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Smart Shopper Smart Shopper-Archives Any Questions for a Car Dealer? 
16377 messages, Last post on Feb 11, 2006 at 4:59 AM
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Replying to: british_rover (Feb 10, 2006 10:14 am) 
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I've been looking at purchasing a Dodge Grand Caravan. While I've had some mixed results with Dodge in the past, it seems as though you can negotiate a price right around invoice plus Dodge is offering $3000 cash back. I drove a 2006 this morning and the salesman told me that the dealership still had some 05s on the lot - I might want to check them out to see if any met my needs. I plan to keep the car at least 5 years and I'm familiar with the depreciation of the Grand Caravan. According to KBB, the vehicle "worth" is already below invoice. I'd be tempted to go after a totally loaded 05 SXT. I'm thinking the market for 2005 Grand Caravans is pretty limited as is right now. How much $$ should I be looking to save to make this worth while? Should I be starting at a percentage below the listed invoice? I'm not trying to negotiate dollars/pennies here, but if you buy an "outdated" version of a 2006 vehicle that is not exactly flying off the lot (hence the $3000 cash back), shouldn't you expect a really large discount? Any guidance?
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Suppose a dirty, almost homeless-looking gent walks in..and wants to check out an expensive car? Do you waste your time? he could be an eccentric milionaire, who is prepared to buy the car on the spot 9and pay for it with a roll of $100 bills). or, he might be just an escapee from the local looney bin. By the same token-a poseur ina $5000 suit pulls up-do you fawn on him? (The guy is $500,000 in debt, but dresses like Donald Trump)
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Gentlemen thank you for the SUV suggestions, (sequioa, lr3) but, I think I am too practical for that type of vehicle and to be honest, I "need" to keep the lease payment in the $500 range. If it weren't for the fact that my recent move did not land me within 5 miles of my office, I would avoid the SUV entirely. Don't get me wrong, I think they are a fun car to drive and pehpaps a bit more practical in Chicago winters (although, I do enjoy watching to some extent how many I see in the ditch during a snowfall when the SUV driver thinks they are invinceable) I would appreciate your insisghts suggestions, on a vehicle that will accomomadate my 4 children ranging from 1-6 years of age. This would not be the primary family car, but the back up car- ie pick them up after wife dropped them off, etc. I would like to stay south of 35K, what are your thoughts?
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Replying to: mazda6iguy (Feb 10, 2006 11:47 am) I think, others chime in, 30 sec's is an appropriate time or about the time it takes to lock the car and look around. Beyond that there is a 'disrespect' factor that has to be considered. 'What aren't I good enough to warrant someone to come over and at least introduce themselves? Am I invisible?' There are a lot of people who feel insulted in this way especially if they are new to this particular store. How do you know? You dont. I look at it this way, If a visitor came into my house to look at it they should at least be greeted. It's no different.
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Replying to: martian (Feb 10, 2006 12:21 pm) |
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Replying to: d_goes (Feb 10, 2006 11:48 am) First, since there is $3k back on an '06, I'd take that buy price (invoice minus $3k) of a comparable '06 and knock off another $2500 for the '05 (only because this is the arbitrary number I've decided on ... if i was looking at 2 used Caravan SXTs 3 years from now, both with identical miles, I'd pay $2500 less for the one that is a year older). The other route is to find out what ultra-low-mile '05 Caravan SXTs are going for at auction through the Real-World Trade-In Values board. Then add maybe $500 to that as my first offer ... and maybe stretch up to $2k over auction value. Otherwise, its just not worth it, in my opinion. |
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Replying to: golic (Feb 10, 2006 12:24 pm) |
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Replying to: mazda6iguy (Feb 10, 2006 11:47 am) Mackabee |
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Replying to: kdhspyder (Feb 10, 2006 12:25 pm) Today, I have a bit more money than before (nothing big, but enough), I know I have an excellent credit and I'm not afraid. The other day I wanted to take a look at a Volvo V50 and went on Saturday morning to a local store. Since I entered through service and parked there, the salesguys did not see my car coming in - I just showed up on the parking lot. I caught myself getting annoyed when nobody came to me - I think I looked too young or something, so they decided I wasn't worth the trip outside. How do I know? Usually, when I drive to the front door with my WRX, I get a proper greeting. And yes, I am one of those "just looking what is in the market" guys with test drives way ahead of the possible purchase (don't do it too often, though - three-four times a year, tops  ). Point is - the more money one have, the better they treat themselves, the less "afraid" they are of the salesguys. I really don't get those 750Li people in Rover's store. The only possible explanation is is they were windowshopping and then they realized it and got ashamed or something - got to go...
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