Decisions, Decisions UPDATE

"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel) 08/09/2019 at 08:45 • Filed to: None

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The salesman I have been working with just emailed me tonight to say that the sister dealer just took delivery of almost exactly the Hatchback I want. Blue Flame, no door trim or ugly rear bumper guard, six speed, black interior. Only thing it’s missing is the rear spoiler (which is a dealer option anyway). The big difference though is that it is an XSE while I had been looking for an SE. He says he can get it transferred as soon as this weekend for $22.5k. More than I was wanting to pay (hence why I was looking for an SE) but not a bad deal at all for an XSE. Mighty tempting, especially if I can negotiate that $22.5k number to be after tax and registration.

The other option is to put in a request to Toyota to have an appropriately configured 2020 SE allocated to the local dealer and then hope they decide to make one in the early batches for delivery in 6-12 weeks. Toyota doesn’t take orders so I can’t just place an order, I have to have the dealer request one and then eventually Toyota will make one in the right configuration when they feel like it.

So I need to decide, do I jump on the one at the sister dealer and pay a bit more for a higher trim, or do I put in a request and wait an indeterminate amount of time for Toyota to decide to make one the way I want?

Update: said fuckit and told the salesman that if they can roll the taxes and fees into the purchase price such that I’m financing $19k after $4k down they’ve got themselves a deal. We’ll see where that goes.

Captain of the Enterprise > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:18

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I’d go for it and try to negotiate in the spoiler 

CB > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:19

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How much money would you save, are the extra features worth anything to you, and really, is six to twelve weeks that long a time to get the exact car you want?

dogisbadob > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:24

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take the XSE

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:26

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Ooh interesting. M y only question is whether you could comfortable afford the extra amount of money. If you can this sounds like a good chance at a really good price on a better car than you were shooting for. 

zipfuel > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:28

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Dayum that is not a boring Toyota! No clue on what to do though, how big are you on FOMO?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > CB 08/08/2019 at 21:28

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An SE would be $19-20k. I do like the fog lights, heated seats, and blind spot monitors on the XSE and I feel they would justify the $2-3k over the SE (though not the $4-5k premium they carry in MSRP).

6-12 weeks isn’t that long however the Mini’s transmission is threatening to blow up, the insurance company isn’t too happy about the fact I now live full time in VT, and the State of VT would very much like me to register it in VT and pay them tax on it. There’s really no point to transferring the title from my dad to me, paying tax and registering it in VT, and getting VT insurance when it’s just going back to my dad to be his spare car when I do replace it. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 08/08/2019 at 21:33

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It fits the budget however it’s tighter than I would prefer. It would also be on a 5 year loan which isn’t that big of a deal since I can get a good APR on it and am planning on keeping it for a long time. The whole idea behind doing the Corolla instead of a BRZ or similar is to have a cockroach of a car that will be reliable but still entertaining to drive for the next 100k+ miles and can be supplemented by fun hoopties as the budget grows.

CB > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:35

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Sounds like you have your answer, then.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > zipfuel 08/08/2019 at 21:35

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Not boring at all. The European Corolla platform this is based on is a vast improvement over the snoozemobiles we have been getting here in the states for the last 30 years. 

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:38

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If you are in a cold climate, heated seats are worth one of the less needed organs.  like you have two kidneys, you can deal with one.  

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/08/2019 at 21:40

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I’m honestly more excited about the idea of working AC than I am about heated seats. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:44

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Why spend all that money on a reliable useful hatchback when you could have this instead

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 08/08/2019 at 21:44

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That will be great in the VT winters.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:48

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I wouldn’t worry about 5 year loans, as the car you’re buying should hold its value very well, and you can always put extra principle down  and pay it off early. 

just-a-scratch > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:48

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I’m no expert on these, but it sounds like you want it and can afford it.

Go get the blue one there at the dealer.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Captain of the Enterprise 08/08/2019 at 21:49

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If I can get the spoiler in the deal I will. If not its a dealer option that can be installed at a later date with little issue.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 08/08/2019 at 21:53

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With the long loan I’m mostly worried about being under water on it for a couple years.

I plan on keeping it well past the 5 year mark as my daily since the options for manual cars are just going to get thinner in the next couple years. This gives me something entertaining to drive to work everyday while a endless cycle of drift missiles and hoopties occupy the other side of the driveway. If I manage to make my dating life into something that actually exists it wouldn’t surprise me if this car ends up bringing kids home from the hospital.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > just-a-scratch 08/08/2019 at 21:55

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That’s what I was thinking but fresh out of school it would be nice to have that extra $30 a month in my pocket.

Then again the Mini will probably cost me the $2k difference in repairs until I can get a 2020 SE, and you can’t spread Mini repairs over multiple months.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 21:57

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Well the inevitable engine bay  fire would keep you warm.

nermal > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 22:08

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The best course of action will be to drive past the Toyota dealer and go to the VW dealer, then  get a new GTI instead. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 22:09

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If it doesn’t blow up the budget, go for it. In something you’re looking at long term, you won’t regret the higher trim level someday down the road.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > dogisbadob 08/08/2019 at 22:09

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That’s what my impulse wants to do but the logical part of me wants to remind the impulsive part that the XSE is $30 more a month. That and the down payment would be kinda tight (but doable) since I fronted the money for my dad, his friend, and I to buy a drift car.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > nermal 08/08/2019 at 22:11

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The GTI doesn’t fit in the budget, especially with insurance.   

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 22:12

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Hello there!

jkjk, I think you should wait a while for the SE. Its better to get the exact car you want than regretting about it later.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 08/08/2019 at 22:14

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One day I will have a GP1. As a second car . I would feel bad if I bought one and then subjected it to 15k miles a year through Vermont weather and dirt roads. I would buy one in a heartbeat as a nice weather car though.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 08/08/2019 at 22:17

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It fits but is a bit squeaky. It literally comes down to me having to jump from a $25 per month Google Fi bill to a $100 a month Verizon bill as a result of moving that makes me question the budget enough to not just jump on this. It fits the budget now but what am I missing from that budget? (I’m looking at you Xfinity bill, I know you are going to hit me with hidden fees at some point).

nermal > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 22:20

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Just do a 96 month loan on the car, then raise your insurance deductibles as high as possible while lowering coverage amounts.

Base model GTIs are ~$3k more than the Corollas you’re looking at.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > nermal 08/08/2019 at 22:22

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That sounds like a horrible idea. 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 22:23

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I will own one someday too. They are soooo nice.

B_dol > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 22:26

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Negotiate the price down - Toyota sells a ton of volume and can stand to offer you a better deal. Shop all the dealers in a 100 mile radius if that is what it takes, plenty of inventory out there.

If you want the SE and they are trying to get you into the XSE ask they to eat part of that difference in price.

Also - $30ish / month is a laughable difference and if your budget is that tight you should not be buying a $20k car. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > B_dol 08/08/2019 at 22:44

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The price is already $2k under MSRP on the car. My negotiating plan would be to get taxes, registration, and fees in that $22.5k as well as try to get the spoiler thrown in. That would put it about $5k under cost if I was paying MSRP.

I’m already shopping around in a sense. I’m being picky in that I want a Blue Flame with the 6 speed. This is the one blue flame with a manual within 300 miles of me.

The extra $30 a month doesn’t pose an issue on its own, that fits in the budget fine. I’m just hesitant about it because my monthly expenses just changed dramatically as a result of moving. My phone cost went up 4x (no Google Fi service in the new place, had to go to Verizon with a phone payment on the plan), my internet cost went up 30%, I have a gas bill now in addition to my electric bill, etc.  The payment on the XSE fits fine in the budget as I know it right now (and I expect more room once I get actual insurance numbers instead of my online quote estimate) but I’m still worried that something is going to happen which will change my cost of living again. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 23:09

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30 bucks = a cheap meal for two with no drinks.

Do it.

carcrasher88 > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 23:10

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C&D had that car, same trim and such, in a comparison with four others, all manual equipped, in a comparison in the August issue...the result?

The Corolla scored dramatically worse than all four. It ended up like this:

1. Civic Sport - 196

2. Mazda3 - 194

3. Elantra GT N-Line - 192

4. Golf SE - 189

...

5. Corolla XSE - 157

The top four rated seven points apart, and the Corolla was 32 points behind the fourth place Golf.

Also, in the comparison, the Elantra and Civic were cheaper (in fact, the winning Civic was the cheapest on price), which means you CAN get a better car for less. I’d suggest at least taking a look at the competition first.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > carcrasher88 08/08/2019 at 23:22

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I’ve looked at 2  of the 4 listed there while shopping. The Civic was nice to drive but I couldn’t stand to look at it everyday. The Golf was just boring and souless when I drove it ( the long term reliability is also questionable). I wanted to look at the Mazda 3 but the dealers near me don’t have any 18s with a stick left and the 19 is way to expensive. 

carcrasher88 > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/08/2019 at 23:29

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Yeah, the 3 is certainly expensive. The one that C&D tested in the comparison...$30,060.

There’s always the Elantra GT, too. Especially with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, and don’t forget the warranty.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > carcrasher88 08/09/2019 at 00:27

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The entry point into a manual Mazda 3 is now over $28k which is insane.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 08:55

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Whatever happens, you’re doing this the right way. Negotiating a new car purchase via email is way more fun than doing it in person.

Svend > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 08:59

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Toyota doesn’t take orders so I can’t just place an order , I have to have the dealer request one and then eventually Toyota will make one in the right configuration when they feel like it .

Since when? That’s how we do it in the U.K. Go to the dealer or online and tell them your specs, haggle a price and/or extras. Agree the price and pay a deposit.

Make one when they feel like it.

Here, your put in a queue but can jump it if someone pulls out with the same or similar specs that can be altered with your specs added.

Then get updates on the progress from your dealer or online. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Svend 08/09/2019 at 09:08

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Sounds like they do kinda the same thing on both sides of pond. You put your name on a list and when a car matching your configuration gets built it gets sent to you. That’s unlike say Subaru where you give them your configuration and they will build that exact car regardless of if they were already planning to or not. With Toyota you request an allocation of a car, not that a specific one gets built.

shop-teacher > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 09:16

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$22,500 out the door would be a killer deal. Good luck!

Svend > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 09:17

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Our system is like how you said Subaru is.

You give them the configuration and wait your turn.

Like the case with Sandy. We wanted red but the lead time was several months.

Someone further up the chain cancelled their order and as it (the configuration) was close to ours, except the colour, we were asked if we wanted that slot. Unfortunately the factory was getting through the orders a little faster due to higher demand for the Skoda Superb and it was too late to change the colour to the one we wanted after we had agreed to it as the dealer didn’t get back to Skoda as quick. We could of gone back to our previous slot and the other car would of been made regardless and then sat at the factory waiting for someone to spec the same car.

That’s the thing with ordering a new car, you could get lucky and the factory have one sat outside as they make cars to popular specs to keep the line rolling. 

B_dol > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 09:29

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Gotcha - I wasn’t sure if costs were out the door or pre-taxes.

If your expenses are subject to shifting up again I would look for a CPO or gently used car instead and shift the budget down closer to $15-17K. A used Fiesta ST slots nicely into that range, or wait for the first used Toyota hatches to appear.

I bought a new car post graduation upon starting my first real gig, I’ll admit my decision was swayed by easy maintenance, a warranty and building credit. In hindsight those assurances cost me a lot more than they were worth + depreciation. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > carcrasher88 08/09/2019 at 09:31

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I think that is I was seriously in this market I’d be looking at the Elantra. IMO it has the best looks, it’s simple and, smooth like the mid 90s car and I like that.

I’m assuming the N line is available with a manual trans tho. 

Spanfeller is a twat > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 10:16

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Your “fuck it” offer is not bad at all.

I’m hoping you win the car over.

camarov6rs > Svend 08/09/2019 at 10:27

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Different dealer systems and cultures in the US. Here dealers will stock what they think people will buy, like any kind of box store. Some manufacturers namely the luxury brands will build EXACTLY what you want as a draw to people like that.

However Toyota and Honda’s manufacturing processes don’t usually leave room for specific builds. They will build 500 blue cars in various trims then 500 red...etc , at least that’s how i remember they used to do it.

As well the US model says the consumer demands examples on the lot to look at and buy. If they don’t have adequate inventory then the consumer moves on to someone else, is part of the theory. In European countries dealers don’t often have room for 300-400 cars on the lot so they are much more focused on getting you the exact car you spec and having the manufacturer build it.

TorqueToYield > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/09/2019 at 10:45

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Especially small cars with small engines which take forever to heat up.

Svend > camarov6rs 08/09/2019 at 10:47

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Here they will build common/popular specs and have them sat at the factory or U.K. ports or holding sites. Some will be bought by deal erships to fill their quota and be sold as ‘pre-registered’ (usually at a bit of a discount), but you can still go into the dealership and spec one to order and get a build date estimate and pay your deposit , or spec it online then take the code to the dealership, or order it online, or submit it to say CARWOW, etc... , who will put it out to tender to dealerships, who will text or e-mail you a price they will do it for, for your custom .

https://www.carwow.co.uk/

In European countries dealers don’t often have room for 300-400 cars on the lot

True though many can transfer a vehicle to another dealer in the network.

One thing ours aren’t allowed to do is mark up or price gouge like some in the U.S. do. In fact many of ours are happy to offer you a discount. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Spanfeller is a twat 08/09/2019 at 12:44

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We’ll see where it goes. I would love to be $22.5k out the door but I do have a little bit of wiggle room.

dogisbadob > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 18:31

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If you’re lucky, you may be able to negotiate the XSE price so that the difference is minimal or even the same price

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > dogisbadob 08/09/2019 at 18:36

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I don’t think I am going to be able to negotiate a car with a $24.9k sticker price down to <$20k out the door after fees.

dogisbadob > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/09/2019 at 19:13

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Maybe Tom McP can make it happen ;)