Haggling on a New Toyota - Advice?

decryption on 06/01/2015 - 20:03
Last edited 06/01/2015 - 20:03

I'm in the market for a new Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport - these are "on special" at $23,990, which is a few grand less than they were in 2014. I went to the closest dealer to me (in Melbourne) and after a bit of back and forth, walking out then getting called back in again, got offered $23,000 flat. Walked out anyways, went to a different affiliated dealer just a 10 min away and made a quick ultimatum that if he sold me the car for $22,500, I'd take it right then - easy 5 minute sale, easiest car he ever sold.

He refused, told me the lowest he will go is $23,490. So I went home and am now wondering how to get this car for $22,500. In the scheme of things, $500 isn't much, but that's a week of full time work for me! And this is ozbargain, so you'd understand ;)

Wondering if anyone who works for Toyota knows what sort of margin is on these things right now and if $22,000 or $22,500 is reasonable or if I'm wasting my time and should just take $23,000 for it?

Automotive

Comments

  • Islund on 06/01/2015 - 20:09
    -5

    Get a Mitsubishi lancer hatch and use the change for tinting and mags and a decent stereo

    • decryption on 06/01/2015 - 20:11
      +1

      Drove it, didn't like it. Only other car than the Corolla I'd get is the Hyundai i30.

      Pulsar felt rubbish whilst driving.
      Cerato, Focus, Civic & Mazda 3 were uncomfortable (I'm fat and tall). The Corolla was quite roomy versus these ones. The stereo in the corolla is quite nice - has a reversing camera, large touch screen and even a button on the steering wheel to activate siri :)

  • ilsan0 on 06/01/2015 - 20:14
    +5

    Its pretty easy actually.
    Call every Toyota dealer and tell them you will pay $500 deposit on the phone on the spot if they give it to you for $22k flat.

    Eventually you will get it for $22500 or less.

    I have bought last 2 cars over the phone.

    • decryption on 06/01/2015 - 20:15

      Oh yeah? I thought they hate offers on the phone. Good thinking mate, cheers

      • ilsan0 on 06/01/2015 - 20:21
        +1

        no one hates money which you will pay if you get the price you want.

    • kiamsup on 07/01/2015 - 11:31
      +1

      And, you will get a demo version.

      • ilsan0 on 07/01/2015 - 13:40

        Nah mate got brand new around 5 kms each

    • junk3569 on 17/01/2015 - 20:06

      I did the same 2 years ago, called all over Melb, one dealer asked me to deposited $1500 by CC for the price I asked (which is the lowest of lowest, I think!). Then went and picked up the car on the weekend. Be patient and call around. Abit annoying as there will be a few phone calls from the dealers, but eventually u will get what you wanted! (if its doable)

  • cypher67 on 06/01/2015 - 20:21
    +3

    Call dealers near the end of the month and offer them $22k. They all have quotas to meet to get a bonus and if one of them is close enough and are desperate for sales, they will accept the offer. As Ilsan said above, tell them you will pay a deposit same day and looking for a fast sale. And above all, remember the golden rule, if you are not happy, just walk away - New cars are not unique and you can get exactly the same thing from a dealer around the corner.

    • Almost Banned on 06/01/2015 - 20:31

      IMHO they will take your offer more seriously if you are actually in the dealership in person but it can't hurt to try.

    • Daabido on 06/01/2015 - 21:43

      If you are going to wait until near the end of the month, just remember that generally a car has to be delivered in the month to count towards the sales, so don't wait until the last day.

  • DryScissors on 06/01/2015 - 20:47
    +1

    I hope you're swimming in money, otherwise you should never buy new.

  • jackofspade on 06/01/2015 - 21:00
    +1

    It should be cheaper when import tariff is removed from Jan 15.

    • decryption on 06/01/2015 - 21:46

      Thing I'm afraid of is the model I want returning to its normal price, which even if the import tariff is removed, will still cost more than it does now with their sale on

      • jason101 on 07/01/2015 - 07:22
        +1

        I doubt a price rise would be possible on a 2014 plated car (if they have stock) in 2015. The risk is all 2014 build models may sell out. I'm not a Toyota expert but do they have plate clearance sales on the previous year builds ?

    • Daabido on 06/01/2015 - 21:49
      +1

      There was also a recent thread on either Whirlpool or here in the forums which was a new car dealer answering questions that people had. I had a look but couldn't find it. Maybe someone could post it for the OP.

    • decryption on 06/01/2015 - 21:56
      +1

      Really helpful. Thanks dude :)

  • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2015 - 23:39
    +1

    The car is technically 1 year old, so you have some bargaining power. Plus December / January is the quietest period for selling cars as most people are on holidays and the credit cards are on overdrive.

    I would shop around and go to another dealer and see how they play out.

    For a fee I'll do the haggling for yeah!

    For example, I help a family friend purchase a brand new 2014 Camry Luxury Hybrid with dealer extras for $37k drive away. The hybrid retail for about $45k drive away.

    • decryption on 07/01/2015 - 11:10

      heh, thanks for the offer - I enjoy haggling so I'll give it a crack myself

  • Cheeper on 07/01/2015 - 00:17

    I have always dealt in person, it is too easy for someone to haggle on the phone then go elsewhere.
    Know your happy price… be prepared to pay the deposit and commit there and then and let the salesman know when you make your offer.
    Any accessories that you would like? Best time to get them is when negotiating as the dealership might throw them in at cost price. They have a high mark up on accessories.
    If they cant meet your offer ask them to call if they can get close to it.. :-)
    Bargaining on a car can be restricted by supply and demand also. With the Corolla this may be a problem because it is so popular.

  • lenlynn on 07/01/2015 - 11:02

    I'm really bad at bargaining so can't advise you on that. But just wanted to say, heard the auto version is more fuel-efficient apparently? I bought the manual one in mid-2013.

  • adamren on 07/01/2015 - 13:30

    Wait 2 weeks for more towards end of January. Quiet and meeting quota.

  • ilsan0 on 07/01/2015 - 13:44

    Op what is your happy price? Anything I can do to save you over that is mine?
    :)

    I will do it all on phone.

    What say you?

    • decryption on 07/01/2015 - 14:19

      Hmmm, very interested :)
      Would take a bit of the emotion out of the deal, as now that I've sold my other cars, borrowing my dad's is gonna be annoying. I might call a few closest to me myself and see how far I get.

  • chyeoh on 07/01/2015 - 14:15

    Perhaps you can get the dealer to throw in the accessories you would like, to make up the difference in price gap?

  • yoonibear on 07/01/2015 - 16:32

    Do you have family members or friends that can do a referral for you?
    Reason I got mine at a good price was because we were repeat customers. Other dealers flatly refused to lower the price and even bluntly told me that perhaps this car isn't the one for you.

  • Toph Beifong on 07/01/2015 - 19:20
    +3

    Grab any Asian mum at the shopping mall and bring her with you.

  • decryption on 08/01/2015 - 10:08
    +1

    Thanks for all your posts everyone - I decided to use Choice's shopping service to find me a good price on the car: http://www.choice.com.au/choice-shopper.aspx I'm already a member so it was free and I trust Choice not to be dodgy.

    I told them what model I was after and what the lowest price I could find is (I told them $22,500). They put a request out to a bunch of dealers via a silent reverse auction, who have 24 hours to respond. The dealer who offers the lowest price wins my sale, but only if it is under $22,500. The dealers don't know my reserve, so hopefully they bid $21,500 or $22,000 in order to beat their competitors and win the sale.

    I'll find out around 3:30-4pm today :)

  • decryption on 08/01/2015 - 18:12
    +1

    The Choice shopper was a bit of a dud, they couldn't get a price around $22,500. I ended up going back to the dealer that offered me $23,000, got them to chuck in some genuine floor mats and a full tank of fuel (worth like $40 these days). The choice shopper thing was good to confirm I did a half decent job at haggling though. Thanks ilsan for the calling around tip, that worked well :)

    • ilsan0 on 17/01/2015 - 20:14

      No worries mate. Glad you got what you wanted.

      I hope you didnt pay cash for it as finance would be better option now.
      I got mine at 5.3%.

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