my experience with dealer over infiniti

[punkyrules]

Hello,

My friend and I went to a Car Dealership the other day and saw this great Infiniti 99 Limited in very good condition with 47,200 miles on it. According to consumer reports pricing car used index, (I have a copy of it at this site: http://www.veritaz.com/infiniti/) the dealer paid about 9-10.5K for the car. So, we offered him about $2,000 more than the max he would have paid for it. He swore to his god, that he paid $13,600 for it. What a joke because even the KBB value of a trade-in of this car in totally perfect condition is $11,900 (and this car had a few scratches, very minor dents/dings, etc.). This was over the phone. When we came back to the dealership, he then said he paid $13,900 for it and that did not include the $600 for servicing it would cost him. The minimum he would sell it was for $14,600 because that way he made $100 profit. He claimed he was not paid on commission. We had enough and left.

What do you think about consumer reports pricing model? I called them and they said the figures they came up with are from the manufacturer whereas kbb is from the dealership.

I don't understand why a dealer would have a problem selling a car for a $2,500 profit. It seems they get stuck on "retail value" when, in reality, especially in this market, few people actually will pay that value.

Thanks

[PalmerWMD]

Actually the market is pretty soft and if anythign book is a bit hi sometimes.Leave your card with him with the price u want to pay, on back and 7 days or so limit and then wait for phonecall.

Fred...

[Aus94Q45]

He may have paid $13.9 on paper. It is hard to imagine in this soft car market that any dealer would pay over book value for a four year old lux car. That car likely came in on a trade and the dealer can shove some of the "discount" on the new car's price, over to the trade in value to make the seller/buyer feel better about the trade. Example was the New car $43K less a $11.9 trade-in? Or was it $45K less a $13.9K trade-in? Its the same $31.1K in the swing. Thus, even if he shows you paper listing the trade-in value he paid at $13.9, it will be tough to figure out what he actully paid considering the discounts buried in the new car purchase. Bottom line, I bet he has more than $100 bucks in it. Let it sit and, as Fred said, give him your card. By the way what is the value in the used car pricing guides? That may be a better gauge as a dealer will generally stay within those pricing parameters, regardless of what they paid.

[AZhitman]

I'm with Fred on this one - I'd offer $13.6 and let it sit.

It's not a bad deal at $14K...

[Jeff Williams]

Ditto on that. Leave a price and a time limit, usually the last, or next to the last day of the month. You'll get the call. When you do, give him the list of service you want him to provide for the $600.00 he quoted you. I would pull out the 60,000 mile service recommendations for that car,and ask for that.

It is definitely a buyer's market.

[punkyrules]

I offered $12,000 and would go up to $12,500 max. He wouldn't bite so I walked and told him to call me if he changes his mind. He said, "I know I won't".

I guess we will see what happens. But I can not believe for a second that he paid $13,900 for the car.

[AZhitman]

Well done, punky.

I'd also contact the sales manager and let him know you've made an offer. The salesman MAY be too proud to call you after saying "I know I won't."

Wait - A used car salesman? Proud? Nah - The phone will ring.

[Jeff Williams]

Car Dealerships do a lot at the end of the month they will "Absolutely Not!" do 2 weeks earlier.

Definitely call the sales manager, to see if your offer is acceptable. You can send a fax, too, if you know his name.

I watched my first 1990 Nissan Maxima GXE on the car lot for 5 weeks, before I bought it. It went forn $14,800 to $14,500, to $13,900, to $13,500, to $12,990. I bought it at 7:00 Pm, the night before the dealership put it on the trailer, to go to the wholsale auction.

I drove it for 2 years, and got $12,500 in trade for my 1992 Maxima SE.

I miss the old days of haggeling with used car dealers.

[G8R45]

Car Dealerships do a lot at the end of the month they will "Absolutely Not!" do 2 weeks earlier.

Definitely call the sales manager, to see if your offer is acceptable. You can send a fax, too, if you know his name.

I watched my first 1990 Nissan Maxima GXE on the car lot for 5 weeks, before I bought it. It went forn $14,800 to $14,500, to $13,900, to $13,500, to $12,990. I bought it at 7:00 Pm, the night before the dealership put it on the trailer, to go to the wholsale auction.

I drove it for 2 years, and got $12,500 in trade for my 1992 Maxima SE.

I miss the old days of haggeling with used car dealers.

Good job Jeff. I know car salesmen have to make a living but I don't want them retiring on me.

[greg_atlanta]

Dealers make more money on used cars than they do on new cars, esp. the "certified" used cars.

[punkyrules]

You all were right. The salesman called back and said he basically wanted to negotiate some. Ha! We are going to call his sales manager and speak directly with him.

We'll offer $12,500 for it, that is, if he sells it today. If he calls tomorrow, then we only pay $12,300 for it. This way, I give him *incentive* to make the deal today.

Let's see what happens....thanks everyone for the responses!

[maxnix]

Just out of curiosity, what is a "Infiniti 99 Limited"?

I knew what a Buick Limited was, but....

[Jeff Williams]

Not quite as much stuff on it that the '99 Infiniti unlimited.

Sorry, I come from a long line of smarta$$es.

From what I can tell, it is a 1999 I30, with some extras, mostly cosmetic. I think it was some eye candy, since the 2000 was a total redesign.

[maxnix]

Jeff, I was wondering if it was a Q, QX, G, or I.

The 58 Buick Limited was one acme of chrome excess from the fifties. Paint color almost didn't matter. In fact, most of them I have seen were silver so not to contrast with all the chrome, I guess.

[Jeff Williams]

I was wondering that same thing ,until I saw the link in the original posting. The web site the link takes you to, specifies the car as an I30. Also, this link seems like a good spot to get used car rates. Check it out.

[AZhitman]

Well done, Punky.

p.s. After you buy the car at YOUR price, share the NICO web address with the sales guy so he can see what he was up against.

[maxnix]

Well done, Punky.

p.s. After you buy the car at YOUR price, share the NICO web address with the sales guy so he can see what he was up against.

Or not.