Dec. 31st Buyer

Did you consider selling your existing car yourself?
Have you tried on-line with like Costco (assuming your a member)? Those tend to be no-haggle prices.
BTW, which tax break are you referring?

 

duplicate post

(why does this keep happening?)

 

Special Tax Break Available for New Car Purchases This Year

 

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The one benefit from trading in your car is paying less in sales tax. I only paid the difference of the sales price minus the trade-in price.

 

AAA also has a car buying porgram if you are a member. I don't know how it compares to Costco. My dealer gave me the Costco price outside of the program and it was $400 over dealer invoice.

 

Is there any reason why you can't be visiting multiple Toyota dealers and starting preliminary negotiations right now? Start making contacts with salescritters, screening them to figure out who is worth trying to deal with, and finding who has the right inventory to even make the deal before the deadline.

Possible? I don't know, as I never do a fast turn-around-time deal nor include a tradein.

 

I don't think waiting until Dec 31st is a good idea unless you are super flexible about colors, taking whatever is in the lot or letting the deal rollover to January and possibly losing the sales tax deduction if it isn't extended.
You won't even have time for them to do a dealer trade and see the car if you wait until the last minute.

 

I had good luck getting my trade in shopped via email. I had a dealer send me an email with about 20 questions about the trade in, then I just copied and pasted into email request for a trade in quote. The 2 dealers that saw the car, both said they would honor the unseen estimate. Just give them an honest assesment of the car and you should be able to get a very accurate trade in value.
Here is a copy of the questionair, my answers are in bold, so replace them with your answers and email away:

In who's name is it registered: Tom ******
Current Address: 3223 W. ********
Make: Honda
Model: Fit
Year: 2008
Trim Level: Sport
VIN: (17 numbers/letters): JHMGD3867********
Color: Tidewater Blue
Body Type (coupe, van, P/U, etc) 4 door hatchback
4x2 or 4x4: front wheel drive
Engine (4 cyl, 6 cyl, 8 cyl, diesel, rotary):4 cyl
Transmission (auto, manual, cvt): automatic

Current Vehicle Mileage: 38,250

Has the speedometer ever been replaced?: no
Are you the original owner? yes
How often has the oil been changed: when ever the Honda 'maintenance minder' prompted
How many miles are on the current tires: 38,250
Have you completed all Manufacturer's suggested services? yes
Have you altered any of the original mechanical specifications? no
Has your vehicle been damaged by flood or hail? no
if so, explain:
Has your vehicle ever been in an accident, had paint work or body damage? no
if so, explain, including cost of repair:
Is there a spare tire and jack in the vehicle? yes
Have you removed or altered any equipment or accessories?: no
What repairs have you had done? none
Any repairs still needed? none

Is there a payoff on your vehicle? no
If so, how much: Payment: Lienholder:
Do you have an extended service contract? no
Does this vehicle have a salvage or branded title? no


(note: list features only if they work properly):
Air Conditioning (front, dual, none) yes
Power Window? yes
Power Mirrors? yes
Power Door Locks? yes
Keyless entry? yes
Tilt Steering? yes
Cruise Control? yes
Stereo: (cass, CD, multi CD): yes
Sunroof (power, manual or none): not offered
Alloy or steel wheels? alloy
Custom Wheels (list size): no
ABS Brakes? yes
Power seats (driver, dual, none): not offered
Seats cloth or leather? cloth
Rear DVD or video system: not offered
Tow package? not offered
Side Airbags? yes
Side Curtain Airbags? yes
Spoiler? yes
Lifted or Lowered suspension? no
Navigation? no
List all other options: rear bumper applique, window tint, wheel locks, factory floor mats.

Is there anything else we should know about the vehicle to make an accurate assessment of the vehicle (e.g., smokers car, pet/allergens,) Non smoker, no pets.

 

Shop now, sell old car directly

 

Ooo- tax credit I didn't know about when I bought my IV in September! Thanks!!!

 

Make sure you know in advance what sort of $$$ you're looking at as a return on your 2009 taxes for the tax deduction - sometimes its better to wait on a lower deal after New Years than take the automatic deduction from your taxes. It wouldn't surprise me if dealers use the tax incentive against last-minute buyers and hold fast on their prices. If a dealer doesn't want to play ball, walk away and go somewhere else. This is another reason to start shopping around now so you know who has what, for how much, and you can better play one dealer against another. That's a hard thing to do in 1 day.

It is hardly a given at this time, but it wouldn't surprise me if 2010 gets a similar sales tax deduction for your income tax return. However, it may not kick in until February (like this year) or even March, so you may lose any advantage of the tax deduction via the $400 higher invoice cost starting in Feb.

 

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By "dealer trade" I meant if the dealer doesn't have the car with the color and options you want, they can trade one of their cars with another dealer.
If you show up on Dec 31st, they may not have time to make a swap for you before the end of the year.

 

Just a few suggestions:

1. Define what your've looking for.

2. Review dealers inventory to see if they have what you're looking for.

3. Negoitiate a good price with the dealer. Some dealers don't want to deal and other do. Do your homework.

Good luck.