Do we have any car buying experts?

Have you checked out this thread? Similar to what a lot of folks have said already but with more detail on how to do it.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-want-to-buy-a-tundra.10671/

 

Had no idea. I've never heard anything but bulletproof about the Taco. I assume this was the previous gens then? Makes me sad, because the 3rd gen is gorgeous.

Definitely going to be researching it more.

I have not. If I have time today I'll skim it for goodies. Thank you!

 

Skimming through the thread, and someone mentioned knowing your interest rate before talking to finance. The maddest I've ever seen my wife was with Autonation when I bought my last Jeep (since traded for the Tundra). We went in knowing our CU would give us 1.99% for up to 72 months, and we told them this. Our salesman, the sales manager, and the head of finance (though not the guy we wound up working with). They kept saying "well, most people get 11%". And each time I said "WE will not be at 11%, as we can get 1.99, but we'll give your guy a chance to meet or beat that."

They played their games, we agreed on a price, and finance guy comes out (finally) and says "Good news! We were able to get you 8.99%!"

Holy shit, that was it, my wife freaking SNAPPED! He barely got the sentence out and she was up with her finger in his face giving him hell! When she first jumped up I though she was going over the desk to punch him in the face - and I've never seen her even threaten to punch anyone! The salesman and sales manager were just standing there frozen at what was going down. I was sitting there torn between chuckling at the whole event and being absolutely amazed to see her that pissed off. I'd been married to her 20 years at that point and never made her that mad (although there have been a couple times I may have come close.)

We got 1.99% / 72 from them.

 

I worked at a Nissan dealer near me in the fall of 2020 for 5 months, my first sales job, holy cow what a trench warfare daily battle it was. Always add up the monthly payments if they just give you that option, most people paid well over msrp doing that. That was back when there were still full lots of new cars and incentives. Also the finance guys are straight up buttholes, go in there like the ultimate warrior and don’t take any crap. Lol.

 

A lot of people like to “think” they are good negotiators buying cars.

Facts are simple - dealers are better. They do it professionally 100+ times a month. It’s like walking in a casino and expecting to win - long term you don’t. You might get lucky one day - but it’s only because the last 4 suckers weren’t - other days you will be one of those 4 suckers.

Shopping for Mrs - she has a specific SUV she likes - costly and they act liken these things are in high demand and short supply. I don’t doubt there are not a lot of them to go around - the mean how many idiots want to pay 60k for a luxury Korean made SUV?!? But hot and high demand - no - I don’t believe that. Cannot believe I’d ever have a dealer walk away when I said “I’ll pay sticker. No BS markup and no BS dealer fee - sticker, title, tax and whatever a tank of fuel cost.” It happened though recently though - but they do keep calling “trying to come to a deal”. Told them you got my deal and when you have the color I want - bring it to me at my price and we sign at my house - I already drove to yours and we couldn’t agree so next time is on my turf”. Interested to see how this plays out. Likely they refuse as some dealers just can’t let you “beat” them - but usually salesperson needs that extra unit and goes rogue last day of pay to get the bonus booster.

 

My best deals are when I’m at the dealer NOT to buy a new vehicle but doing something like picking up parts or waiting on a friend. If I’m bored, I’ll act interested in a vehicle and take a test drive and just act unsure if I want to buy it. By the time I’m ready to walk out the door after sitting with the sales clerk for a while, I’ve already got the best deal on hand.

I dunno. Works for me, but lately there really isn’t anything interesting to take a test drive in nowadays and if there is, it’s already sold.

 

Yup, best weapon a buyer has is not needing to buy.

I love car shopping when I don't plan to buy anything. The build and price tools, tracking them down, etc. is all just window shopping. I am always willing to window shop vehicles and frequently do it in my spare time for the enjoyment of it. Muscle cars for example, are just not practical for me. I love them, want one, but I won't carry a second payment again. I feel guilty when I have a vehicle that I'm not driving, and if I have 2 rigs at least one of them isn't getting driven.

My preferred dealer experience was the way I got my Tundra, and how I am approaching my potential Taco purchase. Up front honesty with what I have, what I want, and what I'm willing to do. Basically "I have this trade in and I'm willing to pay X amount, but only if I get A, B, and C. Can you make that happen?" If it's anything but what I want, I am happy to walk away because I don't need a new vehicle.