Anyone have a Toyota Dealer hookup?

When I bought my GM diesel pickup in 2011, I searched dealer's lots and the internet (most dealerships have a internet sales rep) to find the best deal on a truck. I drove from Monterey to Novato to get the best deal and it saved me at least $6,000. Actually the same truck today has a price after incentives that is $15,000 more than I paid for mine.

Start by going to the fleet manager or sales manager or other manager as they are on a salary and not a commission. The dealership saves as a result and that puts $1,000 or more back on the table that you do not have to pay and still have the dealer make the same dollar profit on the sale.

End of the month, end of the sales quarter, end of the calendar year, are also times when the dealer needs to make their numbers for units sold during the period to get the best possible kick back from the factory - actually a discount is applied to prior purchases and the dealership gets a volume discount. Also the dealers are paying a flooring tax or finance fee for each month the car or truck sits on the lot. If they have the truck on the lot on the first day of the month they pay the finance charge for the entire month. There is a savings if they sell the vehicle before the first day of the next month.

You will also make out better if it is a clean deal with no trade-in vehicle and no financing of any kind provided through the dealer. Not difficult to prearrange a car loan with your bank for an amount up to $xxxxx before you start shopping and then the bank can cut you a check the day after you sign with the dealer. You always get a number of days to pay the dealer so it does not delay your taking possession of the vehicle.

Once you have a deal struck this is the time to ask for any extras. The dealer does not want to lose the sale and as you are working directly with the manager they have less latitude to reject reasonable requests. This is when I ask for items like mirror upgrades, floor mats, etc. and worst case the sales manager has at the very least provided the things I wanted at their cost and with no labor charged for any installation work. I have had roof racks added, trailer hitches added, and with my last truck I got at no cost the GM tow mirrors, GM bed liner, GM chrome side steps, and GM diamond plate tool box which had I paid for them out of my pocket would have cost over $1400.

I'm in the market for a new Tacoma 4x2 manual transmission.  Got the certification from TrueCar and from the Toyota dealer in Palo Alto since July but they till can't find the truck!

I got my Camry from Toyota 101 in Redwod City. I used TGrue Car as well, I was very happy with the whole expierence.  Service has been good, warranty hasa couple of months left for that first 24 bumper to bumper. 

My two cents...........I'm an Internet Manager for Future Ford in Roseville and if anyone needs any advice I can assist you even if you are looking for other makes/models. The other advice on here is good! Costco/TrueCar/USAA are all good programs, along with A/X/Y/Z programs so check with your employer as well to get a pin #. Plus, go onto the manufactures website and request information on a vehicle, they normally will mail you a certificate that can be used like cash. If you trade-in a vehicle, check autotrader/car-max for a real quote. Labor day is coming up and buying a vehicle on ad beats every other program out there!