Scion's biggest enemy is their own dealerships.

[boonFRS]

My scion dealer was great. The MGR took me for a spin and then let me and the wifey go by ourselves. They had a demo unit so the mgr was driving it like we were at a track. Needless to say I have a whiteout on order after that.

[Erroneous]

I'm amazed at how many different things I've been told by various dealerships.

I emailed almost 50 dealerships within a 200-mile radius to express interest in a MT FR-S with NO add-ons (no BeSpoke, paint sealant, etc.). Of those, 4-5 dealerships connected me with a real person rather than an automated reply. I was told there was only 1 FR-S still in the region that met my criteria. I asked several dealerships where that particular car was located, and only one gave me the information - the rest refused. I put deposits down at two volume dealerships to be put on a wait list.

I then contacted the dealership with the car I wanted for a price. He told me the car would be available on the 11th and had no add-ons. He also said the MSRP was $26,000. I informed him that the MSRP was actually less than $25,000 (including the delivery fee), and he then said that was without trunk carpeting, paint sealant, and Toyoguard (i.e., add-ons). But he said those had to be sold with the car.

So now I have two questions about how to negotiate with the dealership:

First, those things are optional, right? If they wanted, couldn't they sell me the car without those additional items? The Toyoguard is a total waste of money (I have roadside assistance and I change my own oil), and I've heard that the paint protection is nothing special either. Meh on the trunk carpet, but wouldn't cry if I ended up getting it. Is he full of crap when he says his hands are tied?

Second, has anyone tried pitting salespeople against each other? I have been speaking with one salesman so far, but I'm considering contacting another salesperson in the same dealership and saying, "Hey, I'm probably going to buy this car from salesman X, but if you sweeten the pot just a little, I'll work with you instead." It seems to me that a sale with little profit beats a sale given to a co-worker instead, but I don't know how dealerships work so I may be wrong.

I'd appreciate some advice from veteran car buyers or at least some good vibes as I try to (finally) get this thing done!

[Night]

Originally Posted by Erroneous

I'm amazed at how many different things I've been told by various dealerships.

I emailed almost 50 dealerships within a 200-mile radius to express interest in a MT FR-S with NO add-ons (no BeSpoke, paint sealant, etc.). Of those, 4-5 dealerships connected me with a real person rather than an automated reply. I was told there was only 1 FR-S still in the region that met my criteria. I asked several dealerships where that particular car was located, and only one gave me the information - the rest refused. I put deposits down at two volume dealerships to be put on a wait list.

I then contacted the dealership with the car I wanted for a price. He told me the car would be available on the 11th and had no add-ons. He also said the MSRP was $26,000. I informed him that the MSRP was actually less than $25,000 (including the delivery fee), and he then said that was without trunk carpeting, paint sealant, and Toyoguard (i.e., add-ons). But he said those had to be sold with the car.

So now I have two questions about how to negotiate with the dealership:

First, those things are optional, right? If they wanted, couldn't they sell me the car without those additional items? The Toyoguard is a total waste of money (I have roadside assistance and I change my own oil), and I've heard that the paint protection is nothing special either. Meh on the trunk carpet, but wouldn't cry if I ended up getting it. Is he full of crap when he says his hands are tied?

Second, has anyone tried pitting salespeople against each other? I have been speaking with one salesman so far, but I'm considering contacting another salesperson in the same dealership and saying, "Hey, I'm probably going to buy this car from salesman X, but if you sweeten the pot just a little, I'll work with you instead." It seems to me that a sale with little profit beats a sale given to a co-worker instead, but I don't know how dealerships work so I may be wrong.

I'd appreciate some advice from veteran car buyers or at least some good vibes as I try to (finally) get this thing done!

From what I've been told and have saw, scion only sells there cars at MSRP, I still haven't had my question answered about that either.

[Erroneous]

Originally Posted by Night

From what I've been told and have saw, scion only sells there cars at MSRP, I still haven't had my question answered about that either.

From what I've gathered, the MSRP is set by Scion, but then dealers can add on other items, such as mud guards, BeSpoke audio, etc. The price for each of those options, however, is also set by Scion. So if the dealer tacks it on, it has to do so at the set price. My assumption was that all that stuff is added at the dealership, but now I think maybe certain cars ship with carpet mats and paint protection and the dealer has "no choice" but to adjust the price accordingly.

Of course, it seems that dealers can add "dealer fees" and "market adjustments" as they see fit.

[Jared0934]

Oh man--- I knew this would happen to some people. Some salesmen will, some wont. But for the ones who try, DONT LET THEM BS YOU ON THE MARKET ADJUSTMENT CRAP!!!!!

They tried to hit me with over $7,000 markup because of "leather seats we ordered and just didn't install yet" and a "$3500 market adjustment markup due to hype".

Don't let them hit you with them, set them straight and tell them listen don't BS me Scion is pure pricing if you want to jerk me around then stop wasting my time and go get your manager...

Remember you're at the dealership to buy a car... not to make friends... Don't worry about being nice to them, they are only trying to suck you for every penny they can.

[Neziah]

Both Scion dealerships I worked with were Pro. Great experience from both the one I purchased from and the one that I did not.

[Jared0934]

You sure? how many extras did you find on you contract that weren't mentioned? lol they tried to sneak in 4 yr oil change plan for $99 and the Alarm Activation... I dont think I got mine at a "bad" dealership, just a "sneaky" dealership...

[FR-S CEE]

This is what I've learn from buying this car and their dealerships.... First of all I must say I had a great experience purchasing my FR-S, here is the catch I bought mines in a lil town called Murfreesboro in Tenn and I live In Ft.laud Fl. Y you ask? Because customer service in South Florida is horrible. I bought a used tC 4 years ago In South fla. and got shafted. I got my car under $25k 6-speed with mudguards and rear bumper scion protector decal in Tenn.....Here in South FLa. they want over 28k for an automatic. So yeah i made the trip. Also dealers here in South fla. are giving the FR-S to the ''toyota'' dealer because they are allowed to mark them up unlike the scion dealers. I won't say the dealers are the FR-S worst enemy I believe the greedy dealers are. I also believe Scion is putting out the automatics excessively because they already know any 6 speed that comes thru the door will go right back out...but that another story

[stalon320]

I work in the Internet Dept of a Toyota-Scion dealership. My problem is that we get quite a few requests for the FR-S.. All Manual Transmission btw. I call and email them.. explaining that we don't have any in stock.. but would be happy to order them.. But All I get to do is leave a message or i get no responses from email. If someone is serious about getting this car.. then they shoulc come in and order it. In my region there are TWO Manual FR-S available.. TWO in like a 250 mile radius. Theres only 8 or so AT available as well. I think if you want this car, and had the chance to drive or sit in it somewhere.. then by all means come in and order one instead of complaining that there aren't any out there.

If you want to be first.. you have to deal with stuff like that. We sell the car at the Scion Pure price.. no mark-ups or BS.. and still I have had only two people out of perhaps 20 inquiries that have come in to order it. For me personally.. I'm waiting til next Spring as I am saving to be able to put a hefty down payment on the car. I wish you luck in your search.. but understand that not all dealers are that way.. I know for a fact that we aren't.

[Jared0934]

What would you say the wait times are after the day of order? I read somewhere (i think on the forums here?) that Subaru has over 5,000 orders for the BRZ and said people can expect to receive shipment April/May 2013...

pfffttttt

[stalon320]

Originally Posted by Jared0934

What would you say the wait times are after the day of order? I read somewhere (i think on the forums here?) that Subaru has over 5,000 orders for the BRZ and said people can expect to receive shipment April/May 2013...

pfffttttt

We are estimating 6 to 8 weeks.. but could be a bit more. The problem is that Scion is allocating the cars to dealerships that sell more Scions. I think its ridiculous, because if I get ten orders for the car.. some other dealer will get one in before the person that ORDERED and put a deposit on the car will get theirs, theoretically because they sold more tC's or iQ's..lol. I'm not 100% sure how it will all sort out over the next few months but I would imagine once the early orders are filled.. they will get to everyone else. Also.. we've been selling more Scions lately.. (the iQ is a pretty hot seller.. go figure..lol) So that may also get the wait time reduced.. Hope my answer helps.. Its my understanding as to whats been going on.. so if I am wrong.. please let me know

[Jared0934]

I wonder why toyota didn't mass produce these badass little cars.. Did they not think they would sell this well? I just think from a business perspective every customer that leaves a dealership because they dont have the 6sp MT in their color is 25k lost for toyota... On the flipside though 6-8 weeks isn't bad at all.. and that's definitely some BS that dealerships are getting FR-S' before customers that pre ordered....

lol wait did you say people actually buy the iQ?

[Norcalscionchamp]

I have one left for allocation the customer gets to pick the options, transmission type, and color(other than whiteout we already sold 2...if your from out of the area we can talk) we take a fully refundable deposit of $500 and your good to go...last order was scheduled for delivery in two months but the fr-s got here in three weeks...I don't know if that's how the next ones will work but this last allocation is guaranteed to deliver by December... Also MSRP only no markups or unwanted add ons

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jay

I to had a bad exp. Ordered this car more than a year ago was told they do orders based on the list and I would be taken care of. Time goes by and now the cars are coming so I mention I would be doing the recent grad rebate as well and would like to fill paperwork for anything that we might need as to have a smooth transaction but was told is fine let's just wait for the car to get here.

Now i'm no 2 on the list so I should get my car right away but instead they sell 3 others cars before I get mine one of them being the exact config I want as well to guys who are below me on the list. To make matters worst they told me I would get my car end of May...which turned into them promising me my car would come day after day for 8 days. When my car finally came they didn't do the pdi for 2 days yet found time to do the pdi for two other frs one being the same config and sell them. 8 days after the original day they told me to expect my car they are finally ready except now there are issues with the grad rebate and if I want the rebate I have to wait 3 more days as well as spend money to fix something they never told me about or give up the rebate if I want my car now even tho I called in and asked repeatedly what I needed as well as if we could do some of the paperwork early in case of issues.


Overall the worst buying experience I ever had. They are on my blacklist now and forever

What dealer?