New car buying experience

[bear4]

I got 2 toyota echos and was on this site for quite some time now. I was looking into a new 2011 yaris for several months now and finally this last weekend was ready to purchase. Went to the local toyota dealer in Florida and test drove 2011 white sedan. Liked it a lot and made an offer of $15,000.00. The salesman came back with $20,100.00 offer which was shocking. And I was going to pay cash! They won't come down from this price so I walked away.

Researched online and found 2010 Yaris at the dealer in GA that was about 5 hours away. Called them and made a preliminary deal for $15,700.00. Drove up there the next morning (it was on Sunday), but when I got there they could not find the yaris we talked about! All other yarii were 2011 and more expensive. While looking for that yaris the salesperson suggested to test drive 2010 Corolla LE. I really liked it - very smooth and quiet ride, cruise control, everything power, 1.8 dual vvt-i engine... My scangauge showed 38 mpg on the freeway at 70 mph. Got back on the lot and they still could not find the yaris. They offered me $15,800.00 for the corolla and I counteroffered $15,300.00. They accepted my offer and I signed the check. Drove the corolla back to FL for 5 hrs and was very impressed with how smooth and quiet it is on the freeway.

[DebbyM46227]

I think you should stop by that Florida dealer and show the salesman what you got for much less! :) $20K+ for a Yaris is ridiculous. And the Yaris sedan and the Corolla look so much alike (at least to ME they do).

[bear4]

I think you should stop by that Florida dealer and show the salesman what you got for much less! :) $20K+ for a Yaris is ridiculous. And the Yaris sedan and the Corolla look so much alike (at least to ME they do).

I am planning to do this. It is crazy to ask $20,000+ for a yaris. Corolla is slightly bigger than Yaris and it has a few neat things such as built in trip computer and outside temp display that yaris does not have. I also really like dual vvt-i 1.8L engine and how smooth the ride is ...

I could also fly to VA and get a Corolla for even less than $15K but the plane ticket would eat up the savings...

[DebbyM46227]

Let us know what the salesman says - and I hope you love your new car :)

[nemelek]

Deals are out there as long as you don't get too hung up on one car.

[brg88tx]

congrats op. you should average about ~35 mpg with the rolla, ~38 mpg if you got a yaris.

[bear4]

congrats op. you should average about ~35 mpg with the rolla, ~38 mpg if you got a yaris.

I drove it for 330 miles coming back from GA to FL and averaged 38 mpg. This was on the freeway at 70 mph. My 2003 auto echo gets about 40 mpg on the same route, so I think this is pretty good for a brand-new car.

[bear4]

Deals are out there as long as you don't get too hung up on one car.

I did look into Honda Fit but it was significantly more expensive. Nissan Versa was another option and it was cheaper, but I did not like the exterior design… Yaris was really the only option I was going to get but ended up with a Corolla and it was rather unexpected…

[Hershey]

:thumbsup: . Keep us informed on the gas mileage and dependability . We've been told by dealers that they have a vehicle of your preference and when you get there its no where to be found and tell you it's on its way or can get it from another dealer for you . :mad: