Hi everyone.
I am new.
Name's Mike. Duh.
Anyway.
After about a month of researching different vehicles on my "Needs/Wants" list, I have become very, shall we say, intoxicated by Nissan's new crossover.
The designs are smooth and aggressively attractive. The interior is clean and practical. The features are plentiful. My initial search found me looking at a Ford Escape, but when I found Rogue... well, I completely forgot about the rest.
I previously owned an '02 Supercharged SE Xterra. However, there was a tragic accident. Ice storm, lost control, plummeted 20 feet off a cliff. Scary, but the Xterra's brush guard and tough skin saved me. BUT I loved that truck, and fell in love with Nissan's quality. I currently own an '02 Pontiac Grand Am GT. Which I also love very much, due its "fighter jet" feel when I climb behind the wheel.
But I digress.
Tomorrow (or today depending on your point of view), I will be commencing my first test drive. I am fairly confident after reading SO MUCH about the Rogue, that I will love it and likely purchase it within the next week. I'm also excited because this is my first NEW car.
My question is... how can I talk the dealer down? I'll be trading in a beautiful car, and I will NOT accept anything less than 6k on it. I know they will turn right around and sell it for 8500. But I'm a man who likes his audio and his moonroof. And of course, gotta have the AWD. What's the best way to talk down the salesman?
Second question... Is there anything that I have not noticed on the forums or in reviews that I should be looking for when I test drive? I'm not quite sure what I mean, but if there's something out of the ordinary that you have noticed, I would appreciate a heads up if its something that I should keep an eye out for.
Finally.I enjoyed reading these forums. Once again, I am very confident about my decision... The test drive will make it or break it for me.
Planning on purchasing a new 08 Rogue
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mikeslammer
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:17 pm
- Car: 2008 Rogue "S," Indigo Blue
Re: Planning on purchasing a new 08 Rogue (mikeslammer)
Mike,
My previous car was an '04 Jeep Liberty, which I dearly loved. For a while, I had my heart set on the '08 Liberty that had a new body design. With gas prices as they are, I felt the need to be more sensible, so started to look around. My search also sent me to the Ford Escape, which I wasn't overly impressed with, but was willing to consider. But that all changed when my mom suggested I look at the Rogue!
Yes, the test drive will likely "make it" for you! My only suggestion on the test drive is to try to get the salesman to keep quiet during the test drive. They talk so much during the test drive, that it can be distracting and you might not notice certain things. For instance, I didn't notice on the two test drives I did, that, to me, it is slow to accelerate from a stop. Not a deal breaker for me though.
As far as suggestions for negotiating, I personally did best by dealing with internet managers. You can email them and tell them what one dealer is offering you and see if they can beat it. It worked very well for me. Once I actually went into the dealership, all the negotiating was pretty much done. Overall, it was a much easier, and much more pleasant, buying experience. I drove to a dealership 25 miles from me, but the deal was much better than the one 6 miles from me.
As for your trade, I can't speak to that. I had a lease that was ending.
You will LOVE the Rogue, I am sure. Try to get your salesman to let you pay attention to the drive and explain everything when you get back to the lot. There are some little things I would love to see changed, but overall, I am very happy with my Rogue.
Lots of luck to ya!
My previous car was an '04 Jeep Liberty, which I dearly loved. For a while, I had my heart set on the '08 Liberty that had a new body design. With gas prices as they are, I felt the need to be more sensible, so started to look around. My search also sent me to the Ford Escape, which I wasn't overly impressed with, but was willing to consider. But that all changed when my mom suggested I look at the Rogue!
Yes, the test drive will likely "make it" for you! My only suggestion on the test drive is to try to get the salesman to keep quiet during the test drive. They talk so much during the test drive, that it can be distracting and you might not notice certain things. For instance, I didn't notice on the two test drives I did, that, to me, it is slow to accelerate from a stop. Not a deal breaker for me though.
As far as suggestions for negotiating, I personally did best by dealing with internet managers. You can email them and tell them what one dealer is offering you and see if they can beat it. It worked very well for me. Once I actually went into the dealership, all the negotiating was pretty much done. Overall, it was a much easier, and much more pleasant, buying experience. I drove to a dealership 25 miles from me, but the deal was much better than the one 6 miles from me.
As for your trade, I can't speak to that. I had a lease that was ending.
You will LOVE the Rogue, I am sure. Try to get your salesman to let you pay attention to the drive and explain everything when you get back to the lot. There are some little things I would love to see changed, but overall, I am very happy with my Rogue.
Lots of luck to ya!
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mikeslammer
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:17 pm
- Car: 2008 Rogue "S," Indigo Blue
Re: Planning on purchasing a new 08 Rogue (SimLex)
Hi SimLex. Thanks for your reply. Would appreciate additional input and thoughts from other members!
Test drove today.Definitely buying. Haven't settled on options yet.
Test drove today.Definitely buying. Haven't settled on options yet.
Re: Planning on purchasing a new 08 Rogue (mikeslammer)
You hit it on the head when you mentions"options". These are things to negotiate. Mud flaps, roof cross bars, rear bumper step pad, free oil changes, car washes, XM Radio for a couple years, better quality tires(Murano,XF), under $3.00 a gallon gas price for a few years(Chrysler is already doing it). These are things that are somewhat expensive for purchasers, but less so for dealers. Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. The bottom dollar is pretty much fixed. The options are not.
Modified by cdmuile at 9:58 PM 5/31/2008
Modified by cdmuile at 9:58 PM 5/31/2008
Re: Planning on purchasing a new 08 Rogue (cdmuile)
You can pretty much negotiate on anything but gas. Gas will not be offered by dealer, it has to come from Nissan. Since Nissan is selling them nicely, I don't think it would offer to provide 2.99$ a gallon for 3 years.