Yes, here’s how I have scored invoice pricing from the convenience of my living room couch!
First step: Getting invoice pricing
I know you guys are aware of the
invoice pricing thread and have used the thread to submit offers to various dealers. I have done the exact same thing but the only difference is that I have put that in a MS word document with a fancy table so that it’s easier to read and looks a bit more professional. I have got the idea from a member of a BMW forum (got to give proper credit). Instead of just sending an email with numbers, it’s a letter that looks a lot better and dealer knows that not only you know what you’re talking about but you’re a knowledgeable person.
Then I went to Nissanusa.com and on the bottom left hand side there’s a space where you can put your zip code and find the nearest dealers. I have used my closest 8 dealers for my 1st batch of emails. I simply went to their website and from their “our team” page, I copied the Sales Manager’s email. Some cases I couldn’t find the Sales Manager’s email and had to use General Manager’s email. The reason you want to send it to General Manager/Sales manager is because he/she can give you yes or no faster than those random sales guy. They are also more educated and least likely to give you the run around.
Within the next 3 days, I have got various replies from those dealerships. Few said yes, few said no and few didn’t even bother writing me back. Those who said yes, I have simply told them when I’m going to come in.
Second Step: Know how much your trade in worth
I was going to trade my 350Z in for the deal. So, I needed to find out how much my car worth. KBB is helpful, but there are so many things that dealers check when you trade your car in, it’s better to have them give you the number. One of our member (can’t remember if it’s “semtex” or “pushing tin”) said that CarMax offers the most money for their trade in. So next morning, I go straight to my nearest CarMax to get a trade in appraisal. In my case, it’s the one in MD which is only 150 miles away. This way, before I walk into ANY of those Nissan dealers, I have an approximate idea how much they are going to give me for my trade in. You always want to do this because if a dealer gives you less, you can simply show them how much another dealer offered for the same car. I did it because I want to know Nissan dealers are not giving me a crappy trade in value. ALWAYS do you homework before you're walking into a dealership.
Third Step: Financing
I was told even with my great credit (790+ FICO score), I am only going to get 6.99% APR. To me that was absolutely unacceptable! I have worked hard to keep my credit score where it is today and I deserve a better rate. So, I went to my nearest credit union and they told me I will get 5.74% APR from their financial institution. I was okay with it but not totally happy. So, I start researching how I can get a better rate. Then I found out about the
Pentagon Federal Credit Union. They are offering 3.99% APR on all new car purchase!!! I was sold! But there was a problem. I am not in the Army, Coast Guard or Air Force. How can I get such rate? Well, answer is simple. You can pay $20 and become member of NMFA (National Military Family Association -
Option 7) and you’ll get the loan with desired APR. I was surprised to see the knowledge of these customer service reps. I had a very good experience with them. Once you’re member, you’ll have to fill out a loan application ONLINE and you’ll instantly know if you’re approved or no for the 3.99% APR. Then they will FEDEX you check the next day or you can go pick it up at your nearest branch. I opted for the next day FEDEX.
Fourth Step: Closing the deal:
Upon returning from CarMax, I knew how much my car was worth. Then I walked into Team Nissan of Vineland where I have my appointment with the “General Sales Manager”. Why I chose Team Nissan as my first stop? They are recognized by the Owner’s first award for 2009 and only two dealers have that honor for the year 2009 in the state of NJ. I walked in and he was a very professional man. He appraised the car and gave me a very generous amount for my trade in. It was at least 1000 more than what CarMax offered me. I was very happy. Then, without any talking, he makes a worksheet with the exact invoice pricing that I have offered via email. No hidden fees and his number matched EXACTLY the way I emailed him. We were done within 20 minutes!!! I had to ask him, “So, What’s the catch?” His reply, “We are not a big fan of catches. If we were, then our name wouldn’t be listed on the Owner’s First Honors List”. I was sold. I didn’t leave the dealership for another 2 hours because we started talking about GTR and Nismo 350Z and other news from Nissan Corp. We also laughed about the new Nissan Cube but realized all Nissan want to do is expand their earnings to various different customers.
I am very happy how things turn out for me. I am not going to bore you with my long story anymore. The Z looks great, drives great. Thanks for reading.
You can find picture of the Z here
Just Picked up my Monterey Blue 370Z **Pics Inside**
Update 9.17.13
Please note, at the time I was buying the car, 3.99% was a big deal. The same rate from the Penfed has gone down to like 1.49 to 1.99% now. You can still follow my invoice price technique and still get financed from penfed. Especially if you're buying used car, penfed gives you kicka$$ used car financing rate.