Dealing in WA

[theDogLady]

FYI to those in WA: I turned down a 2010 Prius today (right color, model, and package, but I want grey leather instead of bisque). My name is on a mid-July arrival at a different dealer (risky timing?!), but with my first choice color, model, pkg, and interior!

Why should you care? Some are dealing below MSRP in WA! Toyota of Olympia is HONORING the Costco discount (contact Costco and they'll contact you in >24 hrs -- the Costco guy told me that he only knew of Bremerton and Olympia to be honoring the Costco discount).

I was working with Mike Carter at Olympia and found him to be honest and he always followed through 100% -- he is worth seeking out (I had negative experiences there in April through mid-May, was switched to Mike and it's been all positive as soon as I started working with him). The Costco savings would have been approx $800 on the IV SR.

[fuzzy1]

It must have gone up recently, as it was not on Costco's schedule when I ordered almost three weeks ago. Original color combination is not yet available in this region, so I opted for 2nd choice over the weekend, and should have it next week.

But yes, some are getting below MSRP. Mine is slightly below, another has mentioned the same discount at the same dealership, and a few others have done a bit better.

So far, I am aware of no hints of any shortage here before the July 31 tax boost. Two dealers have mentioned very good allocations for this month. But Jabber's comments about declining allocations in July and August, in a different region, should caution buyers to not cut the tax deadline too tight.

[LTRAiN]

ugg mike isnt in until thurs..ill try him then.

[theDogLady]

I'll send you his #

[snijd]

Just got off the phone with Costco, and they referred me to Doxon in Auburn, although I had other choices, including Seattle and Olympia. I believe he said they were still negotiating final pricing with Bremerton. I've also sent queries to dealers in Bellingham and Burien, via my insurance company, USAA. Just wondering how your out-the-door pricing compared with advertised pricing. Were there a lot of add-ons, like documentation, advertising, etc? The Costco guy said he had no idea how much the dealers added on, or whether it was uniform (and I think it isn't).

Update: Wilson Motors in Bellingham is quoting MSRP as their "discounted" price.

[theDogLady]

Hi Rob,
From my experience and talking with a few other PriusChatters, it would be worth your time to check out Olympia if you want a great Costco pricing. One person was 'offered' $250 Costco discount off MSRP at Auburn -- I've heard of many WA dealers matching and surpassing that amount, Costco or not.

At Olympia, I was 'offered' over $800 off of MSRP on the IV with solar roof. They also 'offered' decent trade-in value (above KBB, but well below Edmunds/NATA -- but what isn't in a trade in situation?). It was a very good deal -- but be careful who you work with -- a few of us have had some negative experiences with different people there.

I bought my car from Larson in Tacoma and they beat the deal by Olympia -- not by much at all, just a couple hundred bucks. BUT they were allotted the EXACT car that I wanted, instead of my second choice of leather color (I have dogs that would have marked up the bisque in no time). I will say that Tom & Andrew at Larson Toyota were fabulous to work with and I'm really glad that I got it from them.

Doc, advertising, etc fees: neither Tacoma nor Olympia had any fees aside from the $750 delivery that everyone has to pay and then license & reg. No sales tax before 7/31/09. The three dealerships that I talked with had the bumper applique and floor mats as required add-ons, but I am okay with these.

Hope that answers all of your questions. I realize that a lot of PriusChatters recommend emailing a slew of dealerships and it was successful for many. For me, it made a huge difference to personally call sales managers.

Good luck!

[snijd]

We ended up ordering a car from Bob Bridge Toyota in Renton. We really liked the salesman, Ron Lewis. Absolutely no pressure. He even suggested that if we could find the car we wanted at another dealership, to call them immediately and place a deposit. We almost did that, but the other dealer would not hold the car until Cash for Clunkers is activated, around July 23 (crossing fingers). Ron had no problem with that stipulation, and will keep the car on the lot for us for a couple of weeks. The car (Pkg III) should arrive in Renton in about a week.

Ron said that regardless of which dealer we went to, to ask them for the VIN. If the dealer couldn't produce the VIN, then be suspicious. They're not on the hook to deliver a vehicle by July 31, the tax-free cutoff. Another dealer told me we didn't actually have to take possession of the vehicle by July 31 for the tax exemption, but this seems dubious.

BTW, Olympia said they could only come down about $100 on a pkg II car, which we'd originally looked for--not enough profit margin. We're happy with the way this is all working out.

[theDogLady]

Originally Posted by snijd

We ended up ordering a car from Bob Bridge Toyota in Renton. We really liked the salesman, Ron Lewis. Absolutely no pressure. He even suggested that if we could find the car we wanted at another dealership, to call them immediately and place a deposit. We almost did that, but the other dealer would not hold the car until Cash for Clunkers is activated, around July 23 (crossing fingers). Ron had no problem with that stipulation, and will keep the car on the lot for us for a couple of weeks. The car (Pkg III) should arrive in Renton in about a week.

Ron said that regardless of which dealer we went to, to ask them for the VIN. If the dealer couldn't produce the VIN, then be suspicious. They're not on the hook to deliver a vehicle by July 31, the tax-free cutoff. Another dealer told me we didn't actually have to take possession of the vehicle by July 31 for the tax exemption, but this seems dubious.

BTW, Olympia said they could only come down about $100 on a pkg II car, which we'd originally looked for--not enough profit margin. We're happy with the way this is all working out.

Hi Rob,
that's fantastic and sounds like everything will work out by the 7/31 deadline! I'm surprised to hear about the wimpy discount from Olympia, but there is a lot of value in working with a person & situation that you trust (sounds like you found that, in Renton).

Your gut is telling you the truth: To get the sales tax exemption, you do have to take delivery of your car and have it licensed and registered by July 31, 2009: http://dor.wa.gov/docs/pubs/specialn...hicleexmpt.pdf

That cash for clunkers deal is pretty sweet!!! Good job & Congrats again!

[fuzzy1]

I'm jealous on the Cash For Clunkers bit. My old car was too efficient to qualify. But at least I saved a lot of fuel dollars over the years.

Having met Ron Lewis at Bob Bridge Toyota during my pre-buying research in late winter, I must second the recommendation. He was the only salesman I met then, (among about seven guys at five dealerships), who was worth maintaining contact. As the actual purchase approached, his price was far better than the high pressure guys at my two nearest dealers.

I ended buying at Rodland in Everett, due to a slightly lower price, much closer and more convenient location for me, and another sales group that treated me almost as well. Ron probably would have matched the price, but Renton just isn't convenient for me, and no one on PC at that time was admitting to a price that would have overcome that location difference.

[snijd]

Renton isn't the most convenient location, but it works. I didn't visit Everett. It came down to who could actually produce a car in the time available, seemed ethical, and would honor the Cash for Clunkers stipulation. The unfortunate thing about the Clunkers deal is that we turn in a 2001 Chrysler Town & Country, while friends with much worse--and much older--vehicles keep driving them as ours goes to the crusher. Clunkers give us about $1500 more than trade-in value. How do you like your 2010 vs the gen II car? We're going to be a two-Prius family now!