Has anyone purchased a new vehicle lately, the prices are off the wall.

[CtownCyclone]

Bestest colors I've owned would probably be British Racing Green (dat old MGB) and the A4's Ocean Blue Pearl. That blue pearl was freaking beautiful. Third place would be the old Miata Classic Red with a Camel (tan) top and Camel interior, that was a striking combo.

I love the Le Mans Blue of my 04 Vette. That's the right shade of blue. Too bad I don't get to drive it much, it's a nice machine even though it's nearly 20 years old.

The 4Runner is basic gray, because the Toyota blue in that model year was terrible. I almost traded it for a Tacoma that was a good blue a few years back, but I knew my wife would kill me if I did.

Oh well, it hides the dirt really well. So I got that going for me, which is nice.

 

[Cloneon]

Well timed, considering the UAW, reported record profits, and Covid repurcussions.

I took exception to our long-time dealership soliciting us for that all-important vehicle maintenance warranty package. They wanted to charge us $5000 for a 5 year packaged. I said that's 30% of the bluebook value. Why would anyone suck up to those things? I told them I'm better off hanging on to the cheap Mazda I purchased in 2001 which has twice the mileage with not a single issue and selling my BMW. There's no doubt in my mind, this is a dealership's tactic to maintain their maintenance staff after losing the business caused by Covid restrictions.

Bottom line: Now's NOT the time to buy a new vehicle cause they're all gouging wherever they can. It's the way of the world now: penny Annie everyone to death with intangible benefit.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Are you still taking about the Grand Highlander? I can't even configure one that's above $60k. What am I missing?

Yes, that is what we purchased, Grand Highlander Platinum Max version. Our is also a Hybrid version.

 

[AgronAlum]

We’re lucky we’ve got a family member that runs a large dealership, which is a part of a huge dealership network. We pay 300 over the dealer purchase price on used and near zero markup on new. And they deliver it to our driveway with the paperwork to sign.

 

[KnappShack]

We’re lucky we’ve got a family member that runs a large dealership, which is a part of a huge dealership network. We pay 300 over the dealer purchase price on used and near zero markup on new. And they deliver it to our driveway with the paperwork to sign.

Sounds like you have a business opportunity

 

[dmclone]

Yes, that is what we purchased, Grand Highlander Platinum Max version. Our is also a Hybrid version.

Yeah, that's the one that says $59,520. How did they come up 75k or even $66k? You'll pay taxes in Iowa, which will be about $3k

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Yeah, that's the one that says $59,520. How did they come up 75k or even $66k? You'll pay taxes in Iowa, which will be about $3k

If you build one, it comes out to $60,303 that includes the all weather floor mats. The tax on the vehicle was right at $3200, which equals $63,500, plus they are going to throw in another grand or two for Mikey Mouse stuff they add to the total. They wanted to add another $5000 grand to the price, and we talked them down to $3000 more than list. The MSRP from the vehicle slip was around $62,300 or so and then you add on the sales tax.

According to the Iowa Code website, if you purchase a vehicle out of state, you pay that states sales tax, and then if you underpay what you would in Iowa, which is 5%, then you make up the difference, if over, then you are out the money. SC tax is the same as Iowa, so it evened out.

 

[dmclone]

If you build one, it comes out to $60,303 that includes the all weather floor mats. The tax on the vehicle was right at $3200, which equals $63,500, plus they are going to throw in another grand or two for Mikey Mouse stuff they add to the total. They wanted to add another $5000 grand to the price, and we talked them down to $3000 more than list. The MSRP from the vehicle slip was around $62,300 or so and then you add on the sales tax.

According to the Iowa Code website, if you purchase a vehicle out of state, you pay that states sales tax, and then if you underpay what you would in Iowa, which is 5%, then you make up the difference, if over, then you are out the money. SC tax is the same as Iowa, so it evened out.

Never heard that before. I've bought my last 3 cars out of state and had to go to the courthouse to pay taxes, registration, etc. I only paid Iowa taxes.

You'll probably love that Toyota. Very nice and loaded

 

[MeanDean]

Can't really find anything that fits my sweet spot for my current needs. Something not hugely expensive with above average (80 CF) cargo space behind the front seats that also gets half-way decent mileage.

Current leaders are Toyota Sienna and, potentially, the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe. Thinking I'll be pulling the trigger in the spring.

Currently still running the 2017 Flex I got in spring of 2018 with 17k miles ($22.5k). Still running great and reliable at 110k miles, but I really am used to getting something different every 5 years or so. So getting antsy - but yeah, the prices and availability are quite off-putting

 

[Die4Cy]

Hopefully dealerships get the axe soon. Car companies can make more money at the same time consumers pay a lower price if we get rid of them.

People keep saying this but it will never happen. You aren't buying a flat screen tv or shopping online for groceries when you go in to buy a car. They need routine service and warranty work and parts. You'd have to create something just like a dealership immediately after getting rid of them.

 

[KidSilverhair]

Never heard that before. I've bought my last 3 cars out of state and had to go to the courthouse to pay taxes, registration, etc. I only paid Iowa taxes.

You'll probably love that Toyota. Very nice and loaded

We’ve had two Highlanders and loved them. Lucked into our current 2013 when we saw it on the lot of the local Budget Rental Cars, where they sell their fleet vehicles. Turned out it wasn’t a Budget rental at all, the guy was just selling it for a friend of his.

We’d love to get replace it with another, since that’s 10 years old now … I actually have some cash saved up that I thought would cover list, but this thread is making me despair. I’m running into the same issues as SEIowa Clone - there’s literally nothing in Toyota lot inventory, you can’t order what you want, you just have to pay a deposit to get on a list and see whatever the dealership gets sent eventually. Crappy way to try to buy a car, if you ask me.

 

[JP4CY]

Anybody try going to Costco lately? Getting any discounts?

 

[KnappShack]

Can't really find anything that fits my sweet spot for my current needs. Something not hugely expensive with above average (80 CF) cargo space behind the front seats that also gets half-way decent mileage.

Current leaders are Toyota Sienna and, potentially, the redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe. Thinking I'll be pulling the trigger in the spring.

Currently still running the 2017 Flex I got in spring of 2018 with 17k miles ($22.5k). Still running great and reliable at 110k miles, but I really am used to getting something different every 5 years or so. So getting antsy - but yeah, the prices and availability are quite off-putting

Yikes, but I can see it after our mini van search.

 

[abd4cy]

I went to buy a Tundra TRD pro 2 weeks ago. Advertised for 75k on their website. I walked in found a sales person sat at the desk and told him I was ready to buy the Pro for the listed online price, no negotiation needed, just start the paperwork. He proceeded to write up the paperwork for 100k, and told me they would not sell it for less than that. It had a 25k "market adjustment". I pulled up the advertised price online, and there is a small disclaimer way at the bottom away from the price that says call dealer for actual price. He knew exactly where to go to show me that, which tells me that this is a common occurrence for them. To me that is some dishonest bait and switch nonsense. He tried to get me to buy a different truck. I told him to F off and walked out. Went to a different dealer and bought a Tundra 1794 edition that night instead. It's been 2 weeks and that TRDpro still hasn't sold.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

We’ve had two Highlanders and loved them. Lucked into our current 2013 when we saw it on the lot of the local Budget Rental Cars, where they sell their fleet vehicles. Turned out it wasn’t a Budget rental at all, the guy was just selling it for a friend of his.

We’d love to get replace it with another, since that’s 10 years old now … I actually have some cash saved up that I thought would cover list, but this thread is making me despair. I’m running into the same issues as SEIowa Clone - there’s literally nothing in Toyota lot inventory, you can’t order what you want, you just have to pay a deposit to get on a list and see whatever the dealership gets sent eventually. Crappy way to try to buy a car, if you ask me.

Here is the Toyota allocation list that I used, at the bottom you click on info and then the vehicle you are looking for and then group them anyway you like. Makes it a lot easier, I had 2 local dealers looking and a couple others around the Midwest, and they could get nothing.

 

[Cyhig]

I feel pretty lucky. There is a Ford dealership in the twin cities that doesn’t pay commission to its salespeople. Prices are always as marked (standard MSRP); no haggling is needed or even allowed. Bought new cars for myself and wife summer of 2020 with 0% interest for 60 months. Dealerships started to have supply chain issues only a couple months later

 

[CycloneDaddy]

I went to buy a Tundra TRD pro 2 weeks ago. Advertised for 75k on their website. I walked in found a sales person sat at the desk and told him I was ready to buy the Pro for the listed online price, no negotiation needed, just start the paperwork. He proceeded to write up the paperwork for 100k, and told me they would not sell it for less than that. It had a 25k "market adjustment". I pulled up the advertised price online, and there is a small disclaimer way at the bottom away from the price that says call dealer for actual price. He knew exactly where to go to show me that, which tells me that this is a common occurrence for them. To me that is some dishonest bait and switch nonsense. He tried to get me to buy a different truck. I told him to F off and walked out. Went to a different dealer and bought a Tundra 1794 edition that night instead. It's been 2 weeks and that TRDpro still hasn't sold.

Ford dealership did that 2 years ago to me. Advertised price was $17k on a used Ford Fusion and when I got there 1 hour later they wanted $18k. That car ended up getting sold at auction 2 weeks later and I will never step on Stivers lot again.

 

[KnappShack]

Ford dealership did that 2 years ago to me. Advertised price was $17k on a used Ford Fusion and when I got there 1 hour later they wanted $18k. That car ended up getting sold at auction 2 weeks later and I will never step on Stievers lot again.

Very similar situation with a different Ford dealer.

 

[Gonzo]

Ford dealership did that 2 years ago to me. Advertised price was $17k on a used Ford Fusion and when I got there 1 hour later they wanted $18k. That car ended up getting sold at auction 2 weeks later and I will never step on Stievers lot again.

That sucks. I just traded in my 2016 Honda Pilot for a 2021 Pilot at Dewey in Ankeny and they were awesome to work with. They went out of their way to get me the terms I was looking for.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Well timed, considering the UAW, reported record profits, and Covid repurcussions.

I took exception to our long-time dealership soliciting us for that all-important vehicle maintenance warranty package. They wanted to charge us $5000 for a 5 year packaged. I said that's 30% of the bluebook value. Why would anyone suck up to those things? I told them I'm better off hanging on to the cheap Mazda I purchased in 2001 which has twice the mileage with not a single issue and selling my BMW. There's no doubt in my mind, this is a dealership's tactic to maintain their maintenance staff after losing the business caused by Covid restrictions.

Bottom line: Now's NOT the time to buy a new vehicle cause they're all gouging wherever they can. It's the way of the world now: penny Annie everyone to death with intangible benefit.

Wow on the $5000 5-year ******** package. Guess I should not be surprised, everytime you come in for an oil change or something routine they try to upsell you into doing something optional. I pretty much ignore their "Your car is due for its 25,000 service!". Other than changing the oil not much of anything on their list voids their warranty in spite of the implication that all of this stuff is a must. Not saying some of the stuff isn't a good idea, like flushing and changing radiator fluid at intervals which I did do alacarte last year. However a lot of it is stuff they are just charging you to check.

I pop in twice a year, in the fall to put on the snow boots and in the spring to put on the summer slippers. At one of those I do an oil change. They check the brakes and fluids and "surprise, surprise" the brakes are fine because I am low mileage and have always been easy on brake pads and rotors.