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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 3 of 73

#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

#21 of 721 Driver's option financing by mitchandmurray

Jul 21, 2004 (10:03 am)

I had posted this in another VW forum, but did not find much reponse and hence posting here. (Sorry, for the double posting). I am considering buying a VW, and I have a few questions regarding the driver's option of financing -
 
1. The VW website claims that it is the best of both worlds (lease and buying). If so, what's the catch? I am sure there is something that is obvious, but I am not seeing, and is not explained on the website?
 
2. The web site says it is based on a "finance contract". Is that contract any different from the lease contract?
 
3. Do you get tied to the contract as you would in a lease? i.e you cannot break a lease once signed without paying huge fees. Or, in this case you are free to sell the car if you want to in the middle of the contract?
 
4. Has any one here tried that option? What are your thoughts? Would you recommend it to others?
 
Thanks,
-Mitch&Murray

#22 of 721 Buying a Jetta Wagon GL TDI.....help by gilt1

Aug 02, 2004 (6:22 pm)

Hello,Im in Raleigh NC looking to buy a 04 Jetta Wagon GL TDI or should I wait for the 05s. And how much should I pay...

#23 of 721 Re: Buying a Jetta Wagon GL TDI.....help [gilt1] by tom21769

Aug 06, 2004 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: gilt1 (Aug 02, 2004 6:22 pm)
For a base 2004 (manual transmission) here in Baltimore-Washington recently, about $19K -$19.5K.

#24 of 721 Here in Alaska by akangl

Aug 08, 2004 (1:30 am)

The TDI Jettas are commanding OVER msrp, personally I would buy a Corolla or Civic before I paid over MSRP for a Jetta. If I HAD to have one I'd buy in the lower 48 and ship or drive the car back, MUCH cheaper than buying up here. We only have ONE VW dealership and they take advantage of that fact. I went one time to look at a Jetta there (when there was one other dealership) and the salesman told me that the price was MSRP + the $3k markup. I walked immediatly and bought the car at the other dealer for under invoice. Just amazes me what people will pay for these cars. Yes, they are nice, but not THAT nice.

#25 of 721 Jetta Purchase by cgatzke

Sep 04, 2004 (6:57 am)

Last fall, I purchased a Jetta GLS, 1.8t, manual trans. from Ed Schmidt VW in Perrysburg, OH. Great buying experience, although I have had quite a bit of trouble with their service department, although that is another topic.
 
Due to some stupid trade in's in the past, I was quite a bit upside down on my trade in for the Jetta, but the price was reduced to around $19K (what they said was invoice, and end of year), but with my extra added back on, it drove it back up much higher. I was glad to get the whole mess tied up in 1.9% financing, through VW. Many people who i've talked to lately are surprised that VW got it to go through. At least if i'm gonna be upside down, let it be on a new car with warranty, and all at 1.9%!!!
 
What does everyone think? Did I do the best for what I have, or did I get screwed?
 
BTW, I love my Jetta. I will probably trade in down the road for a larger Passat for more room, but no troubles except for faulty ignition switch.

Messages Page 3 of 73

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