Found a new '04 on a dealer's lot - what to offer?

[pont3]

A local dealer in St Louis was advertising '04s in January for 25700. I went by that dealer today and there is a used '04 advertised for 25900. Somebody thinks these cars are worth the asking price, or at least more than 22k. I agree with them and I wouldn't sell mine for less than that. People keep saying there is a better deal but from the prices I see, you'll be waiting a while to realize it. Sure, you'll see 19 to 20k deals from time to time, but in reality, it's not the norm. 24k for a new GTO that stickered for 34k is still a great deal. If being an '04 bothers you, add 5k and get an '05, or 7k and get an '06.

[Verdoro 68]

Having gone through all of the haggling in the past two weeks, I tend to agree with you pont3. That's why I gave in and bought the original '04 I was after this afternoon. I only found one used '04 under $25k in my area. I tend to think most of the bargains I heard about are people exaggerating, although the market does look to be a bit more soft in the midwest with winter approaching.

Anyhow, most will probably say I paid too much, but it's the best price I could come by within a 75 mile radius and I'm happy with the deal. It falls well under the Blue Book value for a used 04. My wife is still coming to terms with the new addition, but I think she'll get used to it.

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

Having gone through all of the haggling in the past two weeks, I tend to agree with you pont3. That's why I gave in and bought the original '04 I was after this afternoon. I only found one used '04 under $25k in my area. I tend to think most of the bargains I heard about are people exaggerating, although the market does look to be a bit more soft in the midwest with winter approaching.

Anyhow, most will probably say I paid too much, but it's the best price I could come by within a 75 mile radius and I'm happy with the deal. It falls well under the Blue Book value for a used 04. My wife is still coming to terms with the new addition, but I think she'll get used to it.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...519&x=106&y=13

All with in 50 miles of you. For $2K more you could have gotten a new leftover 2005. As long as you are happy with it, that is all that matters.

http://gmbuypower.com/nvlVehicleSear...msgFromStatus=

50 new ones within 60 miles of you.

[HUMBLER]

Congrats, she'll come around unless you have kids and then she'll be like my wife and I and keep saying "this really doesn't make sense!" I'll be having fun with it until the first early lease buyout promotion comes along though...

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by Mr_GTO

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...519&x=106&y=13

All with in 50 miles of you. For $2K more you could have gotten a new leftover 2005. As long as you are happy with it, that is all that matters.

http://gmbuypower.com/nvlVehicleSear...msgFromStatus=

50 new ones within 60 miles of you.

I don't see any new '05s in that list under $33k. Granted you could deal on them, but the best deal I could find on a '05 A4 from the dealers in my area was $29500 after incentives. That's $4500 more than I paid and although the payments were in the same neighborhood, they were stretched out another two years. I don't see any sense in carrying a car loan for 7 years.

[hono]

Verdoro I did not know where you lived when I made the statement that our local dealer has the 05 GTOs for 27k plus change. Go to Pontiac.com, bring up the GTO, and type in my zip 46901 and choose Howard county when it gives you the option. Conkles Pontiac-GMC Superstore has the 05s at this price. Now considering I live in Indiana that would not be too good of a buy for you. It kind of tees me off as that is 2k cheaper than I got mine for and I am a retired GM employee. But people are not buying here as this is the headquarters for Delphi Electronics and they have filed bankruptcy on Oct. 8. So if anyone lives in the Indianapolis area and are looking for an 05 it is a good deal. Don't know how many they have. My apologies for not making myself clear as to the location. That is a sharp 04 you have and like me hope it is yours forever. Mine is mine forever unless an accident, God forbid, as I really enjoy it.

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

I don't see any new '05s in that list under $33k. Granted you could deal on them, but the best deal I could find on a '05 A4 from the dealers in my area was $29500 after incentives. That's $4500 more than I paid and although the payments were in the same neighborhood, they were stretched out another two years. I don't see any sense in carrying a car loan for 7 years.

And the issue is now that if you for some reason you had to get rid of your car and you had to trade it in, all they are going to give you for it is is $18K. At least for a 2005 they would give you at least 3-5K more.

[red70goat]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

I don't see any new '05s in that list under $33k. Granted you could deal on them, but the best deal I could find on a '05 A4 from the dealers in my area was $29500 after incentives..

It's disgusting the way these dealers ( and GM ) are trying to screw people into paying top dollar for a generic car by bastardizing a legendary name. I wonder how much people would be willing to pay if it were named something other than GTO?

[HUMBLER]

/\/\/\ Broken Record! LMAO

[hono]

Hey it don't make no difference. If the folks that buy the new GTO are happy that is the game. Don't make no difference if you don't like it. Don't buy one. The drive train makes the car. Appearances are secondary. If it is a beautiful car with a 4 banger would you buy it? It could have been a chevy SS 409, 427 or 454, Olds 442, Pontiac GTO or Buick Gran Sport 455 and I would have still bought one. I love my 05 and I believe everyone that has an 04-05 and soon 06 are 100% happy. GM did not do bad after all the years with the government regulations and finally coming up with something besides a 305 V8.

[Verdoro 68]

Like I said before, the prices in the midwest and east appear to be a little less than what they are getting for them here on the west coast - at least in the Bay Area. I suspect it's because soon the cars in the midwest and east will be covered in snow. A $19k-$20k '04 GTO might be commonplace out there, but the best I could do here on a used one was $22.5k.

When I posted that I bought the car, I knew there would be people raining on my parade for whatever reason. I feel that I worked the best deal I could. It turns out the '04 fit my budget and needs the best. They dealer I got it from gave me more than any other dealer would give me for my trade (I got values from $2k-$3k and they gave me $4k) so that offset the final price somewhat.

Used '05s are going for high 20's out here - if you can find one. A new '05 was "only" a $4500 more, but that meant higher payments, a longer loan with a higher interest rate and a higher insurance rate. Keep in mind you also pay tax on that "little bit" more. It adds up. If you are made of money and $3000-$6000 is chump change to you, then more power to you. It's a lot of money to me.

I'm pretty satisfied with the deal considering that used '04s are going for $22 to $27k out here - and those don't have chrome wheels, SAP grilles or Pulse Red paint. Do I wish I could have got it for less? Of course. Do I wish I could afford an '05? Sure. Maybe I paid more than you are willing to pay, but that's my problem. So far, I'm really enjoying this car. It's a far cry from my POS 4 banger Eclipse I traded in. I feel like I went from the slums to Park Avenue.

And to those of you who don't like them...who asked you anyway?

[hono]

Verdoro like I said congrats on your 04. May it be yours forever. They are an awesome car also. I am fortunate that I got to get an 05 but there is nothing wrong with the 04s. That is a sharp car and wish I could afford the polished rims also. Maybe someday...

[Zig'sbird]

For the future, could you not have bought one and then had an inter-dealership trade. You pay like 500 extra to have it transported from one dealership to the other?

[Jeff R]

How's this for the deal of the century? I heard this from someone who was trying to buy an '05 in this area. One of the dealers he was looking at had 2 Yellow Jacket A4s on the lot. They had been there almost 2 years because the dealer kept holding out for top dollar. Well apparently the sales manager got tired of seeing those two cars on his lot and he finally caved in. Some guy walked onto the lot and offered $25K cash for both cars. The dealer said "sold".

[Zig'sbird]

Hell, even I would have taken those at that price. Granted, it would have but me in the doghouse forever since my wife HATES the new goat.

[red70goat]

Originally Posted by Jeff R

They had been there almost 2 years because the dealer kept holding out for top dollar. .

These dealers got what they deserved. They tried to screw people by bastardizing a legendary name. I honestly believe had they empahasized the performance of these vehicles rather than the monicker they would have sold quite a few and at a good price.

[HUMBLER]

Originally Posted by Jeff R

How's this for the deal of the century? I heard this from someone who was trying to buy an '05 in this area. One of the dealers he was looking at had 2 Yellow Jacket A4s on the lot. They had been there almost 2 years because the dealer kept holding out for top dollar. Well apparently the sales manager got tired of seeing those two cars on his lot and he finally caved in. Some guy walked onto the lot and offered $25K cash for both cars. The dealer said "sold".

That's awesome! Dealers, never liked em. We'll see if they hurt the Camaro with their LOA's.

[Verdoro 68]

Originally Posted by Jeff R

Some guy walked onto the lot and offered $25K cash for both cars. The dealer said "sold".

I'm skeptical. I suppose it's possible, but it sounds a little too good to be true. The dealer could get more for the cars by sending them to auction. Do you know the guy who bought the cars or is it one of those "through the grapevine" stories? Of course, if it's true I'm extremely jealous.

[Sirrotica]

I just haggled myself into an 05 for $28,000 even . payments right at $500 a month and I looked hard and long....for a better deal... Yellowjacket w/ an automatic... hope this helps someone out there looking for prices... this car was due to go on the floorplan with GM next Monday as it s been there just shy of 90 days... salesmanager even used some advertising money from GM to make the deal...He s been calling me hot and heavy for 2 weeks to get it done before they had to pay interest on it With all the incentives GM sold it for $28,886 and he used the other money to make it 28 even ...

[Mr_GTO]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

I just haggled myself into an 05 for $28,000 even . payments right at $500 a month and I looked hard and long....for a better deal... Yellowjacket w/ an automatic... hope this helps someone out there looking for prices... this car was due to go on the floorplan with GM next Monday as it s been there just shy of 90 days... salesmanager even used some advertising money from GM to make the deal...He s been calling me hot and heavy for 2 weeks to get it done before they had to pay interest on it With all the incentives GM sold it for $28,886 and he used the other money to make it 28 even ...

That really isn't any kind of deal. That is basically getting the car at invoivce then knock off the $2500 in GM Rebates.