View Single Post
Old 01-31-2023, 11:21 PM   #37 (permalink)
Isaac Zachary
High Altitude Hybrid
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Gunnison, CO
Posts: 2,075

Avalon - '13 Toyota Avalon HV
90 day: 40.45 mpg (US)

Prius - '06 Toyota Prius
Thanks: 1,128
Thanked 584 Times in 463 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5 View Post
Buying from the stealership isn't the way to find a bargain on a vehicle. Private party is how you do that. You can buy 3rd party warranties too, but again, warranties aren't how to save money.
When I decided to look for a Toyota hybrid for my next vehicle I searched everywhere, both private and "stealerships." I ended up finding what I wanted in a dealership in Texas. Here I couldn't get a Prius from the same year with the same amount of miles for less than what I paid for the Avalon even from a private seller.

On the Avalon I did do a CarFax and also had the car inspected by an independent mechanic since I didn't want to drive 20 hours to look at it myself and then drive 20 hours back because I didn't like the car. The mechanic sent me pics of a couple dings (not even noticeable in person) I used to negotiate the price. I asked for $1,000 less and they said "sure" so fast I started to think something might be wrong with the car. I guess the infotainment center dying later would be that thing that was wrong with the car, but other than that it works pretty well still 4 years and 75,000 miles later.

I refused the extended warranty they were selling. I had also already gotten a preaprooved loan through my own bank locked into 4% APR.
__________________

Last edited by Isaac Zachary; 01-31-2023 at 11:26 PM..
  Reply With Quote