come in right behind them and buy it, many times for more than what you would have paid. I know, many people will say it was fate and not meant to be. Really, it was stubborness, and now you will feel like crap for settling for another vehicle other than the one you wanted.

dano100, it's your prerogative to do whatever you want, but I think the quote above has a little BS. Any other economy, it's probably true, but not right now. There are plenty of trucks, plenty of dealers, and not nearly enough buyers. The buyer is in the drivers seat, and you should act like it. That's my opinion, and I've repeated it multiple times in this thread. Either way, buy smart and get the best deal you can that you will be happy with. If you want to pay 16K for an access cab, great, but you're overpaying right now. And for the record, I am very familiar with Toyota Certification. I've bought two and advised multiple friends on purchases of them.

[dano100]

Originally Posted by Matador98

dano100, it's your prerogative to do whatever you want, but I think the quote above has a little BS. Any other economy, it's probably true, but not right now. There are plenty of trucks, plenty of dealers, and not nearly enough buyers. The buyer is in the drivers seat, and you should act like it. That's my opinion, and I've repeated it multiple times in this thread. Either way, buy smart and get the best deal you can that you will be happy with. If you want to pay 16K for an access cab, great, but you're overpaying right now. And for the record, I am very familiar with Toyota Certification. I've bought two and advised multiple friends on purchases of them.

Alright.....this is what I was hoping for....an intelligent discusssion with varying opinions on the subject. Your points are well taken. But I can tell you that I went to AutoTrader and Cars.com and searched a 250 mile radius from my zip and this truck was listed as the 3rd cheapest (for a 2006). The 2 trucks that were cheaper were (1) high miles, 50K + and (2) had spotty histories (3) were not Certified. Many of the trucks priced higher were not nearly as nice as this one.
But you are correct, the buyer is in the drivers seat in this economy, but I think more so on a "new" car purchase than a used car purchase. I think it is also true that used car prices have stabilized and, depending on the vehicle, have rebounded somewhat. People still have an itch to drive something different but they are afraid to shell out the big bucks for a new car.
I love my 4Runner, absolutely the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. But it is approaching 100K miles and will take a big hit in trade-in value when it does. It also needs the timing belt service. So I can keep it, loose anothe $1000 when it turns 100K and also spend another $600-$750 on the timing belt service or trade now and for approximately $5-$6000 difference I would have a 4 year newer vehicle with a warranty that goes out 4 more years/77,000 more miles. I am actually more interested in a 2WD truck purely on improved mpg plus much less maintenance. This truck fits the bill. But I will take your advice and approach the transaction more aggessively. The worst thing they can do is say "no deal".

[tundradreams]

The problem and enjoyment of opinions is that everyone has one. How that opinion is based, is what makes it good or bad. When I say that used cars are doing well and the market is strong, I do not base that off the fact that my dealership is selling used and new on a 1:1 ratio, when it is usually a 2:1 ration new vs. used. I base that off of the news stories that I read about the changing automotive market on a daily basis. I base it off the fact that we cannot get a nice late model vehicle because we believe they are too over-valued, when in fact that just happens to be the value right now. Take a look a the below articles to come up with your own opinion.

Matodor98, you want to really use the "economy" tag here? Did you offer to pay more for your vehicles when the economy was booming? HELL NO! I wouldn't have either. But just because the economy is not near what it was, does not mean a dealer is going to take a nothing deal, or even lose money on a vehicle to move it. It would make the best business sense that if you are selling less product (for any business), to make more profit on each so that you can stay in business, as your overhead probably has not changed within this timeframe. So before you say my quote is BS, get some facts to back it up, and not just your past experiences. The past does not corrulate what is happening now.

Dano100, you believe you have a good deal, and know that you can get them down a little more. Today is your day to try to get them a little further. As for going around asking others opinions, everyone is going to tell you that you can get lower, because everyone thinks dealers make tons of money on every car deal. Others will tell you that you can get much lower, without even trying to do the research and market comparisons that you have all ready done. You have done a great job with your research, and use it to your advantage. That holds a lot more value when you try to negotiate with a dealer showing market values of other trucks comparable, rather than saying "well so and so said I should pay this much for it." You know what I typically say to that statement? Well will they sell you this car for that? Where did they base that information on? What makes them think that is what that vehicle is worth?

So just trust your gut and do what you feel best.


http://www.pnj.com/article/20090330/...23/1006/NEWS01
Edmunds.com Report: Consumers Turning to Used Cars in Wake of Downturn

[dano100]

Tundradreams,
Thanks again for the honest advice. The only thing that is holding up the purchase is my job situation. I work for an auto glass manufacturer. The situation there, just like the car dealers, is pretty grim. We were told a month ago that we were on corporate's list of possible plants to be shut down. We have a conference call tomorrow morning and hopefully they let us know, one way or the other. If we survive I will probably buy the truck.
If we don't survive and a career change is in store for me how hard would it be for me to get in the car business? I'm 57 with no sales experience but I have a passion for cars and feel I have a natural ability to connect with people. I have been a supervisor for 35+ people in my area of the plant and have an outstanding relationship with them. My work history is very good. Would a dealership even consider hiring a guy like me?

[tundradreams]

Yes! Someone without sales experience is usually preferred at most dealers, as they can train you the way they want, instead of having any bad habits. Being a people person is the most important part, as you relate to your customers, you will see things from both perspectives. This may be a tough time to get into the auto business, as you can see from many posts, people believe they can get unreasonable deals in this "economy" and therefore waste peoples time without buying anything. You also have the fact that many people are just holding off purchasing a new vehicle to see what happens. My best advise is to find a dealership that doesn't separate their new and used car sales people. If they do, get in on the used side, as you will not need to know as much about the product, and they are selling better now.