Let me preface this as "long time reader, first time contributor". I'm currently condemned to a 1999 Olds Alero and plan to upgrade soon to a TT. I'm looking for assistance in purchase information...such as how can I get the best deal possible. When I begin negotiations, I want to be ready. Here's the info I have:

My local dealer has 7 on the lot. Inventory is as follows:
2004 3.2 Roadster
2004 3.2 Coupe
2004 225 Roadster w/baseball Imola yellow
2004 225 Roadster
2003 225 Coupe
2003 225 Roadster w/baseball Black
2003 180 Coupe

I'm debating between the yellow and black roadsters. Both are priced similarly at $42,000 or so. Both have been sitting on the lot since November (or longer). The dealer is offering some manner of cash incentive (about $3000-$4000) on all the 2003's (I believe this is dealer specific with the intent of moving inventory). I'm also aware of a $2000 factory to dealer marketing incentive (info from edmunds.com)

I haven't begun negotiating yet, but plan to start in the next few weeks. I have several points that I think I might be able to talk them down on:

--Since the 2003's have been sitting, their warranty has been consumed and thus should merit an additional price decrease
--The Imola yellow is not a common color and may be harder to move...thus meriting a price decrease (even though I love Imola yellow).
--These cars all sat outside for a reasonably harsh midwest winter with snow and such
--These cars have not sold at all in months...dealer capital is being tied up by holding on to these items.

Do any of these points hold water? Any opinions as to how I can pry a few nickels out of these guys' hands? Any thoughts?

I appreciate any assistance that y'all can offer. Thanks in advance.

 

I sell Volkswagens, so I think I can help you out a lot in this situation.

--Since the 2003's have been sitting, their warranty has been consumed and thus should merit an additional price decrease

Nope. The warrenty begins on the day and mileage at which the first owner purchases the vehicle (not the dealer but you in this case).


--The Imola yellow is not a common color and may be harder to move...thus meriting a price decrease (even though I love Imola yellow).

Rare colors are more expensive and harder to get discounts on. They won't decrease the price because of the color... and imola costs extra (meaning the manufacturer charges the dealership extra when the man. sells the car to the dealer). So it's going to be more expensive than the others anyway.


--These cars all sat outside for a reasonably harsh midwest winter with snow and such

Unless they're damaged, there's nothing to worry about. If you can't see the damage, there isn't any. Only thing I'd have them make sure of is that the battery is still ok. Other than that there really can't be any damage caused by cold to a car just from sitting there.


--These cars have not sold at all in months... dealer capital is being tied up by holding on to these items.

Yes it is. BUT... If he's giving you a $4000 discount, you should just leave it at that. He's not only giving you the $2000 dealer incentive, but most (if not all) of the dealerships profit as well. There's no reason the dealer should sell you the car below what they paid for it. And you honestly shouldn't expect them to. Dealerships aren't non-profit organizations... if they don't make SOME profit somewhere, they won't be there to help you with service, and PLEASE remember that a salesman only gets paid on the profit the dealership makes (usually). And if he/she is being good to you, don't screw him/her out of money... remember, they have bills to pay and probably a family to feed as well.

Let's put it this way... if I sell a car at invoice at my dealership, I make $100 (at a LOT of dealerships, the salesman will make NOTHING if a car is sold at invoice... invoice being what the dealer paid for the car). You have NO idea how hard it is selling cars. We don't just sit there all day selling car after car... right now I have sold 9 cars this month... most of them were invoice deals since my dealership ISN'T screwing people with prices. VW and Audi use what's called "Value Pricing" on their cars. These aren't Chevy's with $8000 of markup on them... LITERALLY, there's only about $2000 markup on these cars. They've already offered you a VERY fair price at $4000 off. (they aren't making much, if any, money off you if they sell you the car at that price).

A $4000 discount on a NEW Audi is a really good deal. If you tell me what options the car you'd be most interested in has, I can tell you EXACTLY what the dealership paid for it, which should help you out with deciding on what price to accept and what you think is a fair profit for the dealer to make.

Also, the best way to buy a car is not to go into the showroom 10 times and BS around for weeks on end. You know you want this car, just go buy it. Let me help you figure out what a fair price is for the particular car you want and then just go in and tell them "I am buying this car from you for this price... right now". Trust me, they'll take your offer, and on top of that, you'll be happy, and they'll be happy, and neither of you will have wasted more time than necessary.

I really think anyone considering buying any car should read this link.<ul><li><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20031219a1.asp?prodtype=auto">PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BUYING A CAR</a></li></ul>

 

yellow is becoming more popular. Seven TT's and how many buyers they have is more important

cars sitting in lot is troubling but it depends if you look at paint finish with a magnifying glass that you'll take to dealer and show them the deleterious effects the snow caused, you might have something here.

You got them on dealer capitol being tied up.

 

yes... like I said... \/ \/ \/

 

send me some of the red folder material

 

I wasn't trying to sound like a jerk. My bad.

 

and the hatch lights?

 

I made a trunk liner... hold on, I'll go get some pics!

 

It's a very "sticky" foam material (by sticky I mean anti-skid... like my briefcase will stop friggin sliding around my trunk making all sorts of noise now). The "TT" on it isn't stuck on yet... and I really don't think I like it so it probably won't stay there. Next "mod" will be making the trunk lighting red. (this is becoming an obsession... I hate you guys for getting me into this )

<img src="http://www.greyskydesigns.com/~greyhaven7/Trunk%20liner1.JPG">

<img src="http://www.greyskydesigns.com/~greyhaven7/Trunk%20liner%202.JPG">

<img src="http://www.greyskydesigns.com/~greyhaven7/Trunk%20liner%203.JPG">

 

did you cut the material yourself or preordered to your dims?