How I have scored invoice pricing with 3.99% APR on my 370Z?

AK370Z

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.

Attached Images

Nissan-370Z-Buyer-The370z.jpg (227.7 KB, 2066 views)

__________________
The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post
STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q.
Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section
My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3
Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE
Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

MightyBobo

Thanks for supporting us Military folks

Pentagon Federal is an AMAZING option for loans and banking. I will go nowhere else, and Ive gotten 2 loans through them.

Worthy to note, if you are military and already have a PenFed account, your immediate family can get a loan through you I believe. But, personally, I'd prefer to just follow this writeup. Thats just me.

nogoodname

great write up, this will help quite a few ppl on here......thanks for the info

Ryan@IP

Congrats! Buying a car should be easy. I've learned that as soon as it stops going smoothly, just walk away. Glad to hear you actually had a reasonably enjoyable experience.

__________________

Ryan at Injected Performance
Phone: (888) 465-7373

nogoodname

this helps ppl because they now know that this can happen, an easy nice deal with no fuss attached

zero

Great information. I am signing up with Pentagon Federal Credit Union tonight.

__________________

!xoible

awesome thread!!! how do u suggest negotiating leases? i've gotten awesome discounts off msrp but lease payments were ridiculously high

Crash

Wow! That's awesome. Thanks!

__________________
2002 Corvette Z06 - Totaled
2003 Corvette Z06 50th Anniversary

LenZToy

Thanks for sharing. This is a great story and should be beneficial for everyone looking to buy this great car!

shumby

thanks for the tips.

__________________
Originally Posted by SAM@GTM
Engine detonation is not normal and it should never never happen, and whoever told that need to do something else for living .
Sam

semtex

AK, you should make this a sticky!

__________________
"There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna
316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) | 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10)
Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

drmike

Dude, AK, grand slam for you and for us!!! That post alone is worth my membership fee. Thanks for taking the time to make everything so clear.

__________________
txwerks.com (side biz)
xcor.com (main biz)

Minicobra1

Thanks AK,
Great info!

I've already made 2 payments, but I'll prob re-fi with Pen-Fed, I too have a 750+ credit score but somehow could only get a 6.9% loan.

__________________
370z Tour| Spt Pack|Navi|BERK CBE|Berk HFC's| Eibach Springs| Hotchkis Sway Bars|SPC Camber Arms|15mm Ichiba Wheel Spacers| 19"Factory Nismo Wheels-Matt Black|Stop Tech Rotors|TWM Shifter|3M Tint|Black Fangs|Black Rear Valance|JDM Fog Light| MY BAND-www.myspace.com/petroleum

dlmartin81

Nice deal AK. You managed to beat my deal by $48. So what all options are included in with that price (matts, kick plates, pimp dice, etc...)?

We haven't discussed financing yet because I'm still waiting on the order but when the time comes, I will definitely try to go the route you took. Thanks for the detailed info.

dlmartin81

Nevermind, I went to your other post and saw what you got.

Sports Package + Splash Guards + Floor Mats.