[mman-gr]

I dont want to bash a brand or the dealership b/c well...we all have choices. I'll refer to the last "hot hatch" i bought and the exp.

2016 - Focus RS - Dont judge me.

Most of this is common sense but really just posting for anyone new to this buying "experience"

So I looked around for awhile and finally found a dealer w/ an allocation. It took longer (90 days longer) and the car never showed and was getting the run around for months from sales. I walked away. Sales guy was mad but he did agree he told me 30 days.

Found another one in at a different dealer and they had 2 in the showroom. Called the dealer and off I went. Long story short the sales guy started at 10k markup. Car was listed for 42k-ish . I talked him down to 2k (my emotions got me and I shouldn't have paid it). During that time of my sale....they had another guy at 8k markup. I could hear them talking as i passed for my test drive...I just shook my head hoping the buyer would see me. (we all make our own calls)

My error here was not asking for markup was applied to these cars BEFORE i drove to the dealership. (they had a shelby with a 20k markup on the showroom floor....should have taken that for a sign)

Oddly enough there were dealers wouldnt let ppl test drive the RD...not that i blame them if some ppl just want to waste their time and hoon the car for a bit. (it had a drift button....bro) but i have gone higher end car dealers and let you drive them w/o blinking. (these are 40k cars....they are not god tier)


So what does that mean for the wallet....going quick and rounding.

Base: 42000
Markup: 2000 ( you pay tax AND interest on this money....dont forget that so its just not 2k ) My feeling that paying the taxes upfront is the best but ymmv.
Tax: 3500
Plus misc fees
No extended warranty

So total loan and interest paid was around $51000 (all-in and no downpayment) ($850 ish for 60 months)
Later (within a few weeks) I found the same car at MSRP after the hype died down and there was plenty to choose from within 200 miles.

A few years later I sold the car.....it had alot of issues from the factory and I was tired on going back to the dealer to fix yet another issue. It was all covered but the travel time and my schedule and patience did not mix well.

2k is really not a big deal over 5 years but its the principal of the matter and you will never get that back. Sales guys will tell you will...but you wont.


Don't be in a rush and calm your emotions about this new shiny object. Save your money and find one at MSRP.

 

[FirstLinh]

Thanks for sharing. I'm waiting until 2024 to buy a Core. Hopefully all the hype dies down and chip shortages return to normal so I can swoop in to buy one for MSRP.

 

[Pie]

Also with the markup you pay extra registration fees since it's based on purchase price, at least in CA.

 

[Tronic]

Yep my partner still has a standard 2010 Ford Focus and what a pile of shit I hate working on it. The starter motor didn't last 60k miles the brushes in it wore out. These cars are designed to fail not to mention a stupid design full stop from the hood release to even the wheel nuts. Never going to buy a Ford no matter what it is.

 

[ccrook06]

Yep my partner still has a standard 2010 Ford Focus and what a pile of shit I hate working on it. The starter motor didn't last 60k miles the brushes in it wore out. These cars are designed to fail not to mention a stupid design full stop from the hood release to even the wheel nuts. Never going to buy a Ford no matter what it is.

tell us how you really feel lmao

 

[xO_Crafty]

Thanks for sharing. I'm waiting until 2024 to buy a Core. Hopefully all the hype dies down and chip shortages return to normal so I can swoop in to buy one for MSRP.

Hype for these cars always die down, the year after is usually the best time to buy something new.

 

[TurboGT]

Later (within a few weeks) I found the same car at MSRP after the hype died down and there was plenty to choose from within 200 miles.

So I'll preface by saying, I never planned to be front of the line for this car. It's just that we should know everything there is to know about this car by now and Toyota just wants to keep us blue-balled, which is irritating.

My main concern with this is, Toyota marketing stated that they'll always make "one shy of demand". To me, this means there will never be one that ever sits on the lot. They will only ship them in with a buyer lined up. Which is unfortunate because it doesn't put dealers in a situation to end up making payments on this car and create a situation where they want to actually get rid of it (hence knocking off their bullshit markup).

So if I'm correct, this means the markups will continue regardless when the dust settles

 

[xO_Crafty]

So I'll preface by saying, I never planned to be front of the line for this car. It's just that we should know everything there is to know about this car by now and Toyota just wants to keep us blue-balled, which is irritating.

My main concern with this is, Toyota marketing stated that they'll always make "one shy of demand". To me, this means there will never be one that ever sits on the lot. They will only ship them in with a buyer lined up. Which is unfortunate because it doesn't put dealers in a situation to end up making payments on this car and create a situation where they want to actually get rid of it (hence knocking off their bullshit markup).

So if I'm correct, this means the markups will continue regardless when the dust settles

Toyota isn't doing anything other dealerships aren't. Its pretty common not to get much news on pricing and allocation until a few months before release.

 

[ccrook06]

So I'll preface by saying, I never planned to be front of the line for this car. It's just that we should know everything there is to know about this car by now and Toyota just wants to keep us blue-balled, which is irritating.

My main concern with this is, Toyota marketing stated that they'll always make "one shy of demand". To me, this means there will never be one that ever sits on the lot. They will only ship them in with a buyer lined up. Which is unfortunate because it doesn't put dealers in a situation to end up making payments on this car and create a situation where they want to actually get rid of it (hence knocking off their bullshit markup).

So if I'm correct, this means the markups will continue regardless when the dust settles

there's a MSRP only dealerships thread on here.

 

[TurboGT]

there's a MSRP only dealerships thread on here.

I'm aware. Naturally though, they have the longest lists of people. And it isn't like one dealer is getting a significantly higher allocation than another. All based on prior sales, not If the dealership has scumbag practices or not.

 

[Manda80]

My dealership just called me for a deposit to be first on the list… 15k markup! Wtf.

 

[ccrook06]

My dealership just called me for a deposit to be first on the list… 15k markup! Wtf.

they be auctioning off the first spot 💀

 

[Tronic]

Come on guys this looks like a great car but everything has a price limit.

I suggest if it looks like it's turning into a auction for the highest bidder then you just set a price limit in your head and walk away.

Subaru did a final release of the last STi made over here and the only made 20 of them and they called it the SAIGO. From memory they sold for just under NZD$70k.

Bottom line is I'm not going over that regardless of the hype based on the spec of the GRC

 

[ryno9100]

My dealership just called me for a deposit to be first on the list… 15k markup! Wtf.

Yeah... If we accept base MSRP at $35k, a $15k markup puts you comfortably above Audi S3 range... Which is a better car by every metric except the transmission. And puts you fairly close to Audi RS3 range.

I love the idea of this car, but as Tronic said, I've got a price I won't go over because I would rather just buy something used.

 

[elcolombiano]

My dealership just called me for a deposit to be first on the list… 15k markup! Wtf.

If you have the time, blast them on reviews everywhere.

 

[Manda80]

@ryno9100 Wholeheartedly agree. Also, the Audi S3/RS3 calculation is what I keep doing, too. 😂

 

[jdm-v35]

So I'll preface by saying, I never planned to be front of the line for this car. It's just that we should know everything there is to know about this car by now and Toyota just wants to keep us blue-balled, which is irritating.

My main concern with this is, Toyota marketing stated that they'll always make "one shy of demand". To me, this means there will never be one that ever sits on the lot. They will only ship them in with a buyer lined up. Which is unfortunate because it doesn't put dealers in a situation to end up making payments on this car and create a situation where they want to actually get rid of it (hence knocking off their bullshit markup).

So if I'm correct, this means the markups will continue regardless when the dust settles

That is the entire point behind them doing it this way. They already said they are purposefully doing this so it won't get devalued and will always be a limited and highly sought after platform. Not necessarily so they can promote markups(but this will happen anyway), but they don't want any negotiation/value loss on it because of them sitting on the lot. I am 100% for it, but I am also trying to get something that is limited and not seen every day. hence even on this platform I only want a circuit; a core won't do it for me.

 

[jdm-v35]

@ryno9100 Wholeheartedly agree. Also, the Audi RS3 calculation is what I keep doing, too. 😂

I already priced out an RS3 and for a decently loaded one you would still be 50% away from one even if the grc is 50k. I was at 68k before ceramic brakes and audi exclusive color. I don't want the brakes because of issues with them, but am definitely looking at a custom color. an S3 STARTS at 46k before any options.

 

[underscore]

I love the idea of this car, but as Tronic said, I've got a price I won't go over because I would rather just buy something used.

Same here. I've got a little wiggle room if it's close, but if it's way over I'll get something used and then look for a used GRC in a couple years time.

 

[TurboGT]

That is the entire point behind them doing it this way. They already said they are purposefully doing this so it won't get devalued and will always be a limited and highly sought after platform. Not necessarily so they can promote markups(but this will happen anyway), but they don't want any negotiation/value loss on it because of them sitting on the lot. I am 100% for it, but I am also trying to get something that is limited and not seen every day. hence even on this platform I only want a circuit; a core won't do it for me.

I know, but this isn't a limited edition McLaren. It's a Corolla. One that happens to check every box I have for the perfect daily driver, wet, dry, or snowy road car. I want a base core. Unfortunately they're all grouped together so guys in my situation will be boned by proxy.