bartering at a VW dealership?

[harvest]

Wondering if anyone knows about this. I have never bought a new car, the last car was bought used from the owner. If we were interested in buying a 2013 VW sportwagen TDI manual, what is the lowest they would/could go? If we were going to put down $14k upfront and do financing for the rest...
Thanks

 

[TDI smile]

Have you looked at the Specials VW has? Interest rate is soo low (0 most the time) Why give away your cash. Keep it and use somebody elses money (VW's).

 

[mishkaya]

I somehow doubt you will find a leftover new 2013. I would give Chris Farnham a call. He is member "3193" on the forums. He will treat you well.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=27618

 

[harvest]

Have you looked at the Specials VW has? Interest rate is soo low (0 most the time) Why give away your cash. Keep it and use somebody elses money (VW's).

Yes, I see that 60 month 0% interest. Someone is helping us buy the car, that's why.

 

[S2000_guy]

Yeah, good luck finding a '13 nine months into the '14 model year. If you mean used, then all kinds of other factors come in to play: mileage; condition; etc

 

[harvest]

Yeah, good luck finding a '13 nine months into the '14 model year. If you mean used, then all kinds of other factors come in to play: mileage; condition; etc

I hear you, it will be a long shot, but I am trying. I found one so far, but it is an automatic. I am open to used, but I think I would rather get a new Subaru Impreza before a used TDI...we are deciding between the two (for now).

 

[Tuco]

The amount of cash you put down will not lower the car's actual sales price, and unless your credit is bad, you should qualify for 0% for the whole enchilada (including sales tax). Car companies will often bend over backwards to make a sale.

Buying used will also mean bank financing, vs. VW financing if you buy new. A lot of times it's actually cheaper to buy new.

Also see if there are any Federal tax credits for this model year. I got $1000 when I bought mine in 2010.

 

[Mike_04GolfTDI]

0% financing is nonsense.

What they do is charge you more money for the car and then finance it at 0%. Essentially they've charged you interest up front. Furthermore, if you later have the funds to pay the full balance, guess what, you already paid the interest up front, so they get all their money as if you had financed over the full term. People are total suckers if they think any different.

Whatever price they'll sell the car for at 0% financing, they'll sell it for a lot less if you pay cash.

If you do a bit of digging on manufacturer's websites, you can find the cash purchase price and you won't be able to get that price if you finance it, even at 0%.

 

[Cincy_TDI]

Some of the dealers have hidden dealer cash. So if you pay cash they may give you that off as well. So how do you pay cash, either you have the cash or bring your own outside financing.

 

[Tuco]

0% financing is nonsense.

What they do is charge you more money for the car and then finance it at 0%. Essentially they've charged you interest up front. Furthermore, if you later have the funds to pay the full balance, guess what, you already paid the interest up front, so they get all their money as if you had financed over the full term. People are total suckers if they think any different.

Whatever price they'll sell the car for at 0% financing, they'll sell it for a lot less if you pay cash.

If you do a bit of digging on manufacturer's websites, you can find the cash purchase price and you won't be able to get that price if you finance it, even at 0%.

This is true ONLY if the manufacturer offers a choice of a rebate OR the low (or zero) finance rate.

Some manufacturers like GM, Ford, and Dodge offer the choice of a rebate or a low finance rate. In this case, the actual "sticker price" of the vehicle is MSRP minus the rebate. A rebate is simply a tool to hide negative equity, nothing more.

Volkswagen (as does Honda) does not offer rebates, so in the case of VW, a 0% finance rate is a true 0%.

Sometimes dealers do have "bonus cash" type incentives to help them move inventory near the end of a model year, but all dealers for that manufacturer have access to these incentives, if that is the case.

And remember, the best deal you will get is a deal with no trade-in, period. The amount of "cash down" is completely irrelevent.

 

[Serra]

And remember, the best deal you will get is a deal with no trade-in, period. The amount of "cash down" is completely irrelevent.

"Cash down" is irrelevant to the price of the car, but does effect total amount paid, if the interest rate isn't 0% and it does effect the total monthly payment. The more down, the less the payment will be.

 

[South Coast Guy]

0% financing is nonsense.

What they do is charge you more money for the car and then finance it at 0%. Essentially they've charged you interest up front. Furthermore, if you later have the funds to pay the full balance, guess what, you already paid the interest up front, so they get all their money as if you had financed over the full term. People are total suckers if they think any different.

Whatever price they'll sell the car for at 0% financing, they'll sell it for a lot less if you pay cash.

If you do a bit of digging on manufacturer's websites, you can find the cash purchase price and you won't be able to get that price if you finance it, even at 0%.

That would be true if the deale was financing the car; they aren't. VW corporate is offering the financing. The dealer couldn't car where or how you finance the car since they get the same aount.

 

[Genesis]

That would be true if the deale was financing the car; they aren't. VW corporate is offering the financing. The dealer couldn't car where or how you finance the car since they get the same aount.

That is NOT true.

Dealers typically get a kickback from the finance company IF you finance through them, no matter where they "place" the loan.

If you bring a PAL or other OUTSIDE financing they don't get this, of course, but if you use their financing services they are typically paid for the order flow.

That payment USUALLY winds up coming out of your hide in some form or fashion. You have to be extremely sharp to spot and stop that from happening; the F&I office is where you typically get screwed the worst in any dealership.

 

[Lincoln]

Use a car-buying service. My bank (USAA) got me a better deal than I ever could have negotiated on my own, and they did it for free. (I know it's a good price because they beat nearly everyone who's posted how much they paid for the same vehicle.) If your bank doesn't offer a service like that, try TrueCar.com. Several people on here have reported using them to also get fantastic deals. I think they charge something totally reasonable like ~$10.

 

[ezshift5]

.......both USAA and Chris Farmham are proven entities.



ez

 

[belome]

bartering at a VW dealership?

I doubt many dealerships would be willing to trade goats or grain for a car.

 

[Genesis]

Truecar is a joke; if you like getting robbed to the tune of $500+ (and quite-possibly $1,000+) over what you can negotiate on your own be my guest. Truecar calls the participating dealers partners.

Naw, no conflict of interest there.....

Beware dealer documentation fees not being included in quoted "prices"; those "fees" are in fact nothing more than paying the dealer several hundred dollars to print out the sales agreement. Really. And they're almost-always omitted from said "buying service" quotes, which makes the "best deal" proffered utterly dishonest, since they are DIFFERENT from one dealer to another and, in most states, not capped by statute.

The "documentation fee" is in fact nothing more than a line item that ought to be titled "additional dealer profit."

 

[k1xv]

When I bought a car from Chris Farnham, he told me the amount to bring in on a bank check, to the penny. There was no effort to add any fees or sell me additional services when closing the deal. But, an oversight was discovered IN MY FAVOR, and I went home with my car and with a check for $50. If the original poster is in Brooklyn, Chris's place is a NJ Transit train ride Trenton, where he will pick you up at the station.

 

[Genesis]

K1: That's how it should be. Any dealer that won't give you a signed SALES ORDER (which is a binding offer to sell you the car with a number at the bottom inclusive of all taxes and fees) is IMHO a crook. And you will NEVER get that from a "buying service" right up until you get to the dealer -- you WILL if you solicit the dealer directly, and insist on getting exactly that.

 

[barnuba]

When I bought a car from Chris Farnham, he told me the amount to bring in on a bank check, to the penny. There was no effort to add any fees or sell me additional services when closing the deal. But, an oversight was discovered IN MY FAVOR, and I went home with my car and with a check for $50. If the original poster is in Brooklyn, Chris's place is a NJ Transit train ride Trenton, where he will pick you up at the station.

I somehow doubt you will find a leftover new 2013. I would give Chris Farnham a call. He is member "3193" on the forums. He will treat you well.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=27618

.......both USAA and Chris Farmham are proven entities.



ez

X4 on contacting Chris Farnham!

 

[harvest]

So much knowledgable information here! Thanks everyone. I did call him and looked at true car. Found a good deal on true car, maybe $2k less than I have seen other places. And yeah haven't found a new 2013 manual tdi sportwagen yet. Was hoping to find one and get a great deal because older model. I am on my way though. Thanks and hopefully we can get one in the end. We haven't test driven and are also considering subaru impreza sport and honda fit (the vw is actually over what we can really afford).

 

[Lincoln]

Better not test drive the VW then. Mine was more than I'd planned to spend also, but then I test drove it and fell in love. The other cars paled so much in comparison that I was stuck going over budget.

 

[SMR]

If you're in Brooklyn there must be a ton of dealerships in your area. It might be worth quickly emailing a bunch of their online sales folks (from 5-10 dealers, say; it was trivial to do this from vw.com a few years ago). Just tell them what you want and ask for a quote. You'll probably get a wide range of offers, and some might be surprisingly good.

 

[Serra]

Better not test drive the VW then. Mine was more than I'd planned to spend also, but then I test drove it and fell in love. The other cars paled so much in comparison that I was stuck going over budget.

Same thing here. My wife was unsure about it until she drive it in a test drive. Then my son drive it to try it out as well. Both agreed it was the best they had driven.

Many other cars were on the table until the test drive!

 

[harvest]

Well it is worth the risk I think
In terms of not telling the dealer up front how you are financing, many dealers have asked me how I plan to pay up front (in email or on phone) finance or cash. So I should just say I don't know yet.
Also in terms of surprises for deals, Is it crazy that I am hoping to pay $20k?!
I guess I was hoping in the off chance that I could also find a 2013 new.

 

[harvest]

Wondering if there is a downside to buying a car with 50 miles from a dealership?

 

[k1xv]

Wondering if there is a downside to buying a car with 50 miles from a dealership?

I bought one 300 miles from the dealership. I never went back for any service or recalls. The dealer service department of each dealership is a separate profit center and they welcome business no matter where the car was bought. I have had each 10,000 mile service done in dealers in New Hampshire and New Jersey.

 

[tadawson]

Well it is worth the risk I think
In terms of not telling the dealer up front how you are financing, many dealers have asked me how I plan to pay up front (in email or on phone) finance or cash. So I should just say I don't know yet.
Also in terms of surprises for deals, Is it crazy that I am hoping to pay $20k?!
I guess I was hoping in the off chance that I could also find a 2013 new.

You are kinder than I am! My reply is typically along the lines of 'at this point, that's none of your damn business . . . .'

- Tim

 

[harvest]

You are kinder than I am! My reply is typically along the lines of 'at this point, that's none of your damn business . . . .'

- Tim

I am not experienced in buying a new car. Never have! Owned an '85 vw westfalia and now a 93 corolla wagon. Both used and purchased from owner
It's good to hear your response. Helps me get a tougher shell for this.
I am now emailing all dealers asking for best out the door price. And not telling how I am going to pay.
Thanks!

 

[3193]

Fellow club members:

As I completely understand that you will meet all kinds of different personalities while contacting an assortment of dealers to get quotes, some shady and some above board, there is a reason why they may be asking you how you are going to pay for the car.

The specials and various rebates thru VW are based on whether you are taking advantage of the special rates thru VW Credit or using a different lender or paying cash. For instance in the Passat TDI's specials, if you use the rates, there is $1000 in dealer cash to offer you. If you do not use the captive rates, the dealer cash incentive goes to $1250.

This is why I quote both ways to a prospective client!