How hard for dealer to locate my 370?

steveg78

Hey guys, I'm all set with my financing, just waiting for PenFed to mail me the check. I have been checking dealer inventories via the nissan website and am having trouble locating the configuration I want. I understand that Nissan has stopped production for 09??? Is that correct? My question is, how far do you think a dealer will go to get me the configuration I want? I am planning to buy under VPP program and am wondering if they will "hustle" even though their profits are going to be cut more than some Joe off the street. Also, I know sometimes the website doesn't have exact inventory. Here's the config I want...I can't believe it's so hard to find within 100mi of me!

PG
Manual
+Sport

---Not that important---
+/- Floor mats
+/- Splash guards

Justin1686

i dealt with almost the exact same thing here in NY. i've dealt with my dealer before, and he was more then willing to find me the car. It's not always your dealer, we called other dealers, and THEY weren't willing to give up a car. So you're dealer might be more then willing to get you your car, but they might not be able to get it. Also a thing for your dealer to check, depending on how experienced they are, is to check the cars in the Port, that have yet to be claimed. Good Luck

steveg78

Thanks. What about deposit? Do they require deposit before they can even locate one? I would be hesitant to fork over any money if they haven't even located one. Especially, if I may be working a few dealers.

FuszNissan

They will probably want a deposit to show intrest. You have to think they don't want to go out and buy another 30+k car for their inventory if you aren't going to buy it. But I wouldn't give them a deposit until they locate one and it's available for trade. Locating are getting tougher escpecailly on Base 6spd with sport. There aren't many left out their and the dealers know it. And most won't give up the car. Hope that helps.

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LouFuszNissan
ZDAYZ 2012

jginnane

A salesman at a dealership has better search ability than you do going thru nissanusa.com. For example, he can also see incoming shipments.

But you can use nissanusa.com in a different way than they intended -- it's more designed for mass-produced cars like Sentras. Select "Find new dealership", and pick a city where you have good fly-in capabilities. Some examples might be Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Jacksonville FL (where a lot of Z's come off the ship), Boston, and of course, NY/NJ.

Chicago is currently holding a lot of black, red, and light greys. Florida dealers have brighter colors. For platinum graphite, I don't want to disappoint, but if you do a 100-mile radius around Richmond VA you may get the best current inventory of PGs.

As you go thru each dealer's inventory, printing out the page for the car you like saves time. You may get 8-10 hits. But some will be demos, or have a real low VIN # which may signify problems (on why the car hadn't sold).

I found with my search, I ranked +2 for my first exterior color, +2 for my interior (persimmon is rare), +1 for transmission and +1 for Touring. I subtracted 1 for each "overfeature" I didn't want, like Nav.

Then -- call the dealership direct. Verify they'll do VPP. Give them the last 6 of the VIN #. Ask if it's a demo, etc. As long as you don't have a trade to complicate the matter, your next step is arranging a plane, train, friend's ride (or Greyhound, even) to get to the dealership and pick up your car.

Be especially leery of some FL dealers who add "dealer fees" of several hundred $$$s, and pretend it's a standard practice. If the sticker price they quote you isn't the same to the penny as nissanusa.com, find out why. Then use that as a basis to establish invoice for the car in question, and your VPP will be maybe a couple hundred less than that.

Remember that on your drive home you should keep it under 4K, and vary (modulate) your driving speed. OTOH, if you're driving up the East Coast corridor, you may want to drive at night to avoid all the mommievans.

SMcK23

The dealer I talked to in AZ said he can order me one to my exact specs for another 6 months! When I mentioned the rumors I heard to the dealer qbiut nissan cutting production...he laughed! I don't know who to believe!

steveg78

We shall see what I come up with today. Stopping by a local dealer who I spoke with on the phone and they verified VPP participation for a 370Z. Let the show begin!

Justin1686

no, the dealer should not need a deposit just for LOOKING for the car. Once you okay them transporting the car, then yes, they would need a deposit.

steveg78

Ok so had to cancel today due to a change of plans. I'll have to see if I can get over there tomorrow or Friday. I've located a couple that fit my spec further south in VA. Is it customary for a dealer to charge a fee if they were to aquire a car from another dealer? I could have sworn I read this somewhere but can't remember where. I just want to be fully equipped to settle this deal and know everything that's to be expected. I know I could always go down there myself as I've read some people have done but that is my last option. Thanks again guys, this forum has been a great wealth of information!

Justin1686

there shouldn't be a 'fee' neces. but def a delivery/shipment charge.

steveg78

yeah I would expect the 695 or 720 destination charge but wrestling with a dealer to waive the fee to flatbed the car in from another dealer for a fee...Either that or they are driving it in from out of state for $0.

FuszNissan

There is no locate fee, just a transportation charge to acuire the vehicle from the other dealer.

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LouFuszNissan
ZDAYZ 2012

Justin1686

GL trying to get them to flatbed to u for free. It costs too much for them not to charge you. Only having them driving it over will be free of charge.

steveg78

OK so that seem to be the consensus on transporting. I wasn't sure if that was acceptable and of the norm. I'm hitting up 2 dealers today. Will see what happens.

mspeasl

Guys,

Doing a Dealer trade and driving to retrieve it still cost the dealer and those costs will be and should be passed along to the intended buyer. Think about it, gas and the drivers time still cost and someone has to pay for it. Any idea who is going to pay that cost? The buyer..............

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Mspeasl - Central Illinois
2009 - Solid Red, M6 '370' Sport/Touring (Delivered 7 April 09)