Car Prices Blogs - November, 2011

Latest Car Prices for the Scion/Toyota FR-S Revealed

November 29th, 2011

In a bold attempt to reinvigorate the existing lineup of Toyota cars, the Japanese car maker is set to release the Scion FR-S in 2012. Confused? Not until you know that Subaru, a partly-owned Toyota subsidiary, will also release the same version of the car in the name of the Subaru BRZ-STi.

The FR-S will be released as the Toyota 86 in Japan and will come with a Subaru-developed 200hp 2.0-liter DOHC Boxer engine. What this means is that the FR-S will have incredible balance along with a low center of gravity to give it the handling characteristics of a professional go-kart.

The Toyota 86 or Scion FR-S is not a rally-car alternative similar to other high-performance Japanese cars in the market (such as the Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X and Subaru Impreza WRX STi). Instead, the compact sports coupe is blessed with the driving purity of a proper rear-wheel drive system. Toyota proved once and for all that they are capable of churning out fantastic aerodynamics along with a space-age design in the ridiculously expensive Lexus LF-A and the Toyota 86 will have the same benefits as well.

Those in the know will remember the Toyota Supra as one of the best sports cars during its time. Sold from 1979 to 2002, critics are quick to point out that its about time that Toyota resurrected the famed Supra name. The possible Mark V replacement for the last generation Toyota Supra kept rumor mongers at bay during the development of the Lexus LF-A. While purists will have to wait for the true successor to the Toyota Supra, the Toyota 86 (and all related derivatives from Scion and Subaru) is sure to bring back the excitement in your daily drive.

Toyota 86/Scion FR-S Pricing

Toyota chief engineer Tetsuya Tada revealed that the Scion FR-S is destined to appeal to a younger set of car buyers–specifically young college graduates who are on their way to establishing a fruitful career. Japanese car buyers are expected to shell out two million Japanese Yen (2,000,000) for the Toyota 86, roughly equating to $26,000 including options.

With the price tag predicted to be in the $24,000 to $28,000 price range, the Scion FR-S is destined to be the most expensive car in the Scion lineup. Since Scion cars are known for their custom looks and affordable price, the performance characteristics of the all new FR-S alone will justify the rather steep price tag.

Get in contact with the nearest Scion dealers in your area and be the first to know the latest car prices for all trim models of the Scion FR-S.

Helpful Ways to Negotiate the Price of a New Car Part 6

November 21st, 2011

First time new car buyers should be aware of the various tactics involved in buying a new car. There is a lot of mystery that surrounds new car prices but this is not what we are going to talk about. Instead, we are here to provide you with more helpful ways on how to negotiate the price of a new car.

Tip #1: Trade-in wisely

Want to know the fool-proof way to get the most out of your old car? You should just try to sell it to a private buyer or individual.

Why?

Because the dealer WILL make a profit from your old car, including the trade-in value. For example, if your old car has a $4,000 resale value then the dealer will try to sell the car for more than that amount and will try to buy it from you for less, like $3,800. Of course, the actual price will depend on the type of car including the various options installed including the accessories.

First rule of thumb: if you are planning to trade-in your old car in the future then you better keep your car in GOOD condition. If you managed to maintain your car in pristine condition then it is all for the better.

It is foolish to expect the dealer to buy your old car at an agreeable price. This is a fact. Try to sell your car to a private buyer first. Not only will you eliminate the hassles of negotiating the price of your old car at the dealer but you will have more control over the entire decision, especially when it comes to negotiating the price of a new car.

Tip #2: Lowball then go easy

Now that you are inside the showroom and having a talk with the car salesman, be careful not to budge when it comes to further negotiating your asking price.

You should be wise enough to know that you should always base your negotiations NOT from the sticker price but from the true dealer cost alone. If the dealer finds your offer too low then stay calm and maintain your composure.

The dealer will try to talk you to raise your asking price–probably more than once or twice. If you know better then why let the dealer intimidate you to raise the price? If the salesman excuses himself and talks to the manager, remain calm.

The salesman (or the manager for that matter) will come back and give you a new offer. If the offer is about $200 or $300 more than your asking price then try to look perplexed and remain quiet. Negotiating the price of a new car is a game and you will need to show them that you are a capable player.

If the dealer insists that you will need to re-negotiate the price then you should adjust your asking price in increments of $100 or $200; nothing more, nothing less. If the dealer still insists on asking for more than stand up and walk away.

Making a realistic offer is one thing but you should be firm enough to say NO if the dealer is trying too hard in convincing you to pay more. It is in this regard that you should ask for an online price quote in order to find the latest car prices in your area.

Helpful Ways to Negotiate the Price of a New Car Part 5

November 7th, 2011

Nobody can deny the unmistakable appeal of that new car smell. A quick whiff is all it takes to calm your mind and prepare you for the smooth journey ahead. Before dozing off to dreamland, remember that buying a car is a huge responsibility that will require your complete dedication in terms of monthly payments. Not everyone can buy a new car with cash nowadays and a majority of new car buyers will have to settle for financing the car of their choice.

It is in this regard that we present to you part 5 of the series on the helpful ways to negotiate new car prices:

Tip 1: Financing a car may sound as simple as it seems but you need to choose the right type of financing scheme. Car dealers will be able to offer you a variety of financing deals that depend on your capacity and capability to pay. Want to pay the lowest monthly rates? Choose a low monthly scheme (which, in turn, will require you to make a HUGE down payment or advanced deposit at the beginning of the term.) Want a lower interest rate? Try choosing a financing deal that will allow you to make a higher down payment instead.

As a rule of thumb, it is best to choose a new car financing deal that is no longer than 48 months or four (4) years in length. Why? Because you would not want to spend additional money on maintenance and repairs while you are still paying for the car. Remember that a longer financing term (some that can even reach up to 60 or 72 months) may sound enticing and cheap but this does not mean that you are saving money altogether.

Tip 2: Avoid zero-down financing schemes. These types of new car financing offers also sound too good to be true..and they probably are. Keep in mind that your down payment will help lower the financed amount, meaning that there is less of an amount that will need to be amortized over the term of the deal. If you decide to choose a zero-down financing scheme then you need to be prepared to meet the consequences, namely higher monthly payments due to a higher interest rate and higher capitalized cost.

More to come soon. In the meantime, check out the latest and most up-to-date new car prices and find the best deals along with the actual invoice price of the car that you like. This will help you determine which car dealer offers the best and lowest financing deals in town!