By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I tried the mail contact route and out of the seven area dealers heard back from 4 of them with quotes. All of the quotes were around $500 below MSRP except for one who gave me a telephone quote about $1500 under. Surprise, surprise; he claimed a few days later he couldn't locate a car and there was no way to order it. I visited a fifth dealer in person who said MSRP was the best he could do. I told him I had been offered the car for $1500 less and the salesman didn't even counter offer. He said every Pas sat in the area is going at sticker and let me walk right out the door.
So the questions I have are:
1) Does location really affect price that much? (I have seen posts of prices averaging 4% over invoice or lower).
2) Is it really that hard for a dealer to locate a particular car and are they not able to order one these days?
3) Am I just another sucker for accepting a deal way over invoice (the car is on order but apparently owed to the dealer who insists it will arrive within a month)?
Lastly, for any other St. Louts area Pas sat buyers, here's what I found. St. Charles gave me the lowball quote and then couldn't find the car. Dean Team Kirkwood told me "don't believe everything you read on the Internet" and said I am lucky to get the car at MSRP. I got an email quote from Suntrup but never spoke with anyone. Mid-America Motors called with a quote that was a little cheaper than the others and the guy seemed trustworthy. He kind of confirmed it would be hard to locate the car. I ended up buying (hopefully) from Auffenberg who surpassed the price by a little and actually seemed to want my business. If the car doesn't show up in a month I get my deposit back.
The wait continues. This car better be worth it...
2. Again, location is the biggest factor. If dealers in the area are having trouble even keeping cars in-stock, it can become very difficult to find particular cars. It would be interesting to see how your luck would have been if you were more flexible on colors, and selected an in-stock unit.
3. Well, that's a personal opinion. MY personal opinion is that you may have rushed it a little bit. It seems that instead of being happy and looking forward to your new car, you're uncertain about it. I would advise anyone who is uncertain to wait.
Hopefully, the car meets or surpasses your expectations. Good luck!
Jason
You should explore this issue of supply and demand a bit more:
Are you looking for an odd combo?
Do your local dealers actually have very few Passats on their lots?
If you have answered "yes" to either of the above questions, then, unfortunately, you are not in a very strong position.
But, if you are flexible and if you expand out your search, I think that you will find more realistic dealers. I *would* believe most of what you read about low Passat prices in these forums. And, I would insist on bringing up these reasonable prices in your negotiations.
After all, even if there happens to be minor supply-demand hiccup in your neck of the woods at this time, the fact that Passats are going at reasonable prices (nearer to invoice) in many other parts of the country, indicates that prices can and/or will come down if you negotiate more forcefully, or just wait a bit (a few weeks even).
What I don't understand is that every lot has a good supply. I live by Sunthrup in S County. I have been on the lot a few times a week since the Auto Show, and they are not moving. They are getting more in weekly and I don't see many going out. I would say one or two a week sold (on a good week), with about 3 or 4 coming in. If you talk to a sales rep, they say they can't keep the Passat in stock and try to move you to a Maxima, which they will discount.
I have been to 5 dealers and they all have 15+ in stock. I am still in the process of selling my car, but once sold, I plan on searching KC, Indy, Chicago, and small towns within that circle. Has anyone had much luck in any of those area's?
Is the car Certified? If it has the Certified warranty on it, that means its been pretty exhaustively checked for problems. It would also mean that your car is covered out to 89K miles. That's a lot of miles to still have your car be under warranty.
Like anything else, its only good enough if the price is good enough.
Jason
I really love the new Passat. In fact, I will probably buy one. VW Guilds post about this being the best time to buy is a serious joke. Fact is, the car dealers(all not just VW) are scared sh$%less. This time of year sales are usually a little slow so they are hoping it will pick up. A few months from now they are going to KNOW that they are having a bad year. Yeah there are a lot of Passats on the lots right now, but the fact is that the price of a new car never goes anywhere but down. This whole business about the Passat being the named the best by consumers and the other publications is nothing new. Its been a top pick for years. The car dealers are all way more optomistic about the economy in the coming months than people like Greenspan. Anyone who thinks they should be in a rush to capitalize on a short term "soft market" is a fool. Financing rates are ticking down right along with the prices. My only problem is that I hate haggling with old sales hacks and the VW dealers around me seem to be full of them.
included...
For those of you shopping for an "old" 2001 Passat, I had previously negotiated a $23,300 price for the car with luxury, leather and Monsoon. I'm not sure if you can get that low of a price because I've heard that the factory-dealer incentive has dropped to only $1000 from $1500.
Good luck to all you potential Passat buyers. I hope more people will post their prices.
What do you think of the radio controls? I thought they felt cheap and felt like I had to push the buttons harder. I also thought the Monsoon system sucked. My radio in my 93 Grand Am sounds better than that. Also, do others feel like the seat back's cushioning is a different. It felt like the lumbar support came up to just below my shoulder blades. Maybe the next time I take another test drive, I'll have to play around with the adjustments a little more.
Other than those few things, the car felt really comfortable. I didn't have to fumble for anything. Everything seemed to be in just the right spot. AND I got quite a few looks also!
The salesman is getting back to me today about whether he can find the one I want. Hopefully he'll say they'll be getting one in a few weeks because that will be the perfect time for me to buy then.
Oh, one other thing, do dealers have a lot of Passats without the sunroof?
I beg to differ with your perception of Passat buyers. We are typically a 2-car family, but have just one car right now and it has proven to be a nightmare--coordinating all of our schedules around one car. We looked at the Passat 4-Motion because we like the tiptronic (to merge onto the beltway and I-66), we like the looks of the car, and we liked the idea of 4WD, without buying an SUV.
Just to let you know--at least if Fairfax VW hasn't changed its strategy of not budging off of MSRP--you are probably losing a lot of potential sales to Stohlmans and Farrish--from whom I have gotten offers of $500 over invoice.
Anyone looking for Passat Wagons: I just submitted two orders for wagons to VW, and they got rejected because 2001 production is already closed. This means that the wagons that are on the ground and on the way are all that there is going to be until the 2002's get here.
Jason
Are you a dealer? If so, is edmunds invoice price ($27187) for a GLX automatic correct? Also, does invoice price change by location (i.e. San Diego Ca vs Miami FL)? I live in San Diego and I would like to offer $27500+dest.+tx+lc....is this reasonable?
Thanks
This does not include any Area Ad Fees..$25, $50,
or $100 or none...
$196 over Invoice might not be very well received.
3% over is $835.62
This should make your offer feasible, however much depends on their stock and demand levels.
You will always get a much better price if you select a car from dealer stock, and if you're flexible on colors.
Jason
My interest is in the GLX auto, w/tip, 2001.5
Regarding your all inclusive invoice price of $27,854 ($27,304 w/o the $550 destin.), why is edmund's invoice price ($27187 w/o destin.) off by $117? Is this difference due to those port, ad, floorplan etc costs? I don't want to sound like a penny pincher but with those $117 bucks you can almost buy a 6cd changer for the car. So, by using edmunds invoice of $27187 (w/o destination) and considering my offer of $27500 (w/o destin.), the dealer makes $313 profit. Also, are there any dealer incentives on this new passat?
Reserve & $25 Port Prep. These fees Have to be paid...they are not elective...just like you have to pay all of the fees, etc., on your cable bill
or phone bill.
So the Dealer does not make $313, that deal is $196 like I said before. I would not sell you that car for what you are offering. That would be
gross profit of .0007%. I'll hold onto it for another customer, but thanks for stopping by.
their money...If you go back to our friends original post he asked if anyone felt that his offer would be accepted...I simply told him that I would not and, why...
If he comes in contact with a dealer that will
take $196 over invoice...on that car, then good for him...I just would not be that guy...that's
all; no hard feelings...and remember, we're not
talking about buying an Exploader...
I live in Charlotte,NC. Looking forward to buy 2001.5 4Dr Sedan Auto 4Cyl Passat. Since iam new to this country, and to buying cars here... Would like to have ur opinions about the pricing for this car. What do u guys think i should be paying for the above car configuration ?? Also, how much should i pay for the above configuration along with Leather, Luxury, Monsoon and Homelink packages ??
Also, can u advise where/which is the best dealer to go to to get the best pricing/service ???
I am just about a week away to get this car... So, would appreciate any kind of response ...
Thanks...
Sam
If this is exactly the GLX that you have been looking for, if you have been treated well, and
most important, if You feel comfortable...then that is the most one can ask.
Can you grind out another $50-$100? Maybe...but to
what end?
My *internal cost*, what I would pay, on the changer with nuts, bolts, and screws is now $359.00; so $375 installed is nice...
Go enjoy your new Passat; no one here is going to write that check for you
replace the windshield under warranty.
However; depending upon the dealership, when, might be the question. Most dealerships will not
break your eggs if you buy at another store out
of the area, but the world being what it is, others will. Bottom line...the Service Manager
really is basically indifferent; his job is to make you a happy service customer. The bad vibes
are generated from the Sales Dept., and most of
their grievance will be with the Sales Rep. or
Manager that let you leave.
To add a tangential observation...With all of the
research that you did, why did you not try to
contact the Dealership on line and negotiate with
an individual that was on the same page as you?
As an Internet Sales Manager, I am always puzzled
by this course of action. To do all of your *homework* and research and then walk into an Automobile Dealership only to deal with a *line*
sales person that may have been there for a week
or a month...well, I just do not understand. Why
would one not close the circle on the same course
that one started with?
I would really appreciate any feedback you might
be inclined to provide. Thanking you, in advance..
Dave
Jason
Secondly, at some point you have to drive the car and make physical contact with it. I don't think it is fair to the floor salesman if I spend a couple of hours with him walking the floor, the lot, driving the car, and asking him the same questions he gets asked day in and day out and then turn around and close the deal with the ISM.
Third, I would often go to the VW.com website so that I could e-mail the ISM but would find some itty-bitty link to a generic 'e-mail' (not "e-mail the ISM") like "SmithVW.com" and think to myself, 'well that sounds pretty generic, I wonder if they even have an ISM and if they do, is he/she actually going to get my e-mail or is the receptionist going to read it then delete it?'. This one may not be well founded, but I'm just saying that was deterrant. I think the sites need to have a link that specifically says 'e-mail the internet sales manager for a quote' or something to that effect.
Finally, alot of people don't even know what an ISM or that the dealership even has one.
I guess it is still a new concept, and one that
most dealers are not overly enthusiastic about, at
least for now.
I am fortunate to have the full endorsement of the
owners who have invested thousands of dollars in
making our site what it is within the confines of
the VW/Cobalt format.
Phil Teves and the gang at ScottVW in Rhode Island
developed and run their own; it is truly great, and it is obvious that countless hours & dollars
have been invested their as well.
It is simply good business to check out what the
competition is doing so I surf around out here
and find basically what you have...very generic stuff.
However; at VW.COM there is a *Dealer Locator*
drop down that now allows the customer to enter
their zip code and get their closest dealer & their website...click on the name and you go right to it. Email that originates from our
website goes to both my office and here to my house so that I can answer mail within a very
brief period of time seven days a week.
As to test drives, you are right again, although
this is something I routinely do meself...
Once again...thanks for your input...PS
Apart from the car price, 3% tax, registration fee, what r the other charges we have to pay ???
Also, would like to know if any one has bought a Passat GLS 4Dr Auto 4Cyl from any of the dealers in Charlotte, NC and from which dealer. Or probably the name of a good dealer here....
the following:
Port Prep...$25.00
FloorPlan Interest Reserve...$92.00
There may, or may not be regional Advertising Fees. Typically, $75-$100. These Ad fees are much
more common in large, urban areas. And non- existent in more suburban areas.
which of the two options is good ...
Passat 4Dr 4Cyl Auto with Leather,Luxury,Monsoon
OR
Passat 4Dr 6Cyl Auto with no extra packages.
The above two configurations are approx the same cost (to my knowledge)... Which one do u recommend for my needs... Iam not a speed freak or anything like that... I just want it for normal day to day needs along with long distance travelling.... So which of the above two configurations do u think is good...
Also, is there a special tax for a 6Cyl car ??? (like Gas guzzler tax) ???
Thanx
I admire Scottvw's site and what they've done.I wish there was a local dealer here (sfo bay area) set up like that. I'd love to see a local dealer that would provide good pre and after sales support, technical help, questions answered etc electronically via websites. I'd also like to see the dealer embrace rather than reject aftermarket customization and modification products. I feel there could be a sucessful business model for that if they only sold well engineered product lines and did all installations.
There are a lot of competitive cars in any market segment. I feel that good customer service and dealer relations have value and that many people are willing to pay for it by doing business with the company and dealer who provide it. Especially when you reach into the near luxury segment as the Passat is now doing. As a new Passat buyer if I could choose an option of paying an extra 1k or so and getting a 4/50 warranty and Lexus like service I'd do it. I imagine many others would as well. While I understand the warranty is likely to change sometime in the next year or two I doubt that Luxus or Saturn type customer relations are likely to happen anytime soon:) Sure would be nice though.
Carolina VW on E. Independence Blvd. Although I
love Ashville...Neither Deal of Ashville nor VW South on
South Blvd. have bothered to certify any of their
sales or service staff in 2000...not a good sign.
Most of the Sales, Service, and Parts people at
Carolina are Certified in their area of expertise...a good thing. More Later...
quick look, Carolina has taken at least a bit of
effort on their site...VW South is pretty weak,
and Deal has done absolutely nothing with theirs.
Try clicking on CarolinaVW.com and the others for
your own impression. VW.COM click on the *Locator*, put in the zip code 28212 and see for
yourself.
Your next move should be to call them and ask for
the name of the Internet Sales Manager and his
Ext. & email address...Tell him, I saw no females
on the staff, just so that everyone knows that I am trying to be politically correct, what you want
and what you know and hopefully they will be able
to put it together for you...
Best of Luck...PS
I'm in the market to purchase a Passat by the end of April but if the 2002's will have a longer warranty I may be willing to wait if I can get the car in June/early July.
Thanks!
warranty package is going to change, but no one
knows exactly what the exact configuration will
be...4/50, 4/48, 3/36. The fact of the matter is
that it will cost money, and those additional
dollars will be reflected in the price of the car.
If you are looking to buy next month and you want
a longer waranty than is standard today; for $695-
$895 you can get a B2B extension from 4/48 to 5/72
today with VW Masterguard, and you will still get
the existing 10/100 powertrain which stands more
than a fair chance of disappearing with the new
warranty structure.
Hope this helps...Enjoy your new Passat!!!
What are some of your personal experiences with it? Part of it does come down to personal choice...safe vs. sorry...but would like to know what other's experience(s) have been?
Thanks!
details all the coverage...if not I would be more
than happy to mail you one...