First Time Buying Car - RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid

Loutman2008 on 12/03/2023 - 15:13
Last edited 12/03/2023 - 15:59 by 1 other user

Hi All.

I have some questions to ask when buying new car from the dealership. I placed my order of RAV4 Cruiser Hybrid 2023 model in Sep 2022. I am not in a hurry to get the car. The dealer advised it would be until end of this year to get the car. It is expected.

What I want to ask is the pricing of accessories on the sale contract seems a bit confusing. I asked him to add a few extras to the car and when I asked him if he can give me any complimentary, he said he will need to check.

Here are the price of the extras he provided.
- Cargo Mat Rubber - $157.25
- Slimline Weather Shields - Front and Rear - $245.67
- Window Tint Metalised Film - 2 Door - $495

If any of you have already bought brand new car from the dealership, what do you ask them to offer as complimentary. I would have thought the car would come with privacy windows except driver's side but he advised it would cost $495 to do window tint for 2 doors. Does it seem a bit expensive?

I checked the weather shields price from other dealership, it costs around $168 GST inclusive. This dealer offers $245.67 and he told me he gave me everything at cost. Do you think I should buy the shields elsewhere and have them installed? Would it be cheaper?

Since the accessories are quite costly at the dealership, would it be cheaper if I get aftermarket products, I do not care much about the brand of the accessories to be honest. If it is offered together with the car, I would take it. Otherwise if aftermarket products serve their purpose, then it is fine.

I would like to ask them for all weather rubber mat for interior. I would like to hear your advice when buying a car from the dealership. I understand that if I pull out and go elsewhere, I would have waited for months again. So at this point, I do not think I have any bargaining power and feel a bit ripped off about the cost of extra accessories. With the interest rate keep increasing, I take all the costs into consideration, hope you would go easy on me.

Thank you for your help.

Automotive Car SUV Toyota

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 12/03/2023 - 15:23
    +8

    hope you would go easy on me.

    That leaves me out then.

  • Shadowsfury on 12/03/2023 - 15:27
    +6

    Just do it aftermarket for everything - the accessories is where they make their margin back from you when the car itself is sharply priced.

    Money better in your pocket

    • bbinc on 13/03/2023 - 10:18

      And adding them to the car sale means extra stamp duty too

      • spackbace on 13/03/2023 - 14:31
        +3

        Nope, on new cars the stamp duty is paid on the RRP. Any extra spend has no effect (can affect LCT however)

  • Switchblade88 on 12/03/2023 - 15:28
    +1

    I am not in a hurry to get the car.

    18 months wait seems about normal. Feel free to shop around; if you were willing to compromise you could pickup a demo/used instock model and skip the queue.

    Think I paid $480 for full car tinting. Cargo mat is maybe $80 on eBay. Weather shields probably similar, and usually don't require anything special to install. The dealer is certainly going to play you as much as possible; that's how they make their profits.

    • AustriaBargain on 12/03/2023 - 15:36
      +2

      18 months is crazy, but it's the new normal. Makes buying used feel luxurious when you can drive away the same day you decide you want to buy a car.

    • dcep on 12/03/2023 - 15:50

      tinting is hard to compare like for like unless going for premium stuff like 3M brand
      even then there's also workmanship quality where some tiny speckles of dust particles ended up stuck in between window and tint

      some use heatgun on the adhesive tape of window visor before pressing them into place , not sure if that lasts any longer

  • bdl on 12/03/2023 - 15:34
    +6

    Don't forget the roof racks

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 12/03/2023 - 17:26
      +3

      Forgot to ask if O.P. has a kayak.

      • ntt on 22/03/2023 - 14:41

        haha , where is that guy now?

  • wimpykid on 12/03/2023 - 15:40

    Anything that gets “stuck” on the vehicle get it from the dealer as they would install it neatly eg weathershields. Also some of them have the brand logo too so it looks nice.

  • MrThing on 12/03/2023 - 16:28
    +1

    end of the year for a Rav4 hybrid, yer good luck

  • kerfuffle on 12/03/2023 - 16:34
    +1

    Where are your free car mats????????

  • DannyC on 12/03/2023 - 16:39

    Try Rubber Tree for car mats. I have some from them and the quality is great. $157 for a boot liner is overpriced.
    Don't go for any accessories from 1st Party dealership, they will take you for a ride and your hip pocket is gonna be a lot lighter. Things like tinting, ceramic coating, mats, liners, weather shields can be done by a reputable 3rd party for a lot less.

  • Euphemistic on 12/03/2023 - 17:22

    You have been quoted dealer prices. They are inflated and they know it. They are inflated because lazy people can’t research and find other better prices or because leaseholders don’t care how much it costs up front and just want it all in the package.

    Get your rubber mat and window tint after purchase. Don’t bother with the weather shields, that’s why we have air conditioners in cars.

  • JimmyF on 12/03/2023 - 17:41
    +1

    If any of you have already bought brand new car from the dealership, what do you ask them to offer as complimentary

    In this market of artificially created wait times to cause a feeling of 'demand', they don't offer anything complimentary!

    • SBOB on 12/03/2023 - 21:04
      +3

      artificially created wait times

      So Toyota, in this example, is purposely producing less vehicles, to increase demand? To what, make a few $k more per vehicle?
      Please show the maths on that one :)

      • JimmyF on 12/03/2023 - 21:29
        +1

        So Toyota, in this example, is purposely producing less vehicles, to increase demand?

        Production output hasn't returned to pre covid levels, Toyota/dealers are loving people paying list price or more due to 'shortages'. Those darn chip shortages holding up supply, while Telsa can't get cars onto boats quick enough ;)

        To what, make a few $k more per vehicle?

        When Toyota only makes a few $k per vehicle pre covid, making an extra $2k per vehicle is basically doubling the profit to them. So don't need to sell as many cars.

        Please show the maths on that one :)

        You can look up the profit per vehicle and sales volumes yourself and do the math.

        • SBOB on 12/03/2023 - 21:51
          +2

          When Toyota only makes a few $k per vehicle pre covid, making an extra $2k per vehicle

          There's a difference between manufacturers margin and dealer margin.

          But sure, it's just a big corporate plan where all manufacturers conspired to have limited stock and long wait times.

          • JimmyF on 12/03/2023 - 22:12

            @SBOB:

            There's a difference between manufacturers margin and dealer margin.

            and both are up as either of them are applying 'discounts' and have instead increased prices.

            But sure, it's just a big corporate plan where all manufacturers conspired to have limited stock and long wait times.

            Go have a read, there might be more to this conspired story that you want to believe.

  • EightImmortals on 12/03/2023 - 17:49

    I go the RAV in 2021, from memory I think I paid around $300 for the tinting. $200 ish for the weather shields.

    Genuine cargo rubber mat here $105

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293171863538

    Plus some bling from aliexpress.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 12/03/2023 - 20:02
    +1

    The bling mole at the dealership sucked you right in. Add ceramic coating to your invoice too soon I bet.

  • Benoffie on 12/03/2023 - 20:12
    +1

    Have the same vehicle, not yet 12 months old.

    You should get for free:

    • rubber mats, including cargo mat
    • door handle protectors ($40 worth)
    • get to keep the original carpet mats
    • tank of fuel

    You might be able to negotiate on:

    • premium plates (if you care and they have them in stock)

    Shop around for Toyota accessories by calling dealers. For example, cargo barriers range from $1000-1500 depending on the rip off dealer selling them.

    As for tint, the car has some tinting already. I would personally go after market on tint, coatings etc should you choose.

    • Hackney on 13/03/2023 - 06:26

      @Benoffie,that is not tint, privacy glass is not tint, it just coloured glass.

      • Benoffie on 13/03/2023 - 09:52

        I know. But the OP may like to experience it first before paying for tint. 🤷‍♀️

  • outman2008 on 12/03/2023 - 20:19

    Looks like I fell right into his trap there. He explained to me about the coating, it would help the exterior to last longer than the base paint. I did my research and I thought the paint is done once Toyota put together the car. On my invoice, I choose Frosted White for $675. Is that the ceramic coating you are referring to? Who are the third party that can do the coating for much less if you can recommend one for me. I live in Sydney.

    Thank you all for your opinions, I will remove all accessories and ask them to throw in the floor mat and that is all.

    The base sale price of the vehicle is $52,700 and dealer charge is $1,895.00 and on-road costs totaling to $57,600

    Do you have any recommendation on who would do a good tinted window for 2 rear windows that are cheaper than the dealership?

    • Muzeeb on 12/03/2023 - 21:00
      +3

      Frosted white is just the name of the colour you selected.

      Ceramic coating will not outlast the paint. Even the best product on the market deteriorates from about 3 years onwards and eventually needs removal and reapplication.

      All the dealership are doing is applying ceramic coating to the paint that comes from the factory. For the best results and longevity the paint needs to be decontaminated, corrected, polished, wiped with alcohol and then the ceramic coating applied.

      Remember your car has been sitting on a dock, out at sea, sitting on another dock, transported on the top of a truck. A quick wash and ceramic coating by someone who doesn't care is a waste of money and time.

      I suggest you do some internet research on legit ceramic coating procedures, its benefits and costs and whether you actually need it.

    • cruiserbruiser on 12/03/2023 - 21:07
      +5

      I think the $675 on your invoice is not for a ceramic coating, but the cost to upgrade from the standard glacier white paint to the frosted white coloured paint

    • Benoffie on 12/03/2023 - 23:20

      Cant help with ceramic coating in Sydney but we did get it done after a few months here in Adelaide. In hindsight, we should have done it sooner (I mean, if youre going to do it, within weeks not months is best).

      To give you an idea on pricing, the 2 top places in SA are:

      • Eye Candy, Norwood
      • Adelaide Paint Protection

      Cost us $1000. About a month or so later, we got door dinged in a shopping car park. So p***ed. However, even as a horizontal line dent, it was able to be pulled and buffed out as the coating protected the metallic layers.

      I dont pretend to understand the science of paint and panel beating but the $250 bill was cheaper than the insurance excess and certainly cheaper than what wpuld have been a full door and front quarter panel respray.

  • meowsers on 12/03/2023 - 21:05
    +1

    You don't need ceramic coating on what is essentially a rental car.

    It's not going to preserve the depreciation on a RAV4. In about 2 years when the next gen RAV4 comes out and even sooner, the market will be flooded with ex-fleet RAV4s.

    Focus on running costs, and getting the best value for insurance, petrol (with a 7-11 helicopter), and stop spending money you'll never get back on floor mats and ceramic coating.

  • Drakesy on 12/03/2023 - 21:18

    Did you consider the Haval H6 Hybrid? seems to do a lot of the things the Rav does for less (and looks better as well).

    The only thing i'd buy is the paint protection as they'll do that before it hits the road and gets scratched (most of the cost is in the paint prep as its fairly labour intensive)

    • Euphemistic on 12/03/2023 - 21:58
      +1

      Paint protection from a dealer is a rort. Overpriced and under done. If you really must get paint protection, get it down privately in the first few weeks.

      A Haval does not need paint protection.

      • Drakesy on 12/03/2023 - 22:11

        On the surface yes, but the moment you get minor dings/swirls on the paintwork and you'll need a paint correction the labour cost will jump significantly.
        The only way around it would be to drive it directly to a PP workshop.

        Out of interest why would a Haval not need paint protection?

        • Euphemistic on 12/03/2023 - 22:41

          IMO a paint protection is for higher value or collectible cars to aid resale value. It’s not for cars that are bought for day to day transport and are likely not to be particularly well looked after.

          When a car salesman talon to be about pint protection my first response is to question why they think their paint is so bad it needs protecting.

          • Drakesy on 12/03/2023 - 23:37

            @Euphemistic: Paint protection i'd argue is to, yes protect the paint, but the coating also generates a hydrophobic layer that repels dirt and helps the car stay cleaner longer.

            Applied it to my car (after 2 days of prep work) and the dirt pretty much falls off without detergent.

    • opt on 13/03/2023 - 01:11

      they'll do that before it hits the road and gets scratched (most of the cost is in the paint prep as its fairly labour intensive)

      You've been taken for a ride by the dealer, the cost of ceramic coating shouldn’t change for driving a car for a few days / couple of hundred kms, as long as you don’t wash it improperly and put deep swirl marks that need heavy paint correction. Just driving normally for a few days should not scratch or dent a car. Besides a proper ceramic coating job still requires go through decontamination > clay bar > and a polish before applying the coating. If your dealer skipped the first few steps then the coating will not last. Just out of curiosity how much did they charge ?

  • vince088 on 13/03/2023 - 00:01

    when i got my rav 4 hybrid in 2019 only got full tank of fuel lol

    extras paid for was side steps(for kids to get into the car), toyota dash cam and the 5 year diamond protection(fix dents, paint chips, gutter rash etc for $50 a sesh)

    i did my tinting at a proper tint shop

    • kerfuffle on 13/03/2023 - 10:00

      when i got my rav 4 hybrid in 2019 only got full tank of fuel lol

      All Toyotas now come with a full tank as standard; no need to negotiate for one

  • opt on 13/03/2023 - 00:55
    +3

    Cargo Mat Rubber - $157.25

    Sounds reasonable for a genuine mat.

    Slimline Weather Shields - Front and Rear - $245.67

    Do you really need them ? I hate those things, they make the car ugly, add wind noise and almost useless unless you often drive with your windows down.

    Window Tint Metalised Film - 2 Door - $495

    Two front windows should cost less than $300 for a good quality ceramic film from a reputed installer. Get it done elsewhere.

    I placed my order
    I asked him if he can give me any complimentary, he said he will need to check.

    you negotiate everything BEFORE placing an order, because you lose all leverage the moment you sign a contract. There is no way you are getting anything free from a dealer for a car that has a 18 month wait time after placing an order. If you cancel the order they are not going to loose anything, they can allocate it to someone else quite easily.

    I understand that if I pull out and go elsewhere, I would have waited for months again

    Do you really want to do that just to save a couple of hundred dollars on a $50k+ car purchase ??

    I would like to hear your advice when buying a car from the dealership.

    Bought a brand new car just two months ago, in January (not a Toyota), I got a few things thrown in like a 5 year service plan, a year worth of rego, black slimline plates, and a full tank of petrol for free, but all that was negotiated before I signed the contract.

    • gth on 13/03/2023 - 08:51

      Absolutely this. Where is the motivation to give you anything for free? You're locked in. Are you going to lose money if you cancel? If so they've got you even moreso.

      As folks said, the dealership are selling you on stuff you probably won't need. If you want to new car experience, by all means enjoy the bling feeling - but you won't buy them next time.

  • Hackney on 13/03/2023 - 06:31

    $157 for a ‘genuine’ cargo mat is very expensive,’Crazy Victor’ on EBay sells them for ALL brands at around $90 delivered, exact fit for the particular model.I purchased one for my new car last year,no different to the ‘genuine’ article.

  • lordra on 13/03/2023 - 08:37
    +1

    I paid $475 for full car tinting on my hatch.
    Rubber mats = Aldi/eBay = $40.
    Weather shields eBay = $50 (sticker type, so clean paint, then apply). No tools needed, it's like a giant sticker.

    The stealership is ripping you off.

    • Hackney on 13/03/2023 - 09:13

      If you want the exact shape, you don’t go to Aldi,fact.Ther are plenty of aftermarket companies that do the exact shape for particular models, you just have to search.

      • lordra on 14/03/2023 - 08:45

        Yep, true true. But hey, look, for the $$, it gets the job done.

  • dtc on 13/03/2023 - 08:43

    Funny how people are slamming OP for not buying the eBay cargo mat or negotiating on tint, yet not even questioning buying a $55k car..

    • kerfuffle on 13/03/2023 - 10:01
      +3

      Can you find a brand new hybrid SUV that's the same specs as the OP's for less than $55K with the reliability of a Toyota?

      • Euphemistic on 13/03/2023 - 13:06

        Hyundai?

      • dtc on 14/03/2023 - 13:02
        -1

        No but I can find many second hand SUVs for a lot cheaper and plenty of hatchbacks or wagons that are the same size as the RAV 4 but just not jacked up and adding $15k+ for bigger wheels and some extra height.

        $15k buys a lot of petrol. Around 8000 litres. If the hybrid is 25% more efficient, then your break even point is 32,000 litres (at which point the hybrid has used 24,000 litres). Probably around 250,000km or maybe even pushing 300,000km

        • spackbace on 14/03/2023 - 13:06
          +2

          Hybrid also has more power than the petrol, as well as better power delivery. Stronger resale as well. For only a $3k difference in price

          Are you really comparing used hatches to new SUV? Lol

  • Leanne59 on 13/03/2023 - 09:08
    +1

    I found that they add the extras on then charge sales tax on the total, even the removable items so I would never get the extras through the dealership but get them from a third party at a later stage. Same thing happened when I offered to buy seat covers and a few accessories for my daughter when she bought her new car, they added them to the car price then added 3% sales tax on top of the price.

    • spackbace on 13/03/2023 - 14:47
      +1

      "Sales tax"? What do you mean? If you mean stamp duty then no, stamp is paid on the RRP of the vehicle, accessories don't have any effect.

      If the car was sold as used then yes it would have an effect. Or if the car incurred LCT then it would have an effect.

      • Leanne59 on 14/03/2023 - 12:55

        Yes I did mean stamp duty, sorry. When I purchased my car I also added a couple of accessories to the car as in boot protector, cargo net etc. and was charged stamp duty on the RRP plus the accessories. So it's not NO but YES they do charge stamp duty after the accessories are added to the RRP. I have the invoice which shows that they did exactly that.

        • spackbace on 14/03/2023 - 12:59

          Jees you're correct for qld, I just looked that up…

          That's pretty shit! Though you also pay one of, if not the cheapest stamp duty in the country, so there's that at least

    • lordra on 14/03/2023 - 08:46

      Do you mean a 'fee'? No such thing as a 3% tax AFAIK bud.

  • outman2008 on 14/03/2023 - 08:48

    Thank you all very much for your inputs. I had asked the dealer to remove all accessories and ask him for free mats (floor and cargo), I don't want to feel greedy and ask for a free rego like some of you suggested but he was able to revise the sale contract to throw in the mats for free. Save me about $1,000. He was nice enough to do so though. Even if he says he can't do it, there is nothing I can do so I guess politeness and being nice paid off. Now I am just waiting until the end of year for the car if it happens then. He did say on my batch, the scheduled production date is 15 April 2023 so fingers crossed.

    • donamique on 21/03/2023 - 15:56

      Production date mid-April and the car is only delivered end of the year? Is that the norm these days?

      • spackbace on 22/03/2023 - 15:37

        Nope

        Production in April would see the car arriving late May or early June

  • Zapwap on 14/03/2023 - 10:57

    Never pay a cent more to a dealership except the car price, unless you negotiate or they offer something complimentary.

    I bought a lot of accessories off supercheap auto or other stores for my brand new mazda, my partner and pocket both stay happy.

  • seannami on 23/03/2023 - 20:14

    Honestly I'd forgo the dealer accessories and got to E-Bay or Supercheap or something. I could have gotten MG matts for $180 or something from the dealer, went to supercheap and got mats, seat covers (whole car), steering wheel cover for $99. Not bothering with mud flaps or weather shield but those can be found cheap elsewhere. Boot mat will be an old moving blanket I have spare

    Admittedly the official boot mat in my Prius was very useful while I was moving, but it probably gone just as well with a couple of $10 kmart yoga mats to be fair. The internet is full of forums full of people doing DIY aftermarket or McGuyvering boot mats, storage, internal lights etc that are significantly cheaper and honestly not dissimilar to the official stuff- expecially if you have 6 months to play around!

  • ChatCPT on 02/04/2023 - 15:36
    +1

    Guys I just got my 2023 Rav4!

    Im a DIY guy so heres what it cost me to get some extra protection/looks done.
    Obviously no labour charges as its my car so all up $818 for below extras. Some are still being done…

    Dashcam Viofo A129 Plus Duo 200
    Bonnet protector gen 115
    Front mudflap gen 80
    Weathershield 50
    Boot and back seat rubber liner 99
    Windscreen - Sun shade 33
    Polyfilm ceramic tint 6m 35% 42
    Plastidip x4 cans for wheels 88
    Can gun 26
    Vinyl wrap roof/bonnet 10m 85
    Total 818

    • outman2008 on 06/04/2023 - 13:00

      Congratz. When did you place your order? Still no news from my dealer regarding production date.

      With the Dashcam, do you hardwire it?
      Do you mind sharing the sun shade link?
      Tint - was it easy to apply? I'd like to give it a go when I have the car as well. This is what Google suggested when I typed in Polyfilm tint (https://www.onlineautoparts.com.au/products/ZPN-36518?noseo=…)

      • ChatCPT on 06/04/2023 - 13:34
        +1

        No problem.

        thats the tint I ordered + $8 postage. I have no idea how hard its going to be but I like trying things out.
        Dashcam is not hardwired - cigarette lighter - will look into it later when I get some free time. First priority was to get a dashcam in there to keep an eye on the crazies

        sun shade is from xcar - so is the boot/back seat liner and weathershields. good time to get now - all on sale
        https://x-car.com.au/collections/toyota/model_rav4+make_toyo…

        oh and some feedback - dont use cheap ebay vinyl on your car. I did my bonnet and got lots of creases - I studied lots of youtube videos but this stuff is terrible - okay for smaller parts. I have ordered Vvivid gloss vinyl from amazon 25ft x 5ft for $290 - which is a great price - less than Vvivid direct
        https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00FXY871C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_…

      • ChatCPT on 06/04/2023 - 13:37
        +1

        Oh and I orderd 31 Jan. Dealer called me with a cancellation and asked if I wanted it. Delivered 31 March. exactly 2 months wait - just the base base model non hybrid GX but I am ok. plan on keeping for a while

  • Anuma on 14/11/2023 - 22:51

    Hi All, i ordered RAV4 Hybrid 2WD Cruiser - Graphite. When i placed the order contract says $54900. I placed my order on 11/01/2023 and today i got confirmation saying it's on water and hopefully will get before Christmas if all goes well. But now they are saying current price is $55730. Nearly increased $1000. It's order same year and i believe getting same year car. Can they increase the price?

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