@Anonymous wrote:
Assuming you are purchasing new:
Once you test drive the vehicle and decide it is the one you want to buy ask to see their invoice for that particular vehicle (make sure the VIN's match). Right now because of the supposed recession you should be able to purchase it for their invoice (they get kickbacks from the manufacturer to make up that "loss" they show you on paper)
Not always, even during slow times. You're gonna have a much harder time getting invoice on a Toyota or a Honda than on a Chevy. Toyotas and Hondas always sell well. And they don't get kick backs on every single vehicle... only vehicles that cause them to reach certain milestones. You would probably do better offering $500 over invoice, which is sort of the defacto standard for new car sales since everyone knows invoice prices these days. Is it so unreasonable of them to want to make a profit?
I wouldn't recommend asking to see their invoice. That might really piss them off and it will also make you look belligerent and unreasonable. Besides, you can look at the invoice price online at edmunds.
http://www.edmunds.com/
I don't think Toyotas have a lot of possible options so it shouldn't be too hard to pick out a couple of vehicles that you might want and know what the dealer invoice is.
Also keep in mind that if you have a trade the stingier you get on the new vehicle price the stingier they're gonna get on the trade-in value. If you get a great deal on their car, like invoice price, why shouldn't they get a great deal on yours? They're gonna make money one way or another, that's what they're in business to do. Your best chance of getting a very good deal is by being reasonable.