Transparency Verdict
Elder Ford of Tampa earns a C.
Negotiate. Hard.
Average transparency — expect pushback on fees and add-ons. Shoppers who hold the line here consistently save money.
Developing confidence — based on 6 verified out-the-door quotes · Tampa, FL
Collected Oct 16, 2025 – Apr 22, 2026 · Updated May 24, 2026
Location
Tampa, FL
The full story
Why Elder Ford of Tampa earned this grade
Between October 2025 and April 2026, CarEdge negotiated or logged 6 verified deals with this dealership. We pulled the doc fee, the add-ons, and the gap between advertised and out-the-door price from each one. Then we graded them the way a friend in the business would: on the things that actually cost you money.
✓ What they do well
1 thingThe price you see is the price you get
Their quoted selling price almost exactly matches the advertised listing price. No mystery markup, no surprise "market adjustment."
! Where to push back
2 thingsDoc fee is significantly inflated
$1,199 is $224 above the FL average of $975. That's pure margin for the dealer, not cost of service.
TipThis fee is mostly not "standard paperwork" — it's profit. Push back, or get the equivalent off the vehicle price.
Add-ons are baked into almost every deal
83% of quotes include dealer add-ons, averaging $366. This is their business model — inflate the OTD, then hope you don't line-item it.
TipDemand an itemized quote before signing anything. Every add-on is optional — refuse them unless you actually want them.
6 verified OTD quotes from Elder Ford of Tampa
Real out-the-door worksheets, not reviews. Click “View Quote” on any row to see the price breakdown.
Recent Quotes
Verified out-the-door prices from real transactions
3 vehicle transactions — 6 individual quotes
2015 Ford Transit 350
Most Common Add-ons
At a Glance
Tips for Elder Ford of Tampa
- Doc fee ($1,199) is slightly above average. Worth asking for a reduction.
- Minor add-ons (~$305) may appear. Ask what's included and if they can be removed.
- Dealer markup is about 4% below listing (excluding taxes). This dealer keeps fees very low.
On the lot right now
Separate from the grade above — this is what's currently listed. Useful for spotting aging stock with room to negotiate.
Current Inventory
View all 1 vehicles →$60,815
Median Price
59
Median Days Listed
—
Added This Week
By Type
Featured Inventory
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elder Ford of Tampa's doc fee?
Elder Ford of Tampa charges a typical documentation fee of $1,199. The FL average is $975. This is based on 6 verified OTD quotes in our database.
Does Elder Ford of Tampa add mandatory add-ons?
Elder Ford of Tampa adds an average of $305 in dealer add-ons when present. Ask for an itemized breakdown and negotiate to remove non-essential items like paint protection, nitrogen tire fill, or VIN etching.
Is Elder Ford of Tampa a good dealer?
Elder Ford of Tampa has a transparency score of 78.3/100, earning a Grade C. This score is based on their doc fees, add-on behavior, dealer markup, and data quality from 6 verified OTD quotes. This is an average score. Compare with nearby dealers before making a decision.
How we know this
Every number on this page came from a real deal.
Most dealer review sites scrape star ratings and count angry posts. We do the opposite. CarEdge shops for cars alongside thousands of real buyers every week — and when we negotiate on their behalf, we capture the full out-the-door breakdown the dealer sends back.
For Elder Ford of Tampa in Tampa, FL, that has meant 6 verified OTD quotes logged into our database. Each one is a PDF, an email, or a screenshot showing the actual doc fee, the actual add-ons, and the actual final price — not a salesperson's promise.
Fee Transparency
30%Is the doc fee reasonable, or is it just profit? We compare it against the state average — and the legal cap, where one exists.
Add-on Behavior
30%How often does the dealer try to stick on paint protection, theft deterrent, or nitrogen tires? And when they do, how much do they cost you?
Price Accuracy
30%Does the advertised listing price match what you'd actually sign for? We flag dealers whose out-the-door diverges from the listing.
Data Quality
10%More data = more trustworthy grade. Dealers with lots of recent, complete quotes score higher for consistency.
The four numbers behind the grade
Weighted ScoreThe raw component scores — the math that led to C.
Doc Fee Comparison
Pulled 6 quote records · Grades update as new data comes in · Dealers cannot pay to change their score.
Bring real numbers to this dealership
CarEdge Pro unlocks real dealer invoice data, target discounts, and out-the-door estimates — so you can push back on fees and add-ons with the actual numbers.
Try CarEdge Pro*Information provided for general informational purposes only. Scores are independently calculated and do not imply endorsement of or affiliation with any dealer. Verify all information independently before making a purchase decision. See our Terms of Service.