Looking for opinions on the automatic tc(my daughter can't drive manual), good or bad. Do you like the no haggle price? I can't even get a set of floor mats thrown in. I'm having a hard time trying to find a dealer that I want to spend my money at. They are all short on the sales thing or don't even call back. It seems they have a take it or leave it attitude. 1st year cars usually scare me. Thanks

 

its funny you say that; the same attitude was given to me when i bought it, let alone the lack of spec information the sales rep had. i mean simple things like what kind of engine was in it. i was like "this is the same engine as the camry, vvti?" he was like, "man, we got this car 4 days ago, i dont know much about it."

anyway, i think the reason its a take or leave it attitude, is because no matter how good or bad they are to you (in reasonable parameters), its going to be the same price; hence no haggle. out of all tcs in the US, i probably was within the first 100 to get one, and i can honestly tell you that i love my car so much. and with almost 6 months passed, a lot of the kinks have been worked outl. for a first year car, i havent noticed that many defects, and can only suggest/wish on some changes (bumper to bumer/drive train warranty). for 18000 total, you cant find a better car out there (subject to argument).

why not make your daughter learn manual? i always vowed never to fall in love with a girl who didnt know how to drive a stick.

 

...the drivetrain is all Toyota (2.4 camry), wouldn't worry about 1st year stuff .
don't know why dealers are short with you , no haggle means no haggle . Are you haggling for free mats ? the tc is a great car , nothing in its price range compares .
the auto is fine , i just like to shift .
look , the price is posted (web&showroom) pay it or not , its pretty easy .
hardest thing is finding the color & tranny when you are ready to buy . there aren't tons of tCs sitting on lots .

 

Technically no Toyota comes std. w/ floormats. Most Toyotas have mats added in a comfort package on the window sticker. While you can get the mats "thrown in" by negotiating the price, you are just negotiating the price of the whole car down. The nice thing about Scion is that if for some reason you don't want mats, you don't have to get them.

In Toyotas, and most other brands, you can only get certain options if you upgrade to a different trim level (CE, LE, XL, XLE, ect) or add a whole package to one of the trim levels. The advantage of Scion is that you can add only what you want to the car. Instead of having to pay 2-4k for an entertainment package that includes a 6-disc, upgraded speakers, a subwoofer and navigation; when all you want is the 6-disc, with Scion you can get just the 6-disc. You can get just leather instead of having to pay for the package it comes in on other cars. Customization is one of Scion's biggest advatages.

 

so there's no point of trying to negotiate for a better price?

 

The floor mats were sort of my sarcastic humor. I was just saying that nobody is budging on the price. There is no incentive for me to rush into the showroom and buy the car. Unless that's the car you must have. I agree, option for option, nothing compares. I was trying to make sure it's a good reliable choice for my daughter to be driving especially out here in the desert. Las Vegas does have quite a selection of colors and trans. My daughter is out there today looking. The big issue is deciding on which dealer to give my money. None came up with a good reason why I should deal with them. I guess the closest one wins and that doesn't make sense to me. Thanks to all for your input. Almost a Scion owner

 

I was skeptical about this "pure price" but after buying im a beliver. My dad has bought 4 toyotas in the past 5 years excluding my scion. Each time he said that it was a real hassle trying to get a deal. He was surprised about the way that Bill Wright took care of us. Sure they are the only ones in bakersfield, california but they were great. If your buying this for your daughter, take her there and get exactly what you want (color, options,e tc). Don't settle for anything less. Also if there are a lot of dealers nearby (ie. within x miles you are willing to travel) go to the one that gives the best service. But price will be the same.

 

On the base price of your car?? no.

 

I found a big difference between dealers prices on extended warranties and doc fees. We will be buying our tc in CA. We can visit our best friends in San Diego and save $350. Doc fees, Las Vegas, $400, Phoenix,$300, San Diego$45, Price shopping , priceless!
Zinczipper must have deeper pockets than me just to accept what's posted. I bet he's never shopped walmart or the internet for a better price..............

 

well it's cool you have friends in san diego to visit. but of course, you will still have to register the car in the state where you live (unless you use someone else's address for the registration). thus, you're not going to really save all that much. even if you register it elsewhere NOW, won't you eventually have to register it in your home state and pay those fees?

i would think the hassle of going all the way to san diego isn't worth $350 in savings. i mean, sheesh, you'll spend close to $100 in gas and food for the two of you.

just recognize that the mindset of "getting a deal" does not always mean you are getting a deal. in the case of the scion tc, "pure pricing" really does mean an easy buy experience with excellent value. i have had my tc for a week and i am still amazed that the car as i have it now was $16,660 before tax and license. i can't wait for wednesday when it goes back to the dealer for my optional equipment install....

anyway, if you feel better by going to san diego just to save a few hundred.... by all means, do it. whatever floats your boat.

 

We choose between two local dealerships soley based on the salesmen's attidutes. The first guy was sort of a jerk that just rushed through our questions, not to mention his breath which smelled like he had been chomping on **** logs. The second guy, whom we dealt with was easy going and very helpful.
BTW it is obvious that although the scions are sold based on "pure pricing" salesmen make more money based on the amount of options we purchase. This became evident when a second salesman approached us after the test drive and attempted to pressure us into buying the kit, foglights, and spoiler. After we denyed him he went on to tell us that we had to purchase at least 5 accesories to purchase the car.

 

dude just buy the damn thing if you and you daughter like it. its only money, and not that much at that. the closest one if fine your not gonna get a better deal and they will sell the cars fine whether u do or dont buy a car from them thats why they dont care. pick the options you want tell them thats what u want and order it.

 

lol thats a good idea on his part casue most people probably belive him

but u probably got at leaste 5 accesories anyway. i love it when people are so determined that their not gonna have a salesmen sell them somthing, that they dont end up getting what they need.

 

The only bad part about getting an auto tc is that its an $800 option,but it actually gets a little better gas mileage than the 5 speed.One other bad point about buying a tc I noticed was the wait time to get a car.They didn't have a great selection on the lot . So if you if you don't like the few cars on the lot and order one you will be looking at a long wait.

 

They give a 72 hour note to drive it across the border. We have to drive over 2 hours no matter where we buy the car, and we visit our friends in Sandi a few times a year anyway. I can't believe all the responses I got. We're actually looking at the xa for our other daughter starting to drive. You can't beat that price for a new car and a warranty. What I should start is a "what to look for in a salesman" topic. That's hilarious about the salesman with the bad breath, been there.

 

Yes, they make the money on the "dealer options".

No you don't have to purchase ANYTHING. I didn't. If they will not budge on this term, threaten to call Scion. If they still don't budge, call Scion and tell them. They could lose the ability to sell them for doing this.

 

Uh...yeah. What about sales tax? You should just buy a used one....so you can get the floormats for free. They have a few on autotrader.com

 

Uh...I don't get it. I don't pay sales tax, I work for the government. That's a joke just like the floormats Your car looks too clean coming from IL. Lived there for too many years

 

I wouldn't base my decision solely on the salesman, forget them, you'll only deal with him until you BUY the car. I'd check out the service departments, see who is better in that area. That's the main thing that kept me AWAY from my closest dealer, Dublin Toyota. Their service dept. ripped me off on my Echo and were jerks about it to boot. So they don't ever get any more of my $$...