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Seperate question, anyone know if the wireless headphones will work without the factory DVD system? The owners manual doesn't really say one way or the other so I'm wondering if the transmitter is installed? I'm getting ready to put in a aftermarket system and wonder how much I need to do.
I don't know if the Armada will be as trouble free. There seems to be a good deal of people complaining about it, but mine is problem free so far. I get the feeling people are expecting this to be a luxury car, and forget that it is truck based. It isn't meant to be a mini van or sedan.
I can't speak for Nissan's other current vehicles, but Nissan has been reliable in the past. I'm sure a lot of other Nissan owners would agree with me.
-N
Bob
Chris
Back to the Armada, Mine is still trouble free, and I met someone the next town over with one that is ALSO trouble free. Like I said, the planets were alligned when mine was built, as well as many others. Coming from GM products, I'm used to much worse. It doesn't make up for these problems, Nissan better get their act together by the time I trade, or I'm gonna have to go buy that STI LOL
I have been offered $3700 off a LE with Tech/DVD. Is this a pretty good deal? Are they going for invoice or below? Only two in area with Navi. Not really that interested in DVD player, but would like the Navi.
Thanks
By the way - I have about 1500 miles and have been trouble free - no resonance or issues of note.
http://www.quirkcars.com/nissan/cars/armada.pdf
Why do I have visions of an hour long grind for the last $35 in the deal? Oh well, at least the dealer will get the opportunity to either absorb the cost in house since the brochure clearly explains it's 4x4 only and Nissan isn't going to supply them or the opportunity to say no to an unreasonable request and then be bad mouthed over the turn down. Either way the dealer wins again.
"Nissan isn't going to supply them..unreasonable?" I'm not so sure since they state in one publication that it is standard... I don't plan on bad mouthing Nissan or the Dealer but I will bring it to their attention. I'd like to have every bell and whistle said to be included needed or not.
He is a huge guy (6’ 6” and nearly 300 lbs) but he doesn’t look huge in it although he prefers not to (or can’t) put the arm rest down. With him in the front seat with it all the way back and well reclined, I can sit in the back seat (6’ 2”) without my knees on the back of the front seat – very comfortable.
His criterion for the vehicle was something that he could sit in comfortably, and decided that the best thing for him was the Infiniti Q56 that he saw pre-release at the Chicago Auto Show. When he looked at it at the dealership, he liked the truck, but could not plug his Ipod into the sound system. The salesman searched all over the truck for a jack and put a call into corporate to locate it (apparently it doesn’t exist). By chance, he walked across the lot to the Nissan dealership, popped his head into one and saw an Aux button on the radio and an Aux hole in the dash and bought the truck on the spot (loaded smoke LE 4x4).
When he first brought it to the office a couple of us took it out for a spin. Ran it on the expressway at 90 mph and never heard any of the resonance issues that others have noticed here. I am sure that he hasn’t noticed it or he would have complained. The Armada seems to be at lest as quiet inside as my Sequoia (I think – kids always screaming), and the sound system is much better.
Exterior
Automatic on/off headlights
Fog lights
Puddle lights
Roof rack with crossbars
Running boards
Chrome grille
Dual front tow hooks
Dual power heated outside mirrors
Rear sonar system
Flip-up liftgate window
Front UV-reducing solar glass
Rear privacy glass
Doesn't say anything about 4x4 only huh?
I have had the qx56 for 3 weeks, it makes the low frequency rumbling noise when I drive over bumps. Called infiniti consumer line today, they have a tsb to fix it.
We'll see if they can fix it.
Thanks,
Mike
We are looking at an Armada LE 4X4. I am not sure I really want to pay for the tech package. Unless it makes an even better deal. I do want the Sunroof and DVD packages through.
Should I expect to pay around invoice or a bit over? Maybe make an offer of $200-400 over invoice?
Any other experiences please share.
Thanks
Nick
Bowke28, spoken like a true salesman. And to think a car salesman has never tried to sell a vehicle at the highest possible price?
Came back from Az. the other day. Saw an Armada pulling a ski boat. Climbing up out of the Co. River he was passing a truck towing a boat doing 70mph+. Looked like the Armada was full of people too. Pretty impressive.
Jury is still out for me. Unfortunately I think it's just too small. On our trip I had two 33"x14" suitcases, a jogging stroller (kept the front wheel on), large tackle box and 3 poles, 3 pairs of rubber boots, backpack with the laptop, two ice chests (12pk or more type size), 4 or 5 pairs of extra shoes, food, coats hanging on the bar in the back, and a couple of pillows and I could still see out the rear view mirror! Oh and the wife's art bag and sketch board. I know there is no way I could get all this stuff inside an Armada. Kids aren't getting smaller either.
Ignore the comments about the name :-)
Steve, Host
Thank you for clueing me in that being a consumer is really about making sure your sales person is happy and well compensated.
I saw a survey that showed that most people would rather get a root canal then deal with a car salesman. Unfortunately, there are a lot of "bad apples" out there who have poisoned the process of buying a new car through stupid games and outright malicious and illegal behavior. That's why it is hard to feel to much sympathy for someone on the "other side of the desk", when one is dealing with a system that is stacked against the consumer.
It would be much easier if all dealers would go to a system like Saturn uses, but I doubt it will ever happen. When buying a car, keep in mind that invoice is never really invoice.
-Nathan
Some people view it (the purchase process) as a game, others as a chore. Some are quite willing to spend an extra 4, 5, 6 hours (or more) to save that last dollar while others value their time more than the last bit of savings they could achieve by holding out. There's nothing inherently wrong with either, though a firm reasonable offer is the most efficient way to buy something. There's also nothing wrong with throwing out a low-ball offer either.
I've bought many cars--and have always gone to at least 2 dealers after doing quite a bit of research. While I've tried to be loyal to dealers I've worked with in the past, more often than not, those dealers never came back with the best price on a subsequent purchase (perhaps thinking that they've built up trust with me and that I won't question them as much or push for the best deal).
Either way, I've never been unable to close a deal in less than an hour and have generally paid less than invoice or slightly above (depending on demand for the vehicle).
Personally, I'd rather cut dealers out completely--because I really don't see what the value-added service is that they provide--but the laws are such that manufactures can't sell direct to consumers. This is not meant to be a general indictment of car dealers--it's just that for me, the dealer has never been more than a means to an end--and has never really added anything positive to the equation. Given the choice, I'd rather deal with manufacturer owned showrooms and service centers.
As for the Armadas, I was seriously looking into them, but went with a Durango instead. Either way, Nissan has a large enough hold back that the most I would pay is a few hundred less than invoice. My suggestion, pick you price, stick to it and shop it. No need to waste too much time, find a dealer, find the finance manager/sales manager/internet dealer or whatever and make your offer--then do the deal or walk.
actually, it is...tell me, sir, how is it that you worked in car sales for 3 years, and STILL dont know how holdback works?????
as for the armada, the deals, while mostly operating from invoice-up now, are still holding a good amount of profit.
For those who disagree, and I know there will be plenty, please list your occupation and your compensation so we can all suggest a fairer number for when we avail ourselves of your product or service. Also, please list the overhead for your company so we can determine how much you need to make per unit minimum. Then we'll let you know if you should continue at your present compensation or if you should be cut back to "invoice or lower" because you are making too much money.
tidester, host
My best car buying experience was a couple of years ago. I did some research, and made a fair offer that was accepted by the salesperson with only some minor give and take. In amazement, I asked him how come they were not giving me the old run around going to the sales manager, etc. He said, "I'm a professional - I've been here three years, and I know what I can and cannot do." If I left some money on the table, it was worth it for a pleasant and easy experience. Unfortunately, that dealer has been gobbled up by a national chain.
The worst experience was four years ago I tried to make a purchase through the internet manager. When I showed up I got "bait and switched" and then the sales person tried to pressure me into the new deal. I walked out after less than five minutes. As I walked out, he made an obscene gesture towards me for the benefit of his partners in crime in the showroom. Mr. Cool thought I could not see him, but he did not realize that my wife was still in the showroom to see what he did. He did not get my business.
Finally, don't blame the customers for spending hours trying to negotiate. Dealerships have a finely honed system of bouncing you around and beating you down, in order to try to extract every penny they can. They are the one's who drag the process on, just to wear you out.
It's not just holdback. There are all kinds of payments in kind, spiffs, bonuses, etc. that the consumer never hears about. Probably a few that the sales staff never hears about either!
That's why invoice is never really invoice.
Steve, Host
I appreciate your attitude that a couple hundred dollars is insignificant. Unfortunately, way too many shoppers go berserk over just such a small amount. For them, it won't even buy them a soda on the daily difference. For the salesperson, it may be the difference between a decent income and a mini deal.
If a deal is fair it should be taken, provided the salesperson has done a good job and earned the opportunity. If they've been a jerk or done a lousy job it's reasonable to ignore their work and move on to the next one. If they've earned the sale then it's wrong to take their work and go down the street for maybe $100 difference.
It would be as if someone came into your computer store and configured a system and had you map out all the options and software and networking setup etc. then went down the street to the other dealer and handed him a spec sheet and all he had to do is put it together. <<< Replace with any example you like that matches your chosen field.
the published invoice price is what a dealer pays for the vehicle. bonuses and spiffs, including holdback are used to offset the floorplan loan interest at the end of the year. this money is only paid to the dealer once per year, and ONLY if there is a positive settlement. most of the time there is, which is why its not a finite amount of money at the time of a deal.
i hope this helps you guys. its really getting tiring hearing about the "double-secret-hidden-back-end-holdback-in-the end" money that doesnt make a difference.
especially for those of you who have been on here awhile.