Have seen some question from SoCal buyers regarding FJ pricing. Just went through the buying process in LA myself and here is some color that I hope helps.
This was the first time I bought a vehicle almost exclusively through the internet. I did my research, narrowed down my choices, visited one dealer to see/touch/drive the FJ and then used my PC to try to get a deal done.
I contacted about 8 dealers in the LA area and found a huge range of internet experiences for vehicle buying. On one end of the spectrum I found dealers who claim to have an internet dept or online mechanism. I found that they used this mechanism not to get trades done but to basically try to get me into the dealership. At best, they quoted MSRP-type levels and gave me a run of their inventory or worse, told me me they could get whatever I wanted with a deposit or if I made an appointment to come in.
On the other end of the spectrum (a minority of the dealers I contacted), the internet is used to deal with savvy buyers who know what they want and don't have the time to run around looking for pricing.
Another observation was that even in such a relatively small geographic market (La/Ventura counties), I found a huge range of pricing for the same basic FJ configurations. I had a slight preference for the TRD SE but found most dealers didn't want to discuss anything under MSRP and in some cases were looking for premiums up to $3k over MSRP.
Over the course of the last several weeks, the list of dealers I was engaging kept shrinking and I was down to Carson and DCH of Simi Valley. As the negotiations progressed, I guess I hit a crossover point with Carson because I mentioned wanting to buy a TRD SE below MSRP and they basically said "thanks for checking us out and good luck to you". While this was happening, DCH of Simi Valley (Brian Lamb) continued to be very straightforward, showed me engagable pricing, responded to my questions and bids in a timely fashion and ultimately got the deal done with no fuss.
I ended up with an auto TRD SE with the following options: Convenience package (roof rack, tow hitch and spare tire cover) and the armrest...MSRP was $32,687. Got the truck for a little more than $1000 under MSRP ad took delivery this week. Couldn't have been a smoother experience with Brian and I've been grinning like an idiot all week while driving it around.
Hope this helps anyone in the LA area in the market for an FJ.
I just purchased mine from Miller in Anaheim. I was in and out in less than an hour. They had the exact one I was looking for with all the options and a bonus...Leather interior!
Since my wife worked for a Toyota dealership for a number of years there was no typical sales tricks to slip us up. It was a definite advantage for us plus they are looking to move inventory.
You can go to Kellybluebook.com and price out a new one, it will show you the dealer invoice cost and MSRP. This will give you a basis on where to start dealing. Work off of the dealer invoice price and you too can get yours well under MSRP.
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I'm betting it should be difficult to get combinations.
you probably need to get upgrade 2.
going to get one over the weekend, already made a good deal on the 2wd, convenience, upgrade 2
This is what happened to me. I was looking for 2wd with convenience only. For what dealers were getting me, with some searching, you can get the upgrade for little money. easier to get a good price with the upgrade i think because very few cars around without convenience and a few people fighting over them.
If you are in SoCal, msg me your email, i could pass you some contacts, guys who have given me the best prices. i got 4 guys giving me 700-1000 over invoice for 2wd, cq, upgrade2, running boards, nothing else. that's a little more than 2000 under MSRP. I'm happy.
I'm betting it should be difficult to get combinations.
you probably need to get upgrade 2.
going to get one over the weekend, already made a good deal on the 2wd, convenience, upgrade 2
This is what happened to me. I was looking for 2wd with convenience only. For what dealers were getting me, with some searching, you can get the upgrade for little money. easier to get a good price with the upgrade i think because very few cars around without convenience and a few people fighting over them.
If you are in SoCal, msg me your email, i could pass you some contacts, guys who have given me the best prices. i got 4 guys giving me 700-1000 over invoice for 2wd, cq, upgrade2, running boards, nothing else. that's a little more than 2000 under MSRP. I'm happy.
Yeah, I don't want any of the upgrade packages, hell, I didn't really want the CQ either, but was going to get it so I didn't have to special order a base 4x4 MT. If I have to special order a CQ, might as well special order the base with nothing added...
sent you a message with my email. thanks.
__________________ 2007 Sun Fusion FJ Cruiser 4x4 6MT AL only
All-Pro sliders, A-Trac, locking gas cap, Clearplex, Tomtom(stolen), shattered driver's window.
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