Hi CL,

I knwo this might not be the most ideal place to make a post like this but I know there are plenty of knowledgeable CLers in here that could help. There aren't any website like CL for this kind of purchase where price can be discussed and get help from and maybe even get a comparative analysis of price. Haggling a price is easy but I want to know at what price point is a good deal with this particular vehicle.

I am trying to help my parents purchase a 2008 Toyota Rav-4. They just want the basic 2.4L FWD 4-speed Auto. The only option they want if a Roof Rack/Cross Bars/Step Bars and the 3rd Row Seat (it's the only reason they are choosing the Rav4 over the CR-V). According to Edmunds MSRP is $23,105 w/ the options and people are paying $22,112. I've based my 2IS purchase on these as well but I was able to get it lower than "what others are paying" at that time. I'm just curious is it possible to get it for around $21,000 OTD? Can I get it any lower than that?

If $21,000 is not a good price point, what would be a reasonable discount for this vehicle?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

I would start at invoice and go from there. Ask the dealer to show you the factory invoice on the exact unit you are interested in. If they refuse, walk out. You can also get the invoice price on Edmunds.

Also, you will almost always get the best deal if you buy a unit on the lot. If the dealer has to DX (dealer exchange) the unit from another store, it is usually going to cost a few $100 bucks.

I also just checked some publications to see if there were any rebates or dealer money on 08 RAV 4s and there is none.

Good luck

 

get some price quotes from different dealer's websites. don't give your real phone number, just email so no one will bug you. that is how i got my Odyssey MSRP was $29k and some dealer offered their same van for $24k.

 

Thnaks for the suggetions. With the option I picked, the invoice is $21,276. Realistically, what ar ethe chances of getting the car at that price OTD the door?

 

I am not sure about Rav4, but I got my 4runner at 3500$ under Invoice. It was at the year end clearance , around august I think.

 

OTD, I don't think so. Because your dealer is not going to eat the taxes, tags, etc. Getting it at that price plus TT&L is possible.

Good luck.

 

you can also check carsdirect.com sometimes they give a good basis on what people in the area are paying. Check edmunds.com for any incentives too.

I would think Invoice Out the Door would be difficult on almost any car... but that's just my opinion. I'm not familiar with the market for RAV4's and the California area.

I don't know where you're at in California, but if you're close to Manhattan Beach Toyota, I'd Email Dianne Whitemire, their fleet/internet sales director. She does a lot of volume and always posts deals at TundraSolutions. dianne@manhattanbeachtoyota.com i'm in no way tied to the dealer or dianne, just passing along some useful info.

 

Is this specific vehicle one that is in stock now at the dealership, or would it be a special-order exactly as your parents want it.......4 cylinder, 4-speed auto, 3rd row seat, and roof rack? That could affect the pricing. The dealership may or may not have the exact vehicle (and color) in stock that your parents want, especially if it is a smaller dealership.

 

Those are the specific options they want on the car but they won't mind having other options as long as it doesn't bump the prive up too high. Here in my area, there are 2 big Toyota dealerships (if not the 2 biggest in SoCal) Hamer and Keyes and I'm almost certain that we will find a Rav4 with those options on the lot.

I live by the Valley and I think Manhattan Beach is maybe 50 miles away, maybe closer, I'm not so sure though. Any help is appreciated and I believe Toyota/Lexus delivers cars within their 50 mile range for free so a deal with them might work too. If she has any good deals, please let me know. Thanks.

 

Well I don't know if she has any deals for RAV4's specificially, she generally posts for Tundras ,etc. So I'd say it's definitely worth your time to shoot her an email.

 

Longo Toyota would have the options you want, and you should be able to get it close to invoice

 

Thanks, I will do that. I appreciate the info.

I am considering them too because I got my 2IS from Longo Lexus. I'll hit them with qoute request in a week or so.

 

Ok a little update guys. One qoute I got with the 3rd row and roof rack, with an additional 17" with a price of $23,334, he is selling it for $22,190 which I'm guessing is before Tax & Title, etc... To be more realistic. Edmunds has it priced at invoice with the options at $21,724. Is it so farfetched to get it at $22,000 OTD? Is that a pretty reasonable deal if I can get it at $22,000 OTD? How about $23,000 OTD?

I'm still waiting for other qoutes from other dealerships but I would like to get some CLers opinion on the deal.

 

I think you're really not gonna gain any more traction asking the forums.... I would do this, just tell them. I don't want to waste any time, and my bottom line is $23K out the door. and sign an offer signifying that you're ready to purchase for $23K all in. He should see that you're serious about buying and come back to you with pretty much an all in bid for your business.

That said, $400 over invoice is a good deal on almost any car and is "reasonable." I don't know what taxes are like in California, but in my own opinion, I'd think 22K out the door wouldn't fly for a car that invoices for $21,724 unless there are some sort of crazy incentives on the car.

 

I have to agree...it's not necessarily a super-hot deal, but it's OK, and could be a lot worse. No matter what you actually pay for the car, you'll be hit with the CA sales tax (and perhaps a local tax, I'm not sure)......assuming, of course, that is where it will be registered.