So first off I am based in CA, but looking to get the car from a TX dealership
A friend of mine works at a massive Toyota dealership in Texas. We’ve already been working on a 2024 Hybrid SE purchase and on that one alone he was able to give me a $4K discount off - no dealer has been able to come even close to matching.
Now I’m getting to thinking about a Rav4 Prime lease buyout. With his discounts + the $6500 credit, it could be a home run.
Here is the lease calculator (I think I put in everything right?). I assumed a same $4K discount but need to see if he’s able to do that.
The only thing I’m having trouble with is dialing in how much I would be paying after that one month for the car AND if a new vehicle loan applies to the buyout. I’m still struggling to wrap my head around that.
Usually not a good idea to assume this. Every model and trim have a different set of discounts and programs because of supply and demand. Also, friends doesn’t always translate to great deals, so just keep that in mind. Not saying he’s a bad person, but doesn’t always have everything in his control to give you a net 0 deal.
@Jrouleau426 sells Toyotas around the country and can tell you what he can get you in CA.
If I had a nickel for every time I read “I have a friend at the dealer looking to give me a deal” and then the deal turned out to be absolute garbage, i’d have a lot of nickels.
Haven’t had the chance to speak with anyone around here but am happy to! With regards to my friend, these deals are legit. Again he encouraged me to shop the deal to see if i could find one closer - every dealer (5-6 across CA) effectively said take the deal because not only are we not giving discounts of 4K we’re charging over MSRP.
It’s highly likely a Texas dealer won’t even lease to Cali. Also post the window sticker, many times dealers in Texas add a bunch of crap to the msrp which makes a discount look better, it’s usually not
Since you are skipping a broker up front, for a Toyota in CA contacting 5-6 dealers across CA is not a decent sample in the least bit and will likely lead to an awful number/deal.
When you have fired off your proposed deal to 30 dealers in CA via email and received a legit response from a shotcaller, then we can evaluate your numbers effectively.
Open to flying somewhere and driving back. Just depends where.
What realistically is the number I would be expecting to be financing at lease buyout on a good deal for a low end Prime? I think that’s really what I’m after here.
I’m currently at around $37300 all in with tax, title, license for a Rav4 Hybrid SE. If I can sniff anywhere near that for a Prime it could change my decision.
A product that combines reliability, versatility, and a balanced SUV experience with Hybrid options isn’t special it just makes a lot of sense for a lot of people.
