Getting closer to buying; need more help, please

[Eos]

In the last four or five days, I've noticed a few of the new 2011 Avalon Limited models on various dealer lots have had their prices slashed. To remind anyone from my previous thread, Edmunds TMV is $35,385, $283 over invoice. My local dealer is selling them for $34k after $2000 Toyota rebate. Another dealer across the state is selling two for $32k after the same rebate, plus another $4k dealer rebate.

So:

local dealer is $36k - $2k rebate
Portland dealers are $38k - $6k in rebates

These are the asking prices.

We really like this one: http://www.tonkintoyota.com/new-car...n/2011-toyota-avalon-portland-oregon-10243476

Close second:

http://www.dickhannahtoyota.com/vehicle/T11822-2011-Toyota-Avalon-Limited

If I wanted to do a dealer trade, would I start negotiations with the Portland dealer, or the local dealer? It's easy enough to drive to Portland, finalize the deal, drive back home, then come back the next day on the train to drive it home, but why do it if I don't have to?

Also, does anyone know what (Natl) (3554) at the end of 2011 Toyota Avalon 4dr Sdn Limited (Natl) (3554) means?

Thanks!

Edit: Pre-approval at the credit union is complete. I clicked the "e-deal" thing at the dealer's website to start the process for coming to an agreement on price. I saw that the Tonkin dealer has another Limited model without navigation. But there's no price on it like the model with nav. In a perfect world, they would sell me the car without nav for $1500 than the cost of the car with nav.

I'm hoping the salesguy will negotiate prices on both cars, then allow me to choose when I arrive, knowing one car is a laydown. It's a long shot, probably...

 

[manimal]

They may be running a promotion. Dealer incentives help.

 

[DeviousTrap]

If I wanted to do a dealer trade, would I start negotiations with the Portland dealer, or the local dealer? It's easy enough to drive to Portland, finalize the deal, drive back home, then come back the next day on the train to drive it home, but why do it if I don't have to?

That's not what how a dealer trade works. In a dealer trade, you negotiate with your local dealer and he finds you a car (somewhere, this doesn't concern you) and delivers it to you. He's the one setting the price and the price he pays the other dealer for it isn't revealed to you. This usually only happens if you're looking for a very specific option combo.

In your case, if the dealer near you won't sell the car for the same price as the dealer 2 hours away, then you simply drive the 2 hours. There's no point in involving the local dealer, you just buy it from the other one. The local dealer definitely won't trade the same car that he already has away from another dealer, just because that dealer is offering it for 2k less.

 

[Eos]

So I was seriously thinking the transaction would be in my favor, then...

No worries. I'll start local, see if they want to sell their inventory for the lower price. If not, see ya!

 

[nicolaskl]

That's not what how a dealer trade works. In a dealer trade, you negotiate with your local dealer and he finds you a car (somewhere, this doesn't concern you) and delivers it to you. He's the one setting the price and the price he pays the other dealer for it isn't revealed to you. This usually only happens if you're looking for a very specific option combo.

In your case, if the dealer near you won't sell the car for the same price as the dealer 2 hours away, then you simply drive the 2 hours. There's no point in involving the local dealer, you just buy it from the other one. The local dealer definitely won't trade the same car that he already has away from another dealer, just because that dealer is offering it for 2k less.

^^^^ yep.

I wouldn't bother making two trips. No reason you can't finalize everything either before you get there or while you're there the first time.

 

[Eos]

^^^^ yep.

I wouldn't bother making two trips. No reason you can't finalize everything either before you get there or while you're there the first time.

There's no reason to test drive the new car before placing an offer, when I could just drive one locally?

Also, this would be my first train trip since I was a kid. Excited about that, too!

 

[nicolaskl]

There's no reason to test drive the new car before placing an offer, when I could just drive one locally?

Also, this would be my first train trip since I was a kid. Excited about that, too!

That's my opinion. If it's a brand new car with a full warranty there's not that much that can go wrong.

Safest way would be to arrange your own financing (or have the dealership run a credit app and get you preapproved) and go in with a bank check (assuming they can verify it if they need/want to). I've even paid with a personal check on a Saturday and driven off the lot, but some dealers may not do that. Then if you showed up and it had undisclosed hail damage or something you could just walk.

But my last car I bought and paid for it a week or two before I ever saw it. Flew in, went to the dealership, they showed my how to connect my iPhone to SYNC, handed me the keys and I drove off.

 

[Eos]

Yeah, financing will all be worked out at our CU ahead of time.

Sounds like I'd have to agree to terms via the phone or email, then the dealer would send the purchase order to our CU, I would go get the check, get on the train, sleep, get over to the dealer, conduct a complete inspection, sign some papers, hand over the check, then drive home in the new car.

Sounds easy enough.

 

[Eos]

Update in the first post.

 

[Eos]

Ended up taking Amtrak from our city down to Portland this morning. It leaves at 5:35. I had called the sale guy who replied to my zag.com request for lowest prices. The courtesy car driver took me back to the dealer, and I started to get nervous that one of the two cars I wanted to compare had already been sold. I wanted a choice...

We pulled up, and the black one was outside, waiting for me to look at it. The gray model was on the showroom floor. I looked at both two times each, then decided on magnetic gray metallic.

2011 Avalon Limited
No navigation

Out the door for $35161, including 8.6% tax, title, and license. TMV is $37040, so I'm pleased with a zero haggle deal that was almost $2000 in my favor.

Sales manager forgot to take my $404 down payment. I noticed my AMEX was in my pocket when I stopped for lunch. "Hmmm, why is that there? Oh yeah..." It was just a few blocks back to the dealer from Pig 'N Pancake, and they got their down payment.

 

[DVad3r]

Nice choice, that thing is a barge

 

[Eos]

Nice choice, that thing is a barge

Thanks!

hahaha
All the better to carry my fat ass around in comfort.

 

[RKS]

any particular reason you chose the Avalon? It engineered to be the last car you'll ever buy and carry you through your golden years in numbing, floaty comfort.

 

[SearchMaster]

Some people like getting carried in numbing, floaty comfort. As highway cruisers go, it's a great replacement for the Buicks of the 90s.

 

[lavaheadache]

I feel like that is a lot of coin for that caliber of car. Maybe I just hate what new cars cost opposed to one that is nearly new

 

[exar333]

The Avalon is essentially a Toyota-badged LS cruiser. Its amazingly comfortable, and I don't think you can get a bigger, more comfortable new car for the price.

 

[Eos]

any particular reason you chose the Avalon? It engineered to be the last car you'll ever buy and carry you through your golden years in numbing, floaty comfort.

Yeah.

1) I have no need for "performance" driving.
2) I loved my 1996 Avalon, which I drove for twelve years.
3) Super reliable.
4) Super duper comfortable.
5) I'm 6'6", 325 lbs.