The most interesting happened when we actually start getting an idea about total out the door price for a car we decided to buy. Information was analyzed based on inventory and offers from four closest Toyota dealerships. As I already test drove three 2016 Toyota Camrys, there was no need to prove we like it or do not – what we needed was to get a total price we should pay for the car. After searching and comparing prices online, we called all four dealerships to provide us out the door (otd) price for a car. All four dealers offered great discounts on 2016 Toyota Camry. Their online internet prices were few thousand lower than MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price), but we wanted to get an exact quote, so there won’t be any surprises once we come to pick up the car.
This article is not about to say which dealer is “good”, and which one is “not”, but rather to share the car purchasing experience.

Toyota dealer A

A salesperson stated the internet prices on new cars are exact, and on top will be added tax, title, license, and documentation fees. Exact price we pay wasn’t provided over the phone, because for that apparently we must go to the dealership and test drive a car.

Toyota dealer B

We spoke with a sales manager, who ensured they do not charge destination fees on top of prices listed online, and we basically has to add same, as dealer A stated. But no exact price was provided whatsoever, even though we asked to give us an exact quote.

Toyota dealer C

I visited dealership in person. Test drove a car, but when it comes to the price, a sale woman simply sticks with monthly payments, and for that she needs to check credit history… When I asked to provide a total price - she went to ask the manager, and come back with an answer: “…We have to fill the credit application, or you can do it yourself at home from our website. It is a 30-Second Credit Application, and we’ll tell you what you can qualify for.” As we didn’t shop for low monthly payments, and they didn’t come up with a total price even though I told my credit score, we just crossed this dealer from our list. By the way, it was the only one dealer, who offered $1 for our old car.

Toyota dealer D

I already sold my old ride, and decided to see another dealer with determination to drive home on a new car. I checked their offers online. My wife called and asked about fees and charges they have, so we were pretty much aware what we have to pay for a new 2016 Toyota Camry. In the morning salesperson showed me three cars which had exact same price. First vehicle had over 200 mi on. As I do not consider a car with so many miles on a new – salesman brought keys from two other vehicles. Over the phone my wife chooses Predawn Gray Mica color with light interior. I test drove the car – it had 5 mi on. When it comes to the price, a guy brought me a handwritten numbers with a total price. As it was not even close to the price posted online, I asked a manager to explain me why there was a big gap in price between internet price and the one was provided. He explained that they charge all the fees and taxes we already expected plus $835 delivery, processing & handling fee, and there was other close to $200 charge we didn’t count on.
My wife already was told – the destination fee is already included in the price, plus extra $200 made over $1,000 mismatch in the price we were expected to pay. After brief conversation over the phone with my wife, the manager told me he’d like to offer a few hundred dollars off the price to settle this. However, there was close to a thousand dollars difference between the price they advertised online and otd. When I pointed to numbers, he just walked away. I had to use public transportation to get home.

Toyota dealer E

On my way back, I stopped at another dealer. They didn’t offer good prices online, but I just wanted to make sure about their fees. While test drove a Camry, I simply told a guy that I was at other Toyota dealer already and have their price. I asked him to give me their best price, and I will buy a car from you. After speaking with finance manager, I was provided with a quote which included all fees, charges for accessories, rebates (if I will qualified), and total amount to finance. At my surprise, total price was very similar to the price offered by the dealer D.

The decision

I was considering buying a car from the last dealership, but after coming home, I received an e-mail from the manager of Toyota dealer D, who thanked me for coming and asked to share my experience after visiting the dealership. Soon a new cars sales manager e-mailed me, offering the total price for the new 2016 Toyota Camry what we were expecting to pay from the beginnig. As I wasn’t very pleased from the first visit, there were some hesitations, but my wife decided just to come and pick up the car from the dealer D.