Anyone have a handheld GPS AND an integrated GPS in their car, too?

I'd try to use it to get some $$ off of the price. They aren't going to remove it. They could probably find one in the area without one. If they want to sell it to you, they may deal. If not, go back the next day and spend an hour or so with the salesperson, then again the next. Pretty soon, they'll deal just to get rid of you.
I read a book a while back, and one thing in the book said that for every hour they spend with a customer that doesn't buy, it costs them 4hrs of potential sales. Spend half a day, today and a couple hours tomorrow, couple hours the next, they'll deal.

Then again, if you want the car you're going to buy it anyway. You might as well have fun while you do it.

I wouldn't let it sway you in either way. The only vehicle I've ever seen that has to me what was an acceptable GPS unit built in was the Chrysler Pacifica, and that is because they placed it in the middle of the speedometer, yet it was still 7" wide, so it was perfect for navigating without taking your eyes off the road.

I travel professionally, am on the road around 180 to 220 days a year, most of them in rental cars, and I've been blessed to get National's Executive Card so I get to choose any car on their lot to drive. I've been looking for about two years for a new vehicle for my wife so have tried out every car that National Rental Cars has in their inventory, and I have never been impressed with the built in units, except as I said for the Pacifica.

So, if they have it, demand a reduction off the sticker for the price of that. I bought my wife a new Chrysler Aspen for her birthday yesterday (see photos at http://www.hugginsnet.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&It... ) and they had two models on the lot with the same exact colors and accessories but for two items, one had GPS and DVD player, one didn't. I bought the one without as it was $2400 cheaper and they would not cut the price of the one with as they told me "we install those here so they are our markup".

So you might find like I did that either you are forced to buy with if they won't discount, or get lucky like I did and buy without.

The only question then is, Did you get the Hemi????

http://www.hugginsnet.com/images/rsgallery/original/truck18....

What brand or brands make your heart go pitter patter?
What is your price range?
Will you buy or lease?
Save yourself the trouble of going back everyday and just go on the last day of the month. The later the better, but I would give yourself about 3 hours. Do a little research and know your numbers.
And be prepared to write a check. Ask about rebates or upcoming promotions. Financing should be done in your court not theirs.

I have 2 vehicles both with factory units. (Lexus)
They are every bit as good as the Nuvi. I never have to remove it, it's there in the coldest cold and the hottest heat. If it gets me within sight of my destination I'm happy.(it always does) O.K. so I can't upload my own poi's. So what? After the learning curve gets straight you won't even think about it.
And it also helps with resale value.

All the best with your new car,
Sam

titaniummd ....

Tell us how your car buying experience went?

All of the built in NAV systems that I have seen in automobiles, are very limited in functionality. Add to that, they are very expensive, cannot be shared with another vehicle, I have never even entertained the idea of buying one.

If I was buying a car, I would make the dealer find/order me exactly what I wanted, or, discount it so much that I was not buying for the features I do not desire.

Let's take these one at a time.

"All of the built in NAV systems that I have seen in automobiles, are very limited in functionality."

How is the Nav System in his Camry limited in functionality compared to the top of the line Garmin?

I opted for the Camry hybrid, 50th anniversary edition, with built in navigation (touch screen over the joystick by the Avalon).

I am giving the Nuvi to my wife and I will use the IPOD to integrate into the Camry.

I will miss the traffic info and redlight camera data. Except for the fact that I can spot a ticket camera since I know where they put them.

The versatility of a portable GPS and the lower cost of upgrading maps is more helpful.

But...I don't miss the cord hanging down from the windshield.

Most cars that I wanted had the Navigation anyways. The car I was about to buy was almost $5k more so in essence, I actually saved some money.

The nav system in your veh. is covered for 3 years/36,000 miles and longer with the extended warranty. It can be diagnosed and repaired at the dealership. It also receives signals from the speed sensor and steering sensor. The screen is way larger and much more defined. The sound is much clearer and will interupt the audio with every direction. It will call any poi with your bluetooth phone. It takes voice commands. It will allow you to program alerts. If I think about it longer I could probably come up with more but I think this is enough.

So the only things you can't do with your system is:
a)remove it from the veh. to use in another veh.
b)hook it up to a computer and add your custom poi's.

I think I have seen and compared every automotive nav system available and the 5th gen. in the Toyota/Lexus vehicles are the best in the business.
(my opinion but I'm sure it's shared by many in the industry)