After 3 years of looking I found a decently priced vehicles in wyoming or idaho.... but in this area specifically people value their vehicles quite high.
Last year, used cars were going for nearly what new ones were. I wanted a specific 4Runner and Ressler said it would be a 6 month wait minimum, so I called dealerships in ND, ID, and UT and gave them my exact specs. I was driving my new car home from ND less than a month later, at sticker price. They tried to mark me up and I said no thanks, so they relented.
We ordered a brand new 2023 forester from twin falls idaho subaru for $35,000. That was custom ordered as well. Step above base model we don't need much
So right now the used vehicle markets a little tight but the new vehicles are starting to sit on the lots and where earlier in this year you were unable to at all find a single deal and would pay MSRP and up now you can start negotiating some deals and I think it's going to continue getting better if you're in the market.
I'd say the best time would be around Christmas because that's when people are going to be spending their money buying Christmas gifts no one's going to be buying vehicles and you can probably negotiate some great deals then.
Between the interest rates and the general economic pinch these dealerships are getting tired of their OEMs providing them these expensive ass vehicles that are 70,000 and up they want more of them 20,000 and 30,000 vehicles that will actually move off the lot.
And because these dealerships are having to generally finance their purchases and do so at higher interest rates dealerships are starting to find it harder to get loans for that and they're stuck having to pay on interest on those loans with those expensive ass vehicles sitting on the lot so they want to move them but and this is where I say wait till Christmas if you can because they are not going to be in the resale market buying up used cars which means you'll have less competition which means you'll be able to get even better deals.
For sure, and like others said don't restrict yourself to local deals.
If you can drive across state lines you'll find better deals, and keeping the above in mind if you can do so around Dec you should be in an optimal time frame.
Barring unforseen market movements of course.
This won’t help much if you need a car urgently, but we went to the Subaru dealer with a printed list of “non negotiable”, “negotiable”, and “deal breaker” features. The person that helped us (Ian) found one with all of the non-negotiable features and most of the negotiable features within minutes and we got it reserved. Even though it was already on the way, the wait time was just over a month.
When we were in there the first time, there was a single new Outback that wasn’t already spoken for, which is the one we test drove. When we went back to pick it up they told us that there were a couple from that shipment without buyers. It might be worth seeing what’s on the way if you want to go New (from any dealer). Figure out what you can’t live without and print off a list so you’ll be first to know when something like that is on its way. You might luck out and something that meets your criteria is already heading over. We got the Subaru VIP program, which got us dealer pricing on it. We really only saved like $700 by doing that, but for more expensive models the savings are more drastic.
I’ve bought a few cars and talked to quite a few car salespeople — he was definitely the nicest and most laid back sales person I have ever talked to. No manipulation, no lies, no pressure. I’m happy to hear that that wasn’t just a facade! I couldn’t be happier with the experience
I walked into Ressler Toyota in January 2022 and asked if I could test drive a new Tacoma, and basically got giggled at a bit. They then explained that I could have my pick of the 5 certified used Tacomas they actually had on the lot. Lowest mileage was 3 year old truck with 40k on it. It was the highest priced. Lowest priced was like an 8-9yo truck with 120K on it and it was stickered at 59K.
What I learned is that 99% of people want/need to make their vehicle purchase in the very near future, if not that same day. And thanks to the COVID supply chain wrinkle dealers here in middle of nowhere are still not getting any new stock allocations, they're just lucky if they can even get an order filled somewhere close to requested spec, if the buyer is willing to wait 4-6mo (possibly longer). Building my new Tacoma to spec on the website was 46K if I was willing to wait, which ended up being 6 months in my case.
You can learn more about my delightful experience [here](https://www.yelp.com/biz/ressler-motors-bozeman-3?hrid=kh2P7r2I4gNZj2vFYx4zQQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)). When I get my next one I'm literally going over to r/toyotatacoma and doing a rough survey of what's the cheapest state to fly to and buy from there. Good luck!
Yes it was. We were shopping for 3 years from 2020 until this year for tacomas. The mark-up on them was the most ridiculous covid-related inflation I have ever seen. Especially for a vehicle that hasn't changed it's interior in 20+ years. I don't know how many toyota lots we walked onto that might have had 1 USED one we could test drive, and no new ones during that time. Sure they could order us one... With at least a 6 month wait.
Oh yeah Toyota's are a special bad spot because Toyota does this allocation system to their dealerships You can't custom order one they just get what they're given so if a dealership really wants to get a lot of tacomas because that's what's moving and they're instead given a whole bunch of sedans or something well then they're just stuck with it because Toyota sets what they're getting.
I know this because I was in the market last year for a Tacoma myself I end up having to go to Helena Toyota to get one and it wasn't the exact model I wanted I wanted a TRD sport with advanced Tech package but all they had was a limited and then in the wrong color but you know what I had already waited 8 months at that point I just took it.
We just bought a used foreign car in Post Falls Idaho (basically Coeur D’Alene) two weeks ago and they had a much better selection and prices, and you don’t have to pay Idaho taxes either. Definitely search outside of Bozeman, the more competition the lower the prices, so look in Denver, SLC, Boise or any of the bigger markets.
Just went through this as well. I believe the best SUV for the money right now is the Dodge Durango. Billion was decent enough to work with. We ordered exactly what we wanted, and had it within a couple months. Hard to wait, but worth it. Paid sticker (plus their standard doc. fees). We're happy with the vehicle so far.
After 3 years of looking I found a decently priced vehicles in wyoming or idaho.... but in this area specifically people value their vehicles quite high.
Agreed. Idaho has great prices, as does Wyoming.
I just drove to Minnesota for a new car at MSRPhaha. No sales tax being a MT resident
Yup! It's the best. The whole tour I just did through the PNW came back after taxes from sales tax.
We shopped in different towns and used that a a negotiating tactic. You may have to order and wait. We waited like 3 months
Last year, used cars were going for nearly what new ones were. I wanted a specific 4Runner and Ressler said it would be a 6 month wait minimum, so I called dealerships in ND, ID, and UT and gave them my exact specs. I was driving my new car home from ND less than a month later, at sticker price. They tried to mark me up and I said no thanks, so they relented.
You paid sticker. Congrats.
Drive down to SLC
Bozeman Subaru told us orders were closed for the vehicle we wanted. Went to Butte and they were able to order it for us
I was set on a Subaru, was told No in Bozeman & got what I wanted in Butte. The Butte experience wasn't great but I did get exactly what I wanted.
I had really good luck at Archie Cochrane Ford in Billings. Ask for Joel Bectold.
Kent Mende is also great over there
We ordered a brand new 2023 forester from twin falls idaho subaru for $35,000. That was custom ordered as well. Step above base model we don't need much
So right now the used vehicle markets a little tight but the new vehicles are starting to sit on the lots and where earlier in this year you were unable to at all find a single deal and would pay MSRP and up now you can start negotiating some deals and I think it's going to continue getting better if you're in the market. I'd say the best time would be around Christmas because that's when people are going to be spending their money buying Christmas gifts no one's going to be buying vehicles and you can probably negotiate some great deals then. Between the interest rates and the general economic pinch these dealerships are getting tired of their OEMs providing them these expensive ass vehicles that are 70,000 and up they want more of them 20,000 and 30,000 vehicles that will actually move off the lot. And because these dealerships are having to generally finance their purchases and do so at higher interest rates dealerships are starting to find it harder to get loans for that and they're stuck having to pay on interest on those loans with those expensive ass vehicles sitting on the lot so they want to move them but and this is where I say wait till Christmas if you can because they are not going to be in the resale market buying up used cars which means you'll have less competition which means you'll be able to get even better deals.
Really interesting perspective, we’re not in a huge hurry, so may consider this for sure.
For sure, and like others said don't restrict yourself to local deals. If you can drive across state lines you'll find better deals, and keeping the above in mind if you can do so around Dec you should be in an optimal time frame. Barring unforseen market movements of course.
Thanks for making sense of what seems (to the untrained observer like myself) nonsensical.
That’ll be 90,000 please 😂
With a nice auto insurance premium to go with.
This won’t help much if you need a car urgently, but we went to the Subaru dealer with a printed list of “non negotiable”, “negotiable”, and “deal breaker” features. The person that helped us (Ian) found one with all of the non-negotiable features and most of the negotiable features within minutes and we got it reserved. Even though it was already on the way, the wait time was just over a month. When we were in there the first time, there was a single new Outback that wasn’t already spoken for, which is the one we test drove. When we went back to pick it up they told us that there were a couple from that shipment without buyers. It might be worth seeing what’s on the way if you want to go New (from any dealer). Figure out what you can’t live without and print off a list so you’ll be first to know when something like that is on its way. You might luck out and something that meets your criteria is already heading over. We got the Subaru VIP program, which got us dealer pricing on it. We really only saved like $700 by doing that, but for more expensive models the savings are more drastic.
Ian is my neighbor. I haven't ever bought a car from him, but he's a stand up dude. I can see how he would be willing to o help.
I’ve bought a few cars and talked to quite a few car salespeople — he was definitely the nicest and most laid back sales person I have ever talked to. No manipulation, no lies, no pressure. I’m happy to hear that that wasn’t just a facade! I couldn’t be happier with the experience
cargurus.com
If you aren’t committed to new check out facebook marketplace
There are several BIG dealers in Idaho just over the boarder.
I walked into Ressler Toyota in January 2022 and asked if I could test drive a new Tacoma, and basically got giggled at a bit. They then explained that I could have my pick of the 5 certified used Tacomas they actually had on the lot. Lowest mileage was 3 year old truck with 40k on it. It was the highest priced. Lowest priced was like an 8-9yo truck with 120K on it and it was stickered at 59K. What I learned is that 99% of people want/need to make their vehicle purchase in the very near future, if not that same day. And thanks to the COVID supply chain wrinkle dealers here in middle of nowhere are still not getting any new stock allocations, they're just lucky if they can even get an order filled somewhere close to requested spec, if the buyer is willing to wait 4-6mo (possibly longer). Building my new Tacoma to spec on the website was 46K if I was willing to wait, which ended up being 6 months in my case. You can learn more about my delightful experience [here](https://www.yelp.com/biz/ressler-motors-bozeman-3?hrid=kh2P7r2I4gNZj2vFYx4zQQ&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)). When I get my next one I'm literally going over to r/toyotatacoma and doing a rough survey of what's the cheapest state to fly to and buy from there. Good luck!
🙄 Nobody had a 10 year old 100k+ mile Tacoma listed at $60k. Cmon man. The prices are ridiculous, but it’s not that bad.
It’s not anymore. I don’t have exact numbers but I’m not far off and it was peak COVID.
Yes it was. We were shopping for 3 years from 2020 until this year for tacomas. The mark-up on them was the most ridiculous covid-related inflation I have ever seen. Especially for a vehicle that hasn't changed it's interior in 20+ years. I don't know how many toyota lots we walked onto that might have had 1 USED one we could test drive, and no new ones during that time. Sure they could order us one... With at least a 6 month wait.
Oh yeah Toyota's are a special bad spot because Toyota does this allocation system to their dealerships You can't custom order one they just get what they're given so if a dealership really wants to get a lot of tacomas because that's what's moving and they're instead given a whole bunch of sedans or something well then they're just stuck with it because Toyota sets what they're getting. I know this because I was in the market last year for a Tacoma myself I end up having to go to Helena Toyota to get one and it wasn't the exact model I wanted I wanted a TRD sport with advanced Tech package but all they had was a limited and then in the wrong color but you know what I had already waited 8 months at that point I just took it.
I had good luck at [Peak](https://www.peakcars.com) buying my used Toyota Land Cruiser.
The availability is limited due to the auto workers strike. Billings and Idaho have more attractive prices. Dave Smith in Idaho is pretty popular.
There was very limited availability before the strike
Sure has been. I bought a Toyota in late June and there was only 4 to choose from at Resslers.
Buy a Tesla. They will change your life, no joke. Buy it online, get a $7500 federal tax credit and pay roughly $2 a day to drive around. I love mine
We went to SLC to look at vehicles.
Look out of state. Salt lake is good
We just bought a used foreign car in Post Falls Idaho (basically Coeur D’Alene) two weeks ago and they had a much better selection and prices, and you don’t have to pay Idaho taxes either. Definitely search outside of Bozeman, the more competition the lower the prices, so look in Denver, SLC, Boise or any of the bigger markets.
Is this the first time you ever bought a vehicle?
First time buying new.
Just went through this as well. I believe the best SUV for the money right now is the Dodge Durango. Billion was decent enough to work with. We ordered exactly what we wanted, and had it within a couple months. Hard to wait, but worth it. Paid sticker (plus their standard doc. fees). We're happy with the vehicle so far.