re: Best places to shop for cars online?

quote:

---

I saved 4k over buying local.

---

Not sure where you're located, but the trip to Texas from Baton Rouge is worth it when buying a car.

quote:

---

I like Carmax.com..

---

No haggle pricing is kind of bs in my opinion

quote:

---

Cargurus...

I found the exact vehicle I wanted. I made my search area equal to a one day drive. I found the cheapest offer on that vehicle in that area. I called the dealership and told them if they backed out the cost of a plane ticket I'd buy it. Tget said "He'll, we'll even pay for your gas to get back". I flew up the next day and bought it. I was at the dealership for 30 minutes before getting on the road.

I saved 4k over buying local.

---

quote:

---

What city did you buy it out of?

---

I bought it out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The flight there was around 400 dollars. I flew up there in the morning, drove half way back and finished the next day.

When I got up there the salesman asked me "Why did you come all the way up here" I told him it was strictly based on price and I had saved right at 4K dollars. He said, the reason there is a difference is that they order their vehicles (4Runner) directly from the Toyota factory. He said all the cars sold on the gulf coast come from a distributorship. That's why they all have those stupid add on options they can't do without.

I work for a large company and there is a deal with a large conglomerate of dealerships to get cars at right above invoice or something. Going to Michigan was still 4K cheaper. If you are buying a Toyota in the gulf south you are getting the mark up no matter what. That's why all of the Toyota's have the "adjustment" price sticker next to the factory one. They don't have that up north.

Here's an example. I searched for the latest model of the 4Runner I bought. (SR4/4x4/Premium w/3rd row seat)

In Louisiana that 4Runner is - $41,378
In Kansas that 4Runner is - $36,485

That's almost a $5k difference in price. I assure you the folks in Kansas will pick up the cost of a plane ticket instantly. It's worth a day of my time to save 5k.

Also, I did shop locally and all I met up with were crooks. They had a year old 4Runner on the lot and I told them to make me an offer and if it was good they just sold a vehicle. Before going in I took a picture of the sticker. Once we got in they presented me with the "deal sheet". The guys said proudly "we knocked 3k off the price". I looked at the sheet, they had jacked the price up over what was on the sticker 1000 dollars and put that as their starting price on the "deal sheet". I called the salesman on it and he said the number was right. I showed him the picture of the sticker and said "we are done" and left.

I was pissed. I came in looking to buy a vehicle and they treated me like I was stupid. For the record, the folks in Kalamazoo were a pleasure to deal with. No tricks, tactics or anything. They were straight up and glad to sell me a car.

quote:

---

. You gave the worst site

---

How can it be ‘the worst site’ if I’ve bought my last three vehicles from them, gotten great deals, had very few issues with them, and when i have had issues, had good experiences with their service/warranty?

If you’re looking for the most rock bottom, dirt cheap deal on a car that isn’t in quite as good condition, then maybe Carmax isn’t for you.. each vehicle I’ve fgotten from them, despite being 3 or 4 years old, has looked brand new and been mechanically sound.

quote:

---

No haggle pricing is kind of bs in my opinion

---

Well, different strokes i guess, because haggling with car salesmen is right below keeping a proctologist’s appt in terms of things i want to do with my life.