Sports Package Availability/Pricing and CarCostCanada.com

[gocanucksgo]

Hey everyone,

I'm interested in a SL 6spd manual with the technology package and sports package in the light blue colour. I've noticed that pricing hasn't been released for the sports package, but I wanted to find out if anyone had any additional information as to the availability in the Lower Mainland of the package?

I also wanted to see if anyone in Canada has bought their Versa using Carcostcanada.com's pricing information. If so, how was your experience? Is it worthwhile?

Thanks for your help!!

[gottafly]

I used the CCC service when I bought my Versa. I worked well for me. I found it easier to negotitate up from the dealer cost than down from MSRP to an unknown point. The dealers will always try to get you to pay MSRP for a so-called hot car, but a sale with less profit from you is still better than letting you go somewhere else. With the Versa, there is about $1100-1200 markup over dealer invoice depending on the model. Also figure on them pocketing all the holdback from the manufacturer if they have to order one in for you, they will keep somewhat less if they sell you one from the lot or bring one in from another dealer. Dealer invoice, minus holdback, minus any incentives (currently zero for Versa) equals the actual dealer cost. I you pay MSRP (not counting additional fees)on a Versa that they order for you - they are making around 10% profit on you. You should aim for 5-6%, that's certainly enough for them.

I had one online quote from a dealer associated with CCC. They identified a discount from MSRP, but when you figured in their various "admin fees" or whatever they chose to call it, they were something like $200 over the MSRP for the car I wanted. I thought I could do better than that so I emailed them back my displeasure and shopped the CCC numbers around to a couple of dealers. I ended up concluding a deal in person at a local dealership that ended up with the price plus all all fees (these guys did the VIN etching scam) and taxes (AC, Fuel) about $500 below MSRP.

I think the service was worth it, in that it gives you sorely needed information that allows you to take charge of the negotiation and neutralize their little profit grabs. I had another quote delivered by the online dealer, but he was still several hundred dollars higher. That part of the service is probably not a good thing, as the participating dealers may be betting on your desire for an easy process to milk you out of a few hundred more dollars. The guy I encountered was certainly not offering any deals online.

I also got them to give me a loaner car until mine was delivered. It doesn't cost them much to give you some beater from the used car lot, but it can be worth significant dollars to you if it takes a while for your car to arrive and you really need one. Might as well get something in return for them hanging on to your deposit. They also have an additional incentive to get your car in quickly so they can also sell the loaner.

Good luck.

[Ever Victorious]

As for the sport package itself, it is not yet available. Anywhere in North America.

[gocanucksgo]

Sounds good, thanks guys for your help. I'll put in the order and see what the dealer has to say. I've contacted two dealers and one said that the sports package would be available in Jan/Feb while another said it wouldn't be available until March/Apr, so who knows...

Happy New Year everyone!