Audi A4

[BimmerM3]

I puked out of someone's car once, but it was before we started driving.

I also just remembered that I had a dream last night where one of my parents (can't remember which one) randomly bought me a 2010 A4.

[giant_mtb]

[Raza]

Not gonna lie, what Cougs just described sounds like a lot of fun.

Oh, it is.

I never did the keg thing though.  It was never allowed in any of my apartment buildings, and I didn't host parties anyway.  I went to them at times, but I went to bars more often.

[Raza]

Be wary that it is quite common that the "I'm not going to fool around" types are the ones that go absolutely nuts once in the college environment and end up not being able to balance the social vs. scholastic scene. Saw it lots of times myself, and had a bit of that early on when I was in school.

This is also true.  But then again, our very own TBR hasn't gone nuts, to our knowledge. 

[BimmerM3]

This is also true.  But then again, our very own TBR hasn't gone nuts, to our knowledge. 

Yeah, I mean there are exceptions to every rule, but I know way more people who started partying than people who didn't (including myself).

[giant_mtb]

Apparently the Audi dealer here in Ann Arbor has an A4, black-on-black, 6-speed on their showroom floor.  Called the saleswoman my dad talked to, left her a voicemail.  Hoping to hear from her ASAP so I can go check it out and maybe put some money on it to secure it!



WINNER.

[Tave]

You consider that a good college experience?  To me, that sounds like shit.

I don't care about all that shit.  I'll be going to college to get an education at a cost to my parents.  I'm not going to fool around.

What?


They may have changed, but for now, I really don't care about that shit.  I'm not going to fuck up my free-to-me education by partying.  I can't afford that.

What the hell are you talking about?

[BimmerM3]

Did they stop offering the 3.2 on the A4?

[giant_mtb]

Did they stop offering the 3.2 on the A4?

Indeed.

[2o6]

What the hell are you talking about?

He'll be burnt out by early sophomore year.

[Rupert]

What the hell are you talking about?

He has no idea.

[giant_mtb]

DID ANYBODY HEAR ME?! THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN ANN ARBOR HAS A BLACK-ON-BLACK SIX-SPEED ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR.

MOTHERFUCKERS.

[CALL_911]

DID ANYBODY HEAR ME?! THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN ANN ARBOR HAS A BLACK-ON-BLACK SIX-SPEED ON THE SHOWROOM FLOOR.

MOTHERFUCKERS.

I'll bite.

Are you going to buy it?

[giant_mtb]

I'll bite.

Are you going to buy it?

If it's the right price, you bet.  It's a "premium plus" model with all the blue teeth and shit.  MSRP is prolly 35-36k, which I'm sure I can talk down into the 32-33 range.  Booya.

[saxonyron]

If it's the right price, you bet.  It's a "premium plus" model with all the blue teeth and shit.  MSRP is prolly 35-36k, which I'm sure I can talk down into the 32-33 range.  Booya.

Nice!  That's how you want the car optioned up. The premium pkg is about right in your range.  Plus it's already on their lot?  That means they really want to move the metal since they've already paid for the car and it's not a transfer from another dealer.  A sweet deal for both of you if you can get them down to the right number.  But seriously, all that is nowhere near as interesting as knowing that CJ isn't goint to party at all in his college career.  Get your priorities straight!  

[giant_mtb]

Nice!  That's how you want the car optioned up. The premium pkg is about right in your range.  Plus it's already on their lot?  That means they really want to move the metal since they've already paid for the car and it's not a transfer from another dealer.  A sweet deal for both of you if you can get them down to the right number.  But seriously, all that is nowhere near as interesting as knowing that CJ isn't goint to party at all in his college career.  Get your priorities straight! 

Haha Yeah...it's definitely a nice one, and I'm very positive we can negotiate it more into my price range.  I'm excited.  I'm heading there Friday, and hopefully I can make some sort of commitment (down payment, sign a paper, something) to secure it until I'm out of school!

And you're right...I do need to get my priorities straight.  Gotta show CJ the light, eh?

[the Teuton]

If it's the right price, you bet.  It's a "premium plus" model with all the blue teeth and shit.  MSRP is prolly 35-36k, which I'm sure I can talk down into the 32-33 range.  Booya.

Do it.

That sounds like a remarkably good price considering what you get versus the Passat for the money.

[saxonyron]

MSRP should be $37,100 if it's a quattro.  10% off and you're looking at $33k and change.  Good value if you can get close to that.  I think my '06 A4 stickered around $38k.  As for holding it for 5 weeks, you may find that they want you to sign now.  A sale a month away isn't as enticing to the dealer, so you'll lose some bargaining power.  It might be worth it to get it now and pay the extra month's payment (or if your grandparents are paying cash, you might have to forego this one and wait to find another in May.  It shouldn't be hard to score another good one. 

[giant_mtb]

Nah, 3 weeks away.  My last exam is 3 weeks from today, so I'll be heading out of town on that Thursday, the 29.  Plus, I could always just buy the car and park it at my brother's place if need be.

Car's being paid for in full in cash straight up.

[giant_mtb]

Is paying for a car in full straight up a bargaining chip, or does the dealer care whether they get the money now or later in payments?

[Rupert]

Later in payments = interest.

[giant_mtb]

Meh.

[Rupert]

Not if you're a dealer. They like the interest you're paying them.

[giant_mtb]

Do you think it will make a huge difference in the price we negotiate to, or just a couple hundred dollars either way?

[Rupert]

Honestly, I have no idea. I would think it would matter, but I don't know how much. I don't buy new cars.

[giant_mtb]

Me either.

[Rupert]

I guess that's why this thread is here, eh?

[GoCougs]

If it's a solvent dealer paying cash isn't a financial incentive. They get to mark in their books the sale the day the papers are signed, and the vast majority of people finance new cars so the process is relatively fine-tuned. It does telegraph that you mean business, but also predicts that you'll probably be a hard bargainer.

I betcha dealers would prefer to finance cars actually as the whole monthly payment song-n-dance is a significant means of putting the buyer at a bargaining disadvantage. "Oh, you're hesitant to pay $2,000 extra for leather, sunroof and power seats? BUT THAT'S ONLY $30 EXTRA A MONTH!" (on a 60 month loan).

[GoCougs]

I guess that's why this thread is here, eh?

At the end of the day, you're not paying for the car + you really want it = your position is inherently weak. The dealer will know this. If you want specific recommendation on negotiations from an inherently weak position:

1. Decide the maximum you want to pay FOR REALZ. This means, if you don't get this price you walk. In your position I would choose $31,000 on a $35,000 car.

2. Take this price and subtract 5-10%. ~$29,000 is your first offer. Make the dealer work to get you up to $31,000 - floor mats, options, whatever. NOTE: any factory rebates would be subtracted from this price after the fact.

3. If the dealer balks or does the "I don't deal with low-ball offers" or "I don't do business like this" or whatever, immediately walk.

[giant_mtb]

So is 10-12% below MSRP a good first offer?