TLTrance

Like the subject says... I'm being offered $33,195 before TTL on a 5AT w/ Navi (AM/Ebony) in the Bay Area (California)...

This price includes destination, wheel locks, all-season floor mats, and trunk tray.

Is this too high? I think its on the lower side, but still near average.

After TTL, it comes out to $36,515..

Working out the math, if I were to not get the AS floor mats or trunk tray, I can get it for $32,978, which means I'm being charged $217 for them (close to retail price), or $240 after taxes... Two dealerships say that they can't give them to me for free or for any cose below $240 after taxes... I call BS..

Oh yeah.. Two things I experienced/learned:

1. One dealership told me that "protection package" really means close to nothing, if at all anything.. He even said that other dealerships use that phrase as a sales tactic.. Basically calling it BS... Thoughts on this one?

2. Two dealerships have said they don't offer anything in terms of free oil changes, car washes, or servicing.. One even said that this car probably won't need its first servicing until a year.. Which I think is BS because the service light can come on well before that (that's what I'm getting from reading this forum). Thoughts on this one?

I bet they'll change their "song" once they see me in the dealership and then see me starting to walk away...

equity

NEVER, ever pay a dime for a "protection package."

It is pure dealer fluff. At most they get a guy to spray on a $10 can of something.

I immmediately refuse to even negotiate from any price that includes such nonsense. The salesman immediately knows you aren't a sucker.

TLTrance

Thank you for your response, equity..

Yeah, I needed to hear that from someone, other than the dealer..

It may be my first time ever dealing with dealers, but because of this site, I'm a lot more informed and prepared for anything they throw at me.. hopefully..

TL Fantasy

Another thing to negotiate and/or avoid all together is "dealer prep" fees. The sales manager and I shook on my final offer of $32,500+TTL and I was abundantly clear I would not pay anything more. They prepared the paperwork for my signature and upon review, there was a $499 "dealer prep" fee added. I REFUSE to pay the dealer for his "cost of doing business". I was out the door with them following behind me asking "how about going half with me...$250?". They wouldn't let up...guess once I started the engine they realized I wasn't playing, especially when I asked what kind of business sacrifices an entire auto sale for $500? They dropped the "fee".

TerminaderTL

Sounds like a good price to me. Mine was about the same here in SoCal 3 weeks ago. It was the best price I could find among 15 dealerships. It seems that similar purchases on the East Coast are about $500 less.

Any honest salesman, including mine, will tell you that the Protection Package is a waste of your money.

While you're shopping price, see if you can get a good deal on the A-Spec body kit. Some dealers throw it in at cost. I think it makes a big difference in the style of your car, unless you're a mudflap kinda person.

TL'd

I'm looking at 33995 out the door for 6spd, navi, blk/blk. I told the dealer this is the most I wanted to part with and that he could throw in any "fluff" of "prep" fees if that would make him feel good. All in all after about 3 hrs of BS and sittin in a dealership, I got NBP sittin in the front and begging for an ASpec pkg. 19"s and Eibachs.
Best bet is to call your price and let the dealer work it out. TL Fantasy is right, if they won't budge at first (and you know, personally, that you got a great FICO) til yer walking out the door and sure some may let you walk away, but then again one may not. It all comes down to how bad you want the ride

lindros2

to correct something above, the protection package is the trunk tray, wheel locks and mud flaps. Dealers can charge whatever they want, but I told them to keep it all...

TL Fantasy

Bottom line is...NO dealer will not let a reasonable profit of say, 3-5% over their ACTUAL not invoice, cost walk out the door.

cura dealers receive a 3% holdback for each vehicle they receive from the manufacturer. An 05 TL w/navi has a holdback of $1053. Actual dealer cost is $30,932. Offer them $31,859.96 (Acutal cost + 3% profit of $927.96). So you see, they're making $2000 profit. Gotta be prepared to walk. If they let you walk, chances are you may get a call the next day.