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Infiniti FX50 / FX35 Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Dealer names/location are fine, but please no names of individuals. Thanks,

    Steve, Host
  • wibblewibble Member Posts: 569
    The posts above are the reason Infiniti are getting rid of the MA and raising the prices instead. If you ask the dealer to show you the invoice (and if they refuse, go elsewhere) they get from Infiniti North America, you will see an item labelled "MA". This is the dreaded Marketing Assesment. It varies from market to market. In Southern California it's $400. It is a legitimate fee. It is charged to the dealer for each car.
  • dghfh04dghfh04 Member Posts: 2
    it was the infiniti of serramonte.
  • jgrjgr Member Posts: 8
    My dealer did show me an invoice with a similar amount. It may be legit, but I am sure it is incredibly profitable for the industry.
  • bigtex1bigtex1 Member Posts: 2
    FYI, over two weeks ago I purchased my 2004 Beryllium FX35 RWD w/Tech&Tour Pkgs & Cargo Protector for $38,300 - I was told only $300 over invoice in San Diego California (my wife negotiated the deal).
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 4,674
    In the Boston area, a couple of dealers (Quirk & Herb Chambers) have been advertising '04 FX35 in the Sunday Globe for $4500+ off MSRP. So w/Premium Pkg. advertised prices are in the $35k range.

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • wibblewibble Member Posts: 569
    It's not a case of the MA seeimg legit, it is legit. How 1% (on a $40000) car incredibly profitable I don't know.
  • wibblewibble Member Posts: 569
    I'm seriously considering trading my M45 for an FX35 now I'm going to be living somewhere with snoe on the ground for 4 months of the year. Anyone, my local place has some 2003 FX35's with premium package left. What would be a reasonable price for one of these, or, if someone has bought an '03 recently, what did you pay? Thanks.
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    my local place has some 2003 FX35's with premium package left. What would be a reasonable price for one of these

    IMO, you should at least be able to get a couple of thousand below invoice price since these 2003 models are carrying a year's worth of depreciation.
  • clpurnellclpurnell Member Posts: 1,083
    I agree whith Crikey try 3k back of invoice and work from there.
  • wibblewibble Member Posts: 569
    Thanks guys. I'll start from there and see how I get on.
  • socalbobsocalbob Member Posts: 23
    I bought an FX35 on 3/28/03. $285 below dealer invoice. Two Southern California dealers would meet that price; two others were at dealer invoice and one was $300 above invoice. Turned out to be considerably below carsdirect.com and edmunds.com price (a surprise). This site was muy helpful. Gracias for all your thoughts.

    Strategy: fill out the forms online and get several dealers' internet salesmen's name and phone numbers. Call them and they'll give you a price over the phone. Be specific about the car/package you want. Tell them where others are pricewise and they'll beat the price over the phone. Don't go there if they won't commit to a stated dollar price on the phone. Go in to the one dealer who you want to do a deal with and bypass the sales staff and go directly to the fleet department. You won't get turned away; they have quotas to meet. Chances are they'll meet the lowest internet price you can find. Sometimes they'll give you a better deal on a car that's been on their lot more than 60 days. I'd suggest calling an almost-out-of-range dealer (50 or 75 miles); they'll think they have to give you a better deal just so you'll make the trip (they'll know you won't be coming there for service, but it's a chance for them to get a deal they'd never get anyway). You can then use that price for the more local dealers to try and beat. Also: best times to buy are at the end of a month, quarter or year. Everyone's trying to make that bonus/quota.
  • so_caliso_cali Member Posts: 65
    shall i assume this was a 2003? which dealer?
  • socalbobsocalbob Member Posts: 23
    This was a 2004, a brand new FX 35 with Navigator, etc (touring and tech packages). Not a demo or executive. Got 2.9% financing (so no games there).

    The lowest priced dealers were Infiniti of Thousand Oaks and Infiniti of Costa Mesa. Both no-pressure, easy to deal with fleet/internet departments. Miller Infiniti was helpful on the phone but at invoice price. All have websites and all are in the LA Area. Good luck.

    p.s. I see that I listed 3/28/03 as my purchase date in my original post. D'oh! I bought the car on 3/28/04. I just bought the car last week and love it. Sorry for the confusion. (It is too late for me to edit my original post.)
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    Popping in after reading...

    "My local place has some 2003 FX35's with premium package left. What would be a reasonable price for one of these?"
    and
    "IMO, you should at least be able to get a couple of thousand below invoice price since these 2003 models are carrying a year's worth of depreciation."

    I also found just what I want in an '03 FX35 (AWD, V6 Premium Package, Roof rails & crossbars, splash guards, & cargo area protector) but no longer can find an invoice price. MSRP is $39565.

    The dealership that has it is over an hour away, so I'd like to email asking them about a price. Any ideas where I can find an invoice list for a 2003, so I give them an offer?

    Thanks in advance! Deanne
  • socalbobsocalbob Member Posts: 23
    Here's the pricing/invoice info for a 2003 FX 35. (But why buy a year-old one, when you can get the new one for below dealer invoice?)

    http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- - 37329#prices

    You can also price it here; click on buy; pick mileage and color (try different combinations)

    http://www.edmunds.com/used/2003/infiniti/fx35/100213725/prices.h- tml?tid=edmunds.u.mipmake.pricetable.num1.1.infiniti*
  • wibblewibble Member Posts: 569
    "(But why buy a year-old one, when you can get the new one for below dealer invoice?)"

    Of course it's pointless unless you can get one for $2500 or so UNDER invoice. I had no luck anywhere locally though. At the prices dealers are asking for left over 2003's here then they're going to have them well into the 2006 model year!
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    At the prices dealers are asking for left over 2003's here then they're going to have them well into the 2006 model year!

    I hear you, wibble. I also tried to see if I can get into a 2003 FX45 and the dealership wanted to sell it at invoice. I told them that they should prepare to keep these vehicles for a long time if they're selling them at those price levels. I understand that they're in business to make money but this is a bit incomprehensible.
  • billyperksbillyperks Member Posts: 449
    We all know they still make a profit if they sell at invoice or below.

    Nobody knows the deals that are cut between Manufactuers and Dealers.
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    That's why I'm scratching my head. Even if they sell it way below invoice just to get rid of it, they're probably still making money. It's basically just the level of greed the dealership has that dictates their selling practices.
  • jgq1jgq1 Member Posts: 11
    I just bought (today) my FX35 AWD Sport+Tech+Chrome wheels for about $500 over invoice. Meanwhile, when I was looking into the FX, I was able to get a price quote for a 2003 FX45 with Tech package for $45,000, which below invoice!

    They are going for a couple of thousands below invoice in the Chicago/south MI area!
  • kcrudupkcrudup Member Posts: 26
    I'm by no means a dealer apologist, but don't forget that "floor plan" interest cuts more into their profits the longer it sits on the lot- of course, this is further incentive to move a car, too. Go figure.
  • imascotimascot Member Posts: 14
    All, thanks for the fantastic inputs to this boards which help us all understand what is a good deal or not.
    I purchased my FX35 +Touring + mud flaps for $200 over invoice OR $200 under invoice if you include the $400 MA fee.
    Up here in the great northwest we only have one dealer in down who obviously have many people by the short and curlies, add some greed on top of this and you have unhappy customers.
    My business takes me to the Bay area in California where I worked my deal above which was still $500 under infinity Beaverton after shipping. I had given these guys my bottom line and they refused to budge saying they would be losing money (go figure). I quickly blew the off and made the deal in California where I was in and out of the dealership in 2 hours. I know they made money and I was happy with my cost..so everyone is happy.
    So the morale of the story for everyone in the NW is you do have other options and don't let the greed of some dealerships get in the way of a good deal.
    Delivery of the car is 1-2 days away, can't wait to get in the car and take it for a real spin !

    Thanks again for the all the fantastic comments out there. Edmunds keep up the great work !
    Happy motoring.
  • socalbobsocalbob Member Posts: 23
    The thing that is odd to me is that Edmund's TMV prices include what they consider a "fair" profit for the dealer. That's what makes these forums so valuable: we find out that Edmund's prices (and carsdirect's) are not always the lowest available in any area. You've still got to do the homework. Here in L.A., I found that the '04 Lexus RX330 is available at dealer invoice (as shown on carsdirect) and the '04 Acura MDX is available at about $1200 over dealer invoice (also as shown on carsdirect). I did not check the TMV price on either of those cars on Edmunds.

    p.s. when carbuying is concerned, I don't worry about being "fair" to the dealer. They have plenty of ways to make money even if they don't make money on the car itself (such as extended warranty, lojack, warranty repairs, other repairs, etc.)
  • petew4petew4 Member Posts: 71
    "when carbuying is concerned, I don't worry about being "fair" to the dealer"

    yep...& well you shouldn't. There are lots of dummies that walk in & pay premium price just because they don't want to deal with the hassle involved in jumping through all the hoops of driving the price down. When I bought my FX45 (last July) there weren't any deals to be had and I've kicked myself ever since for paying the premium (almost 55K for a loaded 45Tech) & not waiting just a little while for the inventories (that were plentifull in the mid-atlantic at the time) to become a burden on the dealers. That said however, there is a certain satisfaction in buying immediately once you decide on the vehicle.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Socalbob, TMV pricing reflects what the average buyer is paying in your area (with some tweaks). So some people pay more than TMV and educated consumers like we have on Town Hall can beat it.

    Steve, Host
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    Today I test drove an FX35 & was offered one with touring, cargo net, roof rails & mud guards for $36,600 plus tax, etc. It's black obsidian with graphite leather, just like I want. I had wanted the sport package, but it's not that important to me really. Is that a decent price, ya think?

    I LOVED LOVED driving it! What fun & I didn't feel nervous at all (I've always had sports cars & have panic attacks driving SUVs.). The FX felt like a sports car. Fantastic.

    I felt SO much better about the whole process having done research. What a difference.

    I haven't heard from the dealership about the '03 yet.??
  • imascotimascot Member Posts: 14
    D in NJ,
    I'd keep pushing for the 36K mark or around invoice.
    I'd probably be happy with around 36.2K given your
    package. Just tell them you have other offers around 36.2K , be prepared to walk away if they want it in writing that you had it offered elsewhere. I'm sure they will at least match it (especially when you tell them you really do like working with them and not the other lot etc :-)

    I'd also blow off any '03 car given the pricing on the '04's at the moment.

    I received my car yesterday (black same as you, but with the willow interior and I'm absolutely delighted with it. I was concerned that even without the sports package the ride would be a bit stiff, but coming from a RX300 the is no doubt it is tighter, but nothing that puts me off, yet handles cornering 100x better.

    Hang on to your deal until the middle of the week and they will be calling you back.

    best of luck!
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    Is it RWD or AWD? Since you're in NJ, I'm assumming AWD. Anyway, shoot for $36K or lower and you're looking at an awesome deal. This is a 2004 model, right?
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    I'm by no means a dealer apologist, but don't forget that "floor plan" interest cuts more into their profits the longer it sits on the lot- of course, this is further incentive to move a car, too. Go figure.

    Exactly, Kenny. More reason to move inventory, which is why it's hard to understand why they won't just sell the 2003s at prices to move. Like you said, go figure. :)
  • socalbobsocalbob Member Posts: 23
    This is a current deal on a 2004 FX35, pitched to me today (I bought last week, of course), but it's indicative of the desire on the part of dealers to move cars:

    2004 2WD Touring FX35 with rail crossbar, cargo area protector, splash guards... MSRP $38,215...

    INVOICE: $34,857
    offered to me today at: $34,550 +tax, title, lic ...

    -----------
    Last week, I bought a 2WD FX35 with the touring and the tech package (which is so, so cool - worth every penny) and I paid $38,000.

    -----------
    I also got basic Lojack - lifetime fee (dealer cost $595; they try to sell at $895 but will take $695). Few buy the Lojack with early warning, I'm told.
    -----------

    Anybody buy an extended warranty on their FX35 or 45???
    ----------
    The guy who went out of area to buy was smart. Anyone can do that, as all Infiniti dealers have to provide warranty service, regardless of where you buy. Sales tax can be a consideration, though.

    Lastly, thanks for your comments, esp. Steve.
    SoCalBob
  • wibblewibble Member Posts: 569
    "Sales tax can be a consideration, though."

    With cars, sales tax is calculated based on where you live, not where you buy the car. If I'm in Oregon and I buy a car in L.A. then I pay 0% sales tax, not 8.25%
  • socalbobsocalbob Member Posts: 23
    Thanks for the info. If you buy a car in Oregon (0% tax) and bring it into California (8.25%) though, I believe you have to pay the (8.25%) sales tax to California when you register your car. Anybody know for sure?

    SoCalBob
  • crikeycrikey Member Posts: 1,041
    You're right, you have to pay the state's sales tax upon registration. Sales tax is applied to where the vehicle is registered.

    wibble's example was flipped the other way around and wibble's right also, since Oregon has 0% sales tax.
  • capjand1capjand1 Member Posts: 18
    I live in upstate NY.
    we only have one Infiniti dealer here, the next one is 60 miles away, but they don't have any 03 FX's left.
    I am willing to drive 300miles, if you guys from the northeast have seen some 03FX in dealers lot, please tell me the discount and name of the dealership.

    Thanks alot.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Most states have online FAQ pages about how to pay taxes when you register a car from out of state. Usually in the motor vehicle section, but sometimes in the tax pages.

    Here's California's.

    Steve, Host
  • so_caliso_cali Member Posts: 65
    and title and register the car there, you keep OR plates and pay no sales tax. lots of dual resident people do this to avoid the thousands of dollars in taxes.

    if you live both places and want to eventually register your car in california, you have to wait 90 days from the date you bought it with a used vehicle and and i believe 90 days and 7500 miles on something new. they have a bunch of built in little statutory requirements to discourage out of state buying by california people trying to avoid sales tax.

    still the motivation is strong - on a 300k auto like a ferrari you're talking 24k in taxes!
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 4,674
    Hello: South of Boston, on "The Automile" is Infinii of Norwood. I believe that they might have a few '03s left. I'm not sure of pricing, but some Infiniti dealers in the Boston area have been advertising '04s at $4-5K off MSRP (~35-36k w/premium pkg.), so I would think if they still have '03s in APRIL!, deals should be very, very good!

    http://www.infinitinorwood.com/home.htm

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • imascotimascot Member Posts: 14
    Just to confirm some of the comments made.
    I confirmed prior to my purchase in Califonia
    that there would be no sales tax.
    Funnily enough when we agreed on the pricing, the sales guy ran the numbers through the computer and the print out automatically had the sales tax shown. It's one thing knowing how much you will save in theory, but seeing it in black and white that I would pay over $3K in taxes if I lived in California and not Oregon, made me feel good about paying the $500 shipping charge :-)

    On another note: D in NJ , any deals yet ...we are all rooting for you :-)
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    I rec'd a second quote of $1,000 over invoice, so I'm thinking the $300 over ($290 actually), isn't bad at all! It's a go. Woohoo!

    I've been dreaming about my new FX every night! :) I canNOT wait to pick it up. We're completing a refiance (4.75%, btw), so I didn't want to begin the car purchase until it was completed.

    Still amazed at having a positive car buying experience. Thanks so much again! I'll be back...
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    I did just email dealership #2 about my $290 above invoice, so who knows....? We shall see!

    I love how much less stress I'm feeling & yet I still get to buy the car I really want! *lol*
  • capjand1capjand1 Member Posts: 18
    Thanks, I will be contacting them about the FX's
    Thanks
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    Now dealer #2 has offered me $150 over invoice for the same car that they have in stock! I did place a $500 deposit at dealer #1, so **headache**. Dealer #2 is about an hour away, but we'll head down there today.
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    Fees from each dealership (after some back & forth) = same price from both. Dealership #2 really busted their butt for me, so we're heading down there in TWO hours to bring my baby home. I can barely sit still! :)

    Now, you may congratulate me on my Black Obsidian-Graphite Touring 2004 FX35 with Cargo net, Roof Rails, and Splash Guards ($150 over invoice!). She's already on my insurance.

    happy, happy, joy, joy!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Congrats!

    Steve, Host
  • clpurnellclpurnell Member Posts: 1,083
    Enjoy the ride!
  • imascotimascot Member Posts: 14
    Welcome to the club...
    Enjoy the ride .... Watch out when you put your foot on the pedal ..it's deceiving as to the speed you are doing.... but you also know the car is just bustin' for you to put the foot to the floor...what a dillema :-)
  • jgq1jgq1 Member Posts: 11
    Congrats and have fun with the car,,, we were all pulling for you. You are a true fan of the FX, and will be a good representative owner:)
  • d_in_njd_in_nj Member Posts: 23
    It was just wonderful driving her home! & all told, I saved $5! :)

    Unfortunately, it looks like rain today, so I guess I'll just be sitting in the garage playing with buttons.

    Does anyone know where to get velvet ropes to use in parking lots? I'm thinking people should stay, oh, five feet back! ;)
  • jpiatchekjpiatchek Member Posts: 177
    How about a junk-yard-dog instead of the velvet ropes? LOL
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