[Oregonian]

Is this a Naive question?


Is there a How-To article on How to buy less than MSRP? :?:
good idea? :idea:

I would love to buy one here in portland OR or I will even go as far as 2-3 hours driving to get a good price!

Thanks for your help.

Todd

 

[ckole]

Go to edmunds.com. It lists invoice and msrp for all vehicles. I told the dealer I wanted to pay invoice with no dealer add-ons. It took a few tries but I found one that was willing to do it. Forget MSRP right now. They have been out long enough that some dealers should be willing to sell at invoice. They still make plenty of money when selling the car at dealer invoice. I bet when the 2004 models come out you will be able to get the 2003 for below invoice. Just be patient and commited to the price you are willing to pay.

- CK

 

[HEMan]

Go to this website. It will teach you all you need to know about how to get the best price on a vehicle.

http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Enjoy

 

[TheLusciousHellcat]

[quote:c1445a9706="ckole"]Go to edmunds.com. It lists invoice and msrp for all vehicles. I told the dealer I wanted to pay invoice with no dealer add-ons. It took a few tries but I found one that was willing to do it. Forget MSRP right now. They have been out long enough that some dealers should be willing to sell at invoice. They still make plenty of money when selling the car at dealer invoice. I bet when the 2004 models come out you will be able to get the 2003 for below invoice. Just be patient and commited to the price you are willing to pay.

- CK[/quote:c1445a9706]

I wanted to SEE the SOP before I made a committment to it. I've seen the Galapagos Green and loved it but something in me just said - "Go orange!"

I drove to Lute Riley Honda in Dallas today, knowing they had an SOP in stock. It was quite visible on the lot, even though the dealership is closed on Sundays. A salesman from LRH and I have been swapping emails.

Drove right up to it. Saw it. Loved it.

MSRP Sticker $19K and change.

It was a 5 speed, 2WD and I'm getting an automatic 4WD, and I'm also 2 weeks away from buying. So obviously this wasn't "my car."

Oh and lookee at the other sticker - way around on the other side on the windshield.

"Protection package" $599 - for sealant and the VIN # etching. Rubbish. I wouldn't pay a nickel for it. They should pay me to take it.

No other accessories or options that I could see.

Plus - get this "Market adjustment - $995."

SNORT! Sh'yeah right. Anyone who paid that deserves to get a pants down spanking.

But the salesman just emailed me about this vehicle or its twin (and I couldn't see its twin anywhere on the lot nor inside) with a $2k discount off MSRP for the 'internet price.'

Dealers will ask for everything they can get. And if they make $ off buyers doing so, that's their prerogative. It's my prerogative to be very well informed. MSRP is a joke. Invoice is a joke because it doesn't reflect true cost. Market adjustment is a joke. Protection packages are a joke.

Don't settle for MSRP. Try not to settle for invoice.

It's your money. It's worth it.

 

[robkap]

All due respec to Kim, but bear in mind that Oregon is MUCH tougher Element market than Texas.

 

[TheLusciousHellcat]

[quote:28316166f7="robkap"]All due respec to Kim, but bear in mind that Oregon is MUCH tougher Element market than Texas.[/quote:28316166f7]

It probably is.

I believe that the point I made - being a well informed buyer - would cover this factor.

If the well informed buyer finds she can't find a better deal than MSRP in Oregon or California or Nevada or Missouri or wherever, then that's what she's going to have to deal with, unless she wants to fly somewhere else to buy the car.

 

[yoko]

Here is the strategy I am using in order to get my E at invoice:

I have been using all the online car search sites and submitting my name to many local dealerships. When they answer, I tell them that I am buying a 4wd a/t E next month (or whatever date) and I will be paying invoice (19,722) or better. If they can meet or beat this price, please respond.

This weeds out the posers.

Now I have a list of 3 local dealers who will sell at invoice and one who will beat any quoted price by $100.

So I MAY be able to buy at $100 less than invoice...

This has been my strategy so far -- I will let you know how it plays out when I make the purchase.

Yoko

 

[amykoz]

My bank would only finance me up to sticker. Taxes are 6.5% where I live. So I needed to get the element for approx. $20000 and pay $1300 approx. in tax/fees. I researched and found out that the element invoiced for approx. $19722. Its MSRP was 21310 (20850+ 460 dest.) Dealer cost of $20182. ($1128 play room) There didn't appear to be too much room to move. I learned about dealer holdback. From what I understand, if they sell it soon after it arrives on the lot, it is extra profit.(2% of invoice I think-$394) I wanted the sunset orange pearl and it was kind of difficult to find. So I found out by dealership inventory searches who had it. I emailed the dealers and told them if I could get the element for tax, title and off the lot I would buy it that day. Do this toward the end of the month-they have quotas to meet. Most said they would knock $300-$500 off sticker right off the bat, but no one would go for what I wanted. On the net I discovered some dealership in N.H. was selling the element for $20222. (but not the color I wanted and too far away) I figured if they could sell it for that, someone else would. I let the dealers know that I had an offer of $20222, but I really wanted orange. One dealer finally agreed after a slow weekend. A local dealership had a price guarantee to meet other dealerships. So I took the email into them to see if they would meet it. They did. I signed the paperwork that day and had to wait a week for the sunset orange pearl to come in! So I only had to deal with approx. $300 over invoice including taxes. I think I got a good deal at $20222, Ive seen on this sight some have done better but I'm happpy. Good Luck!

 

[wendellg]

I bought mine through an broker at my credit union. He negotiated price for me and I got my "E" for $200 over invoice. It was a very painless process. I went to the dealer at a pre-arranged time. Met with the top salesperson there who gave me the keys and the rest was history. Luckily i got the last SMM one they had. Interestingly enuff, the day I closed the deal there were 7 people lined up to buy it if i didn't.

Check your credit union. Many offer this service free of charge.

Good luck!

 

[Oregonian]

1st of all:
I should thank all you guys soooo much. You are so good and so generous about sharing your knowledge, experiences and wisdom. Thank you thank thank you.

Thais is the deal I have got here in OPregon:

SOP, AWD, EX Automatic + keyless entry for $20,600.00

Is that good?

Todd

 

[ckole]

[quote:661958f6f0="Oregonian"]1st of all:
SOP, AWD, EX Automatic + keyless entry for $20,600.00
[/quote:661958f6f0]

Is that your out the door price? Or is this price before tax, dealer fees, etc. If it is out the door it seems like a pretty good price. I paid $20,170 plus tax with no keyless entry. They $400 difference between the 2 deals is practically nothing on your monthly payment if financed.

Enjoy you SOP!

- CK

 

[Oregonian]

Out the door price. No tax in our state of Oregon. Ther maybe license and registratin fees but that is usual.

Todd

 

[Element]

NO TAX :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

[pickupstix]

GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!

So the dealer I had decided to go with is changing their minds about the price quoted. Which is fine since I have a different dealer, who happens to be about 10 miles closer, to give me an even better price.

I am getting a 2WD EX Automatic for $18910. That's a $1000 below sticker and I am pretty satisfied with that. The're doc. fee is only $98.50, but I think I can get that taken off when I go in next thursday to make my purchase.


All you got to do is keep asking the dealers to beat each other's prices. HAVE THEM EMAIL YOU and you have record of the actual quote. This has worked really well with the 4 dealerships in my area.

from 19,910, 19,610, 19,500, 19410, 19,310, 19,250, 19100, 18910!!!

When a dealer can't beat or meet a price, he will tell you to go with that best quote. You will be hard pressed to find a better deal when they can't beat it anymore.