Atlanta Area dealer question

I wouldn't let service department rule the decision on where you actually buy. Sales departments are completely separate entity, although dealerships would like you to believe otherwise. I'd call a few that you know have them in stock, then do some homework online. Find out the sticker price, and don't pay anything over sticker. Tell your salesman you are looking for an Out-The-Door (OTD) price of $_______ and stick to that. All dealers in this region (SET) will have what they call standard fees, in fact they are already pre-printed on the sales forms. That doesn't mean anything but that they guarantee that much profit ($400-1200, typically) by making you feel it's a moot point. That's why you go for the OTD price, not sticker+fees+handling+etc... They will tell you over the phone that they guarantee sticker price, but when you show up they really mean that they will charge you sticker plus the "standard fees". If he says, he can't do anything with the fees, then make him take it out of the sticker price or give you some of the options at a discounted rate. I was only able to negotiate that "fee" down from $1100 to $400 on mine. So technically, I paid $400 over sticker price.

The only difficult point for you is that you want the TT edition, which is a limited run = high demand vehicle. This will certainly take some of your leverage away from you, but I bet it will be loaded with options that you may be able to negotiate on. For instance, you could say that you really only want it because of the color, thus negating your "interest" in the other options installed. You may get him to uninstall some of the port-installed features like upgraded wheels, tire cover, roof rack & sliders---if you don't really want them.

good luck!

[additional notes:]
I bought mine at Sandy Spring Toy and get it serviced at Atlanta Toy
None of them know anything about this truck, just accept that you know more about the features than they do.
I've found decent service departments at Atlanta Toyota and Roswell Toyota.
You might be able to track VIN numbers through Toyota's website. Try the build your own FJ method and then choose dealers in your area. It may turn up partial or full VINs. If it's a full VIN then it usually means that a deposit has been paid on it. If its a partial then it is "unclaimed' stock and you should be able to track which dealer it is headed towards.

world toyota just north of atlanta has always been really courteous to me. I would probly emphasize the fact that you don't care about the fact that it's a trail team special edition. Really work the fact that you just wanted a stick FJ and you wanted it white. Remember that the only way these guys are going to make living is if you give them the money. You don't need the car today, they need the money always. I remember once how my dad negotiated a Toyota Sequoia. We went into the dealership and of course they start hassling and working their sale. My dad finally said, ok I might be interested in buying one, after they made their whole sales speech. Never give them a price range. My dad's main line is "make me an offer I can't refuse." He literally sat in the chair of the lobby ALL DAY from before lunch to closing time. They would give him a number. He'd look at it and say "no no, thats too much." It doesn't matter how little over MSRP or under MSRP. In his head he was willing to pay ___ amount. The salesman would "consult his manager," which means he would go eat a donut, and come back with a "final offer, that just can't go any lower." My dad would say no make it better. He seriously waited them out all day until he got a great deal. They even threw in an entertainment system. Don't let them pull you into their office either, theyre trying to make you sweat. Just hang out in the lobby where youre comfortable. Its not about the dealership. Its about how long you can make them try to sell you.

Treat them all like insurance companies or banks.. They just want your business and will promise lots of stuff; and do none of it. I grew up in the car business and my entire family worked in it at some capacity. The first thing is to have fun with it. You're spending lots and lots of money, so enjoy the ride. Research, research, research and know what you want on the vehicle and what you should be able to get it for. Go shopping.. If the first dealer has what you want on the lot and will give you the deal you want.. Buy it and never look back. If they don't, well it's another day and another dealer. Never be afraid to make an offer. That's what they want you to do, but it's the only way to learn what they will actually do. Remember the "half rule"! If they want $32K and you offer $26k, they'll B&M and say that they might be able to do $30-31k.. You say no way, but I'll go $27k and no more.. They'll ask you to write it down, agreeing to buy the FJ and sign it. Do it and let them see their manager. Now the "half rule" begins. They'll say they can't do that and will give you a price of $29.5K or there abouts.. You say too bad and walk. They say "but what will it take to get your business" and you say $27K like I said. They'll B&M and say "we're only $2500 apart, so I'll meet you half way".. "Will you do that". You say sorry, but if you give me "whatever else I want" (i.e. I got the 16" wheels, roof rack and rubber mats) I'll give you $28k and that's it.. Don't back off and you'll have the FJ for what you intended to pay all along.. Ron

PS: I drove on to the lot at 2:00PM and closed the deal at 9:00PM.. Make sure you have eaten and just wear them out.

mjm said:

I am looking to buy an FJ in the next week or so and don't really know anything about the local toyota dealerships and haven't ever owned a toyota before. I did a few searches but couldn't find anything current that wasn't about service so I figured I would just ask and see what people in the know had to say. I am looking at the manual TT for no other reason than the color.

I am just looking for no hassles, to not be overcharged, to possibly get a decent deal and to deal with a dealership that I can feel comfortable enough with to go to for service. So far I haven't had any luck with marrietta toyota actually calling me back, though they quoted me a really low number. Stone mountain toyota is a little too overzealous, won't budge on price and doesn't really know anything about what they are selling, they actually told me one thing then handed me the brochure which stated the exact opposite. I have yet to try toyota mall of ga since its out in buford and thats a heck of a cab ride.

Dealing with dealerships is probably my least favorite thing to do since I hate going into something knowing I am going to get screwed in small petty ways.

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I realize they didn't call you back, but I would highly suggest you contact Bill Dietz at Marietta Toyota. I've bought my last two Toyotas from him and they were the best car-buying experiences in my life. I completed the entire transaction through e-mail (until I took delivery of course), and he provided me with their bottom-line price without any haggling. He came so far below what other Atlanta area dealers were trying to get out of me with my first car purchase that I didn't even bother to shop around for the FJ (although I did go to Cherokee Toyota for a test drive, but they have a policy of not trading with other dealers so I would have been stuck with whatever they had in inventory if I went with them- Bill at Marietta got my car direct from the distributor in Jacksonville).

If you decide to contact him I suggest you use e-mail. Write him with the exact configuration you want and he'll get back to you with his price and how long it will take to get it if not in stock. It will be lower than the Edmunds TMV, and I'll wager it will be lower than any other area dealer will quote you. You can reach him at [email protected]