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Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy/Olds Bravada Prices Paid and Buying Experience

177 messages,  Last post on Mar 14, 2007 at 3:16 PM

You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada, GMC Envoy XL, GMC Envoy XUV, SUV

#103 of 177 Hi Eruss44 by steve_ HOST Jul 31, 2004 (11:31 am)
The balloon payment threw me too and I edited my draft message yesterday because I couldn't figure it out. You still haven't told me what the rig costs and what you're going to wind up paying for it.   lol, I'm not even sure if this deal is a purchase, lease or some hybrid. I can't operate that way and I've walked a few times when the salesperson tried to sell me a car by focusing on the payments.   I think you should also try the Lease Questions - Ask Here discussion for more advice.   Steve, Host Replies to this message: eruss44 (Jul 31, 2004 5:27 pm) imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 7:16 am) eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 10:39 am) and 2 more...
#104 of 177 Re: Hi Eruss44 [steve_] by eruss44 Jul 31, 2004 (5:27 pm)
Replying to: steve_ (Jul 31, 2004 11:31 am) Hi, again, Steve...The balloon price($16,100&tax) would be the final buyout price after the 48 month GM "smartbuy" leasing period...I really thought that I had all the information necessary here from previous posts to allow a favorable or unfavorable opinion from the members of this town hall forum...Cut&Dried,the facts are as follows:MSRP:$34,525...Monthly payment for 48 months:$329.00,which includes ALL sales taxes,license,registration,destination,prep,blah,blah,blah...The final "balloon" end of smartbuy payment to buyout(own it) is $16,100 plus 8.25 NYS sales tax after the 48th month...The dealer is applying the $5,000 GM loyalty discount to the MSRP(which will lower the price to$29,525.00,P.S:The $16,100 is a SET final buyout figure,it cannot be changed) and computing the monthly payments based on that derivative 3.5%.....I now hope that I have provided enough information to get at least a few "Yes,it sounds good" or "No,it is not a good deal" type responses...Is there anyone out there that has "smartbuyed" on a TB(or any other GM truck with a $34,525 MSRP that has a monthly payment LESS than $329.00 based on a 48 month/48,000 mile deal,with a final buyout of $16,100+8.25% sales tax????? Thanks again,~Eruss44~ Replies to this message: imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 7:16 am) eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 10:39 am) imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 1:02 pm) and 1 more...
#105 of 177 by steve_ HOST Jul 31, 2004 (5:44 pm)
I guess the MSRP threw me too since I didn't think many people paid MSRP for a GM truck.   Ok troops, let's weigh in the deal - the 2nd is almost here!   Steve, Host
#106 of 177 Ugh... by shooterdave7 Aug 01, 2004 (7:36 pm)
Another reason why I don't mess with all this leasing and monthly payment stuff. I researched my vehicle, knew the price I should be able to get it for, and went in and negotiated the price of the vehicle (not the monthly payment) to where I wanted it to be. For an extra $100 a month for five years on the same sticker priced vehicle as the LS you mentioned, I will own my TB with no remaining "balloon payment" and no restriction on mileage and no worrying about what it looks like when it comes time to turn it in years down the line. Has always been my experience that if you're looking at a vehicle payment where you have only an extremely small amount of wiggle room in your budget left, then you're probably looking at way too expensive a vehicle to begin with. Good luck to you, but I'd have to vote against it simply because I think you could do better somewhere actually buying one. There are many '04's left on the lots and probably will be well into the fall. There are bound to be some really good deals to be had. Replies to this message: eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 7:02 am)
#107 of 177 Re: Ugh... [shooterdave7] by eruss44 Aug 02, 2004 (7:02 am)
Replying to: shooterdave7 (Aug 01, 2004 7:36 pm) Thanx for your perceptive analysis concerning my situation,shooterdave7...I am going to try the ole'sit and wait approach to this with my eyes peeled in the meantime...I'm certain that I can whittle one of these two dealers down(shifting towards an outright purchase now,as opposed to a smartbuy)...I'm sure that the deals will become sweeter as the 2005's arrive on the lots...I am trying to learn a little patience with myself...I hope that it pays off sometime before the snow flies here in central NY state,though....Once again, thank you for your sobering advice...~Eruss~
#108 of 177 Re: Hi Eruss44 [eruss44] by imadad2 Aug 02, 2004 (7:16 am)
Replying to: eruss44 (Jul 31, 2004 5:27 pm) Your numbers look like they are at sticker. You should be able to get invoice easily on a TB. I know three people in my office that just bought Chevy's at or below invoice. Your smartbuy should be at invoice. I would insist on seeing the dealer invoice.   How long do you plan on keeping this truck? The balloon payment will be over the blue book value when it comes due. I wish you could do a used car value search of a TB that is 4 years old, to see the resale value, but the TB was created in 2002, so no luck. If you are planning on trading it in before 8 years have passed, I would say do not buy the truck. If you refinance the balloon payment, you will be paying 7 or 8 years on the truck. That is a lot of interest, even at 3.5%.   I walked out the door before TTL with my 2004 LS Ext at around $24,000. A 6 year (72 payment) loan can be had, if you have excellent credit, for 3.5% or less. The payment on that would be about $50 higher than you quoted, and you would pay a lot less interest, and own the vehicle in 6 years not 7 or 8.   I generally frown on smartbuys. They are designed for individuals that can't afford the vehicle any other way. I wanted to buy a Sequoia, but I would have had to do a smartbuy to get one. I could not afford over $30,000 for a SUV. The Trailblazer is not selling well, they actually had to shut down the production of them in May. So, I have a hunch that in the next few months, you will see 2004 TB's on sale for the cheap. I doubt this deal you have been offered will go away, because oil is at $44 a barrell, and will not go down until after the summer. I would keep an eye on as many Chevrolet lots as you can and keep looking at the rebates. I have a feeling they may even go over $5,000 off MSRP.   A bigger down payment will only help you, so keep saving and put down as much as you can. I hope this helps, but if you do a smart buy, you should always plan on keeping the vehicle until it dies (hopefully 15 years from when you bought it). If you don't plan on it, a lease is your best bet.   Good luck. Replies to this message: eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 10:39 am) imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 1:02 pm) eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 5:25 pm)
#110 of 177 Re: Hi Eruss44 [imadad2] by eruss44 Aug 02, 2004 (10:39 am)
Replying to: imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 7:16 am) Thanks imadad2,I guess I will re-tool my thinking towards saving more for a good down payment to purchase one outright and live for the moment with my trusty(and rusty!)1994 S-10 LT Tahoe blazer with 103k on it...The right deal will come eventually, probably when I'll least expect it,so I'll take the pressure off myself and let it ride for now...Patience is a virtue,I've been told...Thanks for your time...~Eruss~ Replies to this message: imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 1:02 pm) eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 5:25 pm)
#111 of 177 Re: Hi Eruss44 [eruss44] by imadad2 Aug 02, 2004 (1:02 pm)
Replying to: eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 10:39 am) One last thing I'd like to leave you with.   The LT model is nice, but the LS model is less expensive and just as nice. The Bose system on the LT is not all it is cracked up to be, and the only thing I prefer on the LT is leather seats. The power seats, on-star, 6 disc cd, and a few other items are just added goodies most people can do without. My wife is 5' 0" tall. I am 6'1" tall. I have to manually adjust the seats and mirrors every time I get in the truck, and had to think about the price tag on getting the seat position memory that the Trailblazer offers. It was not worth it.   I guess what I am trying to say is luxury sometimes has to be pushed aside and common sense needs to be used.   I got my LS Ext with a V-8 for $23,800. Without the V-8 it would have been $1,200 less. I put nothing down on it. I pay $490 a month with 60 payments. (4.26% interest) My budget was $500 a month on a truck. If you put $3,000 down, get $5,000 in rebates, you could easily get an LS model down to $22,000 or less. The dealer you are working with is going to push the smart buy because they make money on the deal. You should be able to buy at invoice, and get the rebates on top of that. Get financing before you go, so that you don't have to use the dealers financing.   I am telling you, 2004 models will be even cheaper in the coming months when the dealers are clearing out for 2005 models.   I bought only because the deal was right, and I got what I wanted. Check with several dealers (if you can) and when they get in your price range, buy. If you have a vehicle that works, and you are not desperate, patience will pay off. If not, you can always lease.   I check the board at work all the time. I love my TB, so if you get another offer, and are unsure, just ask. Someone here will let you know if it is worth doing or not. Replies to this message: eruss44 (Aug 02, 2004 5:25 pm)
#112 of 177 Re: Hi Eruss44 [imadad2] by eruss44 Aug 02, 2004 (5:25 pm)
Replying to: imadad2 (Aug 02, 2004 1:02 pm) One more time,thanks imadad2...When something juicy comes up in the fall months (or sooner),I'll give you guys a yell on this forum...I'll be in touch,take care and great luck with your Trailblazer!!!!

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