$12k and under tips and dealer installed cruise?

[rufwork]

We're looking at bare bones Versas + A/C + ABS (list $12,090), and so far the dealers we've contacted are trying to stay right at sticker.

Are there other bargaining chips? I've had a dealer say they could find a radio sitting around somewhere to slap in it, which is a start, but really isn't anything I couldn't do.

Anyone gotten a dealer-installed cruise? I know there's a cruise package for the fancier trim levels, but want to stay at the 1.6 sedan, one step above Base for the A/C. Has anyone gotten the dealer to install a cruise after purchasing?

Also, the prices on the dealer experience thread here for hatchbacks and nicer trim seem pretty close to the list for the 1.6. Any advice on how to get the best car for at or under $12k?

Thanks!

[Infinitiguy19]

No offence but you should post this topic in here: car-buying-advice-financing-warranty-insurance.html

Good luck with the Versa!

[rufwork]

/smack That was stupid. Not sure how I missed that forum. Guess I figured since I wanted a Versa, I should post in the Versa forums where it seemed to fit best.

Thanks for setting me straight.

[aidan80]

We're looking at bare bones Versas + A/C + ABS (list $12,090), and so far the dealers we've contacted are trying to stay right at sticker.

Are there other bargaining chips? I've had a dealer say they could find a radio sitting around somewhere to slap in it, which is a start, but really isn't anything I couldn't do.

Anyone gotten a dealer-installed cruise? I know there's a cruise package for the fancier trim levels, but want to stay at the 1.6 sedan, one step above Base for the A/C. Has anyone gotten the dealer to install a cruise after purchasing?

Also, the prices on the dealer experience thread here for hatchbacks and nicer trim seem pretty close to the list for the 1.6. Any advice on how to get the best car for at or under $12k?

Thanks!

I agree do check out the car buying advice link!

I was actually in the same boat as you not too long ago. I wanted just the bare bones to get me back and forth to work had set my sights on a black 1.6 manual with air, abs as the minimum. However when I went on the hunt for such a car I found there basically wasn't very many out there and none I could get a deal on. I settled on a 1.8S hatch and I really did want the hatch over the 1.6's trunk that didn't have folding down seats. I got the bare bones 1.8S, 6 Speed Manual, Stereo, A/C but no ABS. I paid out the door $13,500 inc tax, title, tag, dealer fee's etc.

I think you stand to get a better deal on a 1.8 vs a 1.6 there just seem to be a lot more 1.8's out there. When searching for prices one of the things I did because I did come across a dealership that demanded I pay the sticker price. I created a list in excel, dealer name, contact person, phone number/email, price quoted out the door etc. Then I started emailing dealers from Florida's gulf coast to it's Atlantic coast! I kept on hammering away and telling them I was getting better prices elsewhere to see how low they would go. Also keep in mind you must get a quotation from them something in writing that says this is the price they are offering the car at because if you should up on just their word you might leave very disappointed. These people are more slippery than a room full of politicians.

In the end a nice guy on this forum helped me get employee pricing which did shave a few more $$ off the prices I was being quoted at the time. I would suggest emailing back and forth between the dealers, don't let em know you really want that car make em think it's either that or something else e.g. the Fit, yaris etc lol Mess with their heads and do what needs to be done to get what you need. Sounds bad I know but there are plenty of dealers out there that will take you for every penny. When it comes to car buying it's basically war you have to secure all you can which sounds selfish but that's how I thought of it instead of thinking that sales man is a really nice guy that wants to help me. Yes he wants to help separate me from my money and as much of it as possible lol.

Good Luck!

[rufwork]

Thanks for the reply. Turns out I got a better reply here than in the other forum -- there they thought the hatchback was cheaper. Guess they didn't know about the 1.6.

It does sound like exactly the same boat. First price we got on paper was $11,898 with A/C and ABS. I'm perhaps too stingy -- $13,500 sounds good for the 1.8, but if I can save $1000 by going 1.6, I'd probably do it. Penny wise and pound foolish, perhaps.

I keep trying to convince my wife to go with the A/C-less model, but we're far enough south that's a non-starter. "We could just drive it 9 months of the year!" didn't fly.

I'll post some more numbers if we keep looking. At some point, though, I worry I'll have done $1500 of work for $1000 of savings! Thanks again.

[versanewb]

It does sound like exactly the same boat. First price we got on paper was $11,898 with A/C and ABS. I'm perhaps too stingy -- $13,500 sounds good for the 1.8, but if I can save $1000 by going 1.6, I'd probably do it. Penny wise and pound foolish, perhaps.

Not necessarily. If you are mostly interested in gas mileage, the 1.6 is a great choice.