Buy now or wait for new model?

[Titfish Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Titfish]

Finally the time has come to get rid of the old Discovery and join the prado brigade. I have a couple of questions that I hope others on the site might be able to help me with.

With the current economic climate what bargaining power do new car buyers have at the moment and what is the best way to approach a dealer? I ask this as it has been many years since I last went through the process and I don't think I went about it right back then either. To give an idea of what I'm after I intend to get a GLX auto diesel with option pack 1, sovereign bar, towbar and roof racks.

An help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated and a happy New Year to all.
Cheers
Ken

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

IMO I don't think you have as much bargining power due to the Option 1 pack you want. As this is a special order you want it and not all dealership have these lying around however you may find a unit in stock with this option, cancelled order etc. We ordered option pack 1 in a GXL V6 that happened to come from Toyota Australia stock, not dealership stock, in fact it was on the boat due to dock the day after we placed our order. Toyota Australia happened to order a couple of Option Pack 1 units just in case I guess.

again IMO the best bargins to be had are on floor stock as these are the ones dealerships are paying finance charges on (most dealerships not all, some own their stock).

Good luck, you can't go wrong and it is only now I can say like has been said many times over, you won't regret it.

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

Now might be the prime time to use a reverse auction website such as http://www.betterdeal.com.au/Public/Default.aspx . These types of websites are good for those people who are uncomfortable with trying to bargain down a price. Also www.discountnewcars.com.au are also reasonable to get deals from.

[ABD Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABD]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

The most interesting idea I have ever head of is a local who knew exactly what he wanted and directly emailed every Toyota dealer in the state. Got a very good price and has never been back. You would need to start looking at at least 10% lower than recommended retailed price. Be aware that your options might put you into the luxury car bracket.
:? :? :?
Happy new year
Chris

[stephenvsl Member Find all posts View Profile Close stephenvsl]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

The most interesting idea I have ever head of is a local who knew exactly what he wanted and directly emailed every Toyota dealer in the state. Chris

We did this in November. The email was as follows and was sent to every dealer within 100k's (about 15):

"We would like to buy a 2008 Toyota Prado GXL Diesel with tow bar and bull bar with delivery by 15 December 2008. We have a trade of a 1994 Range Rover Classic. We would like your best price under $50000 on the road drive away after trade. I can be contacted on xxxx xxx xxx. Please don't call unless you can meet our requirements on time and price."

The phone ran hot all the next day and for the following week, and we got exactly what we wanted within a day. When I sent the email I was sure to show all the addresses so that all the dealers knew they were competing. Worked for me, didn't have to run around and haggle. Even got firm quotes scanned and sent to me by email.

Stephen

[Sprocket Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sprocket]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

http://www.unionmotormarket.com.au/qld/

I've heard of some decent savings with these guys.

[Rangaman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rangaman]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

I have used the Union Shopper and found them to be Great. I dealt with a bloke called John who did everything for me including having the card freighted interstate. I saved about $8K on a D4D VX with some extras delivered to my door. (Savings were based on the best price on identical rig from 4 separate dealers)

[Brissie Jon Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Brissie Jon]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

I used A1 Car Brokers and was very happy with both the experience and the result.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

Don't know much about the situation over east but here in WA you can get an 2008 GX T/Dsl update manual for $52,500. Apparently Budget rentacar ordered heaps for the mining industry but due to the downturn they now have too many left in stock. They have lots of white ones. The update model has the wider steel wheels, fender flares and colour coded bumpers. Try Kalamunda Toyota, but they all have access to the stockpile.

They are also flogging new 2008 stock but the only problem is they mostly have white, silver and a few charcoal colours in GXL and Grande. GXLs are available from $56,990 with 6 months rego.

Ordered my GXL late last year, T/dsl, auto in Dune colour. $59,990 with 12 months rego - not 6, metallic paint and near $5,000 worth of discounts. That's left me with the cash for ARB steel bar and lift kit! Only problem was my delivery date of 24/12 was not honoured so I have to do with a 2009 plated vehicle without copping the $2,000 price increase.

Pick her up on Monday.

It pays to shop around. None of the dealers were prepared to offer me a fair price and take my immaculate 90 series GXl as a trade in so I am keeping it for my 17 year old son who just got his licence. 2 dune coloured Prados in the one family!

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Purchasing a new Prado

They have lots of white ones.

Any wonder? :?

Ordered my GXL late last year, T/dsl, auto in Dune colour.

Brilliant choice! :wink:

Only problem was my delivery date of 24/12 was not honoured so I have to do with a 2009 plated vehicle without copping the $2,000 price increase.

Pick her up on Monday.

A late Xmas present, but better late than never. 8)

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Buy now or wait for new model?

I've been weighing up whether to purchase a LC200 or a Prado this year and have concluded a Prado will do the job for me just fine - and with change left in my pocket! The ultimate question is - without wanting to regurgitate old threads on the new model Prado due out supposedly later this year - what are people's opinions about the current Prado v waiting for the new model to come out? Now, to qualify, I understand this can be difficult question to answer (hence Im seeking other's opinions!) as we don't really know much about the new model and how it will compare to the current model. My main concerns are that it may become like the new generation of Toyota's; more reliant on electrics and gadgetry. Time may prove this to be an issue of unjust concern - but I dont want to hang around that long before I purchase! The current model seems to fit the bill and with a few mods ticks most of the boxes. But given how close we seem to be to a new model - and forgetting the cost savings on runouts - would anyone wait or purchase now?

All opinions appreciated.

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Buy now or wait for new model?

If the current Prado will met your needs then that is what I'd be buying. I can't see the point in waiting for the new model that will undoubtedly cost more if the current model meets your needs.

Leachy

[cjd Member Find all posts View Profile Close cjd]

Re: Buy now or wait for new model?

I can only comment on personal experience and I'd buy now. The last 15 years have all been Hiluxes for me and have got us to some pretty amazing and remote places throughout Oz. The Prado has been a step up into comfort and is getting us to wherever we want to go. A few mods, mainly decent rubber and we'll get to wherever we went before plus. However having a reliable ride in comfort goes a long way at this stage of our lives and by that I don't mean we've hung up the adventure boots at all. Take yesterday, stinking hot here in the Hastings Valley. We are halfway between coast and mountains i.e. 30km inland. Port Macquarie is chocker with tourists at this time of year (as it should be, we get it to ourselves the rest of the time), so threw the grandkids in the Prado and headed up into the Mountain streams (Cobrabald & Wilson River Reserve). Only one other vehicle at Cobrabald, then a few more arrived so we went off to some special spots that require a better than average 4x4. Not a worry and that's even with Grandtreks, although wouldn't have attempted where we went if wet. It was one of those days when you appreciate being alive and living in a place where there is an abundance of beautiful, secluded spots. My point is that the Prado is an integral part of our lifestyle. It is safe, economic and extremely comfortable (especially compared to the old Hiluxes). A 2008 D4D 6spd manual with 20000 km and no rattles. To be honest, it doesn't get much better than yesterday and that is only one of many experienced since getting this vehicle, so in my opinion, why wait when you can enjoy now. However your needs may be different and that's what you need to weigh up. It isn't a cheap vehicle but it sure is value for money. There seem to be unlimited potential mods and that's fine for those that want them, but a few basic ones and you can get out there and enjoy this brilliant country we are lucky enough to live in. As is evident in this website, the Prado is certainly part of our way of life for those that want to enjoy it. After all it is only a car, but if you are going to have a car, why not get one that suits the lifestyle you wish for you and yours. Why put off to tomorrow etc.
Cheers
CJD
PS our greatest concern is keeping track with 3 granddaughters aged 6,5 & 4 of whose turn in the 'way, way, back'. Have left one rear seat in (way,way back) and that is obviously the prime spot. One has to be the ulimate mediator and negotiator (plus BS expert) to keep on top. However the sheer beauty of the destinations soon put that aside as they believe some of these spots are so beautiful there must be fairies, and if not, keeping an eye out for platypus while swimming isn't half bad anyway.

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Re: Buy now or wait for new model?

I particularly agree with the comment by CJD that why put off till tomorrow etc. The only thing that holds me back is that we seem to be so close (read: this year) to the launch of the new model and the on-flow effects from this such as resale value of the current model etc. I guess though, at the end of the day, the current model is tried and true and there are more mods out there to satisfy even the most serious enthusiast. It's just the swing-out tailgate and headlight styling that bug me amongst other little frustrations!! Personal taste I know. I think Im clinging on to faint hope they may fix some of these little pet hates in the new model...and then probably include some design flaws that will bug me all over again!

[IRON-PAWW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close IRON-PAWW]

Re: Buy now or wait for new model?

Nobody knows when the new model Prado is going to arrive. We suspect it will be later on this year. But there is nothing concrete at all. It's out there, we know that much from the relatively few pics of it on the net and stories of people testing it.

When it arrives it will certainly have an effect on the resale value of the 120's. Just how much of an effect and how quickly is hard to judge. My own thoughts are that the 120's will hold value for a while as the only new model Prado's available will be brand new ones from dealer yards. Once the new model begins to get down into the 2nd hand market though the resale value of the 120's will certainly drop. But I'd say you'd be looking at a good 12 - 18 months after the arrival of the new model for anything significant to happen price wise. Could be wrong though.

I'd be very reluctant to buy the new model right off the bat. As we've been saying a while now, let someone else have all the issues that brand new cars invariably have. Let someone else jump up and down outside the the dealer with warranty issues. Wait a year or so for some good user experiences to surface surrounding the new model and make a choice then.

Also the trend with the mid sized 4WD's seems to be going further toward comfort and less 4WD ability. Mentioned before in another thread, like a cross between a Kluger and a capable 4WD. More electronic gear? Almost certainly. More complex running gear generally? Almost certainly. It's very likely you will need to upgrade things on it like the suspension to make it a decent tourer. Of course that all depends on what you want it for. Me, I'm looking closely at the 70 series wagons which seem to have a more rugged construction. Not keen on the V8 turbodiesel though.

If you have a servicable 4x4 right now then you could wait and see what eventuates in regard to the new model. If your current 4X4 is clapped then I'd have no hesitation in signing up a 120 right now. Considering the slew of add-ons and upgrades that have been refined for the 120 over the years you really can't go wrong. The new model will likely go through a period where any add-ons also need developing to get a better working solution. Remember the inner guard problems when fitting the sovereign bull bar to the 120? Case in point.

Although getting the new model would be exciting, in practical terms the current model makes more sense issue-wise. So I'd be buying a 120 right now.