I looked at a 2002 SE today with 3 miles on it. Leather package, meridian package, navi, the works...They were selling it for $32,600 and wanted to "give it a home" so they could make room for the 03's coming in....

Should I get this 2002 SE or just wait for the 03's to become available?

 

There is no change from the 2002 to 2003 except for the Titanium Pkg available on the SE. I have the 2003 GLE. The main point would be future resale value. You also have to look at insurance cost as a 2003 might be a little more than a 2002 because of the dollar value. It was a little in my case. If you lease and return your cars at the end then no difference. If you buy a car and run it into the ground, no difference. Look at the prices of the 2003 and compare what it will cost. If they give you a big enough difference then resale may not make a difference. They may not want to discount the 2003 because they just got it in. New model year. I was only able to get the price I did from my dealer. Other dealers I tried were not even willing to match the price. One told me " I am not willing to GIVE a new model away for only $500" (well, at least he was being honest).

Of course, there is always the "Wow! You already have a 2003?" value

 

WOW! You already have a 2003!

 

This 2002 SE has the titanium package as well... At least, that's what I am led to believe... It has the titanium looking guages, side impact bags, leather stitching, *shrug*... It's an awesome car, but I was just wondering if I should buy it, or wait for the 2003, since 2002 is now a "year old"...

 

As already mentioned in a reply above, if you run it until the wheels fall off, does not matter. If you will get rid of it in the next few years, it is a model year older, and worth less. Also, on the 2002's, right now there is a $1000 rebate, 3.9% financing for five years, and the dealers are more willing to deal.

Mike

 

Yeah, I am going with the 3.9APR, and I will most likely have it for a while. I'm not leasing it..

 

Yes,
I got it 2-1/2 weeks ago. They started shipping the 2003's here end of May. I was joking around with people on whether or not I should buy a 2003 or wait for 2004s in September lol. All they had to do is re-print things and change the 2 to a 3. Same car.

 

Sorry, no Titanium Package available on the 2002's. Only on the 2003's. The extras are: Chrome wheels, compass in rearview mirror, some aluminum panels on the dash areas, drilled aluminum pedals, and some new exterior colors for the 2003's.

 

Oh okay, I see... Thanks

Well, I think I might go with the 2002...because I think I might be able to get a better deal off them with a "1 year old car"... Plus I test drove it today, and when I got in it had only 4 miles on it.. hehe, so I was the first to drive it

 

I would go with 2002, but I think with that price you are getting ripped. I bought my 2002 SE fully loaded with Navi in Feb for 30,000 which included taxes and licensing. Go to www.edmunds.com and check out the 2k2 max se loaded and look at the TMV, print it off and take it into the dealer with you. Just tell them that you will not pay $100 more than the TMV, I promise you will walk away with the car at that price or less. TMV value for the car with every option including side air bags, floor mats, sunroof deflector, etc. is $29,085, I would tell them that this is the most that you are paying for the car, shouldn't be a problem.

 

if you go with the 2002 do not pay more than $29,000 for that car. you probably shouldnt even pay that much.

 

Hey bro: I went through the same dilemma as you. I finally decided to get a 2002, since I'll keep it for many years, and it's a little cheaper. Dealers are not willing to negotiate on the 2003's. The only problem is, as I'm looking to buy my car in the next 2 weeks, they are RUNNING OUT of 2002s...so hurry. I'm having a really hard time finding an SE 6sp with sunroof, side airbags, HLSD, but NO Bose/Leather/Meridian. So far they've found me one with the options I want, plus Bose for best price of $26,200. What do you guys think?

 

Take the $1k cash back and negotiate the APR. I was going to take the 3.9%, but after haggling for the better part of the day, I got a 5.5% APR and $1k cash back. Remember that all of the banks in the area are competing for your business. The give the dealership say a 4% apr. Anything over the 4% goes directly into the dealerships pocket.

 

Actually, if you shop around like I did, you may find a dealer that will negotiate. They too want your business and as in my case, I found the one dealer that gave me a price no other was willing to meet (actually except 1 other but there may have been only up to $300 diff so if the deal failed with the 1 I ended up buying from, I would at least have a backup). But since they are the same car, you really can not go wrong with either one.

 

I got that exact same Max, without Meridian for $27,500 after I took off the rebate. My sticker was $31,700. This was a week before the 03's came in.

 

The 03s are in and they want the 02 off th elot, so I may just go with it. Anyone else have any other tips or hints to drop the price?

 

Go in there at 28K and work them from there. Let them show you they want to find this car a nice home

 

Invoice on this vehicle is $29,190. Less 3% dealer holdback actual dealer cost is $28,314. Offer him $200 over his cost, or $28,514, less your rebate of $1000 net purchase price $27,514. Go in with that as your first offer, go no higher than another $100. Be prepared to walk if he doesn't sell you the car for $27,614 tops. Try it, be persistant, and have the nerve to stick to your guns. If this dealer won't bite you will find one that does.

hlsd