A Newbie question about Dealer Negotiations...

[ki66]

Hi all,

I just joined the forum last night and am looking to buy a 2007 RTL. I'm not sure if I want the built in Navi yet or if I want to go with a portable Navi system.

Anyways, I've sent out email requests for qutoes to 7 dealers in my area (Seattle, WA) and received the following online qoutes back:

RTL Non-Navi
$28,627.70
$29,421

RTL Navi
$30,427.97
$30,728
$29,427

I'm still waiting on two more quotes.

My question is do you think these prices include the $3,500 in dealer cash that is currently being offered?

If not, do I flat out ask for a portion of the $3,500 in dealer cash?

What are some tactful ways to bring this subject up?

Thanks in advance, I've enjoyed lurking on this forum for a couple of weeks now and hope to be an active member soon!

[PerryLynch]

Originally Posted by ki66

Hi all,

I just joined the forum last night and am looking to buy a 2007 RTL. I'm not sure if I want the built in Navi yet or if I want to go with a portable Navi system.

Anyways, I've sent out email requests for quotes to 7 dealers in my area (Seattle, WA) and received the following online quotes back:

RTL Non-Navi
$28,627.70
$29,421

RTL Navi
$30,427.97
$30,728
$29,427

I'm still waiting on two more quotes.

My question is do you think these prices include the $3,500 in dealer cash that is currently being offered?

If not, do I flat out ask for a portion of the $3,500 in dealer cash?

What are some tactful ways to bring this subject up?

Thanks in advance, I've enjoyed lurking on this forum for a couple of weeks now and hope to be an active member soon!

I think you need to tell them you will walk away from a deal that is not $3500 below invoice. I got better than that when I was asking for $2500 under invoice.

What I did was to email 10 dealers in my area and outline what I wanted, including OUT THE DOOR price and color choice. No mention of down payment or trade. Of the ten, two didn't answer. Two called me even though I specifically said not to. One offered me sticker price. Two offered me invoice, and three offered me invoice-cash. I went with the one that had the Nimbus Gray and offered the most concern that they get it right.

Don't even waste your time visiting the dealer until you have the price you want. And if they change it once you're there, get up & leave. Be polite about it, but be firm. They don't have to like you after you've signed the paperwork. It's nice if they do, but not required.

For the record: I still chat with my rep now. She was refreshingly direct, and I figure if I can send her a referral now and then, I can buy toys with the $100 checks she can cut for me.

[ExF150Driver]

I am not sure what the Ridgeline market is like in WA but I think they are applying some but not all of the dealer cash in the RTL w/NAV deals.

For the RTL without Nav if there are no other options and no dealer add-ons you should be around $26,900.

No need to be delicate when bringing up the dealer cash. Just go to Edmunds and get the invoice and dealer cash amounts. At my dealer they did not include dealer cash in phone/email quotes. As soon as I asked about it they applied all that was available at the time.

If it helps, I purchased on 6/13 and dealer cash in our area was $2500 at the time. I paid $29,528 for an RTL w/NAV with no other options. By my research the amount appeared to be invoice less $2500 dealer cash less $200 of dealer hold back. Most places dealer cash is now $3500.

PS I'm not crying over the $1000 increase in dealer cash. I got the dealers last in stock RTL w/Nav and the other local dealers don't trade and are places I would not deal with.

[xridgelinex]

Welcome to the ROC... I am at the other side of the country and therefore prices tend to be a little different. Those prices look decent but may be a little high from what I have seen others recently posted on the ROC.

Tips on buying.
1. Remember you can walk out when ever you want.
2. go to kbb.com to find out what your trade, if you have one, is really worth.
3. Know the product you are buying and what you really are willing to pay.
4. Don't buy into gimmicks like paint protectant and document fees.
5. And... Yes if there is some kind of incentive somewhere that will save you money, ask for it.

[Now you're mine]

You should easily be able to get a RTL without NAV for 27000. 2008's are right around the corner and Ridgelines haven't exactly been flying off the lots. Email them back and let them know that these are the same prices you heard 2 months ago when the rebates where only 2500 instead of the now 3500.

[ki66]

Perry, EX150, xridgelinex, and Now you're mine,

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to figure out exactly what I want in terms of accessories and color from the Dealership and email them back saying that I won't talk unless I get offered at least $3,500 below invoice.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get further along in this process.

Hopefully, I'll be a full-fledged member of this forum soon!

[ki66]

*Update*

Just got another quote from a dealers

RTL non-navi $27,920.70
RL Navi $29729.97

[Zombie_61]

Originally Posted by ki66

Perry, EX150, xridgelinex, and Now you're mine,

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to figure out exactly what I want in terms of accessories and color from the Dealership and email them back saying that I won't talk unless I get offered at least $3,500 below invoice.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get further along in this process.

Hopefully, I'll be a full-fledged member of this forum soon!

One thing to keep in mind, just in case you don't already know--the invoice price minus the $3,500 dealer incentive applies to the base price of the vehicle only, and does not include delivery charges, tax, license, accessories, etc. The quote we received from CarsDirect.com for an RTL without navigation started at $26,744 (invoice -$3,500), and by the time they were done adding tax, license, the accessories we want, etc., the final price was around $33,000. (We haven't accepted it yet; waiting on a quote from one more dealer.)

Also, I have to agree with PerryLynch--be polite, but be firm. And do your homework. If you know as much about the vehicle as they do, including pricing, they'll soon realize they can't "put one over" on you. P.T. Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute." Don't be their sucker.

[Blue_Ridge_Bob]

Originally Posted by ki66

*Update*

Just got another quote from a dealers

RTL non-navi $27,920.70
RL Navi $29729.97

I just checked on the CarsDirect site for a Seattle Zip and they show a price of $29227 for the RTL w/Nav, which is more than the $28565 they show for the same vehicle in Southern California, but is still less than what you are being quoted. I have bought a vehicle from CarsDirect in the past and it was a very pleasant experience, so you can always use that option if you feel you are not getting a good deal from the local dealers.

[ki66]

Thanks for all the help guys. I picked up my RTL w/ Nav last night for $28,727 + ttl.

Aberdeen Green.

I've already developed a wishlist of things I need to add:

* Leer canopy
* Aftermarket grill
* Fog lights

I think I'll my wallet rest for a while before I start adding more stuff.