Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

2013 and earlier BMW 3-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1210211213215216238

Comments

  • xeyexeye Member Posts: 168
    Just FYI-

    I don't know how fresh this information is, but I noticed today that BMW has 0.9% for 24 months and 2.9% for 25-60 months on the 2011 3 series models. I took delivery of my 2011 335i xDrive only a few weeks ago, but this rate was not announced at the time. The BMW rate is even better than the rate I got from my credit union. The difference for the amount I financed is about $4/month so it's no big deal.

    I wonder if BMW is having issues moving their inventory?

    xeye
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    I wonder if BMW is having issues moving their inventory?

    BMW has no inventory. Every car coming off the assembly line is already sold to a dealer before assembly begins. BMW manufacturing is a totally separate entity within the company.

    So, what they do have is potentially unused assembly capacity.

    Like every other manufacturer, however, they like to sell cars....as many as possible (and profitable).

    Earlier in 2010 BMW Finance offered .9% 2 year financing with a $2500 rebate on many models, so what you are seeing is less than what was offered back in March of this year. Evidently, sales are picking up.

    Now, if a dealer has committed to more cars than what he is currently trending in sales, you might be able to deal a bit more. I have no idea how you might find out if that's the case with any particular dealer, though.
  • rollo55rollo55 Member Posts: 1
    $33,300.00 plus 6% tax.

    Details: New, '0' mile vehicle Alpine White 4 door sedan with Premium Package
    and Heated Steering Wheel, Sirius.

    Starting Point for the deal was a 7% discount from Sticker, plus $3500.00 discount incentive from BMW to clear out the 2010 3 Series Inventory. Negotiation with competing dealers finally arrived at the selling price of 33,300. Tried to get a better deal using the Internet and out of state dealerships; but the best deal was the one I visited first and in person.

    Best Dealer in the Midwest for this car was:

    Bavarian Motors in Rochester Hills, Michigan
  • leo1977leo1977 Member Posts: 17
    Any idea of what a lease payment on this car would be?
  • xeyexeye Member Posts: 168
    My point was that I was surprised to see low finance rates on the current model year. I could see it to move 2010 cars off the dealers' lots (what I meant by inventory) but I didn't expect to see deals yet. I suppose it could have something to do with the exchange value between the Euro and the U.S. dollar.
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    BMW has no inventory. Every car coming off the assembly line is already sold to a dealer before assembly begins. BMW manufacturing is a totally separate entity within the company.

    Can you show which website indicates this information? This is a very good business model which company does not have to order any raw material until the dealers make a large comnit on the orders. So this is a airplane business model business where there is a huge backlog of preorder before they can deliver cars....LOL..
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Of course, they have issue with moving inventory! These cars is in production based on the several years sales forcast. Since the economy is crash and these dealers must provide low finance to moving the inventory. If business is doing so well.....then there is no point to offer low finance to attract buyers to keep inventory moving....this is basic economic 101.

    If you look back at 2007 and more. BMW will not discount their cars deep as they are now....Is it so obvious....

    We are in the inflation mode.....so the better credit and more cash you have...the better bargain you will have down the road.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    Can you show which website indicates this information? This is a very good business model which company does not have to order any raw material until the dealers make a large comnit on the orders. So this is a airplane business model business where there is a huge backlog of preorder before they can deliver cars....LOL..

    Sorry. I didn't get that info from a web-site.

    I live in upstate SC near the BMW plant, and I know many people that work there. I can say that on the plant tours, they give that information out, but I don't have a site to refer you to that details that policy.
  • dandydoniidandydonii Member Posts: 45
    how much room have people found for negoiating off a dealer's first listing price of a 3 series CPO? I have come across some dealerships who act like taking 1,000 off is a big deal and other dealerships who seem to decrease the price every week. I just wanted to see what others have found.
  • cadreamncadreamn Member Posts: 56
    Sat in a hardtop convertible 3 series the other day - red with tan interior. One thing I noticed was that the interior color of the roof (headliner) was black. I would have expected it to match the interior of the car (tan) as I've seen on other hardtop convertibles. Having it black really darkens the interior feel when the roof is up. Can you get the headliner to match the interior or is this is just the way it is?

    (Sorry - couldn't find a more appropriate discussion forum for this question.)
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    Sat in a hardtop convertible 3 series the other day - red with tan interior. One thing I noticed was that the interior color of the roof (headliner) was black. I would have expected it to match the interior of the car (tan) as I've seen on other hardtop convertibles. Having it black really darkens the interior feel when the roof is up. Can you get the headliner to match the interior or is this is just the way it is?

    I have a 2010 328i convertible, red interior and black headliner. I think all the convertible 3 series have a black headliner, but the M3 may be different, as it has an "expanded leather" option in the interior that does just that.... expands the color to more of the interior. I suspect it is black as well, though.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    Can you show which website indicates this information? This is a very good business model which company does not have to order any raw material until the dealers make a large comnit on the orders. So this is a airplane business model business where there is a huge backlog of preorder before they can deliver cars.....

    Its not really a system as you describe, in that there is no real uncertainty about production. BMW is pretty good at estimating production numbers, but they have the capacity to add units when necessary. If you ever get the chance, take a tour of the US plant in SC. It may surprise you (or, it may not).

    Try this web-site below. It states that over 80% of autos produced are for specific customer order. The rest are ordered by dealers for lot sales (or so I have been told). BMW production is a totally separate arm in the BMW company structure, and it transfers vehicle ownership to the BMW sales arm once the car leaves the assembly line and is approved as "ready for sale".

    As when I have ordered my BMW's in the past, the dealer takes a car already assigned to him (same model) that is not yet in production and assigns the vehicle order number to you and at the same time, makes the changes so the car will conform to your option set (and, you can track the car all throughout the manufacturing process on the BMW web-site...pretty classy). Once a VIN number has been assigned, you can see it on the web-site.

    One might think this would add time to vehicle delivery, but when I bought my 07 Z4 Coupe, I hade it less than 3 weeks after I ordered it, because it was made in Spartanburg. The last car I ordered was a 2010 328i convertible (made in Germany), and total time from order placement to delivery at the Performance Center was a little over 6 weeks. That was before the volcano "event" in the Atlantic.

    I hope this answers some of your questions.

    http://www.bmwusfactory.com/#/manufacturing/284/
  • yeungyeung Member Posts: 1
    Hi,Guys,
    I wanna to by a aux audio input for my car,i hope the kits can connect MP3,IPOD---
    if there is anyone bought that kit,could you tell me ??? :)
    Thanks
  • jiteshdjiteshd Member Posts: 3
    29K$ + tax OR 29k OTD?
  • hemanthhhemanthh Member Posts: 40
    I ust bought a connector cable from Best Buy. 15 bucks or something like that. Apple store had a similar thing, a bit more expensive. Mine works great, except, I have to crank up the volume a bit
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,889
    how much room have people found for negoiating off a dealer's first listing price of a 3 series CPO?

    There really is no straight answer to this. Every dealer is different. It will depend on how much that dealer typically marks a car up, how much they had to spend to CPO it, how long it has been on the lot, where exactly Venus is in relation to the moon that day, etc, etc.

    Your best bet is to find out what the trade-in value is of the EXACT car you are interested in, then add for profit and warranty (on a BMW CPO, $4k over trade-in value seems to be the "right" price).

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • gmail10010gmail10010 Member Posts: 5
    Got a Base Package 335d with Heated Front Seats in Jet Black for $38175 plus $349 dealer fee, plus tax, title and registration. Everything came out to around $39800+ out the door. Also got 2.9% for 60 months for financing.
  • kanchiskanchis Member Posts: 33
    Yes your 399 fee is normal. Any dealership has their document fee (which is what it is) and they are most likely very reluctant to let you get out of it. Havent really heard too many stories about people getting that waved. But 399 is not bad, cos in GA where I'm from its 599 @ any BMW dealership.
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    GA doc fee is vary from dealers. It ranges from $399 to $599. You can not waive the doc fee since it is pre-print on the form but you negotiate down the amount equal to the doc fee of the price of the car. Doc fee is extra profit that shared between the sales manager and the salesman.....
  • beemer2010beemer2010 Member Posts: 3
    Any and all replies appreciated: Please give me ur feedback regarding this 2010 335 xi demo with 4500 miles on it.
    black,navigation,premium,coldweather, logic 7 sound, steptronic

    $51475 MSRP

    $42900 Selling

    36 month 15k a year.

    54% residual - miles driven =51.6% or 26566.50

    .0017 money factor

    $586.54 base payment

    $ 35.19 Tax

    $621.73 monthly payment

    Due at signing

    $621.73 monthly payment

    $650.00 Security deposit

    $425.00 Cap cost reduction

    $ 38.34 Tax on cap cost reduction

    $249.84 title,doc and plate fee's

    1984.91 total due at signing

    Thank you!
    Description MSRP
    Model 1043 335xi USD 42,300.00
    Color 668 Jet Black N/C
    Upholstery LCSW Black Dakota Leather N/C
    Options ZCW Cold Weather Package 1,000.00
    465 Fold down rear seats N/C
    494 Heated front seats N/C
    ZPP Premium Package 2,650.00
    319 Universal garage-door opener N/C
    430 Auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors N/C
    431 Auto-dimming rearview mirror N/C
    488 Lumbar support N/C
    4NA Digital compass mirror N/C
    639 BMW Assist with Bluetooth System N/C
    203 All-wheel-drive N/C
    205 STEPTRONIC automatic transmission 1,325.00
    248 Heated Steering Wheel N/C
    4AB Dark Burl Walnut wood trim N/C
    609 Navigation system 2,100.00
    615 Online Information Services N/C
    620 Voice-command N/C
    677 Logic7 sound system with Surround Sound and Dig... 875.00
    6AA BMW TeleServices N/C
    6AB TeleService Control N/C
    6FL iPod and USB adapter 400.00
    6UH Real Time Traffic Information N/C
    Net Total 50,650.00
    Destination Charge 825.00
    Gas Guzzler Tax N/C
    Total Suggested Price 51,475.00
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Hi,

    Based on my region, the MSRP for 51,875. (Georgia)

    The factory Invoice: 48,260

    The dealer cost is 44,575 (Dealer Marketing support: 2500, Holdback 1,185)

    42,900 is kind high for me if you are taking into consideration that 4,500 miles.

    When is the warranty started for this car?

    If it is me! $39,000

    I bought the 335i 2009 back in Feb 2010. MSRP is 50415 and buying 37,000 + doc fee (399) + Tax(6%) + title & Reg ($39)

    I am sure this has more room to negotiate.....It is a used car.....regardless what dealer consider it is a demo or not....

    Good luck!
  • xeyexeye Member Posts: 168
    From the General Manager of a local major dealership in the Boston area:

    "We are invoiced for the car upon taking delivery, not before. The dealer body’s inventory is taken into account during production planning. If we are all loaded they can’t expect us to become overloaded. On the flip side, they need to boost production when we are low."

    Apparently, either the car is not paid for before assembly begins or it varies from dealership to dealership. I'll go with the former. As for inventory, there are some cars that are custom-ordered as mine was and are customer-delivered upon arrival, as well as a selection of cars that are ordered based on the features most commonly requested and held for sale on the lot, a.k.a. "dealer inventory".
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Car business is a lot of scam from the consumer stand point.

    Per car:

    Delivery Fee: $875 (which pass down to consumer
    Region Ad. fee: $500 (which pass down to consumer)
    Doc fee: $45 to $699 ($399 to $599 in Georgia)
    4 year free Maintenance: Sure...it is already included in the MSRP or Invoice price by raise the MSRP or invoice $2,000 for the new model.

    If you look at it...it is a lot of profit for the dealers to make in addition to :
    1) Trade-in
    2) Finance (ad rate if you have 760 above beacon score otherwise 3.99 or more)
    3) Extra Warranty service crap.....
    4) addition accessories installed on the car...etc..

    How much profit is enough....It must a lot for the dealer to satisfy....LOL

    For buyers....you are a suckers....
  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Are you shilling for TrueCar.com?

    You've posted 6 times in various (BMW, Ford, Honda, Infiniti & Nissan) prices paid & lease forums, & you've plugged this web site in each post. That might be an Edmunds TOS violation.
  • hokie28hokie28 Member Posts: 16
    I was told he gets a referral bonus ever time he mentions it.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    edited June 2010
    From the General Manager of a local major dealership in the Boston area:

    "We are invoiced for the car upon taking delivery, not before. The dealer body’s inventory is taken into account during production planning. If we are all loaded they can’t expect us to become overloaded. On the flip side, they need to boost production when we are low."

    Apparently, either the car is not paid for before assembly begins or it varies from dealership to dealership. I'll go with the former. As for inventory, there are some cars that are custom-ordered as mine was and are customer-delivered upon arrival, as well as a selection of cars that are ordered based on the features most commonly requested and held for sale on the lot, a.k.a. "dealer inventory".


    The only point I was attempting to make was that, unlike GM and other companies, BMW isn't just building tons of cars with options the manufacturer thinks will be popular and then putting them out on lots, hoping they will sell.

    I never meant to imply (nor do I remember ever stating) that cars were paid for before going into production. Over 80%, if I remember correctly, are made to special order specifics...(ie., already spoken for, or sold), far more than, say... Chevrolet or Hyundai. The 80% number comes directly from the link...

    http://www.bmwusfactory.com/#/manufacturing/284/

    From the Manufacturing stats sub-page...

    80% of cars produced are customized for individual customers

    What I stated earlier was...

    BMW has no inventory. Every car coming off the assembly line is already sold to a dealer before assembly begins. BMW manufacturing is a totally separate entity within the company.

    Perhaps I should have used the word "allocated" or the phrase "intended for a specific dealer" instead of "sold".

    In any case, there isn't some huge parking lot of BMW's assembled and ready to be sold that aren't allocated to a specific destination, or dealer, if you like.
  • hopsing1hopsing1 Member Posts: 4
    Hi Rollo .. Thanks for sharing this info! Can you share who you worked with and did the 33,300 include everything else (doc fees, etc.) I look forward to your response!
  • hopsing1hopsing1 Member Posts: 4
    Buying a car is truly a nightmare! Was offered a 2010 BMW 328IX for $35,900 + tax, doc fee: $190, title fee: $120, etc! The car has "2 miles" - Sapphire Black, Automatic, premium package, heated steering wheel, xenon lights, no mats, no freebies .. it is what it is. Am I getting a deal? I need to give an answer by tomorrow!! Thank you in advance everyone!
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,175
    I think the only distinction between BMW and other makes, is that when every BMW goes into production, it is allocated to a specific dealer. It can still be transferred, diverted, etc, etc... I'm not sure it's very relevant to their financial structure.. They still have forecasts, production goals..

    Maybe it makes them more nimble than GM when it comes to adjusting output, but who wouldn't be? :surprise:

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Based on the option listed:

    The sticker price should be $41,690

    Delear cost approximate 35,474 ($2500 incentive, $951 hold back, Dest: $875, Regional Ad fee: $500 for Georgia)

    I think 33K to 33.5K is reasonable since 2011 model is out and someone stated there is extra $1,000 discount for 2010 model.

    Today June 30 is the last day of the month....You get the deal you want....

    Buying car is very fun for me since I have no urgent of getting one and I am very patience. I deal mostly through email and phone until I got the deal finalize before I walk into the dealer.

    Good luck
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    edited June 2010
    I think the only distinction between BMW and other makes, is that when every BMW goes into production, it is allocated to a specific dealer. It can still be transferred, diverted, etc, etc... I'm not sure it's very relevant to their financial structure.. They still have forecasts, production goals..

    Maybe it makes them more nimble than GM when it comes to adjusting output, but who wouldn't be?


    From a financial standpoint, not having a ton of pre-made units (cars, toasters, etc.) sitting on a lot/in a warehouse can make a considerable difference in inventory cost, especially if your suppliers are the ones carrying the component/raw materials inventory. Your cash can stay fluid, allowing for maximum flexibility. As the old saying goes....Cash is always King!

    On the other hand, if the demand suddenly increases for your product (in BMW's case, say MB suddenly disappeared), you may lose out on a sudden demand spike that gets filled by others. Odds of that in this case are pretty low.

    And, I agree with your last line. In an age of so much information exchange, its ironic that its as difficult now as it has ever been to get anything special and unique from American automakers. Instead of more flexibility from the manufacturer, we have less.

    I remember when the Mustang first came out. You could specify ANY color, and make your car truly one of a kind. There was a guy that lived in my neighborhood about 15 years older than me at the time, and he ordered a special color blue Mustang in 1964, I believe. It was the only factory Mustang I have EVER seen with a white wrinkle-paint top and special hood stripes that was delivered from the factory that way.

    Unfortunately, even though he babied the car, sometime in the late 1970's he fell in the sights of a drunk driver, and was rear-ended, making his already "compact" car far more compact...ergo, totaling it.

    It was truly a one-of-a-kind.
  • xeyexeye Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2010
    Good post, and I apologize that I apparently missed this one previously. What you describe fits with the way my GM explained the process for my particular car and explains what he meant by having an order slot available for my particular vehicle in week xx a couple of months ago when I put in the build order.

    The web site you supplied also made for fascinating reading and also explains how BMW managed to include the H/K Surround Stereo in my 2011 335i xDrive while consistently omitting it from the list of components on the on-line tracking system.

    Having said all that, it still makes me wonder why they had to hold up my car and apparently 11,000 other BMWs in port locations across the U.S. for a few weeks in late May for what I was told was a "seat campaign" - not quite a recall, but enough to require flying in engineers from Germany to (at least) New Jersey to resolve some issue. I never did find out what happened, and it wasn't restricted to 3 Series vehicles.

    I also went back through our correspondence and didn't find any reference to "Paid for" prior to manufacture, but rather "Sold to" prior to manufacture. In fact, you are correct that "Allocated to" a particular dealership is a more accurate statement. Even that can change en route as that was how we got my wife's 2008 328xi. It was already built and slated for a New Jersey dealership when it was re-routed to Massachusetts for us.

    For my next BMW, I'd like to try for European Delivery. I've heard several times that it can be quite an experience. Perhaps, in the short term, I'll take a vacation in South Carolina, take the plant tour, and maybe make an appearance at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance? :shades:
  • hopsing1hopsing1 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for the tip! Got the car for $34,000!
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    For my next BMW, I'd like to try for European Delivery. I've heard several times that it can be quite an experience. Perhaps, in the short term, I'll take a vacation in South Carolina, take the plant tour, and maybe make an appearance at the Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance?

    I have yet to read about anyone taking European delivery of a BMW and being anything less than 110% happy about doing it.

    And, the discount for taking European delivery usually more than compensates for a couple of plane tickets.

    But, the SC delivery is a very pleasant experience as well. Getting to drive some sporty BMW's on the Performance Center closed track (they openly tell you...."Drive it like you stole it!"...) ain't all bad, either.

    I've toured the plant 3 times, and each time I came away amazed with just how clean a modern auto manufacturing facility can be....
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Hey,

    You are welcome! At least I help to save you $1,900 to put back in your pocket.

    Have you tried to negotiate 33K and pump up to 33.5K and threat to walkaway from the deal.....LOL...

    You must be persistence and patience in the negotiation process. It indicates you are in control and be willing to walk out if the deal does not fit the budget.

    I am in the process of looking for one 328i 2009 or 328I 2010 model but I decide to wait for a better deal or get MB E350. My wife already got 335i 2009 sedan.
  • 20carguy20carguy Member Posts: 8
    I have watched and read many of the posts on Edmunds and have been reluctant to write anything but I thought I would give you all some common sense advice.

    Buying a BMW or any other make is not rocket science. I'm in the only business in the world whereby the manufacturer tells the world what I pay for the car and defies me to make a profit.

    As for getting cars thousands below invoice, we all read the posts, there are always the reasons you don't read about. The customer had undisclosed points to use for the purchase, the dealership owned the car for less than usual, etc, etc, etc.

    Do your research and when you're actually ready to buy a car, go in and make the offer. I think there's more masturbation, cleaned it up a bit for you, about buying a car going on out here than at a boy scout camp with a truckload of Playboy magazines.

    Fact is, on a very low gross deal or an invoice deal, the client advisor makes an average of 125.00 before taxes. After that, the customer gets a survey and is always the case and my colleagues will back me up on this, a customer who grinds every nickel out of the deal is more likely to burn you on the survey than a customer who didn't grind out every last penny. The survey result directly affects the paycheck.

    In closing, I just want to say that buying a car is as hard or easy as you want to make it. Spending months wasting your time on the internet and driving from dealership to dealership to save 100-200 dollars is a waste of your time. Buy the car at a local dealership that has a great customer service experience and start enjoying it sooner. There will always be people who paid more and paid less.
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Spending months wasting your time on the internet and driving from dealership to dealership to save 100-200 dollars is a waste of your time.

    That is call saving my friend. If you have extra $500 to $1,000 to give away.....I am welcome to take it without a doubt.

    You alway research before buying....I don't know which planet are you from. Car and House are needed to research....unless you are so wealthy like Uncle Sam or Gov to spend more money on pet projects from our taxpayers.....

    Car or House is not a small penny money like Iphone, DVD, Flat T.V. and clothes that you just go out there and rack up on your credit. It is a lot of money to spend on it and the interest associated with it....

    The Internet and Forum has helped to educated buyer...(Intelligence buyers not smart buyers) to shared and discuss the strategy to get better bargain.

    I have purchased more that at least 7 cars for my own and several cars for family members and friends. All dealers from Honda, Toyata, MB, BMW are treating buyers an idiot....They think us as a cash cow machine....add more fees, optioned, extra warranty.... I am sure not all salesman are like that.....but most of them are!!!!!

    My point is....if the dealers are treating us with respect and negotiate in a fairly manners without using tactics and tricks to run our stress or patience out then we will not have forum or discussions to bitchyy about....right...

    Look at the Grocery store.....People buy and use coupon the items they agree straight and simple....but dealers are making more difficult.....Inventory fee, Doc fee (not regulated in Georgia...$399 to $699), extra warranty......to make extra profits in addition what they already make.....Switch and bait tactics....LOL
  • 20carguy20carguy Member Posts: 8
    You missed my point. I'm not talking about saving the big amount, I'm talking about spending countless hours of time trying to save another $100 on an already great deal.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    edited July 2010
    For me, reality falls somehwere in the middle.

    I do lots of research before buying a car.....Internet forums, test drives, web-sites, owner friends, etc.

    Personally, I like to buy locally when I can, and I'm willing to spend a couple of hundred to buy from a local dealer with a good service reputation.

    I don't even waste my time going into a dealer making wild claims (ie., we always pay $5k above XXX for your trade-in). These dealerships are sucker plays.

    By the same token, I'm not inclined to support a local dealer by paying $1000's more for the "honor" of supporting a local business, or a dealer that adds $1000's to the list price for "dealer installed options", such as a $5 can of Scotch-guard that he wants $995.00 for spraying on the seats). Think about it...Its a new car, and no initial treatments should be necessary. Who "treats" a new Lazyboy chair or couch? Probably not many....But, you can spray the same can for $5 just as easy as the minimum-wage-paid guy in the detailing area, if that is your desire.

    As for salespeople, its been my experience that in the lower and mid-range priced auto dealerships, almost 100% of the sales reps are idiots, who know next to nothing about the models they are selling, or the available options. I don't think I have never been to one of the dealerships where I didn't already know more than my sales rep did about the model I was interested in buying (I'm in my mid-50's, so I have been buying cars for a while). And, again, my experience is that these sales folks are "previews" of the service reps you would be dealing with later.

    Now, on the other hand, I have found that sales reps at the more high-line model dealerships are usually well-versed in their craft, and know quite a bit about the product they are selling. Most of the time, you pay for what you get, and cars are no different.

    Of course, there are always exceptions, as no rule is "hard and fast".

    In the end, one shouldn't feel that buying a car is some type of punishment. If that's the case, you need to be at a different dealership, because it ain't all about the money!
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Hey brother. Thanks for chiming in. Do you sell BMWs? There is a fantastic forum on the smart shopper board called "Stories from the Sales Frontlines" that you could post a few stories.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • kanchiskanchis Member Posts: 33
    If the car salesman were honest from the beginning then there wont be any hustling involved, but its not the case these days. Personally I would bargain for every single penny cos I know its my hard earned money. I hate the fact that some sales people say (specially luxury car salesman) that you are not buying a toyota so dont bargain! This is just BS. I'm sure the same salesman would be using coupons to buy groceries and would hunt down the best deal when it comes to his turn to buy a car. As one of the other members said it, Edmonds.com forums has helped me and thousands of others to be prepared to listen to all you car salesman BS talk and get to the bottom of it. So please stop playing mind games and be honest from the beggining, maybe u'll sell more cars then. If you want to [non-permissible content removed] about a forum like this create your own thread so all you dealers can go there and start bitching. nuff said. :shades:
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    You cannot make the generalization that all car sales professionals are dishonest. They work to make money just like you and I do. Part of their job is to sell additional services/accessories that the buyer may or may not deem necessary. All you have to do is say yes or no. Tire & Wheel insurance? Extended Warranty? If the manufacturer's extended warranty is too expensive, how about a 3rd party warranty? Undercoating?

    The information is out there & for the benefit of the buyer.

    Do your research. Get an idea of what the car you want is selling for.

    Value your trade - get an idea of what your car is selling for on eBay & autotrader. Get trade in offers from 2 different dealers + maybe a carmax.

    Be realistic. Don't expect to get dealer retail for your trade & at or below invoice pricing on the new car.

    Don't worry about Doc fees. Take all the information you've gathered & make an Out The Door offer including sales tax & DMV fees. The dealer can either accept or decline your offer. Stick to your guns & don't let yourself get bumped up by meeting in the middle.

    Most of all, treat this as a business decision. Take the emotion out of it. If you don't feel comfortable with the salesperson or the dealership or the price, just get up & walk away.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • 20carguy20carguy Member Posts: 8
    Amen car guy. This week I had two customers who totalled cars. One bought gap for 695 the other didn't. Guess which one is picking up their new car on Saturday?

    As for offering additional services like tire and wheel protection which some people complain about, think about this.... When going out to dinner after a great meal the waiter comes and asks you, how about desert or coffee? How many people say hey, I just had dinner, don't try and sell me something I don't need... Lol

    doesn't happen does it?
  • doanmquangdoanmquang Member Posts: 34
    Be realistic. Don't expect to get dealer retail for your trade & at or below invoice pricing on the new car.

    Of course, we don't expect that but what really is your invoice price anyway. I am sure it is not the one posted on Edmunds or truecar dot com right. How about 2/60 or 3/90 net invoice. If you sell your a cars on the lot faster than you can have 2 or 3% discount of your realll..invoice. Dealers some cost but you pass my of the cost to the buyers....Dest fee. and doc fee....

    I have seen where salesman prevent his/her customers talk to me.....afraid they will walk out the dealers....LOL....

    If selling car business is straight forward as it can be....then pretty much we don't have a lot of people shared their fantasy experience with others....don't you agree.

    Very fortunate for me, I was not born in this country where I grew up.....we bargain at everything....from grocery to coffee shop and girls.....LOL....
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    What state are you located in? Here in NY, gap insurance is mandatory & included in every vehicle lease/loan. I just bought a house in CT & I think gap insurance is extra there.

    When I bought my wife's 2010 TSX last August, I was offered the extended warranty numerous times to the point that it really annoyed me.

    When we leased her '07 X3 that is due back @ the end of the month, they offered the tire & wheel insurance for I think $850. I declined. About 2 months ago, my wife swerved to avoid some debris in the road & smacked into a center curb. She cracked a rim & shredded 2 tires. I had the truck towed to the dealer where they told me that not only were the 2 tires bad, but the other 2 were shot & needed to be replaced. So I had to pay the money either way.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • jimbresjimbres Member Posts: 2,025
    Here in NY, gap insurance is mandatory & included in every vehicle lease/loan.

    I live in NY, & I believe that the state requires gap insurance only for leases - not for loans. (We've paid cash for our last 3 or 4 cars, so I'm not 100% sure of this. But a quick Google search seems to confirm my belief.)
  • 20carguy20carguy Member Posts: 8
    I'm in Ct. In NY, as in Ct, gap is automatically in leases. The leasing company or the manufacturer always protects themselves with gap in the case of a total loss. In a purchase in Ny, they have to sell gap for cost. In many other states the dealer can make a profit on it but there is usually a ceiling on what the dealership can charge.
  • Firebird_EOUFirebird_EOU Member Posts: 250
    I don't know if they do it across all states but it was in NJ. I do think it's mentioned on BMW's website.
  • Firebird_EOUFirebird_EOU Member Posts: 250
    Would that have covered the damage when the car hit the curb? I know that they don't cover curb rash.

    Your wife would have to take picture of the center debris and it might still not be covered since you didn't run over the road hazard. What about if your wife swerved a deer laying on the road and hit the center curb, would that be covered?
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Not sure, but like I said, either way I spent the money. Not like the tire insurance was $300 & I didn't go for it. I ended up buying 4 new tires & 1 wheel from the dealership with less than 3000 miles to go on my lease.

    I'm financing my Acura through Chase & the loan includes gap insurance. My Dad is financing his Tahoe through gmac & they include gap insurance in ny.

    Car20guy - where in CT are you?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

Sign In or Register to comment.