New member saying hello
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10th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10
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New member saying hello
First and foremost I would like to say that I think the whole community of this site is superb and now that I am purchasing a new vehicle from Acura it is hugely due to many of the forums here.
Now a little about myself. I live in suburbs near Chicago and currently drive a 1999 Toyota Corolla CE with 91,000 miles on the odometer. After looking primarily at a used Infiniti g35c, Acura TL, Acura TSX and Lexus IS250, I have decided to go with a Pre-certified 2004 Acura TL. For many reasons (most importantly practicality), this is clearly the best option for me.
I test drove the g35c and the TL again last week and I really prefer the TL more. Plus it's a better value in more ways than one. My question is simple. KBB gives a trade-in value of $25,775 with 15,000 miles on the odometer for the TL. But the TL I test-drove had 30k mi and was priced at $25k with the trade-in. Bad deal? Probably.
This is the first used car I will have purchased, what are some pointers you guys can give me? Private seller or dealer? What is a good price I should negotiate for for an '04 TL? Thanks, and once again it's great to finally join the community instead of just watching it.
Now a little about myself. I live in suburbs near Chicago and currently drive a 1999 Toyota Corolla CE with 91,000 miles on the odometer. After looking primarily at a used Infiniti g35c, Acura TL, Acura TSX and Lexus IS250, I have decided to go with a Pre-certified 2004 Acura TL. For many reasons (most importantly practicality), this is clearly the best option for me.
I test drove the g35c and the TL again last week and I really prefer the TL more. Plus it's a better value in more ways than one. My question is simple. KBB gives a trade-in value of $25,775 with 15,000 miles on the odometer for the TL. But the TL I test-drove had 30k mi and was priced at $25k with the trade-in. Bad deal? Probably.
This is the first used car I will have purchased, what are some pointers you guys can give me? Private seller or dealer? What is a good price I should negotiate for for an '04 TL? Thanks, and once again it's great to finally join the community instead of just watching it.
IDontRideFastIJustFlyLow
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: GA
i just bought a one owner , clear title 04TL anthracite quartz , 15985 miles for 26500 out the door a month and half ago, make sure about the taxes , i saw a bunch of them b4 i got this deal. i got mine at a infinity dealer, he had the tl on the lot since a long time , its like brand new. look everywhere online and all dealers for what u want and check them out one will be a good deal from the lot.
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Gunsnroses316
i just bought a one owner , clear title 04TL anthracite quartz , 15985 miles for 26500 out the door a month and half ago, make sure about the taxes , i saw a bunch of them b4 i got this deal. i got mine at a infinity dealer, he had the tl on the lot since a long time , its like brand new. look everywhere online and all dealers for what u want and check them out one will be a good deal from the lot.
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
As GNR said, be sure about taxes. I purchased a pristine 04' 6sp non navi w/33k a month ago private sale (through Black market on this forum!) for 26000. In the lovely state of Georgia, you do not pay tax on private sale autos (in or out of state). This saved me 7% on the purchase price as compared to buying at a dealer.
As for your deal - sell your car solo (I've had great luck with autotrader.com) if you want the most bang for your buck. Dealers in general won't give you a great deal until a few follow up calls. I would be willing to bet they've called you back if you didnt buy that TL. Even then you'll be paying a retail price. I was looking at dealers around here, and you can't touch an '04 for under $28k (non navi) - which is around $30k after tax - so I am a happy new owner.
Hope this has helped, good luck on your search - and welcome to the forum!
As for your deal - sell your car solo (I've had great luck with autotrader.com) if you want the most bang for your buck. Dealers in general won't give you a great deal until a few follow up calls. I would be willing to bet they've called you back if you didnt buy that TL. Even then you'll be paying a retail price. I was looking at dealers around here, and you can't touch an '04 for under $28k (non navi) - which is around $30k after tax - so I am a happy new owner.
Hope this has helped, good luck on your search - and welcome to the forum!
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Hows this for a totally dumb comment - Just Do It!
Seriously...you could research the dealer pricing in Consumer Reports or by buying a "new car price report" from them for about $12 - I believe they also sell used car reports....but they may not be any better than what you could get from Kelly Blue Book online....the new car reports are definately worth it though.
Seriously...you could research the dealer pricing in Consumer Reports or by buying a "new car price report" from them for about $12 - I believe they also sell used car reports....but they may not be any better than what you could get from Kelly Blue Book online....the new car reports are definately worth it though.
i live in Chicago as well .. hit up Continental, McGrath, Pauli, (all the chicagoland Acura's that'll have the pre-cert cars). Call ahead and make appointments w/ salemen before going -- that's my advice. It shows you're more interested as opposed to just walking in w/o calling to inquire about a car (my opinion, some may disagree). Let them know you're looking for a specific car, and you're looking to pay a certain type of car (year and mileage) rather than saying you're willing to spend a certain amount of money. I find that if you reverse the two strategies (tell them a goal $$$ you're looking to spend) they'll then find ways to "justify" you spending say $25k (for example) on a TL that's not worth $25k... they'll even "drop the price" down from $27k to make it seem like a great deal. Shoot for the year/mileage, and then have them give you their bottom line offer first.
Once you have their bottom line offer on a car you like, ask them if they can go any lower, and if they're reluctant, get up, thank him for his/her time, and start walking out the door, letting him/her know you're gunna check out some other places. MOst smart salespeople will not let you just walk out w/o further inquiring about what price you want "that car to be" or "what can I do to get you to buy this car today" etc.
Best of luck, and don't fall in love w/ that first TL at the first dealership you visit .. despite how great the price may be (unless it's ridiculously great). Force yourself to check out other dealerships to see their other negotiating strategies.
Once you have their bottom line offer on a car you like, ask them if they can go any lower, and if they're reluctant, get up, thank him for his/her time, and start walking out the door, letting him/her know you're gunna check out some other places. MOst smart salespeople will not let you just walk out w/o further inquiring about what price you want "that car to be" or "what can I do to get you to buy this car today" etc.
Best of luck, and don't fall in love w/ that first TL at the first dealership you visit .. despite how great the price may be (unless it's ridiculously great). Force yourself to check out other dealerships to see their other negotiating strategies.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 15,295
Likes: 131
From: IL
Welcome to the board!
Feel free to check out the 3G Garage, lots of useful info:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84831
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