Finding the perfect used vehicle can be challenging, especially when the model you want costs significantly more than you’re willing to spend. However, one car salesman recently discovered just how difficult it can be to convince a customer to consider another manufacturer, even when the alternative costs approximately $17,000 less.
The salesman took to Reddit’s r/carsales community on October 20 to describe an interaction with a customer searching for a relatively new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. According to the post, the shopper wanted a model from 2023 or newer with fewer than 75,000 kilometers on the odometer, but wasn’t interested in spending more than $30,000 Canadian.
Unfortunately, the Toyota that met those requirements was priced at about $45,000 Canadian, well outside the customer’s budget. Hoping to find a compromise, the salesman recommended a 2024 Subaru Forester with approximately 60,000 kilometers, a higher trim level, and winter tires included for just $27,990 Canadian.
Despite the considerable price difference, the customer had absolutely no interest in purchasing the Subaru, leaving the salesman frustrated by their refusal to consider another brand. When asked why the Forester wasn’t an acceptable alternative, the shopper offered a straightforward explanation: “Just don’t like em, I like Toyotas.”
Toyota Shopper Refuses $28K Subaru Despite $17K Price Difference
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According to the Reddit post, the salesman attempted to explain why the Subaru Forester could be a reasonable alternative to the more expensive Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. However, the customer remained uninterested, insisting their next vehicle had to be a Toyota despite the significant price difference.
The salesman explained that finding a Toyota within the customer’s budget would likely mean purchasing an older vehicle or one with substantially higher mileage. Interestingly, the shopper appeared more willing to compromise on the model year than the manufacturer, asking whether the dealership had any low-mileage Toyota hybrids manufactured before 2020.
The interaction left the salesman questioning why some buyers remain so committed to Toyota, particularly when the brand’s used vehicles can command considerably higher asking prices than alternatives. Although the salesperson believed the Subaru represented better value, the two vehicles weren’t identical, and the customer’s preference for a hybrid powertrain may also have influenced their decision.
Comments and Reactions to Toyota Shopper’s Refusal of Cheaper Subaru
Several Reddit users sympathized with the salesman, arguing that Toyota’s reputation for reliability has encouraged some shoppers to overlook potentially cheaper alternatives. One commenter described the pricing difference as the “Toyota tax,” reflecting the belief that customers sometimes pay a substantial premium simply to own a vehicle from the Japanese manufacturer.
However, others defended the customer’s decision, pointing out that a salesperson’s job is to help shoppers find what they want, not convince them to buy something entirely different. One commenter argued that the salesman should focus on the customer’s stated preferences, suggesting that recommending a Subaru wasn’t particularly useful when the buyer had already made their loyalty to Toyota clear.
Interestingly, the discussion also highlighted differing opinions about Subaru’s long-term reliability, with some participants sharing negative ownership experiences while others considered the Forester a reasonable alternative. Ultimately, the interaction demonstrates how difficult it can be to change someone’s mind about a particular vehicle brand, even when doing so could potentially save them thousands of dollars.