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Volkswagen Jetta: Prices Paid & Buying Experience

721 messages,  Last post on Mar 03, 2013 at 11:10 AM

You are in the Volkswagen Jetta Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 72

#11 of 721 One bad apple... by occupant1

May 02, 2004 (7:57 pm)

Broadway Volkswagen in Richardson, TX, was my first stop searching for a new Jetta wagon. The salesperson would not let me test drive the car, would not discuss any numbers, without running a credit report, which I would not allow until I had a chance to see what I was buying. I walked outside and located the vehicle I wanted (black/black 5-speed TDI wagon, ESP, nothing else) and went back inside to speak to the manager. The manager had the salesperson take me for a drive, they would not let me drive the car, I only got to ride in the front seat.
 
I'm 26 years old, drove to the dealer in my nice clean Buick (not my cruddy Volvo), it was a Monday morning, and I was wearing a black dress shirt and black slacks. No mohawk, no piercings, no tattoos, no attitude. But I sure was in a mood to have an attitude when I left. I don't look like a kid, but I was sure treated like one. I did not deserve that kind of treatment and have sent a letter to the regional VW office and hope to be treated better at other dealers.
 
I would not buy a car from Broadway even if I was paying cash. Even if they had that TDI Jetta wagon at $5K off list. There are too many other VW dealers in the Dallas area that will work to earn my business.
 
Does anyone else recommend a dealer in North Texas for buying a VW? I plan on trying Lewisville VW, Park Cities VW, and Rusty Wallis VW, I can't think of any others in the area.

#12 of 721 VW owner loyalty by jettadriver

May 03, 2004 (8:03 am)

The VW owner loyalty credit last month really made the decision for me.
 
Got an '04 Jetta for $14,8 including all fees (before sales tax). VW Jettas must be selling a bit slower than Corollas or Civics b/c they had some hefty rebates going on both to the customer and to the dealer.
 
My biggest irk are the documentation fees (sometimes called dealer service charge). These show up as a way to pad the dealer profit, so make sure that you are negotiating based on your total drive-away costs so that you don't get surprised by the fees.
 
My VW dealership is great and the salespeople were very low pressure and worked out a good deal.
 
Once I get a few weeks of driving in, I'll post my review. This is a good 2nd car, but it's a bit small to be the primary family car - for that I'd move up to the Passat (sedan or wagon.)

#13 of 721 04 GLS 1.8T by caboob

Jun 27, 2004 (5:06 pm)

I just got the car above for $22,500 (before TTL), with leather, monsoon/sunroof, performance pkge, mats, mudflaps which is right on the TMV price but the kicker was that they gave me 0% financing!! for 66 months!! I like to go 500 over invoice but settled for 700 over invoice.

#14 of 721 TDI Wagon, GL Manual + ESP by tom21769

Jun 27, 2004 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (Feb 13, 2004 9:14 am)
Purchased in Washington, D.C.:
 
Jetta TDI Wagon, GL trim, manual transmission with Electronic Stabilization Program,
for $19,577 ($383 over invoice) + taxes, tags, and $99 "documentation fee".
 
This is our "Amish" car.
Black inside and out, very plain (no options but the ESP).
Had to do a lot of hunting, calling, and waiting to find a TDI wagon with stick shift and ESP. Not much choice of colors and other options.
But it's the perfect color and size to take my old black Lab for an exhilarating spin.

#15 of 721 GL-Auto with ESP by poaaro

Jun 28, 2004 (11:15 pm)

Received prompt courteous replies to email requests for quotes. Others were high, but one was $500 below invoice, with $1500 Dealer cashback in addition. Msrp $19,160. Paid 16,002 plus State Sales Tax and $100 title fee.
 
Though the exact color was not on the lot, the sales person obtained it from another dealer at no extra charge. Very satisfying buying experience at Ellacott Shaker VW (Cleveland OH).Friendly staff, good price.
 
The Jetta has numerous safety features not found on other subcompacts like ABS, side airbags and ESP at the bargain price of $280.

#16 of 721 Buyers Beware in Clear Lake, Tx by eab

Jun 29, 2004 (6:46 pm)

I want to start by saying I love my 2004 Jetta GL well as the 2004 Passat that my wife has.
 
Purchased my Jetta GL Auto on Saturday evening for $14880, but the experience was frustrating at Clear Lake VW. If I had any sense, I would have walked. Not once,but Twice. Not on price of vehicle, but bold face lying of the sales manager on incentives that I would be able to take. He said in front of my salesperson that I could have the $1000 loyalty rebate, and a $500 "down Payment" coupon I had as a previous customer of this dealership. (My previous experience was a good one) Well, when I asked them to match a competitor's advertised price, I was told I couldn't have the $500 incentive because of the price match.
 
Then, they screwed me on a $387 fee that they call "dealership fees". My final offer stated $12500 + TTL (including rebate and trade in). It was accepted. Stupid me thought the $387 fees were part of TTL. I went back on Monday to ask for a list of what these fees included and they don't even have one. Come to find out on this website (too late for me) that they have nothing to do with TTL. Just added profit.
 
The last issue was financing,they approved me at 4%, then after signing all the paperwork, and I'm ready for delivery, the finance guy runs in saying the auto had to be financed with VW due to the loyalty rebate. I was ok with that, but the kicker was I couldn't get the same rate that I had already been given.It will cost me and add'l $380 for 4.99% rate.
 
So, for those who may read this rant please:
1. Read this entire website for pointers.
2. When counter offering use words such as "only" or "drive out"
3. Walk out if not being treated respectfully
4. If your in the Houston Market, do not consider Clear Lake VW for your VW dealership (Since they don't advertise they reap the benefits of other dealerships that spend their advertising dollars)
 
The goal of any dealership should be for the customer to leave thinking they got a good deal.
 
I do know that in the end, I'm the one responsible for settling for this kind of treatment. I have already secured a "refinance" back at 3.9% to not give VW the satisfaction of making the interest on me. The dealership will get $387 of negative advertising from me.

#17 of 721 Prices in Canada? by hector

Jun 30, 2004 (6:03 pm)

Living near the Canadian border (near both the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick)I've been thinking about taking a trip to Canada to find out if it's a better deal than the US. I'm looking for a 2004 Jetta GLS TDI with leather. Does anyone have any experience buying in Canada (including any Canadians out there)? What are some Canadian prices for similar cars?

#18 of 721 Re: Prices in Canada? [hector #17] by bigdveedubgirl

Jul 01, 2004 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: hector (Jun 30, 2004 6:03 pm)
do not recommend it. I am not sure if the prices are going to be any better but even if they are,Are you going to finance it? Do you have Canadian credit established? Or only US credit. That can make it difficult. Also if you purchase one there and someday decide to sell it or trade it in the states its a pain because the the speedometer is in Metric temp gauges are in Metric. Also since you are in the Northeast, your state might require that all cars have northeast emmisions standards from the factory. So basically no, it not worth the hassle to save a few dollars. TDI's are going for MSRP everywhere, some places even over sticker. But I know a dealership in Texas that has a little bit of inventory and does not charge a premium (wink) email me back for more help.

#19 of 721 GLS 1.8T in Ohio by dvw

Jul 06, 2004 (12:13 pm)

I just purchased an 04 GLS wagon with a 1.8T, Tiptronic auto, leather and ESP at Clarke VW in Hudson for 3% over their invoice, which was $250 over Edmunds invoice ($150 advertising fee and a $100 port fee; not sure about the latter, and it took me a long time to find out that the Jetta wagons are still made in Germany, whereas the sedans are made in Mexico) so the final price (about $23,800) was just a bit over Edmunds TMV (about $23,600). Our trade-in, though, a 1999 Mercury Cougar I4 fell way short of the Edmunds trade-in TMV; in fact, the dealer started $1500 below their final offer - so we really got low-balled there, and even their final offer was pretty poor. All the usual tricks were employed - keeping us waiting for long periods (2.5-hrs total), trying to get us to take a high "bank" APR, pretending they didn't know VW's 0% APR was still offered, negiotiating around the monthly payment, presenting (initially) a bogus invoice price, etc. So it took a lot of work and Edmunds to get a fair deal. But, kudos to the salesman for taking the effort to locate our particular Jetta configuration (in Detroit) and have it brought down within 48-hrs!
 
What a great car to drive! We also have an Audi A4, and the Jetta gives it a run for its money!

#20 of 721 Talk to the Press by Sylvia

Jul 07, 2004 (10:55 am)

A newspaper reporter is hoping to talk with people today, July 7, 2004, who waited to buy a vehicle in hopes generous incentives would come back...and is now reaping the benefits. Please respond asap, no later than Tuesday, July 7, 2004 to jfallonedmunds.com with your daytime phone number and a line or two about your automotive experience and plans.
 
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

Messages Page 2 of 72

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