Take a poll of what the average consumer looks for in a car and chances are you wind up with a list similar to this: reliable, efficient, low-maintenance, stylish, and cheap—emphasis most definitely on cheap. Fitting the bill to a tee (at a bill most families can easily foot) are Toyota new cars.
Whether the Camry or the Tundra, the RAV4 or the Sienna, Toyota new cars provide consumers with affordable and reliable options that are difficult to pass up. Fuel efficient, environmental conscious, with a track record of dependability to boot, Toyota’s vehicles invariably prove why this company continues to succeed in the cut-throat automotive market.
How cheap are these cars? Of course, the answer to that question depends on a myriad of impacting factors. The location (more specifically the dealership), the little extras, and the timing are all considerations to examine when determining a price. Automotive dealerships pitch rebates and other incentives at varying intervals to pique the public’s interest in purchasing, and therefore, prices fluctuate from season to season and from locale to locale. A good website intent on giving prospective buyers a heads-up on sales and rebates is the Official Kelley Blue Book site (www.kbb.com). Aside from pointing out the most profitable time to buy, this Internet resource helps consumers construct a price bracket for the model and make they’re interested in. If the Toyota dealership closest to you asks for a few extra grand above this established bracket, the Blue Book website gives you ammunition to fire back, and hopefully secure you a better quote. Remember: Auto prices fluctuate; and dealerships are called dealerships because of the haggling, bid and counter-bid nature of the automotive market.
For consumers interested in instantaneous and reliable price-checking, check out www.automotive.com, which is a website that culls together hundreds of dealerships in a nationwide effort to produce competitive prices. Use these quote scouting web pages to give you a good idea of what to expect in the way of price and available options with Toyota’s new cars. Collecting and analyzing information is the best approach to recognizing a good deal when you see one, and the Internet immeasurably aids consumers in this task. Get full use of it.
Once you’ve gleaned the nuts and bolts from various (and hopefully unbiased websites) head down to the dealership for some practical application and some interesting demonstrations. Even though Toyota new cars earn a reputation for reliability and comfort, you should always test the goods before cutting the check. A test-drive tells a potential buyer a lot about the automobile that has piqued his or her interest—namely how the radio presets work.
The heart of the matter is that, besides Toyota’s world renown for first-class autos at third-rate prices, the educated consumer still needs to do some legwork to determine whether or not the car is right for him or her. A Camry will not satisfy everyone. An Avalon might fall short of some people’s expectations. Shopping around is the only way consumers end up with something they truly want to buy.
By Jean-Pierre Lacrampe