Hi all,

Ive been reading through the boards and have finally decided to jump in. I currently own a 1997 F-150. After getting a dismal 14mpg this year and gas prices are rising....well its time.

I have decided on getting a 2002, but theres a catch...I need to get it at the right price.

I have found one dealer that will work with the customer pretty well, but as you know the first offer is the most crucial as you could offend the dealer. I also have a cash deposit as well as a possible trade (depending on what they offer).

My question is reguarding the price of the new car. I realize I could probably get a 2001 for less when the 2002's are released (which I may do) but first I want to shoot for a 2002.

The price I have seen on a 2001 CLS loaded with Navi is about 33,347. I need to get that down to 30,000 or 31,000. Realizing that the longer the car sits on the lot, the more the dealer has to pay...what should I try and do? (Get one when they first come out, put in a down payment and order one, etc.) I'm looking at the Satin Silver w/ Ebony interior (no wing or mud flaps). How can I get them to take off the wing and flaps and any other dealer add on...

This is my first time purchasing a car on my own. Thanks!

 

Go to carsdirect.com and print off their price to go in to the dealer with. It is $30,599. Tell him to beat it by $200, still above invoice by $400. Pick one that doesn't already have the spoiler. If they don't have one, tell them to find you one and to call you when it is ready to pick up. Don't mess around on the price. Tell them exactly what you want and exactly what you will pay. This will only work if you have excellent credit with a FICA score of over 700.

If you decide to trade in, work on that deal seperately... Go to KBB.com and print off the trade in and retail value of your car. Set the price you want to get and be a hard ass until you get it. I always feel like a jerk when I buy cars but I usually buy one every 6-12 months and this method works. Also, go to the dealer on the last day of the month. They are more likely to make you a deal to meet their quota and maybe get a factory incentive. This is also true if you can go when there is crappy weather outside. They are more likely to deal. If you have to, walk out. My Acura dealership chased me down twice after I was already in my car driving off.

Expect to get close to trade in on your car and don't settle for less.

I guarantee these methods will work!!!

-Ash

 

buy a 2001 as there is virtually no diff in the 2002. second, go to edmunds.com and look up the deler invoice. you should not pay 1 penny more then invoice plus delivery. there are cars available, so you should get it exactly the way you want it. do not buy anything else from the dealer such as extended warranties or coatings for paint. if you cannot negotiate with the dealer, walk out and go to another one, you will get it i promise(if you stay tuff).good luck

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01 BLK/BLK CL-S, FACTORY SPOILER, K/N DROP IN
98 INFINITI I30T
99 MAXIMA SE

 

Thanks guys...one tidbit. I have no credit (not good/not bad) just never had a credit card.

Can they check based on a mortgage or something?

 

Welcome!!!!
you will probably have better luck with an 01 given your budget. Most dealers get a bonus from the factory if they sell a certain number of cars in a month. Wait till the end of the month and work a deal with them. There have been a few in the bay area being advertised for 29.5k.

FYI the wings require holes in the trunk lid.

Good luck.



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01 CL-S Black/Tan
Comptech Springs, V1
Polarg M-4's driving lights, maps, and doors.

 

If you have a mortgage or a car payment and never any credit cards, I'm sure your credit rating is fine. As long as nothing is late. You could always go to edmunds.com and find the link to get your credit report with the FICA score for about $8.00 It would be good ammo to go into the dealership with.

 

good luck man, I had a credit limit of 2000 before I got this car and put 10000 down and they were going to give me 14%apr.

then they asked what kind of a job I have and I told them im a network engineer and they cut the apr to 11%. still high. try to get a better deal on the apr than the actual cost.

http://carpoint.msn.com/finance_insu...Home&pos=Tool4

thats a link of a good finace calculator. try punching in numbers and see how much your really gonna have to pay.

oh and extra stuff like wings and mud guards they don't add it on until you ask for it.

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CL-S
White/Ebony/Navi/Spoiler/Visor/Full Bra/Mud Guards/Acura Car Cover/Tint 20%,35%,5% on Sun Roof, Rockford 250a2 Amp w/JL10w6 / K&N Drop in Filter. Comptech Springs. Polarg m-6.
Comptech Headers, Comptech Sways, Eurolite Xenon Crystal high beams.
me.

gtech 0-60 6.03 w/ 438 pound load. preheader.

 

When are you buying? A lot can depend on when you buy (time of the month and month of the year). Dealers are more apt to make good deals on the last day of the month or close to it so they can get that one more car in on the tally sheet. Also, some times of the year they're more strapped. You got a while before the 2002's will be here so you should do some research on this. There will probably be some very very minor changes for 2002 (like autoup on the drivers window), but other than that it'll probably remain the same. I doubt there will be any big differences like hp or some other things some people are talking about so if you don't want to wait until October you'll have to get a 2001.

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2001 Acura 3.2TL Non-Navi
Satin Silver
35% Metal Tint

 

11% thats horrible.

I thought it went by the percent rating at the time (right now its 6.?% apr). Would it be better to get a loan from the bank for the remaining amount or a second mortgage rather than finance through the dealer?

 

Ashburner,

The price in my area is 30,699, you must live close to me.

Do you think asking for 30,699 (that includes tax, title, tags) is too much? They hit us with that on the F-150, got it for 25,000 but had to pay extra for the tax, title, and tags (they wouldn't budge).

 

dont forget the navi bro

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01 silver cl-s
k&n air filter
piaa 19169
cannon winter floor mats

 

30,699 includes the Navi (couldn't forget that)

Just got back from a dealer 20 miles from here that is supposed to be really good. He had my exact car on the lot (sans spoiler), however this dealer prepped it with splash guards and a pin stripe. The splash guards I can live with, but the pinstripe has to go.

Can anyone comment on maintenance prices as opposed to american car maintenance prices? I usually go to the dealer for 5k incremental maintenance, I understand the CL can go 7.5K...