Best way to buy a car

[bmwbozo]

I'm interested in the 2004 330i Coupe with Performance Package. The MSRP is about 44K with just the ZHP, leather, and zenon (which is all I want). A few questions:

1) How do you think I could get the best price: I'd like to get it for at least 3K off of sticker since a new model is coming out, and other BMWs have not been selling well. (Sterling BMW is advertising the Z4 for 7K off of sticker). In addition, the 3-series probably has some hidden rebates (according to autospies).
a) going to multiple dealerships (ask for a quote, or tell him what I am willing to pay?)
b) autospies.com
c) edmonds.com
d) autobytel.com
2) Since the car is not out yet will I have a more difficult time negociating a price?
a) pre-order
b) wait til it is on the lot
3) With the servicing, do I have to go to the dealership that I bought the car from, or can I go to any dealer?
4) Any recommendations on dealerships that are willing to deal in the southern california area?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bryan330i]

I would call Chris at Riverside, he is in the fleet department . I found Irvine and Shelly less willing to deal, Riverside claims the best price and it is where I got mine and I am more than happy with the deal I got. You also pay exact BMW FS rates, they will not even run your credit, they sent it to BMW FS and what comes back is what you get, no games.

I will send you a PM with the number.

 

[gbf1lm]

well when buying a car for a good price, the best thing u can do is leave. tell the (for a 44k sticker) dealer something like, im not really in the market for a car right now but i for like 35k, i dont think i can refuse, when he says ur crazy, or i dont think we can do it that low, leave. he will call you back, and wanna work things out, hopefully for 39ish. also remember to mention the fact that the closer the price gets to an m3, the more u dont want the 330, and u cant really afford an m3.

also remember patience. dont det out to the dealer thinking im gonna buya car today. go to the dealer alot wait for ur color u want, witht eh package u want, and keep lookin and if they say wtf buy a car already, say, give me a decent price already.

bought a '95 540, for 36k new and a '92 325 for 17k 4 years old from irvine, have tehy changed since then ???

 

[Bimmin' in BC]

Here is what I like to do. Prepare a fax detailing everything you are looking for. Then, include at the top, a list of all the dealerships that this same fax will be sent to. List (and fax) as many dealers as practicable, keeping it serious and professional. This will inspire each dealer to give their best price right off the bat as they know many other dealers are getting the same opportunity. It worked for me!

 

[xmas63]

There are a number of good ways to do it, such as the fax method mentioned above. I know a guy who did something simliar where he sent an email to all the dealerships in the area, listed what he wanted, and told them what he was willing to pay, including all expenses.

What I did was this: I asked around to get a feel for the best prices people were getting in my area (which was $1500 to 1900 over invoice). I then went to the dealer who was my first choice and told them that I am giong to buy a new BMW, I know a couple of people who have paid $1500 over invoice for their new 3-series, so before we discuss anything else, I want to know if you'll sell me a BMW for that price. The guy said that he'd sell me one off the lot at the price. I walked out and caled another dealer. Went through the same routine and they agreed to the price.

Keep in mind that you're in a better position (psychologically) to negotiate price before the salesman invests any of his time with you. (He won't feel as much like he "earned" the money.) Also, always discuss price in terms of invoice, never in terms of MSRP. This puts you at a psychological advantage---when you talk about discount off MSRP, it makes the salesman feel like he's doing you a big favor; when you talk about dollars above invoice, now you're talking about personal profit---it's less comfortable for the saleman to say, "I need to make $2,500 for doing almost no work and filling out a couple of forms." Also, with the method I used above, I literally paid invoice prices for all the options and accessories---think about it...

 

[codex57]

I used the carsdirect.com and AAA member pricing as the starting point of my negotiations.

Playing one dealer off another (or several) works the best though.

 

[bmwbozo]

Thanks for the help.

Looks like the car I want will have an msrp of 44K and an invoice of approximately:

car: 33,650
PP: 3,900
leather: 1,300
zenon: 800
delivery 700
total: 40,050

I'll try 41,500. This should be reasonable considering there should be a new 2005 model right?

Do you think I should preorder the car or wait til it is on the lot?


ugh...thats a lot of money (especially for a person with an income of 40K..albiet that income will go up in 1 1/2 years)...my poor white trash mobile is looking so great! ($500 dollar liability insureance and 47 dollar registration)

 

[xmas63]

Thanks for the help.

Looks like the car I want will have an msrp of 44K and an invoice of approximately:

car: 33,650
PP: 3,900
leather: 1,300
zenon: 800
delivery 700
total: 40,050

I'll try 41,500. This should be reasonable considering there should be a new 2005 model right?

Do you think I should preorder the car or wait til it is on the lot?


ugh...thats a lot of money (especially for a person with an income of 40K..albiet that income will go up in 1 1/2 years)...my poor white trash mobile is looking so great! ($500 dollar liability insureance and 47 dollar registration)

First, the PP for a 330i comes with leather (at least it did in '02), so you may be able to eliminate the extra 1,300.

Second, I would absolutely pre-order the car. The chance of getting the exact car you want to just happen to arrive on the lot is slim. Besides, the dealers will know what is scheduled to come in. Also, keep in mind that some (if not many) dealers use the cars on the lot as demo cars when necessary. Finally, keep in mind that if you tell the dealer what you want, he can ompare that to what's coming in not only to his dealership, but to all the other dealerships in the area, and they can often make the necessary arrangements to get the car to you.

 

[uber_3er]

BMWbozo-
a few tips from me. I'm in a similar boat (see post "a Euro Delivery story")... just ordered a 330Ci with ZHP, Xenon, Nav and Metallic. By getting it from Europe (long wait but worth it for me), I ended up with the car for about $1000 BELOW the US Invoice price!!

A good way to justify the wait is to realize that if dealers don't discount an ordered car (which most don't) then you'll be waiting anyway for the cars to be "on the lot" which is expected to be in April. From there, I can guarantee that EVERY ONE will have a sunroof. It's just the way dealers do it. So now you'll be paying for something you don't want, and even if you got a great discount, it still wont be near the Euro del price. OK, so now the wait is looking less painful right?! From once you pick up the car in Germany, you can expect it to be back at your dealer within 6-8 weeks, just the way you ordered it and after a few days (or weeks!) of great driving in Europe! Hey maybe we could coordinate a pickup date and meet up over there!!

I have already confirmed with Crevier in Santa Ana that they will sell a Euro Del car for $1500 over European del invoice price, which will put your car at less than $39K. PM me if you want more details and the salesperson at Crevier that helped me!

OK, next, I think Xmas63 is confusing PP for Premium package, which DOES include leather and ZHP (Performance Package) which does not. The ZHP comes with a cloth and alcantara interior.

lastly, double check your invoice price by going to kbb.com and checking the invoice price for each option (note ZHP is not shown on the coupes yet so check the sedan for that). It is $3550 I think.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[xmas63]

OK, next, I think Xmas63 is confusing PP for Premium package, which DOES include leather and ZHP (Performance Package) which does not. The ZHP comes with a cloth and alcantara interior.

You're absolutely right, my bad. ("PP" is commonly used for premium package, while "ZHP" is commonly used for performance package.) I should have paid more attention to the price right next to it!