Confessions of a Toyota Sales Associate

[ChinoCharles]

There really isn't much to say about selling cars as I am still not trained on the computers. I have spent the last couple of days learning about the Toyota product line. I literally studied Toyotas for 9 hours yesterday. I test drove 4 of them, some in a couple different versions.

I am only posting this to brag about the Avalon Limited. As many of you know I came to the Yaris from a Cadillac STS, so I am no stranger to luxury. However, I am not sure even the mighty Caddy can hold a torch to the Avalon I drove yesterday. Perforated leather seats with air conditioning! My ass has never felt so good. The wood grain was insanely nice. The handling was awesome, and that 3.5L V6 was incredible. The Camry XLE had the same engine, but it didn't feel quite as refined as the Avalon. I think Toyota has more money into the handling on the Avalon in an effort to attain that luxury handling aspect, and they succeeded. This is totally opposite from, for example, the Camry SE w/ a sport tuned suspension. Get that SE w/ the Avalon V6 (which is an option) and look out!

I'm going to keep updating this thread with some of my impressions of the product as well as anything I encounter in this new job. I hope someone finds some use of it!

[Imagine]

Very cool, good luck on the new job.. To bad you are so far up north, I'd come visit you.

[ChinoCharles]

Also, I forgot to mention that I understand there could be a conflict of interest with a thread like this. I won't be posting any names or embarassing stories. Just the facts!

[jdgriswald]

Just the facts!
Don't forget, you are a car salesman.:rolleyes:

[slvryaris]

sale lot confessions....it will be like HBO taxi cab confessions:smile:

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

i pretty much get to drive an avalon everyday doing one thing or another. if i have a chance to get a preowned at a decent price its mine.its got power looks and its a toyota. next week i get a crack at the new HIGHLANDER SO I'LL LET YOU GUYS KNOW HOW IT IS....

[Masteraal]

its shame you guys dont get this over there!

http://www.trd.com.au/TRD/#main/vehicles/trdaurion

cant wait to see it in the flesh!

[ChinoCharles]

I would love to see the Aurion come over here!

Don't forget, you are a car salesman.:rolleyes:

I beg to differ. I'm a Toyota fan that happens to sell them! :biggrin: I don't like that "car salesman" moniker. It really isn't my vibe.

[jaspie]

Whoop.....

That's my next car....."The" Aurion ~

Either the Sportivo version or the TRD Aurion.....

But.....that's just my lil dream for now......i won't have the money till another 5 years ~

Though.....My lil Yaris is keeping me happy now ^_^ ~

Jaspie

[BailOut]

ROFL! A 3.5L V6 on a sedan is nothing but a waste!

When we still had our boat I hauled it over a mountain with a 3.4L V6 Tacoma.

Like you need that kind of power just to get groceries and pick up the kids. /snicker

[ALY]

I beg to differ. I'm a Toyota fan that happens to sell them! :biggrin: I don't like that "car salesman" moniker. It really isn't my vibe.

Here Here.

I love TOYOTA and always will.. The fact that I get to sell a product I believe in is truly amazing.

Good Luck, Charles!

[Yaris Revenge]

Air conditioned seating was my idea! My cousin and I worked it out nearly 15 years ago! Bastards! :laugh:

~YR

[WRBlue]

ROFL! A 3.5L V6 on a sedan is nothing but a waste!

When we still had our boat I hauled it over a mountain with a 3.4L V6 Tacoma.

LOL. We towed all our belongings almost the entire length of I-80 with a 3.7L Liberty (that made about the same power as my WRX), worked perfectly fine. And it worked perfectly fine pulling my 3200lb Talon on a 3000lb trailer up and down the hills in SE michigan

[sherryberry]

hehehe i've seen older avalons around. i don't know how much they cost really but still, glad to see you're enjoying your job. Maybe you can bring some over the the midwest meet hehehe

[alhope34]

ROFL! A 3.5L V6 on a sedan is nothing but a waste!

When we still had our boat I hauled it over a mountain with a 3.4L V6 Tacoma.

Like you need that kind of power just to get groceries and pick up the kids. /snicker


Yea, and with a 3.5L you actually would be able to merge on a highway at the proper speed and not slow people down, cut them off, and get them angry. Comments like this just make me shake my head... People should be able to buy whatever automobile they want without having to suffer shots from people just because they like something different. Maybe the power and luxury of a 3.5L would be a waste to you, but not to anyone who actually wants it. I wish I had the money for a 3.5L sedan. The new Nissan Maximas make me drool every time they go by. Even a 350Z would be nice to have. In a few years, if I can find one in good enough condition, I might get myself a late 80's 5.0 Mustang GT. I love the sound those engines can make with the right exhaust system.

On a side note, I just did my highway driving test recently. On the on ramp I took the Yaris up to 4500~rpm and the woman testing me said I was going too slow. Many of our on ramps in Toronto are really short, only get a 1-200 meter straight. She said if I was in a more powerful car and accelerated that slow, I wouldn't have passed. Even revving up to around 4500rpm in 2nd and gassing it decently, I was only at 90km/h when I ran out of lane to merge. Traffic was going 110-115km/h. It's times like that I miss having a 2.5L engine.

[derrick452]

Hey Chino...is your new sales job with Toyota at one of the stores owned by Van Tuyl? The way your beginning your training sounds exactly like the way I started mine. Enjoy it! Its a fun job!

[ChinoCharles]

No, it is a Penske Automotive dealership. Envy my benefits! :wink:

I am beginning to become more and more familiar with the product line. It is going to take quite a while until I am totally comfortable with it. The annoying thing about the process is the lack of redundancy in packaging across models. For example, the Camry Solara (I'm trying to ween myself off calling it the Solara like I want to) comes in 6 iterations I believe. However, the FJ Cruiser comes in one, but it is really like it comes in 6 because even though the trim level is technically the same they add all these packages onto them. Locking rear diff, JBL sound, etc. etc. Basically, the way Toyota sets up their marketing makes it difficult to understand the differences between models. I guess if it were easy it would be boring, though.

So when is a lurker buying a Yaris off of me? :wink: $100 under invoice! Who wants it?! :bellyroll:

[Black Yaris]

Hey if Julie goes for a Yaris insead of a Miata, we will drive our happy lil asses 2 hours to come get one from ya Chino

[CF-Shane]

No, it is a Penske Automotive dealership. Envy my benefits! :wink:

I am beginning to become more and more familiar with the product line. It is going to take quite a while until I am totally comfortable with it. The annoying thing about the process is the lack of redundancy in packaging across models. For example, the Camry Solara (I'm trying to ween myself off calling it the Solara like I want to) comes in 6 iterations I believe. However, the FJ Cruiser comes in one, but it is really like it comes in 6 because even though the trim level is technically the same they add all these packages onto them. Locking rear diff, JBL sound, etc. etc. Basically, the way Toyota sets up their marketing makes it difficult to understand the differences between models. I guess if it were easy it would be boring, though.

So when is a lurker buying a Yaris off of me? :wink: $100 under invoice! Who wants it?! :bellyroll:

I might yet. However, I get a killer discount through work already, maybe not that good though :D

[ChinoCharles]

Ah, time to update this sucker I'd say.

I sold my first car! Loaded Rav4 Limited. $30k car. It was an interesting process. Lots of paperwork. I'm just glad to have that monkey off my back.

I have 6 appointments for this weekend, so lets hope that number goes up dramatically.

About the Yaris in particular... all of you people being told you can't get your car are being shammed! That is what I gather from my manager at least. Any car can be built, but the kicker is that it could be up to a year wait. For example, if you want a liftback with side curtain airbags... Toyota will run all side curtain airbag Yarii at the same time. If your order is in before they start a run, your car will be built. You can always try and order the vehicle. It isn't a garauntee that you will be able to get it, but 9 times out of 10 it is possible. Its all a matter of how long you're willing to wait.

Now, the problem is I got a job offer from my old job for a salary position that pays pretty nicely, so I may be leaving Toyota already. We shall see...

[sherryberry]

congrats on selling your first car!!

and ooh.. what did you do before sellin toyta?

[ChinoCharles]

I was a cook! They offered me a kitchen manager position for a pretty price. Question is do I want to work that hard...

[sherryberry]

that really depends on what you want to do. Trust me, it's better to be happy at a job and making OK pay than it is to be miserable at a job with good pay.. but you prob already know that.. so uh go with what you wanna do.