First, hey everyone, I'm from Houston, and I'm about a month or two (perhaps much less) from getting a new Scion tC. It'll be my first car.

I just had a question before I go out to buy one, and I really can't find the answer. I have read about the Pure Price thing, and I can't find too much info on it. Does it mean that Scion won't negotiate at all on the price, or that they try to avoid it? That's a big deal for me, because I am really good at haggling, and I don't want to spend more than absolutely necessary.

Edit: Okay, I had more questions, but I found the answers last minute.

 

From my experience trying to haggle when I bought mine in 06.... there was no negotiating at all and I dont think its changed. The base / stock tc is a pretty good price as it is. And to give a little advise. Dont buy any extra options. I mean maybe a few fairly inexpensive ones, but try and stay away from them. Thats where the dealerships make alot of money, and theyre not worth it.

 

on a brand new scion pure pricing works with no neogotation but if you are buying a used scion haggle and neogotiate the price the best you can because that does not stand

 

when buy a new scion, there is the sticker price, and you or the dealership are not allowed at all to go above or below that price.
dealerships can however charge extra for any extras they stick on the car. but you don't negotiate for pricing on the base car.

the price for what your getting stock is awesome anyway, check out the used prices and you can tell, used they are ridiculously overcharging from MSRP new.

 

imo find a used one with low low miles.... i bought my 07 tC with 1200 miles used for only 3 months and i got it for $15k, then i got stupid and traded it in for an 08 lol.... but new scions are pure priced, what is on the sticker is what you pay... as far as extras i agree with kirk212, extras will cost you, they charge like $100+ for the LED's under the dash, go to autozone and get them for like $20 lol.... $2k for head rest screens?? pssh $400 at a local shop... extra $2k for the nav screen, go buy a Pioneer D3 w/nav for like $650.... buy it base, try to get it without the mats($151), and get the mats off e-bay for like $70.... imo the tC at base price is alot of car for a small price ($17k?)... oh and bsp is a sexy color lol

 

Every scion dealership has to sign a convant with toyota to sell every car at sticker. that includes add ons. we have to even go online and build the car online to be sure every option on the car is the right price. No matter where you go the car will be the same price at another scion dealership

 

BSP is indeed a sexy color. That's coincidentally the color I wanted.

The price is really good, compared to the daylight robbery other dealerships, but it's really about $500 over.

If I find a used one, I'll get it, although I really was looking forward to the illuminated door sill. Although, modding the car myself will make for a cooler story. I might get one used, so long as it has really low mileage.

I suppose I'll have to go find that section where you can look for/ask for modding advice. Thanks for the advice.

Oh, before I forget, is there anything the dealership sells that cannot be easily bought and installed?

 

Yea... modding your car yourself is not only cheaper, but what more self satisfying. Take it from someone who wishes they hadnt bought 1/2 of the extras they had from the dealership. Not only becase I changed alot of them to other things, but mainly because there are better aftermarket parts out there.

And to answer your question about available dealer parts outside of the dealer..... not really:
http://www.newscionparts.com

 

Final question (I hope).

I think I am going to have to go with a used car. What year do you guys think would be best? I have read here about some people not wanting Future Scions to be so good that they have to trade up, so what is the last year that would allow me to avoid that? I would still like to have a car that is fairly recent, but price is a bit of a concern. However, since it's used, I'll be able to haggle on the price, what ever it is.