12/20/99 Toyota Sienna

"We tried to negoitate the best deal with Toyota of Walnut Creek. We started off $750.00 over invoice. The dealer had been at MSRP. The dealer then gave us the "fleet price" which was about $1,650 over invoice. We came up to $1,000 over invoice. Finally, the dealer came down to $1,500 over invoice. We were $500 apart but the dealer would not budge. Siennas had been selling like hotcakes. For several weeks before buying our Sienna we had driven by the dealer on Friday and saw 4 to 5 Siennas. On Sunday they would all be gone. Although we were only $500 apart we decided to sit tight and wait for an Odyssey we were considering. The negotiations took place on Sunday. By Thursday the Sienna did not sell and the dealer called us back. At first, the dealer did not want to negotiate. Finally, it agreed to to "split the difference." We got the Sienna for about $1,250 over invoice. The model is an XLE with most options, leather etc. We thought the saleperson, "Ricky" was helpful after the deal was done. We were pleased the dealer did not try to sell us on a bunch of dealer added extras. It remains to be seen how the dealers service department performs. I must admit, I was pleased that the service department is open late in the evening. I also wonder how long the minivan prices can hold. It seems as though the Sienna's "hot status" is really related to the scarcity of the Odyssey. Many Sienna buyers are probably ex-Odyssey buyers who are tired of waiting. Moreover, the Sienna's crash test ratings justified its worthiness."