Congrats on the new car, Jeff! We found a bargain-basement 1999 Sienna that we're picking up next weekend. It seems very new and luxurious to us! :whoopie:
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Anyone buy a new car recently?
- Thread starter JeffW
- Start date
JeffW
TUG Member
She got the sedan, she decided she didn't like the looks of the hatchbacks (Mazda 3, Toyota Matrix, etc.).
The rareness is debateable. From research I did, there were less than 3700 SP23's made in 2005. While most of the extra features were available as options on the GT model, finding one is not that easy.
I was encountering the same problem when I was looking for used Corolla's: there's tons of them out there, but it drops a lot when looking for the top of the line LE model, and really drops in availability when looking for ones with the options such as ABS and air bags.
It wasn't like I could walk away from this dealership saying, "a dealership 20miles away is listing one for $800 less." I did some looking, I'm not sure I saw any others (except on ebay, w/o all the features, and 1000 miles away).
I think the SP23 had same differences vs the GT. I'm not sure if I was buying new, I necessarily would have moved up the the SP23 from a loaded GT. However, since the SP23 was what was available to us now, we're happy to take it.
Jeff
The rareness is debateable. From research I did, there were less than 3700 SP23's made in 2005. While most of the extra features were available as options on the GT model, finding one is not that easy.
I was encountering the same problem when I was looking for used Corolla's: there's tons of them out there, but it drops a lot when looking for the top of the line LE model, and really drops in availability when looking for ones with the options such as ABS and air bags.
It wasn't like I could walk away from this dealership saying, "a dealership 20miles away is listing one for $800 less." I did some looking, I'm not sure I saw any others (except on ebay, w/o all the features, and 1000 miles away).
I think the SP23 had same differences vs the GT. I'm not sure if I was buying new, I necessarily would have moved up the the SP23 from a loaded GT. However, since the SP23 was what was available to us now, we're happy to take it.
Jeff
I just bought a 2009 EX-L Honda Accord yesterday. They took $3000 off of the sticker price.....I think I got a fair deal. It was time for something a little newer and I hope I like it. Currently have a Toyota Avalon and a Subaru Outback wagon but will get rid of the Avalon.
Something my office mate did successfully a couple years ago and recently appeared in an article in consumer reports was to play dealers against each other in a bidding war.
The first thing you do is identify what car you want, make/model options and color...which you do when making test drives and what not.
Once you have that figured out, you can talk to the sales people you spoke with and get their best price. Many, if not most dealerships have and internet sales department and you can ask them to give you a price via e-mail. It helps to have at least 4 or more dealerships to work with.
Then take the best price, and tell the #2 & #3 offers that you've been offered whatever that best price is and see if they will beat it. At some point they will all come in within $100 or less of each other and then you've got the bottom price and pick one.
It took her about three days of going back and forth via e-mail and phone, but in the end saved a bunch, knew where the bottom was on this car and came away happy.
fyi..
The first thing you do is identify what car you want, make/model options and color...which you do when making test drives and what not.
Once you have that figured out, you can talk to the sales people you spoke with and get their best price. Many, if not most dealerships have and internet sales department and you can ask them to give you a price via e-mail. It helps to have at least 4 or more dealerships to work with.
Then take the best price, and tell the #2 & #3 offers that you've been offered whatever that best price is and see if they will beat it. At some point they will all come in within $100 or less of each other and then you've got the bottom price and pick one.
It took her about three days of going back and forth via e-mail and phone, but in the end saved a bunch, knew where the bottom was on this car and came away happy.
fyi..
I'm glad you bought the car. I hope she likes it.
I'll throw in my story for a minute to show how things change really fast in the world of cars.
A year ago I wanted a new Honda CRV - EX. All of the dealers wanted MSRP and had financing for 5.9%.
I just bought one in September for invoice and I financed it at 1.9%.
You can get pretty much whatever you want for less than a year ago.
My observation is that the higher end SUVs and sedans are the best bargain with many being offered for as much as 15k off MSRP.
I'll throw in my story for a minute to show how things change really fast in the world of cars.
A year ago I wanted a new Honda CRV - EX. All of the dealers wanted MSRP and had financing for 5.9%.
I just bought one in September for invoice and I financed it at 1.9%.
You can get pretty much whatever you want for less than a year ago.
My observation is that the higher end SUVs and sedans are the best bargain with many being offered for as much as 15k off MSRP.
JeffW
TUG Member
For UWSurfer, I did pretty much the exact thing a few years ago when I bought my new Acura. Faxed 6 local dealers basically an RFQ (Request for Quote), listing model I wanted, and some additional accessories (some decent ones: remote starte, LoJack). I wanted a dealer that could do all the work, plus all I really cared about was the bottom line - I figured they might discount the car if they knew they could make some profit on the accessories. I mentioned I was contacting other dealers, so I assume I'd get some accurate prices without a lot if in-person negotiation.
I took the effective lowest price to my preferred dealer (closest to my house), who matched the price. Strangely, all the accessories (parts + labor) he listed at full price, but then discounted the purchase price of the car to end up matching the overall total. I think I had an agreement on the price within 5 minutes of talking to him (of course he did the "I need to talk to my manager first" routine).
Big Matt, there are definite deals out, especially on new cars. The whole "price compression" issue (difference between new and used) was what started the thread. For what we paid, we could have gotten a new car, but in a sense "stripped". What we gave up in new car, and one with less/no miles, we picked up in what I consider to be a very loaded car (no way I'd find a new car with heater leather seats, 6 air bags, HID headlights, to name a few, for less than $15k). My wife doesn't drives very little, so she doesn't need the extra life expectancy that a newer car might provide.
Jeff
I took the effective lowest price to my preferred dealer (closest to my house), who matched the price. Strangely, all the accessories (parts + labor) he listed at full price, but then discounted the purchase price of the car to end up matching the overall total. I think I had an agreement on the price within 5 minutes of talking to him (of course he did the "I need to talk to my manager first" routine).
Big Matt, there are definite deals out, especially on new cars. The whole "price compression" issue (difference between new and used) was what started the thread. For what we paid, we could have gotten a new car, but in a sense "stripped". What we gave up in new car, and one with less/no miles, we picked up in what I consider to be a very loaded car (no way I'd find a new car with heater leather seats, 6 air bags, HID headlights, to name a few, for less than $15k). My wife doesn't drives very little, so she doesn't need the extra life expectancy that a newer car might provide.
Jeff
Congrats to your wife, sounds like a very nice car....after 20 years of new European car purchase every 3 to 5 years, I just purchased a 3 year old Certified Volvo S60....has all the safety features and luxury of new at less than half the price....I've been wondering why I haven't gone this route sooner 