Heritage Toyota Catonsville

Description: Note: This is my personal experience with Heritage Toyota Catonsville. I understand that there may unfortunately be different scenarios for different people.  Started speaking with Heritage Toyota Catonsville in May 2022 looking for a 2022 Toyota GR86. They were able to locate one in relatively short order (less than 60 days total from first conversation to the car getting to dealership). They very clear with me that the Heritage dealer network was considering doing a $5,000 markup in the future (which appear they have now done, unfortunately), but were not doing so at the time and did not charge to me. They were actually quite compassionate about my ordeal with other dealers and their horrific markups, and I felt they genuinely wanted to help get me the car I wanted at a good price. After 7-8 months searching, I did end up purchasing from them and was very happy with their service and the process. VSPEC image included was, in fact, the actual price charged for the car before taxes, ceramic coating add-on, etc.  I would recommend them, but understand why others wouldn’t since they’ve now introduced $5K markups virtually across the board.  

Publish Date: 10-20-22

Fitzgerald Nissan Chambersburg

Description: Outlined on Fitzgerald Toyota/Nissan Chambersburg that they don’t do market adjustments or hidden fees. Also have email from Sales Rep confirming this.  NOTE: Inquiry was regarding 2023 Nissan Z, but was not able to select that as option because car is not yet out. 

Publish Date: 04-18-22

Koons Westminster Toyota

Description: Went to Koons Toyota Westminster mid-February to test drive base GR86. Myself and person accompanying me both observed sticker in top corner of windshield on passenger side displaying “ADM: $5,000.00.” The sticker was very small, likely so it was not as noticeable. Koons confirmed markup again in late March by emailing me regarding a Premium manual 86 selling for $37,496. Confirmed on phone with Sales Rep that this car was marked up $5,000  When recently asked to sell at MSRP due to several positive factors including large down payment and possible trade-in, response received from Koons sales management was that “based on the current market”, Koons would prefer to hold onto the car to “see how much they can get for it.”

Publish Date: 04-08-22

Sheehy Mazda

Description: During email exchange in April 2022 with Sheehy Mazda in Hagerstown, MD in regards to Mazda Miata Club, questions were posed to a Sheehy contact regarding Build-to-Order ETA, and whether or not Sheehy charged “market adjustments” or “demand surcharges” above MSRP.  Received reply from Sheehy sales manager. In regards to the question on markups, her response was: “We are not marking our vehicles up at all.  They are strictly MSRP.”

Publish Date: 04-08-22

DARCARS Toyota of Frederick

Description: While discussing interest in a GR86 for nearly 2 months leading into December 2021/January 2022, at no point did DARCARS Toyota of Frederick mention that they charge a $2,995 “market adjustment” on all non-SUV vehicles. This was only mentioned at the point the model was making its way there. This was despite several mentions of my unwillingness to entertain exorbitant markups between October and December.  Images included: One is the spec/build of the car mentioned with a $29,297 MSRP. The other is part of the write-up, outlining a “Sale Price” of $32,292 before taxes, processing, etc. After the car, taxes, processing, etc., a sub-$30K vehicle was priced to nearly $36,000. 

Publish Date: 04-07-22