How to get a great deal on an '08 Platinum Sequoia...

[Heatwave3]

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

[kathyricks]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

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).Total out-the-door price of $57,676.06.

So what was the vehicle MSRP?

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by kathyricks

So what was the vehicle MSRP?

The MSRP for this black/red rock Platinum Sequoia was $58544.

Factory Installed Accessories: FE EY CK RL
Port Installed Accessories .: Z1 WL

MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE
5.7-liter,i-Force DOHC V8 EFI Dual VVT-i
381 HP/401 lb.ft./6-Speed ECT Auto Trans
Coil-Spring Indep Dble-Wishbone Fr Susp
Coil-Spring Indep Dble-Wishbone Rr Susp
P275/55 R20 Tires Diamond Finish Wheels
Auto Tri-Zone CFC-Free Air Conditioning
4-Wheel Drive w/ Locking Center Diff
SAFETY
STAR SAFETY SYSTEM-Includes;A-TRAC
Trac Cntrl Plus Veh Skid Cntrl (VSC),
Auto Lmtd Slip Diff,4-Whl Anti-Lock
Brake System w/Brake Assit and
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution
Dr/Fr Pass Advanced Airbags w/Occupant
Class Sensor,Dr & Fr Pass Seat-Mntd Side
Airbags,& Fr, 2nd & 3rd Row Roll-Sensing
Side Curtain Airbags w/Roll-Sensing
Cutoff Swtch/ Child-Prtctor & Door Locks
CRS Top Tether Anchors & ISOFIX Lwr Seat
Anchors in 2nd/3rd Row Seating Positions
EXTERIOR
Chrome Grlle Back Door Garnish, & Door
Handles,Dual Chrome Pwr Mem Remote Htd
Outside Mirrors w/Retractable,EC Turn
Signals, Puddle Lamps/Multi-Reflctr
Halogen Headlamps w/Auto-Off Feature
Priv Glass on Rr Qtr & Tailgate Wndws,
& Rr Side/Fr&Rr Prkng Sonar/Fog Lamps/
Running Board/Roof Rack/Headlamp Cleaner
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Pwr Wndws (w/One-Touch Up/Down w/Jam
Cntrl on Fr & Door Locks/Pwr Rr Wndw
w/Elec Defogger & Int Wiper/Cruise Cntrl
Ltr-Trmd w/Mem Pwr-Adj 10-Wy Dr Seats w/
4/Wy Adj Pass Seat & Adj Headrests
Lthr-Trmd 7 Pass,Split Fold-Flat/Rcline/
Sliding 2nd Row Bench Seat with Center
Armrests & Adj Headrests/Heated Air
Conditioned Vntd Fr Dr & Passenger
Seats/2nd Row Htd Seats/Nav System (JBL
AM/FM/ Four-CD with 14 Speakers) with
Backup Camera /Power Hatch/Door

Vehicle Base Model ..........................:$ 55600.00
50 State Emissions .........................
Rear Seat Entertainment System Includes: ... 1670.00
DVD Player with Rear Audio Controls ........
and 115V Outlet ............................
Cold Kit Includes: Windshield Wiper ........ 100.00
Deicer, and Heavy Duty Battery .............
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with On/Off ... 40.00
Feature ....................................
Preferred Accessory Package ................ 368.00
Wheel Locks (Alloy) ........................ 81.00
--------- ---------
Total Accessories ...........................: $ 2259.00
Destination Charge ..........................: $ 685.00
Total MSRP.......................................: $ 58544.00

[pagemaster]

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

That's peanuts....

[firetruck41]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

That's peanuts....

Peanuts are expensive, I guess. $3500+ in sales tax alone...

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

That's peanuts....

Not sure where you're from but $3739.26 for NJ Sales tax is hardly peanuts. I believe its the highest state sales tax in the country. Generally easy to avoid by purchasing through the net, unfortunately they get you when it comes to big ticket items like vehicles.

The democrats in this state are driving the population out. Just another wacky example of what happens when an entire state is run by democrats. Taxing everything is their solution to all problems. Easy solution for those not happy with the approach is to move out, which is exactly what folks are doing. In fact, NJ loses a congressional seat in 2010 because of the loss of population. Not surprisingly its the folks with money that are packing up and leaving as soon as their kids are out of school or they hit retirement. Of course that leaves the middle class and poor holding the bag, but that "day of reckoning" is still years away so most folks are just ignoring it.

If you're from outside NJ you can avoid NJ state taxes if you buy from the dealership I recommended above. You'll still owe the taxes to your home state when you register the vehicle.

[Heatwave3]

BTW, if you do contact Ron at the email above, I would be curious if you have the same experience I had or something different. Let us know if you have the same or different outcome or response from this dealership than I shared above.

[firetruck41]

Originally Posted by Heatwave3

I believe its the highest state sales tax in the country. Generally easy to avoid by purchasing through the net, unfortunately they get you when it comes to big ticket items like vehicles.

Ours is 7.6%, 8.2% with local tax added.

[ThirdHorseman]

I hope one day I think something over $3,000 is peanuts!!! Hell, I still excited when I find crumpled up $5 bills and quarters

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by firetruck41

Ours is 7.6%, 8.2% with local tax added.

Canada's a different story when it comes to taxes. There in a league of their own when it comes to taxing their citizenry. Unfortunately the other provinces aren't much more attractive from a province tax perspective. In the US there are 5 states (I think Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire & Oregon) with 0% state sales tax to the highest states which I believe is NJ with 7% and various rates in between. Local and city taxes are a whole "separate kettle of fish" but onerous nonetheless.

[firetruck41]

Well, our state tax is 6.5%, I guess. We could buy from a dealer 10 miles away (in Oregon) and pay no sales tax, but when you drive it across the bridge to WA and go to license/register, they collect the 8.5% state and local sales tax, on the sale price. We don't have any income tax though, and in the end, I would rather pay sales tax than income tax.

BTW, wiki says CA is at 7.25% for state tax...

[mls6722]

Heatwave,
That is a great deal. I really appreciate the info. I have an 05 Limited with 25K miles on it and sure am tempted to trade up.

[pagemaster]

Not sure where you're from but $3739.26 for NJ Sales tax is hardly peanuts

That is nothing. Up here in Ontario you are looking at about 14% GST+PST Not to sure about other provinces but I think 2008 it will be going down to 13%. Since we are in the SUV forum, add in a Green Levy tax for large SUV's. The LX470 had a $4000 gas tax slapped on the price when I saw the dealer sticker.

Just to give you an quick example. A Lexus LX470 has an MSRP of $101,400 in Ontario. With taxes, levy's, freight etc. You are looking at $122,065

Not sure if the Sequioa will have a $4000 gas tax, but the 5.7 will be burn 16.3l per 100km so it might qualify because it is above 16 litres/100

[Trebor129]

Tell the tree-huggers that gas-tax is already in gas-tax. The more gas you use, the more you are taxed by the gallon. Adding a secondary tax makes no sense.

[Heatwave3]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

That is nothing. Up here in Ontario you are looking at about 14% GST+PST Not to sure about other provinces but I think 2008 it will be going down to 13%. Since we are in the SUV forum, add in a Green Levy tax for large SUV's. The LX470 had a $4000 gas tax slapped on the price when I saw the dealer sticker.

Just to give you an quick example. A Lexus LX470 has an MSRP of $101,400 in Ontario. With taxes, levy's, freight etc. You are looking at $122,065

Not sure if the Sequioa will have a $4000 gas tax, but the 5.7 will be burn 16.3l per 100km so it might qualify because it is above 16 litres/100

There is a gas guzzler tax in the US however it does not apply to the Sequoia since it is considered a truck, which are exempt. Frequently Asked Questions