2013 and earlier Volkswagen Passat Prices Paid and Buying Experience

clscflm · August 2002

Thank you Car_Man and cephas1 for the replies! Wish me luck! ClscFlm

vwguild · August 2002

to add to Car_Man's post...Except to emphasis that this is NOT a *Rebate*...It is "Incentive
Money" to the Dealer, and the Dealer Cannot offer
both...Special Finance/Lease rates OR the $$$...
Program Rules...

CarMan@Edmunds · August 2002

You're welcome, clscflm. I am glad that I was able to help you out. Good luck in your quest for a new vehicle

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clscflm · August 2002

Car_Man, One more question: noticed that for my region (LA), TMV on 2002 Passat GLS is now *below* invoice (about $250). The TMV prices don't include the incentive mark down do they? I just want to know for sure that when I make my offer that I should do so not assuming any incentive offer and wait for the dealer response. Thanks, ClscFlm

CarMan@Edmunds · August 2002

Hi ClscFlm. Here is a quote from the explanation on this site of how Edmunds.com calculates the True Market Values for new vehicles (How We Calculate New TMV® Prices):

"Please note that the Edmunds.com base TMV new vehicle prices do not take into account the following items:

Manufacturer-to-consumer incentives or rebates - these are different from manufacturer-to-dealer incentives and don't affect the actual transaction price; the consumer generally has the choice to apply these funds against the sales price as a down payment, or to accept a check for the amount of the rebate or incentive."

I hope that this answers your question.

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vwguild · August 2002

to me...Rebates are Mfg. to Consumer Incentives...
And are Taxable...

The Incentive $$$ that we are talking about here with VW is Incentive $$$ to the Dealer, and NOT
Taxable and can be used by the Dealer to assist
moving 2002 Inventory...These Dollars cannot, repeat...Cannot be used with the subvented Volkswagen Credit Special Lease/Finance Rates...
These are the Program Rules. A choice must be made...no two bites
out of the apple, only one...

If the TMV Prices in LA are listed as $250 below
Invoice that assumes the Customer & Dealer will
take advantage of the Incentive Money and forego
the rates on every transaction...not always the case.

clscflm · August 2002

Thanks Car_Man again and to vwguild for your comments. I realize the TMV in my area is culled from a huge number of dealers, each of whom individually will make slightly different counters, but obviously I want to have the best negotiating position I can. That means not only being informed, but understanding what is going on in the process. The scariest thing about buying a car is drowning in the details that dealers often hurl at you. Thanks Edmunds for making it all much clearer. ClscFlm

vwnew · August 2002

Hey all,

Thanks for all of your help/advice regarding the Passat. I just bought my new '02 Passat, and am loving it (the violet & red dash is sooo cool)!

I paid $22.5 for it (1.8T w/ Monsoon, lux, homelink). I guess it's a little high, but it seemed that dealers in my area weren't willing to come down below that. I guess with holdback & incentive, they made some good money off me, but in the end, I'm still pretty happy. Thanks again for the tips!!!!

stickguy · August 2002

A friend is about to hit the market for an '03 GLS, 1.8 with tip. ANy idea of what the prevailing market conditions are? $500 over invoice? $1,000?

vwguild · August 2002

Congratulations!!! And Welcome to the Volkswagen
Family...

As to what you paid...Just pretend that you paid
what one of your customers paid you or the firm that you work for your product or service...And that the profit/salary that you made enabled you to buy the car...Think about it...

passage · August 2002

Hi All,
I visited local VW dealer today to test drive passat gls 1.8 T, automatic. Fun car!

My only option was to drive and consider the 2002 test-drive vehicle (with over 2000 miles on it). I guess he won't let anyone drive a 2003 until next week --for whatever reason.

It was a 2002 GLS 1.8T with "everything but leather," as the friendly and intense salesperson noted with pride. {i.e., luxury package, tiptronic automatic transmission, monsoon sound, cold weather package, and homelink.}

The sticker MSRP was $25,705. (Already $600 over msrp listed in stoneage.com).

The salesman offered the price of $23,988.
He was very professional and sounded very serious --seriously confident that someone would (should?)pay this for a charming car from last year with over 2k miles.

My research says invoice for 2002 model with these options is $22,877. And I've read in this discussion about people getting below invoice (and well before Memorial Day).

So what gives? Any comments on pricing or market conditions in southeast Michigan. Is this what we're paying for all the nice reviews Passat has been getting these past few years?

Should I pass on the passat?

thanks,
passage

raybear · August 2002

What, you grew roots? Isn't there more than one dealer in Michigan?

passage · August 2002

Thanks for reminder! I have contacted about eight other dealers. I know that's important in this project!
passage

dcmike · August 2002

Hello all. First time posting on the Passat board. Was about to buy an Altima, but just didn't think I could get past the interior. Decided to look at Passat 1.8T and was definitely impressed (liked the car, not crazy about the dealership though). Tried the blast e-mail approach and received the following offer:

2002 Passat 1.8T
Reflex Silver
Automatic with Tiptronic
Leather Package
Luxury Package
Homelink
Monsoon
$23,999.00 plus taxes and tags (no processing fee)

The vehicle is in stock, and the Internet manager claims the deal is only good until the end of the month. What do you think?

jsgnfwtx · August 2002

Three weeks ago a friend an I purchased 2003 Passat GLX station wagons. Mine was $250.00 over invoice. My friend paid $450.00 over invoice since the dealer had to truck the car in from nearly 200 miles away. We purchased our Passats from Autobahn VW in Fort Worth TX. Our salesperson was Sam Fowler who provided us one of the best car buying experiences I have ever enjoyed (I trade cars every two years). If you are in the Fort Worth/Dallas area, I encourage you to visit Sam Fowler at Autobahn VW. With nearly 1000 miles on my car, I am incredibly pleased and impressed with the Passat. Build quality is top notch. The fun to drive factor is off the graph.

lumbar · August 2002

I'd say a little high if my figures are right, once you subtract dealer cash and holdback from invoice I get about 22850 dealer cost. First price is rarely the lowest but if that's the exact car you want, including the extras....

R U in or around DC as your handle might indicate?

vwguild · August 2002

These people are idiots...Grab your check book
and head down first thing in the AM...Invoice on this Passat is $24,626.00...But do not expect any
special financing help from Volkswagen Credit...
Not available with this price structure...

preludexl · August 2002

that's a great price isn't it? I am looking for the same model with the luxury and maybe leather as well the dealer told me a few hudred below invoice...what's the invoice price on this car? Also, couldnt decide to get auto or manual. It has a sweet manual that I drove and loved...but unfortunately traffic jams take the thrill away most of the time. What area do you live in? The dealer here doesnt even have any in stock. Veedubs are hot sellers here in vegas.

preludexl · August 2002

Which state and city do you live in and are they still offering 0.9%? Also did you get the lux and leather package? thanks

yenyen · August 2002

I live in the Boston area. Not sure if they are still offering 0.9%, but there should be a $1000+ rebate for 2002 models.
My passat doesn't have lux or leather package.

andrewdna · August 2002

Used to have a girl named that with a crush on me. Anyway, I hope you like your car. I test drove the GLX manual last night and it was a sweet car...drove the 1.8T auto this morning and I didnt like the way the car jumps from rest, the engine revved louder than I like.

For the folks here who have a Costco membership...the price is $24,107 for 1.8T auto/GLS with the following options.

leather package
luxury package
cold weather (included with the leather package)

I don't know if this is the exact price or not, but this is definitely the price you can get it thru costco.

THe price is $21413 without leather/luxury package.

vwnew · August 2002

I think I ended up with a reasonably good deal for the 1.8T lux etc. I figured the dealer made a few hundred off me, but I really checked around with *a lot* before buying it (I live in NJ), and even though dealers should have been itching to get the '02s off their lots, none were willing to come down below $22.5. BTW, mine's automatic w/tiptronic. I really like it...in traffic it's good, but when I want to shift over I can. For invoice price, I used Edmunds and carsdirect. It seemed about $23.3. Then I factored in the $1200 incentive. Good luck...

kabadsv · September 2002

Folks,
Last Friday, I purchased a 2003 Passat GL w/ Automatic Transmission and Cold Weather Package, Fresco Green with Black Velour. I am posting my experience to help future buyers. I live in Indianapolis and visited 2 dealers, Tom Wood VW and Speedway VW. I did most of my dealing via email and phone. I eventually purchased my car from Speedway VW as they offered me the best price (see details below). I should mention that the car has 149 miles on it.

$21845 (Including Destination Charge)
$100 (Cold Weather Package)
$1097.25 (Sales Tax)
$60 (Dealer Documentation Fee)
$1.25 (Tire Tax)

$23103.50 (Total Cost )

The invoice price is $19,790 (Base Price) + $575 (Destination Charge) + $1073 (Auto Tranny) + $275 (Cold Weather) = $21,713. So I paid about 1.1 percent over invoice. Initially I did not want the Cold Weather Package (Cost = $21,845), but as the dealer did not have the car that I wanted, he threw in the Cold Weather Package for $100, making the cost $21,945. I feel satisfied with the purchase.

I highly recommend Tom Wood VW also (see Dave Kraft), for their excellent customer service. For the same car (excluding Cold Weather Package), Tom Wood offered me a $22380 + Sales Tax = $23,500.

Hope this helps.

CarMan@Edmunds · September 2002

Thanks for the informative post, kabadsv. Real world examples are great for consumers who are in the market for new vehicles. Keep 'em coming folks

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ohpassat · September 2002

Thank you for your post! I'm trying to buy an automatic 03 Passat GL. In central Ohio, they all come with the monsoon and cold weather package, which I don't want. None of the dealers here will work with me on that - no one has offered to try to find one or order one without these packages.

Also, has anyone heard of a $317 port charge? The invoice price I have is 19,790 + 1073 (auto) + 575 (dest. charge) + 287 (cold weather) + 287 (monsoon) = 22,012. Their invoice is 22,329, including the 317 port charge. I'm tempted to drive to Indy.

kabadsv · September 2002

My car was unavailable in Indiana and was ordered from Ohio. I was also told by the dealer that most Passats sold in the mid-west come with atleast a cold weather package. It is extremely rare that one is available without a cold-weather package. It would be worth the drive to Indy if you get the car that you want.

ohpassat · September 2002

Another dealer told me what the "port" charge is - $150 floorplan fee, $200 ad fess, $25 dealer prep. They are adding it into their "invoice" price. Has anyone else come across this?

clscflm · September 2002

Just a quick clarification: I know it states on the Incentives/Rebates screen that TMV factors in the cash back (if its available) -- but does it? The screen also states "No Cash Available at This Time." I know dealers are not obligated to pass incentives on, but *is* the $1250 incentive still there for 2002 Passats -- and is that included in the TMV prices? L.A. prices just shot up, which must mean the 2002s are getting more and more scarce... And me just on the edge of buying... Thanks, ClscFlm

raybear · September 2002

The cash back to the dealer does not apply if you take the low rate financing. Better move fast, they're out of cars at a few dealerships.

clscflm · September 2002

Thanks Raybear. I know the cash-back is not involved with special financing. And is it part of the TMV? I can't make my pitch until I sell my old car and am finally closing with a buyer. Hopefully somewhere in SoCal is a 2002 Passat waiting for me. ClscFlm

KCRam · September 2002

TMV does not include rebates or incentives because they vary from region to region, and not everyone will qualify for them. The number you see is average selling price without rebates.

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clscflm · September 2002

Thanks Kcram! ClscFlm

mliong · September 2002

Do they ask people who bought their cars?

janbaldy · September 2002

vwnew Aug 25, 2002 12:41pm

What is the name of the interior that sports a violet dashboard?

jpvwaudi · September 2002

these charges are REAL. If you run across a salesman weak enough to whip out the invoice you will see these charges listed on the bottom left hand side. The dealership actually has to pay for these charges believe it or not. Even when we buy a car from another dealership ( a dealer trade when they don't want a car back) WE pay these fees. My dealership doesn't get charged for an advertising fee on our invoices, but if we are buying a car from one who does WE PAY IT. Its real money. We offer the best most affordable, safest, best equipped sedan in the world for a reasonable price and reasonable profit; if you would like to buy a car for invoice, talk to your local Hyundai, Ford, Chrysler, Chevy, Honda, or Toyota dealership. Yes, you WILL pay us a profit, but that's one reason Volkswagen, according to ALG, has the highest resale value of any non-luxury brand in America.

<<Getting off of my soap box and admiring my Passat Demo>>

JP

lumbar · September 2002

I suppose whether VW offers the "most affordable, safest, best equipped sedan in the world..." is a matter of perspective, particulary if one is in the business. However, the reference to ALG and "resale" value (as opposed to residual value)led me to think a quote from the Wall St Journal article on this year's ALG "winners" might be in order, particularly with regard to any suggestion that ALG rankings necessarily reflect on the quality of the car, as opposed to who does or does not play the incentive game. FWIW---

"When Automotive Lease Guide assigns a residual value to a car or truck, it bases its judgment on a variety of factors, including consumer appeal and levels of production. Surprisingly, quality isn't the most important factor in determining the score, though it counts. Volkswagen and Mercedes, for example, have been hit with reports of quality problems in recent years. In fact, Volkswagen ranked behind Detroit's Big Three in the most recent J.D. Power and Associates survey of new-vehicle quality.

"Appeal is a stronger factor than initial quality" in determining a car's future value, says Raj Sundaram, president of ALG . While appeal is a somewhat intangible value akin to sexiness and prestige, it can actually be measured. One of Mr. Sundaram's yardsticks: He looks at whether a vehicle is in short supply and whether people are paying more or less than sticker price. ALG , based in Santa Barbara, Calif., also checks the reviews in car-buff books and mainstream media to get a sense of buzz.

Another key factor in calculating a vehicle's score is pricing strategy. Too many incentives can lower the residual, with cash incentives making more of a difference than lower loan rates. Other factors include how many vehicles are sold to rental-car and other fleet companies.

Some European car makers, by not selling to car-rental companies and limiting incentives, have kept their residual values high. VW and Mercedes "don't play the fleet game," noted Mr. Sundaram."

KCRam · September 2002

Hi mliong

Here's a link as to how we calculate TMV:

Edmunds.com New Vehicle TMV

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mliong · September 2002

andrewdna · September 2002

maestro5453 · September 2002

I was offered a price of $25,870 on an '03 Passat GLS 1.8T wagon with leather, Monsoon, and Homelink. Is this a good deal?

nerd · September 2002

Assuming the car has the manual transmission, the dealer offered a reasonable deal. If it is an auto trans, it looks like a good deal. Check the pricing in the New Car section of Edmunds' website.

maestro5453 · September 2002

Sorry about post 1742--too quick on the trigger.
Yes, it's an automatic. As for Edmunds' new car section, invoice prices haven't been posted yet--that's why I'm trying to get the board's opinion.

ohpassat · October 2002

I just took delivery of my 03 Passat GLS automatic with leather, monsoon, and homelink. The price was $24,205 (car), $50 (doc fee), $1394 (tax), $15 (title). (I live in Central Ohio.) Hope this helps people looking for prices.

kelvinleung · October 2002

Got a deal from there, $500 over total invoice. GLS 1.8T manual with leather, monsoon, homelink $23600. Can't beat it. Earnhardt in Glendale, AZ offers $600 over invoice.

ajayme · October 2002

I was quoted $300 over invoice for a Passat GLX w/o 4 motion.

mliong · October 2002

Did you price compare with Camelback VW? Just curious.

welst10 · October 2002

Hi, anyone here fron northern NJ? If yes, do you know which VW dealers in the area are decent? Thanks a lot.

kelvinleung · October 2002

I haven't but the sales team in Chapman is really cool. No pushing at all even though they have a tough September

mliong · October 2002

I was wondering if VW has any special incentives for October?

vwguild · October 2002

for 2002, but for 2003 they start at 2.9/24 - 4.5/60...Just out this morning...

2013 and earlier Volkswagen Passat Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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