Buying a Versa

[Zooville]

Okay, I've read many of the posts, I've checked out the pics and now I know what I want in a Versa. I check everyone's inventory online, can't find what I want (very simple, S model, no packages, automatic...couple diff color choices). So I call a dealer, say this is what I want. Of course he says he'll do everything he can to get what I want. My question.... Do I just plan on paying MSRP? How do you approach paying less when you are basically ordering what you want? Sometimes I see people say the dealer threw in floor mats or this or that....how do you get that to happen???? This may be car buying 101 , but it's nice to have somewhere to ask!!

Thanks for any advice!

[Cowboys Fan 87]

Until supply is greater than demand, yes you can expect to pay MSRP. Most everyone on here did....a few were given some breaks. I paid MSRP. When you are buying hot off the truck, you can expect that. As for getting a deal because you special order.....IMO...the dealer knows he has EXACTLY what you want and he won't budge on the price.....and since he already has your deposit...he's right.

You are most likely to get "freebies" if you finance your car at the lot and the rate isn't that good. This is where dealers make the most profit anyway.

Again...just my 2 cents.

[Ever Victorious]

Also, be prepared to wait a while if you are looking for a straight S auto without any option packages. While Nissan claims their base price at 12.5-ish for the base S manual, the reality is that the numbers of S (either manual or auto) that they are making WITHOUT the power package is very very small. The most common configurations are actually, at this point, SL manual w/convenience, SL CVT w/convenience, and S Auto w/power package.

[orb]

I'm curious where people are actually able to buy a Versa of any variety. In the central Texas area, all of the dealers are completely out, most with waiting lists. I've checked every dealer in Austin, San Antonio and Houston, and I can't find anything but the occasional low-end S. I'm told from my local dealer to expect to wait until November for an SL w/CVT.

I'm so frustrated that I'm tempted to just go get a Honda Fit. I'd hate to give up the CVT and the convenience package, but on the plus side the Fit does have better iPod integration. I'm sure I'll just wait for a Versa to arrive, because that's really what I want the most. But, it does make me wonder if there are actually places where people can walk onto a Nissan dealer and drive away in a new Versa.

On a side note: I'm not a regular car buyer so I don't really know how these things work. But, shouldn't my local dealer be able to take my money, place an order with Nissan for the exact vehicle I want and have it delivered in a couple of weeks? I've put down a deposit for a promise of "the next one we get that meets your requirements is yours". Am I really at the mercy of whether or not the Nissan gods bless my local dealer with a Versa that matches my requirements? Should I be looking for another dealer, or is this just what to expect from a dealer under these circumstances?

[MIdnkight-lude]

most of the versa i have seen have been S model with the power packages. i havent seen too many without power. I heard of one in LA with ASB, which i would have gladly paid for. Beside that i basicly paid msrp.

[Ever Victorious]

Nissan is still selling Versas as fast as they can make them. I've heard people talk about placing special orders and it taking 2+ months, if the car even arrives at all.

The Fit isn't in really that different of a situation, except that Honda dealers are commanding a price premium in many markets, selling them for a couple thousand more than MSRP with little or no trouble.

Just did a search. within 50 miles of me, looking at the inventory of 9 dealerships, there are 4 versas. All S models. That's a very small number given that Seattle is well within that radius...

[proxim2020]

This may be car buying 101 , but it's nice to have somewhere to ask!!

Thanks for any advice!

The first step should be visiting http://www.carbuyingtips.com. This site gives you all the information you'll need to get a really good offer from a dealer. It's a step by step instructions starting from the very basics.

I used the site myself. I was able to order a Versa S, PWR pkg, ABS, kick plates, splash guards, and mats for 14,000 even. I believe the MSRP was $15465 with the dealer markup at this dealer. Other dealers were marking up even higher. The dealer invoice was only $13,765. Once you show up with your info, then everything changes.

A lot of people believe that since the Versa is a quick selling car, there's no room for deals to be made, but there are. That's the beauty of competition. And in Texas, we gots lots of it:rotflmao. You just have to work at it a bit, but you can get a Versa without over running your budget. I have other tips that will help out a ton, but this postings getting to be long.

[Cowboys Fan 87]

In Middle and East TN I had about 18 different variations to choose from out of about 5 dealerships. The one in Cookeville, TN had 9 on the lot when I went to buy. Look for a dealer ship about 2 hours from a larger city, that's where I found "gold"....well a Black Versa anyway..