New Car Buying 101. Please Read Before Buying Your Nissan 370Z

Haboob

They were offering $500 off this past weekend. Yet, they'll put $200 in floor mats or more expensive adds on to counter that.

C4talyst

I read this thread years ago and thought about it while buying a new car for my wife today...glad to come back and see it's still pinned!

(Wife's care was nothing too special, 2014 Honda CR-V; number 1 choice among soccer moms.)

jkirby78

As a current car salesman and internet manager for a Nissan Dealership, and a Z owner, I can tell you that all of these "how to buy a car" stories online are hilarious. Dealerships aren't the pits of doom that they used to be. Basically, if you already know what car that you're looking for, then come in and be honest. If you attempt to ******** us, we can smell it. That basically is our only training. If you come in and tell us what you'd like, and be reasonable, then we'll shoot you straight, and help you out. Most places will do this. Anyone buying a Z (that can buy a Z) Isn't some bum off the street with bad credit and no job.

Just come inside, sit down and talk to one of us like a normal person. Treating us like the enemy makes us the enemy. Make us the enemy, and we're going to make sure that you don't leave happy. You'll either stay and spend too much money, or you'll leave and never think that you got a good deal and be dissatisfied.

Basically, just act how you'd want us to... The end...
Also, feel free to email me to ask me anything you wanna know about the business side of things. The Z doesn't have much market up, and traditionally doesn't have rebates... So, don't expect to get much off of sticker. I work the books at my place, and I didn't pay much less than sticker. Also, VPP is a crock... Most places can hit a lower selling price just cutting the deal rather than wasting time going to your HR department and getting a VPP number. So, once again... Just come in and sit and talk to us. we'll fill you in on everything you wanna know.

Joshua

InnerDragon10

About to take the plunge... I'm going into a dealership tomorrow to try to walk away with the internet price (just over $40K) for a new '14 black Nismo! Of course, I haven't revealed that I'll be financing with my credit union (1.74% APR, um yes please) and dropping a wad of cash as well (somewhere between 10 and 20...).

I already know its going to be an all out war to maintain that 'internet price' since fine print reads that you can't get that without financing through Nissan (you lose $2,000 in rebates). But I've been in conversation with this guy for 2 weeks now and visited/test drove once already. Couple things in my favor:
-He's invested time in talking with me and now feels that I'm ready to buy - if I walk, it'll be a huge waste of his time. And I have NO problem walking and telling him I have an appt. with a different dealership this Saturday.
-He's offered to 'make an amazing deal' since the one he's trying to sell does not have the backup camera that I expressed over and over again was the ONLY feature I cared about. So, I'm buying a car that does not have the features I wanted? Better make it worth it for me...
-I'm doing HIM a favor by potentially purchasing a car that is already on the lot (i.e. he gets to drop his inventory count instead of special ordering one)
-He happened to mention that the 370Z Nismo we test drove in was sitting in the show room and now has been used as the test drive model for a couple months now... So, you're telling me that they're not selling very well, huh? :grin:
-I'm going to Carmax to get my current car valued - I researched and stumbled across some info that said Carmax gives pretty good buy back values on cars, so I can use it to compete with whatever trade offer Nissan tries to give me.

I've been through a dealership experience once before and got run over by the salesman and manager... Not going to happen again. And uh, dont tell the Nissan rep, but I AM driving away with that Nismo at the price I want; its just a matter of whether he wants to make a sale or not :-)

If successful, I'll be sure to post what I paid for everything and how I got away with it.

Fingers crossed.

InnerDragon10

There's nothing 'hilarious' about it. A salesman's objective (and justly so) is to maximize profit for the company and/or make commission for themselves. No one is your 'buddy'. As soon as consumers spit out how much they're going to put down, trade in, pay monthly, etc., all the ammunition the salesman needs has been laid out neatly for them to work with. Calculations get going for the dealership to maximize profit wherever they can slip it in. It's not wrong or underhanded - it's business, and uninformed consumers are the ones that pay more than what they could have negotiated for.
There's nothing wrong with a salesman doing his job, and nothing wrong with an informed consumer maximizing their savings on a vehicle purchase. It's the dance everyone performs, whether they want to or not. I do agree that there is no need for rudeness or aggression. But 'just come in and sit and talk to us' is an invitation to tell the dealer everything they need to make their money and to capitalize on those who don't realize that there is plenty of room for negotiation. PLENTY.

Spoiler

As a professional procurement manager all of my working career, and one who has bought over 30 new cars, I find this a fun thread. Very educational and very true in most things stated.

Can't add much to it, but here's a take away....

-Don't ever be reluctant to ask for a better price or for something at no additional charge
-All things are negotiable
-Don't be afraid to walk away
-A purchase has to work out for both the buyer and the seller...