I picking up my Prius this week and was wondering if anyone had experience with using their credit card to pay for a portion of the car. I remember a few years ago the dealer freaked. I figure they're not giving me anything off if they let me charge a few thousand at least I can get 1% back.
Each dealer will likely have their own policy, but I just got my Prius on Monday, and Lighthouse Toyota of St. Augustine allows buyers to charge up to $4000. I was able to use a credit card for partial payment on my Geo Prizm back in 1995.
My dealer wouldn't take anything on a credit card.
It varies by dealer. I have been able to charge $3000 toward two Prius and $2500 on another. I've also charged $2000 toward a used 4Runner. This is at
4 different Toyota dealerships. If one Toyota dealer were to allow me to charge the whole car, it would get my business, since they would be taking a 1.5% to 2.5% hit, depending on type of credit or charge card and the volume they do. My brother put a entire used Nissan truck on a credit card, but he was ripped off on the asking price.Another ploy in being as cheap as me would be to ask for add-on accessories not included in the sticker at dealer invoice, e.g. cargo net, cargo mat, or ask for free service, or reduced extended warranty price (I tried). I was able to negotiate NAV at dealer cost for my 2001 Prius, but the job was too complicated for me to do. He put that $1600 part cost on a dealer signed promise statement. In retrospect, I wish I researched the Solara convertible XM Satellite radio installation or part purchase for the Prius and made that part of the deal.
Bill
I bought a used car for my son on a credit card. The trick is to make the deal and don't mention the card till it's time to hand them the check. They will NOT want to cancel the deal. Mention it before and they will bump up the price (somehow) to make up for the cost.
I prefer honorable dealings, so I offered to get them a check the next day, and it was their decision to take the credit card NOW rather than risk buyer's cold feet the next day.
Daniel
That is not a good approach. Most Toyota dealers have a cap on what they will accept on a charge. Usually it's between $2000 to $3000 or possibly equal to the most their parts department will take for a charge. I have paid the maximum I could on a charge with five different Toyota dealers for both new and used vehicles, including three Prius models. The dealer is giving up about 2% profit for whatever is charged, so if you find one willing to take the credit card for the entire amount, you were probably paying way too much anyway.
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