Going tomorrow to see a 2011 Yaris

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by why?

One thing I would do is look for other financing before you walk into a dealership. Sometimes banks will give you better deals, and one thing most people don't know is the finance people in car dealerships can and will negotiate.

Definitely this. In fact, you should do your best to stay out of the Finance manager's office. The last time I talked to one, he tried to screw me on the interest rate. When I told him I was financing through my credit union he asked me what rate I was going to get. I didn't know (or care) because I was going to finance through my CU, regardless. So, I threw out a number like 7.5% and he started fiddling with numbers and came back with, "if you buy all these accessories I can go as low as 7%!" as if he was giving me a GREAT DEAL. I declined but it took 2 hours of haggling with the a-hole until he finally let me sign the papers. I went to my CU the next day and was able to get 4.8%.

So the lesson was, I buy all my cars through the internet now (carsdirect.com) and all the paperwork is done by the time I pick up my car. I never have to set foot in the Finance Manager's office.