[SDGTR]

While I sit here waiting for my R4P which comes with a $4K add-on package, I got curious about how other R4P owners did in their buying negotiations. Lots of discussion about it but I didn't see a poll showing actual stats so I'm making one.

I've also discovered that forcing add-on packages like alarms, paint protection, VIN etching, door edge guards, etc, by telling people that these are mandatory and non-negotiable is actually illegal according to the FTC. I have no idea how to get around it though since the dealers here will simply tell you to go buy it elsewhere if you don't like it.

So, if you already own a R4P, did you pay for a markup or forced add-on package?

I set the votes to not display publicly in case you want your answer to remain anonymous. But please feel free to elaborate with details.

 

[Jeffp25]

Ours will be arriving in March - with about $1000 in port-installed options (we'd like a few of them, but would be happy without a few too), and an $8000 markup. After much searching, such a big markup became the only option unless we wanted to gamble on our 2006 RAV4 lasting another 6 months or so and look then (in the hope of increased supply).

 

[SDGTR]

So far 50% who have voted got MSRP w/no markups.

Curious, when did you buy and did you have to wait a long time?

 

[espos4]

March 2022.
$5,500 over MSRP but also had $5,200 in equity with my Jeep lease turn in. There were factory and port installed options, but I wanted most of them anyway. (cold weather package, door edge and accent molding, rubber mats, wheel locks). The same market conditions that increased the R4P sales price also made my Jeep more valuable than the residual value. For me it was a wash.with a few hundred out of pocket, my financed amount was within a few hundred dollars of MSRP + sales tax.

 

[peakbagger]

I should do two polls, Prime SE #1 (March 221)was retail no major port add ons, (Mats and mag locks), it was very early on when they first started shipping outside of California and into the New England states that are part of the emissions compact with CA. I did not want a sunroof but most in the first shipment had sunroofs. Prime SE #2 was 3 K over invoice with sunroof, and weather package (must have in New England) winter floor mats. It was about 2 months after #1 was totaled with 3 days on it. All the first allocation was gone and the demand was going up all over. Since I got a double rebate on two Primes the 3K markup was not as painful. Dealer #2 with the markup pushed to have me buy their super platium ESP (toyota ESP plus all sorts of extra local junk) for $6k, I declined. I could have resold at profit but had a lot of traveling until last December for work so wanted to Prime to do it with.

 

[surfstar]

TL;DR - don't pay over MSRP; buy something else

June 2021. SE @ MSRP, + $200 in port options. -$7500 tax credit

Sold for profit 9 months later.
I'd never buy a PHEV or EV without a tax credit unless prices were in line with similarly efficient ICE vehicles. [shrug] I'm frugal though.
(over MSRP?!? Hell no!!!)
Been making do as 1 vehicle household for about a year. Nice $avings.
Might get my $34k loaded Ford Maverick finally built and end the 1 car streak. Car prices are dropping big time. Carvana about to go bankrupt (sold them my SE last year). May have timed things nicely. (also flipped a Prius Prime for a profit in 2021 - was very easy to time that deal)

/cheap-a$$-brag

 

[Dontmind]

don't pay over MSRP; buy something else

You are the man! Unfortunately, not everyone is as rational as you.

 

[Im2bz2p345]

I voted option #1 (MSRP, no unwanted markups or add-ons) since it most closely aligns with my story when getting a 2023 XSE w/PP (can be read about using the link in my signature).

In regards to the FTC ruling from July 2022, 16 CFR Part 463: Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule (NPRM), it is only a proposed rule, not a final rule. Using a quick Google search, I'm reading that it is still being debated/contested by Congress: U.S. House and Senate Members Call on FTC to Withdraw Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule

^This was only a quick search, so please let me know if it actually made to a final rule/federal law. To protect so many consumers, it would be awesome if it passed, but there is likely big lobbying efforts around this.

~ im2bz2p345

 

[SDGTR]

I voted option #1 (MSRP, no unwanted markups or add-ons) since it most closely aligns with my story when getting a 2023 XSE w/PP (can be read about using the link in my signature).

In regards to the FTC ruling from July 2022, 16 CFR Part 463: Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule (NPRM), it is only a proposed rule, not a final rule. Using a quick Google search, I'm reading that it is still being debated/contested by Congress: U.S. House and Senate Members Call on FTC to Withdraw Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule

^This was only a quick search, so please let me know if it actually made to a final rule/federal law. To protect so many consumers, it would be awesome if it passed, but there is likely big lobbying efforts around this.

~ im2bz2p345

From what I've been able to find, that's just a formal clarification of the rules already in place. Apparently many dealers have already been fined for violations of those rules.

BTW, that letter sounds like it was written by the auto dealer lobby and given to the politicians with "orders" (read: campaign donations) to present it to the FTC.

 

[FKHeath]

While I sit here waiting for my R4P which comes with a $4K add-on package, I got curious about how other R4P owners did in their buying negotiations. Lots of discussion about it but I didn't see a poll showing actual stats so I'm making one.

I've also discovered that forcing add-on packages like alarms, paint protection, VIN etching, door edge guards, etc, by telling people that these are mandatory and non-negotiable is actually illegal according to the FTC. I have no idea how to get around it though since the dealers here will simply tell you to go buy it elsewhere if you don't like it.

So, if you already own a R4P, did you pay for a markup or forced add-on package?

I set the votes to not display publicly in case you want your answer to remain anonymous. But please feel free to elaborate with details.

You don't have my situation in your poll: Paid less than MSRP and had no added options that I did not want. I paid MSRP minus a Costco discount of $750, and just the options that I wanted.

 

[CoffeeBear]

I voted for under $2500 but to be clear it's WAY under $2500. More like $300 worth of stuff and that stuff had some value to me, just not $300 worth. so to be fair, maybe $200 worth of extra stuff? in the end that is almost nothing relative to what some people are paying just to get a R4P at all where they get literally nothing for that extra money other than getting their vehicle right now. at least I got SOMETHING.

 

[SDGTR]

You don't have my situation in your poll: Paid less than MSRP and had no added options that I did not want. I paid MSRP minus a Costco discount of $750, and just the options that I wanted.

Hah! Lucky you! I did check the Costco auto program but they did not have any dealers anywhere near my area that qualified for their program for this model. Just goes to show that every single Toyota dealer in my area is an opportunistic jackhole.

I voted for under $2500 but to be clear it's WAY under $2500. More like $300 worth of stuff and that stuff had some value to me, just not $300 worth. so to be fair, maybe $200 worth of extra stuff? in the end that is almost nothing relative to what some people are paying just to get a R4P at all where they get literally nothing for that extra money other than getting their vehicle right now. at least I got SOMETHING.

Where did you get yours? And how long did you have to wait for it?

 

[CoffeeBear]

Where did you get yours? And how long did you have to wait for it?

If you are actually interested b/c you live around New England send me a PM but in any event only about an hour away. I waited 5-6 months. I was anticipating waiting 12+ months.

 

[SDGTR]

If you are actually interested b/c you live around New England send me a PM but in any event only about an hour away. I waited 5-6 months. I was anticipating waiting 12+ months.

Thanks, unfortunately I'm at the completely opposite end of the country - SoCal. Around here the dealers are all sharks. Not a single ethical or honest one to be found anywhere. Even the one lone MSRP dealer within 500 miles has started adding a bunch of PIO and DIO "options."

 

[CoffeeBear]

Thanks, unfortunately I'm at the completely opposite end of the country - SoCal. Around here the dealers are all sharks. Not a single ethical or honest one to be found anywhere. Even the one lone MSRP dealer within 500 miles has started adding a bunch of PIO and DIO "options."

yeah, I've heard similar stories regarding a lot of vehicles in CA. it certainly makes a "road trip" purchase more attractive if you can find something doable.

 

[Jeffp25]

You don't have my situation in your poll: Paid less than MSRP and had no added options that I did not want. I paid MSRP minus a Costco discount of $750, and just the options that I wanted.

We looked at Costco - they can't provide this vehicle any more because none of the dealers are willing to drop their prices to give the discount required by Costco.

 

[CoffeeBear]

We looked at Costco - they can't provide this vehicle any more because none of the dealers are willing to drop their prices to give the discount required by Costco.

I looked into that as well and yeah, no dice!

 

[cometguy]

We put in for a "special order", as much as Toyota allows that (which they really do), to get the options and colors that we wanted. When it arrived, the dealer did two things that were unexpected: (1) charged us $200-$300 for a rubber-mat set (may have been included at factory or port), and (2) forced us to take out a loan through them after we had already lined up a bank loan through our personal bank (we promptly paid off the Toyota loan with our own bank's loan, but the dealer said he would not sell to us if we didn't take his dealership loan). Wellesley Toyota, MA. [did not vote in the poll because this option is not there]

 

[SDGTR]

We put in for a "special order", as much as Toyota allows that (which they really do), to get the options and colors that we wanted. When it arrived, the dealer did two things that were unexpected: (1) charged us $200-$300 for a rubber-mat set (may have been included at factory or port), and (2) forced us to take out a loan through them after we had already lined up a bank loan through our personal bank (we promptly paid off the Toyota loan with our own bank's loan, but the dealer said he would not sell to us if we didn't take his dealership loan). Wellesley Toyota, MA. [did not vote in the poll because this option is not there]

That would be option 2 in the poll.

MSRP + some unwanted Port Installed Options

The one I have coming in includes several PIO add-ons but I'm not too upset about that because most of them are things I would have bought myself either through the dealer or aftermarket. All-weather mats, roof rack bars, mud guards and one or two other things. I wish it came with some kind of running boards but I guess I'll have to do that myself.

The financing thing is another BS thing some dealers do but if your bank lets you refinance through them that's great. I may end up doing something like that too.

 

[Yogibear]

Paid CAD MSRP. However, i canceled one XSE from another that was asking over $8000