I am about to make an offer (on the internet, no less) on a new, loaded Toyota RAV4. The MSRP is right at $31,000. Can I offer $27,000?
One other thing... I am in Texas, and the exact car I want is in Louisiana. Any problem with that? Will that make negotiating more difficult?
Thank you!
Stupid Flanders
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There are no current incentives being offered on the RAV4 right now.
The current offers will reset starting tomorrow, so Toyota may offer some sort of incentive in remaining 2011's if you wait a few days (the also may not).
The best you can realistically hope to do right now is about $2K off sticker, which would be about $29K before taxes. If the car has been on the lot for an extended period of time, you may do slightly better, but $27K likely isn't realistic. It never hurts to make an offer, though.
Nothing wrong with buying a car in another state as long as you can deal with the fact that there is the possibility you will end up back home with no new car.
If you are desperate and they know you drove all the way there and don't want to drive back home without buying a vehicle, then they can use it to their advantage and you will end up buying something for more than you wanted to spend.
Bostonian In MO
Toyotas seldom sell for much less than MSRP. Popular models like the RAV4 rarely sell for less than MSRP and often command a premium price. You can offer $27k but don't be too surprised if they don't even respond to such a low offer. If they do respond it will only be to get you into the dealership where the games will begin.
IMHO, if you can get $1,000 off the MSRP you'll have done a pretty good job of negotiating.
Enrique
I suggest you go to Louisiana and take a look at the car yourself. Sellers on the internet and on newspapers often understate what the car's flaws are. Don't do it over the phone.
Start low with 25,000. Don't be afraid to go so low, as the seller will probably say no the first time and stick with the original price. If so, go up a thousand or 2 dollars and see what happens. If the seller refuses, ask whats the lowest amount of money he'd take. Its usual for them to go down a bit but not much. From there ask if they're willing to meet you in the middle and work from there.
TIP: Don't act like you love the car, maintain a poker face. If you do they are more likely to give in to your offers. You want them to think that whether you do or don't make a deal won't affect you.