Any Questions for a Car Dealer?

landru2

I usually get a pretty good idea of what's really hot by seeing what the exporters are raiding out of the Canadian market. I think Avalanches were hot for about 48 hours and then they couldn't be given away.

seamusthedog

Thanks for the info, it is exactly what I wanted. I wanted exact #s to tell the salesman that told me they were "hot sellers".

raybear

On the west coast, they've completely fallen apart. Deals everywhere.

ghulet

I've seen exactly ONE on the streets, ever. They're just too big for da city. Of course, so are Navis and Escalades, but I see them all the time. I think since Lake Shore Drive does not allow trucks, pickup sales have always suffered here.

KCRam

My dad came up with this as he saw an Av commercial on TV. he asked me, "If you open the back of that thing as a bed, how are you supposed to keep a load from nailing you in the back of the head? And, if it's cold, you can't keep any heat in the cab unless you never use the bed."

To reinforce his opinion about the lack of a cargo barrier, he related a story of his days driving a bread delivery truck back in the early 60s. Guy cut him off on the NJ Turnpike, and he nailed the brakes to avoid a collision. ALL the bread slid forward, pinning him against the steering wheel. He said he somehow managed to get to the shoulder (with all the bread around him, he couldn't see the right side mirror at all), and just sat there for a few minutes when a state trooper came up. Trooper looks in the window and says, "Wow, you're really pinned in there - how did you get to the side?" Dad: "I don't know..."

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cupholder1

It seems like it'd be pretty easy to grab a car from a junkyard, wax it up nice, and trade it in to the dealer.

I have had my car evaluated by a bunch of different dealers now, always in between the range of $13k and 14k, and they haven't even turned on the engine once. One of the reasons I want to be rid of it is because it burns oil bigtime and the power windows no longer work on a regular basis.

They don't even ask me questions about the mechanical condition, so there is no deception on my part. I usually park outside the dealership, so they probably didn't even see me drive up. I could have it towed to the dealership for all they knew!

What is obvious from the visual inspection is that after 3 + years, my interior is in perfect condition. It looks exactly the same as when I bought it new. Same with the exterior paint.

I should add that the 13k to 14k range they quote is above Edmunds TMV, but below KBB.

raybear

Hopefully, they won't turn the engine on until you're burnin' gas in the new ride!

Seriously, they may figure since you've kept it so pretty it'll be an easy resale. Most dealers have mechanics who can fix the hidden problems.

lori28

Hi, everyone! I was told to post my inquiry here, VWGuild are you out there?

I need some additional information. I have scoured Edmunds.com for all the valuable info I'd need to go buy a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T. I have come across something that I didn't anticipate given my research. I thought my deal had gone well when I agreed to $500 over invoice (since I had these figures) There were some "extra" charges that I am not familiar with. Can someone please explain and comment on what is a reasonable dollar amount for each of the following: advertising fee, shipping fee (to ship desired car from another CA 400+ mi. away dealership)to dealership purchasing from, Port fee (My sales person didn't know what this was?!) Floor plan reserve fee. Please respond soon as I'd like to purchase the car now. Thank you.

P.S.-
also: does the dealership shipping out the car keep the hold back or the dealership selling the car?

abtseller

Edmunds has no way to account for regional ad fees in their invoice calculator. If a dealer is trading a car in from another dealer 400 miles away, expect to pay at least $300 for that (they have to pay the drivers, gas, etc) and the holdback is usually kept with the vehicle, not the dealership. There are exceptions. The holdback also doesn't show up on the Edmunds invoice numbers. Never heard of the port fee and the floorpan reserve fees. Bottom line, be happy with the "out the door" figure and don't lose sleep over every nickel and dime on the invoice. I'm not saying the money isn't important, but the online services don't account for all the fees all the time.

Ed

rroyce10

...... Floor plan Reserve means the dealer is using the holdback to cover the standing inventory..

Terry.

im_brentwood

vwguild knows this stuff..

Port Prep and Floorplan Interest Reserve are on Every single US Vlkswagen Invoice, that I know.

Advertising I think is not normally over $200 on a VW I think.

But ffxvw and vwguild would know better than I.

Bill

bobst

Ask the dealer how much the car costs after all of the fees, sales tax, tag, and title are included. This is the out-the-door (OTD) price. If you think it is too high, then you can try other dealers and other makes of cars to see if you can get a lower price.

For example, you should be able to get a nice 4-cyl Honda Accord for invoice + transportation (about $420 I think) + $200 dealer markup + sales tax + tag/title fee ($50 here in Virginia). I don't know what the markup is for other types of cars.

lori28

I just wanted to Thank you all for your prompt responses!! Kudos!

majorthomecho

Should a car buyer reasonably expect any kind of discount simply for buying a new vehicle if it is last year's model? Further clarifying, let us say that the car is a 2001 and has less than fifty miles on the odometer.

If the answer is yes, what would be a good percentage of the discount?

Thanks.

abtseller

are usually "ushered out" by the manufacturers in the form of a rebate or dealer cash of some sort. In general, there should be a discount of at least $1000 on something that is a year or more old.

Ed

sgrd0q

I have a car that I purchased a few months ago, but would like to trade in and get another one. (Different model Acura.)

My question is this - I realize there is an instant depreciation after driving the car off the lot.

However, I am not sure how the tax works. If I trade in, and, lets say the price difference is $5K, do I pay tax on the $5K, or do I pay tax on the purchase price of the new car?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

landru2

Generally you pay sales tax on the difference. e.g. new car 25000, trade-in 20000, tax on 5000.

This may vary by state or province however, so you may want to verify the procedure used in your particular area.

sgrd0q

Thanks Landru2!

Does anyone know what the situation is in New York?

im_brentwood

Does give a trade-in credit.

Bill

sgrd0q

mark156

sgrd0q, just curious, why would you want to trade already? Did you purchase your current car new?

I just read ALL 625 posts over the last week. This site is very helpful.

M.

uclakav

Just bought 2002 BMW 325CI with following:
Automatic
Sport Package (Wheels and Seats)
Power Moonroof
Silver Metallic Paint
Dealer Installed CD Changer

32715 plus fees...

From what I figured, I'm paying 1200 over invoice on car, which I thought was fair, since I didn't want leather and premium (wood and power seats).

After I told my buddy, he tells me I got screwed. A guy he knows bought same car with leather for 30500 out the door (including tax and fees). I think he's completely full of crap, so just to avoid buyer's remorse, someone (maybe another BMW dealer) tell me that I paid a fair (not too much hassle) price and my buddy's just B.S.'ing.

Thanks. oh, if I got screwed, you can tell me that too.

audia8q

Remember, everyone is an so-called car expert when OTHER people are buying cars.
I could go out right now and find 10 people who claimed they purchased their car for thousands less than they really paid...it's one of the biggest lies that people tell. Its right up there with the check is in the mail (among other saying)
..I don't know if your price is the lowest or not....all that matters, in the big picture of life, is that the car is what you wanted. The dealership represented the car in a professional manner. Treated you with respect and dignity.

You did fine. Enjoy your new car!!

rich

afty

Someone, somewhere is always going to have gotten a better deal than you. Better not to fret about it and just enjoy your new car.

From what I understand, if you get a 3-series for less than MSRP you're doing pretty well.

raybear

You may not have gotten the best deal in the world, depending on the CD package, but no way did someone get a car for under invoice and out the door!

Don't sweat it, you did fine.

im_brentwood

$1,200 over invoice on a BMW 3-Series? 2002?

Sounds like a very good deal. You did better than most everybody I'd say.
I know the BMW dealer down the road from me hasnt let one go all year for less than $1,000 off of sticker, and that's on a real push. Supply/Demand curve is tilted WAY towards demand on those.

Bill

rroyce10

...... Enjoy that nice vehicle ..you got a great deal.

Rich and Bill are right on the money on this. -- I get a kick out of all the posts, on how people have paid $300 or less over invoice on Odyssey's, Highlanders, Bimmers even T-Birds, etc..etc...Pul - leeze..!

My Dad told me this, when I was a kid .. "The 2 things that people lie about most is, .. What they pay for their homes .. and what they pay for their cars" -- and you know what ..? He was dead on !

Enjoy it .. you did well !

Terry.

abtseller

I've been working a guy via email for a week or so on a new Tahoe LT. He's not picky on options as long as its black with graphite, has a sunroof, and the factory towing package. Now, for those that haven't been following the market, once GM came out with the 0% interest rates, most of the loaded Tahoes and Suburbans have disappeared, at least in my area. Even worse, most of the dealers that we dealer trade with have tightened their sphincters when it comes to trading away the "good stuff" and won't let something go unless they're getting the exact same vehicle back. Fair enough, but it limits my ability to be a "nice guy" in getting exact vehicles for people.

I'm not hopeful from the initial email, but I do my best. He calls me today and insists that I get him the exact vehicle that he wants, so I offer to order it. Noooo, we won't have the special interest rates past Jan, so he has to get one from someone's stock. Ain't gonna happen (I say to myself). Furthermore, he won't pay more than $1000 UNDER invoice, and he tells me that his dad, cousin, etc, were in the car business and he "knows how the games are played"...At this stage, I'm looking for the hidden cameras pointed at my desk. So...I ask him how many dealers he's been trying to work for this Tahoe, and he says several. "Have any of them been able to find you one yet?".....No...Really....Neither can I. So, he tells me to keep him in mind and let him know if one comes in. Uh-huh. I mean, I'm $3-500 over invoice normally, which is more than fair, but really.

Ed

frag235

Dreamer?! Sounds more like a nightmare to me-lol! I'd tell this customer to get lost (politely, of course!)

abtseller

survey that Autobytel sends out. I can see the response now... "No, I never bought anything because your dealer wouldn't find me a car and sell it at a reasonable price"



Ed

marilynb

Can you please tell me if you purchase a demo with 2,000 miles on it and the dealer takes $500 off the purchase price, can it be returned if you are having serious electrical problems with it 2 days after taking it out the door? my son is having this experience currently and they tried to fix it, he took it again and the same problem existed on the way home. he wants a new car now, but, they say he has to pay $600 up front before they will give him another car. a new one, not another demo.My questions are, can they say, no returns on their demos, and why the extra money up front instead of incorporating it in his financing? i think Saturn has a 60 day return policy, does it apply to demo cars as well? thank you, marilyn

marilynb

I hope this post doesn't come up twice, i need to know if Saturn can sell a demo with 2000 miles on it and say it cannot be returned if not satisfied. my son just purchased last monday , drove off the lot with it on Tues. 2 days later, all the lights went out on the dashboard. he brought it in, and they tried to fix it, my son wanted another car, a new one, not a demo, and they were giving him a hard time, then said he could if he gave them $600 up front, which he did not have. he took the demo back, and on the way home the same problem happened. my questions are, can Saturn say that the 60 day return policy does not exist for demos, and why would they not let him incorporate the $600 in his financing? thank you, marilyn

mvargo1

In most states their is no such thing as a right of return on a car purchased from a dealer lot. However, in most states if you have the same problem more than three times and the dealer can not fix it you can get the car returned under lemon law. Lemon lkaw also varies from state to state.

rroyce10

..... There is no such thing as a "3 day right of rescission" ..Your an owner. But, I'm sure the Dealer, is not overjoyed with a vehicle in for Secondary service..

Just get with the Service Mgr.. and or the GM, and I think they can make you happy..

Terry.

texasbrewcrew

I have been negotiating a price with a couple of dealerships for a Hyundai Santa Fe. One sticking point has been an advertising fee. One dealership claims Hyundai charges 500 dollars per vehicle for advertising in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area. Is this typical? It seems to me over 2% of the base invoice value of the car is ridiculous.

volcano2

Hi - 1st time on. I've learned a lot just by reading - and some are quite humorous! Need all the help I can get on my 1st purchase if anyone would be so kind; my '89 Mit.Galant just gave up. Narrowed it down to Altima S 4 cyl. automatic basic - nice! Lots of ?, biggest is what's the lowest $ anyone's gotten and how do I get there?

Co-worker said dad paid a chunk of cash & got $3,000 off MSRP - way below invoice (shoulda asked on what!), stick to my guns. Standard fare on the Altima seems to be $500 over invoice ($250 @ best). Got bolder w. last couple of dealers & told them I had a friend in the bus. & knew dealers actually pay 10-15% under invoice + holdback, I want to pay $750 under invoice (or options) - already quoted $500 under. Also, would put down $10,000 cash. I was told to take the deal! Guess it's not going to happen w. a car so new & hot/cost a lot to redesign & market (TMV is $150 below MSRP). Still, I was told to try - gotta try right? Best dealer finan. was 5.5%, home eq. 4.75/1yr. then prime.

Can anyone tell me what's lowest/fair and any tips? Above includes destination & advertising - anything else to expect besides tax/tags, what's the doc. fee & how much? Also any dealers - I'm in No. NJ/tri-state area, willing to travel a bit. Boss suggested try before Christmas/New Years, they'll want to get their #'s up then - just what I need - more stress.

I'd greatly appreciate anyone's help.

audia8q

Who cares what the advertsing charge is????
your turning this into rocket science. Simply make an offer based upon a price you are willing to pay. If all of the dealers say NO then offer more or buy something else.
This is sure alot easier.

rich

stickguy

If I understand the question, yes they can ask for the $500. I assume they are talking about the Saturn money back guarantee deal. Since you paid less than sticker, that's what they will give you back. If you get a new car, that is a separate deal, shere you will pay sticker.

CarMan@Edmunds

Hi volcano2. Excellent choice in cars, I really like the new Altima. Initially the demand for this car outweighed the supply and they were selling for close to full MSRP. However, this certainly is not the case any more. Even though Nissan is not currently providing any sort of cash incentives on this model, you still should be able to purchase one for about $500 over invoice or so depending upon where you live. Contrary to what your friend in the business told you, dealers definitely do not pay 10% to 15% under dealer invoice for their vehicles. Dealer invoice represents a dealer's cost for the vehicles that they are selling. Of course, they do receive certain credits, such as holdback and often a bonus for good CSI scores, but nothing close to 15%. Many manufacturers do provide cash incentives on certain models that would bring their total cost below invoice, but the 2002 Altima does not currently have any cash incentives available on it. If you purchase one for $500 or so over invoice, I personally think that you are getting a fair deal. For more specific pricing feedback on this particular car, I suggest that you pay a visit to the Town Hall Sedans Board. There are many discussions on the new Nissan Altima there. Please feel free to use the following link to go to that section of this site: Sedans Message Board.

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volcano2

Thanks for your response - I would be nuts for a long time if I thought I was overpaying! (Especially since I'm a woman & 1st time buyer.)Had one real jackass (Dodge) insult me specifically because I'm a woman, and I'm working on the letter that'll be copied to the district office!

Today I was told by a dealer that they'd let one go for $100 over invoice; also had one quote $250. I still want to try again w. the prig. dealer where I test drove - non-pressuring & quoted $500 & 5.5% interest. Best finan. besides that is home eq. 4.75/1 yr. then prime.

Of course, I'm fishing for more help here. Today's dealer offered 6.9% & said all Nissan dealers offer the same; the 5.5% shouldn't be. I expect it's reasonable to ask the orig. dealer for everything in writing (including dealer trade if applicable) so I can convince fiance & come back to sign? I just don't want to get the last minute shaft.

Also, is it ever bad idea to buy too far away from home? Do you ever need to go back to the orig. dealer for anything?

Thanks for all your patience. Thanks also for the link. I've been spending all my time on this site, but have learned lots!

nyccarguy

You shouldn't have let your son buy a Saturn in the first place...much less a used Saturn. But you should definitely talk to the General Manager of the dealership. If not, call Saturn customer service. Saturn prides itself on customer service.

mney6

If you keep your cars for 12 years at a time,I don't understand why you are concerned about 2 or 300.00 dollars.
If the dealer that was professional with you and non-pressure with you why don't you reward them with your business even if they are a tad bit higher.

CarMan@Edmunds

Volcano2, you will be able to have your vehicle serviced at any Nissan dealership that you choose to go to. Having said that, if my local dealership was within a few hundred dollars of other dealerships that were much further away from my home, I would probably be inclined to purchase locally as long as they treated me well throughout the whole sales process. I say this because dealerships often treat their own customers better than ones who undercut them for a couple of hundred dollars at a dealership that is far away when they go in for service or repairs.

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cdguy

Has production for the Prizm ended yet? Is what is on the lots all there will be? I am looking to get one by Jan. 2, unless they extend the 0%. Noticed dealers in Western New York still have a good supply, and prices are dropping. Hoping to get one near invoice.

raybear

Could be that high. Hyundai and a lot of other manufacturers paste extra advertising fees onto the invoices these days, to everyone's chagrin.

im_brentwood

If its on the factory invoice.. it is likely legit.

I remember seeing an Invoice back in 2000 for an Accent that had $380 or so of advertising in it.

Bill

spence30

I have been looking at the Buick Rendevous for about 4 months now. I have have quotes from $100 under invoice to $200 over. I would pay the 200 over to buy from the dealer that took the best care of me. The only issue I run into is a trade allowance on my 99 LT Blazer. It has 62,000 miles, CD, Cassette, leather, pwer everything, heated seats, sun roof, towing package, and under carriage shield. All the sites I check out for trade values put this vehicle at $14500-$17000. I live in New England, I get trade values ranging from $10000-$12000. Has anyone traded a 99 blazer this year??

I realize that with zero percent financing, there will be a used car glut, and it will get more difficult to unload any cars. It seems to me that the auto makers were a little short sighted in the desire to drive new car sales. Next year will probably be one of the worst auto sale years in a long time.

rickpct

Quick question. How related, if at all, are lease buyouts from financing company to wholesale and retail auto price?

I'm looking at Saab 9-3's - 1999. Lots coming off lease. Have spoken to no less than 7 people in the past month who told me that the financing company is willing to sell them their cars at $12-13K depending upon mileage.

Understand there are lots of factors as to why financing company wants to unload the cars. However, I wonder if this indicates current wholesale value, and therefore a few thousand $$ above that would be reasonable asking price for car.

Thx.

im_brentwood

Post over in real-wprld trade-in values..

Me and Terry can give ya the skinny on the market.

Bill

nyccarguy

If that's the case, I'm sure glad I leased my '00 9-3. I wonder if they're going to BEG me to buy out my lease when I turn the car in next December.