Well here's my story...
I've been on most VW dealer's in South Florida's case trying to get somebody to dance with me on this release for sale issue for months. Crickets, nota. Couldn't get an answer. Schumacher in WPB, Rick Case Weston, Vista in Pompano...
I wanted to come up with a replacement for my 2012 Passat SE TDI.
I gave up hope, and before the announcement, on 1/28/17, I bought the last 2016 Passat SEL Premium 1.8 TSI in inventory in South Florida at Esserman in Miami.
BTW, in May 2016, I leased a Tiguan from Gunther Coconut Creek for the Mrs.
So I kept calling both dealerships point of contacts I had from those purchases. Same thing.
I have a small field service company, and we're expanding. My partners and I needed at least 2-3 vehicles for our team.
Tuesday, I read a Car and Driver article (again with same story as before) that the TDI's were coming to sale.
I reached out to Gunther in Coconut Creek and my Tiguan Salesman, who wasn't picking up. So I called back, and asked for his manager. Another salesman (who was much more enthusiastic than my other point of contact there), and told me that they were ready to make deals happen on the TDI's.
I drove to the location, and they had two Passats ( one SE, and one SEL), two GSW S, 1 or 2 GSW SE, 1 GSW SEL, 1 Golf SE, several Jettas.
I got the lease quotes for 4 units. The two Passats, One GSW SE, and One GSW S.
They gave me the $8500 rebate, and near zero money factor. It was getting to closing time, and I left not knowing the cheap buyout, until the next morning (Wednesday) when I spoke to the salesman on the phone.
He called me back around 1pm Wednesday, and he said I better get in there right away (claiming no BS, and not a sales tactic)
I got back to the dealership around 5pm. They told me 4 people walked in that morning and took the GSW SEL, two GSW SE's and some other unit, AT MSRP!!!! (can't confirm for sure....)
My GSW SE was gone. None left. Had to take two GSW S's they had left (both same color, no choices).
I inked four leases on the spot. The two Passats, and two GSW S.
I woke up this AM reading my Flipboard App on my I phone, and found the Car's Direct
article.
I wasn't presented any information regarding the 72 month 0% interest deal (with only $5,000 rebate).
I discussed the financial merits with my partner this AM, and I headed to the dealer today to take the purchase deal. They claimed since this was a business purchase / finance, I had to pay 1% APR. All things said, it made the most sense to go with the purchase finance for my business, as we will be putting on the mileage for sure.
I took delivery of the two GSW's and the Passat SE today. The Passat SEL will be ready tomorrow. Gunther Coconut Creek is about cleaned out...
So, if you find something you like, you better buy it now. It seems to me they are going fast!