No clutchless shifting on the new Altima yet The Altima has a standard 4 speed auto box. The upcoming Infiniti g35 and Z car will have 5 speed manu-matics.
I agree with blueguydotcom. Your offer was fair, especially considering the extra equipment that you did not want. I would be particularly livid at an almost $300 set of splash guards. Check with some other dealers and see if they can do better.
Their claim about the 1.75% advertising fee is probably true. Edmunds does not include it in their invoice prices, but it is a legitimate part of the invoice. Check CarsDirect.com for a more accurate invoice price.
I would be a bit wary of ordering. From what I understand, the Altima plant is quite backed up and many people's orders (particularly for 3.5SE models with ABS and manual transmission) are being delayed or even kicked out. Mine arrived about a month and a half late, for example. If you can find a dealer that has the Altima you want in stock, that would be a better buy.
AFAIK, the microfilter and floor mats are required. The side sills are not, unless something has changed in the month I since I got mine.
I really feel sorry for U.S. car buyers. We certainly seem to have it better here(in Canada). Not only does a vehicle cost less here (sometimes a lot less), there aren't as many bogus dealer fees to contend with. There is no such thing as an "advertising fee" or a "showroom fee" here (unless they call it something else, which I doubt). Also, a dealer would be crazy to ask for more than MSRP here. This is an extremely rare practice here (only time I know about this was for first year of C5 Corvette). Based on conversation about trivial options like splash guards ($300 U.S. !!!!), I have to assume that these are dealer installed; there aren't any options listed like this in the CDN Altima brochure. Just to compare, a full-jam V-6 SE with destination charges will go for just over $34K CDN MSRP. That works out to $21-$22K U.S. There is probably 8 - 10% margin for the dealer at MSRP, so anything more than this isn't fair, in my opinion.
In my area (Boston), CarsDirect listed the invoice price for the Altima you described at $22,210. 5-speed, 3.5SE, ABS package, floor mats, microfilter, and "Side Sill & Rear Splash Guards" package.
Advertising fees differ between regions, so my invoice may not be the same as yours.
Guess it's me but the Altima lacks the bulging, sinewy lines of the G35. I'm extremely excited about the G though as I love Nissans (rock solid, wonderfullay built cars) and have longed for a RWD, manual, V6 nissan with a nice interior. The G35 covers that perfectly.
I'll see one Saturday at the LA auto show and hopefully have some pics and video to post for all.
I was at the LA Auto Show last night and I can tell you the G35 looks NOTHING like the new Altima. I love the new Altima, but I REALLY love the looks of that G35! That car is going to sell like hotcakes if they keep it around $30K. I am trying to convince my brother to get one.
By the way, I didn't get to ask, but when is the G35 going to be available for sale?
is supposed to arrive in March...at the latest April. I'm looking forward to trying the manual when it finally arrives. I hope it's a fun car. God I hate my Jetta.
Maybe that's how you look at your Jetta, but that is NOT how I look at mine. And I can safely say none of my friends look at it that way either. They all love it. I even get comments from strangers all the time at the mall and grocery store about the car. Things like, "how much was that?", and "is that a Jetta"? Also, "that is one HOT car!". I just cannot call the Jetta that. And the Altima has cheap interior trim pieces, I think. It's fast and not bad looking, but the interior looks very cheap for a car with a $30,000 MSRP (fully loaded 3.5 SE).
I get the same compliments. People always ask me about the car or comment on the wheels or the color. Regardless, my response is always the same, "Fun engine, horrible car, not worth the money."
Although the Altima may have an interior that lags behind the Jetta's, in major performance aspects the Jetta gets beat down like a stepchild. More room, better handling, far faster, more reliable, etc. The Jetta's at the top of the econo-box world (even with its lousy handling and rattles), but it's not in any way, shape or form competition for midsize cars and certainly way behind the Altima's handling, engine dynamics, reliability and performance.
How do you know how reliable the new Altima will be? No one does yet, as the engines and design are new to the US. I will say that it does, however, have a better history than older Jettas do.
The Altima engine is far from new, on the other hand the platform of car is brand new. I wouldn't worry about build quality, the Altima is made in Smyrna, TN which is one of Nissan's best manufacturing facilities. In contrast, the cars that VW has been making in Mexico (Jetta and Bug) have not exactly been very reliable.
VQ engines aren't new. They're quite well known for being rock solid.
As for the platform, I'm fairly certain I read that the car's coming from basically the same locale as the last Altima, one of the most reliable little buggers scooting around.
I'd be curious as to what some of you recent purchasers think of the following deal.
Last night in Chicago I purchased a 2.5S with the following options: ABS/Airbag package, mirror with compass and temperature, and the "standard" floor mats, splash guards, and micro-filter. (This was the only vehicle with this option combination I could locate in metro Chicago. ABS without Convenience Package seems to be atypical.) Purchase price was $19,623, which was $400 over invoice and $917 under the sticker price of $20,594.
For my trade-in, I received $9,200, which was $780 shy of the Kelly Blue Book value for my old car in "good condition." (I was able to generate trade-in offers as high as $9,500 from other Nissan dealers, but none currently had the right Altima available.)
The other option I explored was Carmax, some of whose outlets sell new cars. Carmax quoted a price of $19,487 ($264 over invoice) to have my new Altima custom-built to specs. Carmax also offered me a $9,901 trade-in, right at KBB value. Unfortunately, Carmax estimated 3 to 4 months for delivery of the Altima, and they cautioned that my trade-in offer was likely to decrease by some unknown amount. In 3 to 4 months I could have put 5,000-7,000 miles on my car. This seemed risky. Had Carmax had a properly-equipped Altima on the lot, the decision would have been a no-brainer.
With few alternatives after several weeks of shopping, I decided to end my search. Do you think I got a good deal in light of the short supply, or might I have done considerably better?
I have a dealer that I feel is really trying to get over on me at the last minute. There are a several charges that he's adding after quoting me an "out the door" price twice. One that's really bugging me is the demand for $350 for motor vehicle charges ($150 for plates & $200 for documents)! I was quoted $130 - $150 a few times, and NJDMV had said I could do it myself for $80 -$100.
When I told him that i wanted to do it myself, he said I couldn't. I'm not sure this is true either??? Thanks.
The Jetta is a very upscale compact, but the Altima is a roomy mid-sizer and they only overlap in terms of price. Oh, and I've seen loaded up Jetta wagons for a rather ridiculous $27 grand. They are nice inside, but tight, and none of my friends would call it "hot". Nice, yes.
rkirki: sounds good to me. Seems like yesterday people were paying full MSRP.
volcano: sounds like they are nickel and diming you. How good was their price to begin with? If they already had fair profits built-in, I'd walk.
Those fees are a bit steep. My store charges 110 for new plates (60 if you transfer) and 167 for documents.
Technically, you can do the MV work yourself. The problem you will run into however, is that no dealer will release the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin) to you, which you will need. The reason for this is that it can be very expensive and troublesome to replace if the deal goes sour or you lose it, etc.
Got sidetracked & thought I deleted that. As I was saying, dealer quoted me invoice & out the door on the base S, then searched for 3 wks. for ABS/no conv. pkg. (horrible experience & bad cust. service - but too long to explain now - color hard to find), then finally calls me & says he has the car (for real this time - not like the other 2 times), wants to make "$100 over invoice". I said ok (for a few reasons), then he said he wanted $100 for 2 people picking up the car ("long distance" & on his day off). Thought about it & said ok. I asked him to fax me the paperwork 2x that day, it finally comes thru on his day off at MSRP for the ABS/mirror + $50( for what?). Then $350 for MV & $159 for etching, which was never mentioned! I am so angry, because he's really trying to screw me, knowing I can't find this color/option anywhere.
Fiance got into nasty phone argument w. sales mgr. & salesman; tomorrow gen'l mgr. will find us there to talk to him - passed off my phone call today. Called Nissan headqtrs. yesterday & today just to ask questions; they've started a file. If nothing's done it's going to get ugly.
Please don't support dealers who act like this. Its unacceptable. Honest stores and salespeople deserve to earn your business, not these clowns. They should not charge you to locate the car, deliver it on their day off. Window etching should be optional.
If you like, I will jump on the computer and see if there are any cars available with ABS and no convienience. I will also get you a price. Please email me at sdawson713@hotmail.com and let me know how to get in touch with you tomorrow, and what color you are looking for.
Do not associate with dealerships who cannot respect you, and do not associte with those dealerships who try to use you as "bait." Afterall, YOU are the one spending the money, and YOU should be their #1 goal. They need to make a sale, trust me! Out of all my 16 years on this earth, my parents have never dealt with a dealership that disrespects us or treats us unfairly. We simply walk away. Show those people that YOU are the on in control, and if they can't agree with your offer, WALK and go to another dealership! The Altima, especially the 2.5S model is not is that much of demand IMO, at least around here it isn't! Be firm with them, put your foot down.
FWIW, my aunt is a salesperson at Vic Bailey Ford in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There have been many times when she has went to work on her day off to close a deal. Afterall, she does need to make money, yet she never charges people because it's her day off! This salesmen is full of tricks....His excuse for "delivery and because it's my day off" is NONSENSE. He should just be glad that he is making a sell. HE should be thankful that YOU are doing business with HIM. Not the other way around. Afterall, you don't have to buy the car from him at all, talk with another saleperson at the dealership, see if he/she will make a better deal. It worked for us once...
When we brought our Honda Passport back in 1998, we started out working with one salesmen who was a real jerk, so the next day we came back and dealt with a different salesmen, needless to say, we brought the Passport that afternoon.
Questions:
*Have you tried other dealerships in your area? Where do you live?
*Are you near any Carmax dealerships?
*What color combo are you looking for? Surely it can't be too hard to find.
*Have you done any e-mail quotes?
*Why don't you want the Conv. pkg.? Budget reasons, not neccessary(sp?), etc.
*I think we have a couple Altimas in my area now with just the ABS pkg. I think Nissan is somewhat at fault for this mess, they SHOULD make ABS standard on these cars. It's a shame that we still have to pay extra for safety features that should have been standard before 2000......
Good luck on your purchase.
P.S. Personally when I go to a dealership to "look at cars." I make myself a promise to never deal with dealerships who treat me harshly or talk down to me or ignore me. I work hard on my job, I want MY money to go to the dealership that treats me the best, even if I have to lose $100-$400 on a deal. I WILL NOT be treated unfairly, I might be 16, but I have enough sense to know when someone is doing me wrong. Hang in there and fight it, if you call all the dealerships in a 100 mile radius and see what cars they have on the lot. Just because he found the one car that you are looking for, doesn't mean that others just like it aren't out there. Again good luck to you.
Like I've said before, you really seem to have your head on straight.
There's nothing I'd love more than to leave after a few choice words and tell them what they can do with their overinflated fees. I would never normally buy anything from anyone who went back on their word or overinflated fees. The reason I am going to try & work this out is because the ABS has been extremely hard to find by itself, and almost impossible to find in the color I want. I'm going to keep the car as long as possible, so I want what I want. I've been trying every avenue to find it for a month and am very overdue on a borrowed car. I've lived on the internet and sent lots of emails, and hit all the dealers in my area & beyond. I've had a few do searches, and a couple said they were getting it in but it didn't pan out. There's no Carmax near me in NoNJ.
I agree with you - Nissan did do a big disservice by not providing the ABS. I believe they were trying to make the cost as appealing as possible, and I've ready many posts from people who don't want it. There of course are many who do want it; not only is this a disservice by Nissan but it sets up people like me to get screwed when there's nowhere else to turn. If I walk now, it may be another month and much more stress. The convenience pkg. is mostly overpriced frills, for my purposes anyway. I like the alloy wheels & DRL's, but I'm not about to lay out almost another $1700 for these.
The dealer actually isn't really far off the mark, but he definitely lied about several things, and is trying to screw me with these BS increases. I just drives me crazy when somebody lies to me and I'm at their mercy (if I want to get this combo). No matter what happens, there's going to be big complaints with Nissan & the Better Business Bureau.
Thanks for your advice Max, & I hope you're doing well.
The dealer is charging you 200.00 dollars over invoice for a Altima. The MA is part of the invoice,so your 350.00 is part of the amount we have to pay. The problem here is a consumer offered 200.00 over invoice in which he doesn't have the actual amount. Also the dealer didn't tell him what the invoice was. Both people are at fault. I sold a Pewter Altima to a consumer that I had to locate. Took me two weeks to find a dealer that would trade with me. That dealer had put moldings and wheel locks on the car.Cost 143.00 I called the customer to tell him this and asked what he wanted me to do? He told me to get the car. Just delivered it today.
I called around to a number of places in my area (Central NY) and got a price today for my configuration (3.5 SE, Manual, ABS, Floormats, microfilter) of $22,199. This includes the "mandatory" side sills / splashguards that I don't really want.
This works out to 1.6% over invoice. Feel I got a really good deal here. Cooper Nissan in Rome, if anybody's interested...
Rkirki: You got a good deal.I ve been following this car for a while.On the 2.5S with abs I know that the cost to the dealer is $19,000 which includes the destination charge and the advertising charge. So it's a deal that everyone can live with. Volcano2: all those extra fees are not necessary.The 2.5S with abs alone plus the micro filter, mud guards and floor mats are Available in Queens County,and Long Island New York.Choosing a color is a bit iffy. The hardest color to get is Mystic Emerald. The reason is Nissan Dealers order what they think will Move quickly.Most dealers are not ordering Mystic Emerald because they think it will not sell as well. The 2 colors that are plentiful are Silver and Pewter.Toyota dealers do not get to choose colors. Cars are allocated to the various dealers especially the top sellers with no color preference. Nissan Dealers can reject their color allocationI went to State Line Nissan In Port Chester and the salesman tried to slip pass me a $200.00 document fee but I objected and he backed away.However, I did not buy the car.
The noise level. Can anyone express their opinion on the level of noise that gets into the cabin?This is the only hang up that's preventing me from buying this car. I just hate a noisey car and i don't want to regret this decision that I'm about to make.
I just got back from the Philadelphia auto show and I must say there were plenty of people interested in the Altima. Since there has been so much talk about the plastic interior of the Altima I decided to feel every cars dashboard that I looked at. When I got to the Acura mdx I could not believe what I felt. The entire dash has no padding at all anywhere its all hard plastic and very cheap looking. In fact I saw plenty of cars with interiors that were all plastic without any padding. I think if the Altima could improve the door panels it would be less criticized but over all this is one damn nice car.
My 3.5SE is very quiet, but I have heard that the 2.5 models are quite a bit louder. It's probably worth a test drive if noise levels are that important to you.
Has anyone noticed that those who want manual altimas have to pay more?
I'm fresh from the Nissan website and am really irritated. I tried pricing a 2.5S manual w/ ABS/airbag. A manual is $800 less than an automatic. To get this option, a $800+ stereo upgrade and a sunroof is required. In effect that's paying $2400 for Abs/airbag if that's all I want. However, Sunroof and stereo aren't required on an automatic w/ abs/airbag. And it doesn't end there.
I tried pricing a 2.5sl w/ ABs and an airbag. Both on the automatic and manual, the sunroof was required. OK. However, on the manual either the cold weather package or the wood trim kit was also required to get the ABS/Airbag option. This was not so on the automatic.
I find this naked attempt to extract extra money from manual tranny customers digusting. Also, what does abs/airbag have to do w/ a sunroof anyway? Does Nissan think "hey w/ all that extra safety, you can afford to have a hole in the roof"?
EOR
I'm sure there are some folks who think I'm being cheap. I don't have issue w/ the price. I take issue w/ the packaging differences (inconsistencies) between the manual and the automatic, where those who prefer manuals are forced to get extra unwanted options. I don't see this on other vehicles.
You can get the five speed with just ABS. You won't find them on dealer lots. Most of the ones my store has with ABS also a sunroof, bose and convienience.
pathmax: not only the MDX, but also the Freelander. Check out all the hard plastics. The Altima is much nicer in comparison.
On noise levels: subjectively, I think the Altima matches the Accord, but the Camry is more quiet. You can check in C&D's comparo, since they measure decibels at idle, full throttle, and at 70mph.
If you conclude the Altima cab is too noisy, consider having it soundproofed. There are many posts about doing this with different makes of cars, primarily by lining body panels with Dynamat or an equivalent product. If you don't see yourself doing this, check with one or two reputable auto sound shops to learn how much they'd charge for different levels of sound deadening.
Can any of you tell me what you think of the Bose system in the Altima? I have to get it to get some of the other options, and at $900 it is pretty steep for what was an average radio IMO. My 1999 camry with CD player is better than the bose IMP and it didn't cost a thing extra...
I have it in my Altima, and I think it sounds very good. I haven't really heard the base system, however. I wanted the Bose mostly for the 6-disc changer and to get some other options.
Anybody here ever owned/driven a 99 or similar year Altima Se? Did it have enough get up and go? My last two cars have been 4 cyl. and I'm hesitant to get another one as these were rather powerless. Thanks for any input.
What king of gas milage has everyone been getting. I have a 2.5SL automatic and I think I have been getting bad gas mileage. The average mpg on the trip computer stays around 20, 21. I computed it myself on last fill up and that is about what it came to. I'm using the cheaper gas. Will it get better with the 91 octane? Or will it get better as I have the car longer. It's only around 1000 miles so far.
I had my heart set on a Maxima, but decided to take a quick peek at the new Altima after reading the reviews. I quite like the Altima, every bit as much as the Maxima; however, I had a few questions about it.
First off, I wanted the Xenon headlights, but I actually dislike sunroofs, but apparently you can't get one without the other. It's stupid the way they tie these things together, especially considering the outrageous price for the sunroof. So, I asked the dealer if the could install the Xenon headlights as an aftermarket item. He didn't know, so he went into the service department and asked a technician. The technician said the housing were identical between the two systems and that all you needed to do to get the xenon bulbs was to replace the bulbs themselves, which he said would cost about $40. Given the $500 price for them factory installed, I have to wonder if this is the entire story...anybody have any experience with this?
Second, are dealers willing to deal as much on the Altima's as the Maximas generally? Edmunds seems to imply that TMV is list price on the Altima's.
As everybody, I am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I have found an Accord EX V6 with a 6-disc cd-changer, model year 2000 with 12,800 miles that I can pickup for about $19k (loaded with leather/sunroof/climate-contol and everything). I have also found a 2001 Maximum SE (basic model/cloth) with 21,000 miles that I can pickup for $18,500 (posibly less). Would it be worth my while to go with one of those deals, or spend a few thousand more and get a base-model Altima SE with few luxuries?
You've answered the $64,000 question that I've had since I got my 3.5 SE w/o the xenon headlights. Well ok, the $500 question but I'm being silly now. Thanks.
Anyway, the $19,000 deal is what I'd go with. Granted I bought the 2002 Altima SE w/ few luxuries (sunroof, automatic, floor mats) but in my case, I really wanted to get the 240HP engine and I loved the look of the Altima. So, my decision was more emotional and I figured that if I was going to spend the next 4 years paying for it (I might trade it in 3 years now for the G35 or a used Q45), I figured I'd get a car I'll be happy with.
But if I made a more 'bang for the buck' decision, it would have been that Accord for $19K.
Did the technician say where you can pick up a xenon bulb?
I had my heart set on a Maxima, but decided to take a quick peek at the new Altima after reading the reviews. I quite like the Altima, every bit as much as the Maxima; however, I had a few questions about it.
First off, I wanted the Xenon headlights, but I actually dislike sunroofs, but apparently you can't get one without the other. It's stupid the way they tie these things together, especially considering the outrageous price for the sunroof. So, I asked the dealer if the could install the Xenon headlights as an aftermarket item. He didn't know, so he went into the service department and asked a technician. The technician said the housing were identical between the two systems and that all you needed to do to get the xenon bulbs was to replace the bulbs themselves, which he said would cost about $40. Given the $500 price for them factory installed, I have to wonder if this is the entire story...anybody have any experience with this?
Second, are dealers willing to deal as much on the Altima's as the Maximas generally? Edmunds seems to imply that TMV is list price on the Altima's.
As everybody, I am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I have found an Accord EX V6 with a 6-disc cd-changer, model year 2000 with 12,800 miles that I can pickup for about $19k (loaded with leather/sunroof/climate-contol and everything). I have also found a 2001 Maximum SE (basic model/cloth) with 21,000 miles that I can pickup for $18,500 (posibly less). Would it be worth my while to go with one of those deals, or spend a few thousand more and get a base-model Altima SE with few luxuries?
True xenon, or HID (high intensity gas discharge) lights are not "just new bulbs", despite what that technician or all those magazine ads would like you to believe. "Xenon" lights have no filament, instead using two electrodes which create an arc within a sealed bulb containing xenon gas. In addition to the bulbs, the system also requires special transformers and wiring, and better systems (like in a BMW) also incorporate self-leveling devices which aim the lights every time you turn them on. That's where your money goes...
Comments
The Altima has a standard 4 speed auto box. The upcoming Infiniti g35 and Z car will have 5 speed manu-matics.
BTW...the Q45 has a 5 speed manu-matic too
Their claim about the 1.75% advertising fee is probably true. Edmunds does not include it in their invoice prices, but it is a legitimate part of the invoice. Check CarsDirect.com for a more accurate invoice price.
I would be a bit wary of ordering. From what I understand, the Altima plant is quite backed up and many people's orders (particularly for 3.5SE models with ABS and manual transmission) are being delayed or even kicked out. Mine arrived about a month and a half late, for example. If you can find a dealer that has the Altima you want in stock, that would be a better buy.
AFAIK, the microfilter and floor mats are required. The side sills are not, unless something has changed in the month I since I got mine.
Not only does a vehicle cost less here (sometimes a lot less), there aren't as many bogus dealer fees to contend with. There is no such thing as an "advertising fee" or a "showroom fee" here (unless they call it something else, which I doubt). Also, a dealer would be crazy to ask for more than MSRP here. This is an extremely rare practice here (only time I know about this was for first year of C5 Corvette).
Based on conversation about trivial options like splash guards ($300 U.S. !!!!), I have to assume that these are dealer installed; there aren't any options listed like this in the CDN Altima brochure. Just to compare, a full-jam V-6 SE with destination charges will go for just over $34K CDN MSRP. That works out to $21-$22K U.S. There is probably 8 - 10% margin for the dealer at MSRP, so anything more than this isn't fair, in my opinion.
Look at the vertical headlights, though, and the L-shaped taillights (red, not jeweled like Altima). I think the details look quite different.
I actually prefer the looks on the Altima, but the G is RWD and we'll definitely be taking a close look.
-juice
Advertising fees differ between regions, so my invoice may not be the same as yours.
I'll see one Saturday at the LA auto show and hopefully have some pics and video to post for all.
By the way, I didn't get to ask, but when is the G35 going to be available for sale?
Sid
Although the Altima may have an interior that lags behind the Jetta's, in major performance aspects the Jetta gets beat down like a stepchild. More room, better handling, far faster, more reliable, etc. The Jetta's at the top of the econo-box world (even with its lousy handling and rattles), but it's not in any way, shape or form competition for midsize cars and certainly way behind the Altima's handling, engine dynamics, reliability and performance.
As for the platform, I'm fairly certain I read that the car's coming from basically the same locale as the last Altima, one of the most reliable little buggers scooting around.
Last night in Chicago I purchased a 2.5S with the following options: ABS/Airbag package, mirror with compass and temperature, and the "standard" floor mats, splash guards, and micro-filter. (This was the only vehicle with this option combination I could locate in metro Chicago. ABS without Convenience Package seems to be atypical.) Purchase price was $19,623, which was $400 over invoice and $917 under the sticker price of $20,594.
For my trade-in, I received $9,200, which was $780 shy of the Kelly Blue Book value for my old car in "good condition." (I was able to generate trade-in offers as high as $9,500 from other Nissan dealers, but none currently had the right Altima available.)
The other option I explored was Carmax, some of whose outlets sell new cars. Carmax quoted a price of $19,487 ($264 over invoice) to have my new Altima custom-built to specs. Carmax also offered me a $9,901 trade-in, right at KBB value. Unfortunately, Carmax estimated 3 to 4 months for delivery of the Altima, and they cautioned that my trade-in offer was likely to decrease by some unknown amount. In 3 to 4 months I could have put 5,000-7,000 miles on my car. This seemed risky. Had Carmax had a properly-equipped Altima on the lot, the decision would have been a no-brainer.
With few alternatives after several weeks of shopping, I decided to end my search. Do you think I got a good deal in light of the short supply, or might I have done considerably better?
When I told him that i wanted to do it myself, he said I couldn't. I'm not sure this is true either??? Thanks.
rkirki: sounds good to me. Seems like yesterday people were paying full MSRP.
volcano: sounds like they are nickel and diming you. How good was their price to begin with? If they already had fair profits built-in, I'd walk.
-juice
-juice
Those fees are a bit steep. My store charges 110 for new plates (60 if you transfer) and 167 for documents.
Technically, you can do the MV work yourself. The problem you will run into however, is that no dealer will release the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin) to you, which you will need. The reason for this is that it can be very expensive and troublesome to replace if the deal goes sour or you lose it, etc.
Sid
Fiance got into nasty phone argument w. sales mgr. & salesman; tomorrow gen'l mgr. will find us there to talk to him - passed off my phone call today. Called Nissan headqtrs. yesterday & today just to ask questions; they've started a file. If nothing's done it's going to get ugly.
If you like, I will jump on the computer and see if there are any cars available with ABS and no convienience. I will also get you a price. Please email me at sdawson713@hotmail.com and let me know how to get in touch with you tomorrow, and what color you are looking for.
Sid
FWIW, my aunt is a salesperson at Vic Bailey Ford in Spartanburg, South Carolina. There have been many times when she has went to work on her day off to close a deal. Afterall, she does need to make money, yet she never charges people because it's her day off! This salesmen is full of tricks....His excuse for "delivery and because it's my day off" is NONSENSE. He should just be glad that he is making a sell. HE should be thankful that YOU are doing business with HIM. Not the other way around. Afterall, you don't have to buy the car from him at all, talk with another saleperson at the dealership, see if he/she will make a better deal. It worked for us once...
When we brought our Honda Passport back in 1998, we started out working with one salesmen who was a real jerk, so the next day we came back and dealt with a different salesmen, needless to say, we brought the Passport that afternoon.
Questions:
*Have you tried other dealerships in your area? Where do you live?
*Are you near any Carmax dealerships?
*What color combo are you looking for? Surely it can't be too hard to find.
*Have you done any e-mail quotes?
*Why don't you want the Conv. pkg.? Budget reasons, not neccessary(sp?), etc.
*I think we have a couple Altimas in my area now with just the ABS pkg. I think Nissan is somewhat at fault for this mess, they SHOULD make ABS standard on these cars. It's a shame that we still have to pay extra for safety features that should have been standard before 2000......
Good luck on your purchase.
P.S. Personally when I go to a dealership to "look at cars." I make myself a promise to never deal with dealerships who treat me harshly or talk down to me or ignore me. I work hard on my job, I want MY money to go to the dealership that treats me the best, even if I have to lose $100-$400 on a deal. I WILL NOT be treated unfairly, I might be 16, but I have enough sense to know when someone is doing me wrong. Hang in there and fight it, if you call all the dealerships in a 100 mile radius and see what cars they have on the lot. Just because he found the one car that you are looking for, doesn't mean that others just like it aren't out there. Again good luck to you.
There's nothing I'd love more than to leave after a few choice words and tell them what they can do with their overinflated fees. I would never normally buy anything from anyone who went back on their word or overinflated fees. The reason I am going to try & work this out is because the ABS has been extremely hard to find by itself, and almost impossible to find in the color I want. I'm going to keep the car as long as possible, so I want what I want. I've been trying every avenue to find it for a month and am very overdue on a borrowed car. I've lived on the internet and sent lots of emails, and hit all the dealers in my area & beyond. I've had a few do searches, and a couple said they were getting it in but it didn't pan out. There's no Carmax near me in NoNJ.
I agree with you - Nissan did do a big disservice by not providing the ABS. I believe they were trying to make the cost as appealing as possible, and I've ready many posts from people who don't want it. There of course are many who do want it; not only is this a disservice by Nissan but it sets up people like me to get screwed when there's nowhere else to turn. If I walk now, it may be another month and much more stress. The convenience pkg. is mostly overpriced frills, for my purposes anyway. I like the alloy wheels & DRL's, but I'm not about to lay out almost another $1700 for these.
The dealer actually isn't really far off the mark, but he definitely lied about several things, and is trying to screw me with these BS increases. I just drives me crazy when somebody lies to me and I'm at their mercy (if I want to get this combo). No matter what happens, there's going to be big complaints with Nissan & the Better Business Bureau.
Thanks for your advice Max, & I hope you're doing well.
The MA is part of the invoice,so your 350.00 is part of the amount we have to pay.
The problem here is a consumer offered 200.00 over invoice in which he doesn't have the actual
amount.
Also the dealer didn't tell him what the invoice was.
Both people are at fault.
I sold a Pewter Altima to a consumer that I had to locate.
Took me two weeks to find a dealer that would trade with me.
That dealer had put moldings and wheel locks on the car.Cost 143.00
I called the customer to tell him this and asked what he wanted me to do?
He told me to get the car.
Just delivered it today.
This works out to 1.6% over invoice. Feel I got a really good deal here. Cooper Nissan in Rome, if anybody's interested...
Volcano2: all those extra fees are not necessary.The 2.5S with abs alone plus the micro filter, mud guards and floor mats are Available in Queens County,and Long Island New York.Choosing a color is a bit iffy. The hardest color to get is Mystic Emerald. The reason is Nissan Dealers order what they think will Move quickly.Most dealers are not ordering Mystic Emerald because they think it will not sell as well. The 2 colors that are plentiful are Silver and Pewter.Toyota dealers do not get to choose colors. Cars are allocated to the various dealers especially the top sellers with no color preference. Nissan Dealers can reject their color allocationI went to State Line Nissan In Port Chester and the salesman tried to slip pass me a $200.00 document fee but I objected and he backed away.However, I did not buy the car.
I'm fresh from the Nissan website and am really irritated. I tried pricing a 2.5S manual w/ ABS/airbag. A manual is $800 less than an automatic. To get this option, a $800+ stereo upgrade and a sunroof is required. In effect that's paying $2400 for Abs/airbag if that's all I want. However, Sunroof and stereo aren't required on an automatic w/ abs/airbag. And it doesn't end there.
I tried pricing a 2.5sl w/ ABs and an airbag. Both on the automatic and manual, the sunroof was required. OK. However, on the manual either the cold weather package or the wood trim kit was also required to get the ABS/Airbag option. This was not so on the automatic.
I find this naked attempt to extract extra money from manual tranny customers digusting. Also, what does abs/airbag have to do w/ a sunroof anyway? Does Nissan think "hey w/ all that extra safety, you can afford to have a hole in the roof"?
EOR
I'm sure there are some folks who think I'm being cheap. I don't have issue w/ the price. I take issue w/ the packaging differences (inconsistencies) between the manual and the automatic, where those who prefer manuals are forced to get extra unwanted options. I don't see this on other vehicles.
Sid
On noise levels: subjectively, I think the Altima matches the Accord, but the Camry is more quiet. You can check in C&D's comparo, since they measure decibels at idle, full throttle, and at 70mph.
-juice
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/roadtest/48102/page002.html
I have it in my Altima, and I think it sounds very good. I haven't really heard the base system, however. I wanted the Bose mostly for the 6-disc changer and to get some other options.
Unless you plan on putting in a $2000+ system in your car, the Bose will be good enough.
The new four is pretty peppy, but I'd still recommend a manual if that's what you pick.
-juice
-juice
First off, I wanted the Xenon headlights, but I actually dislike sunroofs, but apparently you can't get one without the other. It's stupid the way they tie these things together, especially considering the outrageous price for the sunroof. So, I asked the dealer if the could install the Xenon headlights as an aftermarket item. He didn't know, so he went into the service department and asked a technician. The technician said the housing were identical between the two systems and that all you needed to do to get the xenon bulbs was to replace the bulbs themselves, which he said would cost about $40. Given the $500 price for them factory installed, I have to wonder if this is the entire story...anybody have any experience with this?
Second, are dealers willing to deal as much on the Altima's as the Maximas generally? Edmunds seems to imply that TMV is list price on the Altima's.
As everybody, I am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I have found an Accord EX V6 with a 6-disc cd-changer, model year 2000 with 12,800 miles that I can pickup for about $19k (loaded with leather/sunroof/climate-contol and everything). I have also found a 2001 Maximum SE (basic model/cloth) with 21,000 miles that I can pickup for $18,500 (posibly less). Would it be worth my while to go with one of those deals, or spend a few thousand more and get a base-model Altima SE with few luxuries?
Jeff
Anyway, the $19,000 deal is what I'd go with. Granted I bought the 2002 Altima SE w/ few luxuries (sunroof, automatic, floor mats) but in my case, I really wanted to get the 240HP engine and I loved the look of the Altima. So, my decision was more emotional and I figured that if I was going to spend the next 4 years paying for it (I might trade it in 3 years now for the G35 or a used Q45), I figured I'd get a car I'll be happy with.
But if I made a more 'bang for the buck' decision, it would have been that Accord for $19K.
Did the technician say where you can pick up a xenon bulb?
First off, I wanted the Xenon headlights, but I actually dislike sunroofs, but apparently you can't get one without the other. It's stupid the way they tie these things together, especially considering the outrageous price for the sunroof. So, I asked the dealer if the could install the Xenon headlights as an aftermarket item. He didn't know, so he went into the service department and asked a technician. The technician said the housing were identical between the two systems and that all you needed to do to get the xenon bulbs was to replace the bulbs themselves, which he said would cost about $40. Given the $500 price for them factory installed, I have to wonder if this is the entire story...anybody have any experience with this?
Second, are dealers willing to deal as much on the Altima's as the Maximas generally? Edmunds seems to imply that TMV is list price on the Altima's.
As everybody, I am trying to get the most bang for the buck. I have found an Accord EX V6 with a 6-disc cd-changer, model year 2000 with 12,800 miles that I can pickup for about $19k (loaded with leather/sunroof/climate-contol and everything). I have also found a 2001 Maximum SE (basic model/cloth) with 21,000 miles that I can pickup for $18,500 (posibly less). Would it be worth my while to go with one of those deals, or spend a few thousand more and get a base-model Altima SE with few luxuries?
Jeff