Hey gang,

I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I've been shopping for a new vehicle for about 6 months now, and I've looked into many, many different options, and have come to the conclusion a 2004 Maxima is my best bet. I am a tall guy (6'5"), so that alone ruled out a great deal of cars (and pretty much all 2-door cars), so I began researching sedans. I narrowed my search to the Infiniti G35x, and the Nissan Maxima.

The Infiniti was nice, rode well, but was difficult for me to justify the extra thousands of dollars a similarly equipped Max was going to run, in addition, the attitude of the salespeople I encountered at Inifiniti was just, eh, I don't know, snobbish.

So here's what I've decided on:

-2004 Maxima SE
-Majestic Blue exterior
-Black Leather Interior
-Elite Package (the bucket rear seats...awesome)
-Vehicle Dynamic Control
-Power Sunroof
-XM Radio
-Floor/Trunk mats

Heh pretty much everything...I hate buying a car and wishing later on I had gotten this or that thing. I test drove one tonight, and it drove every bit as well as the G35...but a ton of small things just won me over; telescoping steering wheel, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, etc. etc.

The dealer (of course) doesn't stock the blue ones...going to have to order it for me. $36,360 is list on this vehicle with the options, and has an invoice of $32, 853. I am thinking of just going down and saying I want to pay $34k even for it. What's been the general feeling with dealerships and negotiating pricing? I know it's a dealership, and they are in the business to make money, but I also want to get a deal on my new ride as well.

Is $34k too little to expect to pay for this car, bearing in mind that the salesman I am working with will have spent about 10 minutes with me to sell the car? Or does anyone have advice on what route I should go to get the best deal?

Thanks in advance for the site...it's a great resource. I've really enjoyed reading about other's experiences, seeing other's rides, and getting ideas for upgrades.

 

Too much!

 

Well, on Saturday I got an SL with sunroof, driver's preferred, mats, and splash guards for invoice. But, it was on their lot. I'm not sure if they would do that for an ordered vehicle. You can try though.

 

If you are going to have a prayer of getting a deal on a new car, you need to be informed. If you are going to do battle with the Dealer on price, you need to know what they know: Invoice prices.
Before I ever visited the dealer, I went online to Consumer Reports website and ordered a "New Car Price Report" on the 04 Max. It was the best $12.00 dollars I ever spent and probably helped me to save thousands. The report tells you what invoice price is and everything that gets added on after that. The report also tells you what the options cost and gives you both invoice price and MSRP. Don't get stuck paying MSRP for anything. The first dealer I talked to quoted me a price and then tried to tack on freight charges. When I told him that I knew destination charges were already figured into the Total Dealer Invoice price and that I wasn't going to pay it twice, he didn't have a lot to say.
I only went once to actually visit a dealer, and that was only to test drive a new Maxima (I also tested a 350Z). After that I did all my dealing over the phone. I probably talked to 5 or 6 sales people on the phone before I bought my car. I bought it over the phone from a dealer 75 miles away. They drove the car down and delivered it to my door on a Tuesday night. I signed the paperwork sitting in my kitchen. I got the car I wanted, in the color I wanted and with all the options I wanted(Red opulence, Drivers Prefered Package, Premium Audio Package, Power Sun Roof, Mats & Spats) for $200.00 over invoice. Plus I saved $300.00 by buying in a county with a lower sales tax rate. All in all, an enjoyable experience.
Information is your ammo. There are dozens of websites available with really good info on how to buy a car and tips on how to avoid the pitfalls of the uninformed. Do your homework and you will save yourself money and headaches!

 

Thanks for the info...I've been using Edmunds.com, as it shows invoice pricing, and has lots of reviews and other information.

How was your experience dealing over the phone? The dealer here in town says they have found the car I want with all the features, just a matter of getting it here, but I suspect they are going to want full pop for the car since it's not on their lot.

Should I try to find out where they are getting the car from and just deal with that dealership instead? I just get the feeling that the dealership here mistakes my knowledge of the car for an overeagerness and willingness to pay full MSRP (which I won't do.).

Thanks again for the info. I'll let ya know how it goes.

 

Another tip for you. This is how I usually deal with it- simply put together a letter with all the options and codes that you want, being sure to specify colors, etc. Put in there what the inv price is (so they know you know) and include what your offer is. If you know they're going to have to order, 2-400 over invoice ought to do it. Then FAX the letter to 5-10 local dealerships to the attention of the "fleet/internet manager". The fax numbers are on nissan.com's dealer locater. Let them know in the letter that you want a signed, approved deal sheet back by such and such date and time and that you'll contact them when you receive it. Works like a charm- I've bought my last 3 vehicles and it's hassle-free. They don't have your phone number, so they can't bug you with counter offers and other BS. Don't get nervous if they wait till your deadline to reply. They want to make you sweat a little

 

G35x might be a better choice if you live in snow region. Are there any plans for Nissan
to make Maxima AWD?? That would be ideal.

 

The short answer is that if the invoice price is $32,853, then $34,000 is too much to pay for it. Many dealers are accepting invoice or close to it, and believe me they're making money. (Pssssst: dealers don't pay invoice for cars ... they pay invoice minus holdbacks, minus bonuses, minus special incentives, etc., etc.)

And it doesn't matter that they have to get the car from another dealer ... they simply trade for one they have. (Having said that, if it's very far, there may possibly be a small charge for transporting the car to your dealer. Mine came from 225 miles away, and there was no charge for that.)

Here's a suggestion: go to the Nissan website. Under "Build and locate your car" (or whatever they call it), use the locator to find the vehicle you want at dealers near you. Then contact those dealers direct and see if you can get a better deal than through your local dealer. Buy local if you can, but don't shoot yourself in the foot to do it.

Mike

 

Here is what happened when I got my Maxima. I too at first thought that 1 to 2 grand over invoice was a low price. I was wrong. My dad went in and offered 500 over invoice and walked out. The next day, the deal was set. So ask for like 500 over invoice.

 

If they did the deal for $500 over invoice, then try $500 under invoice next time.

I spent a few weeks negotiating my purchase price, and equally as important, my trade value. I only went to the dealer to test drive the car once, and I brought my car to several dealers to find out what they would give me for my trade.

A few things that I found to be key-

1) Knowledge is everything, what you don't know will hurt your wallet
2) Patience, you have to be patient and take your time. I don't have patience, so I pick a day a few weeks off and won't buy anything before that
3) The dealership does make more money if they order the car, but the sales people want the sale that day so they will tell you they don't
4) Work the dealers via email and the phone, never accept their best price. Play them all against each other, let them know that you are doing that. It seems to cut the BS out.
5) Act as if color is not an issue, if a dealer knows that you want a specific color, and he has it, he will try to use it against you. Tell him that you like blue or red, and that it doesn't really matter... it is a car to get you from point a to point b... he doesn't have to know that you will only buy the blue one.

As the person above stated, check the Nissan site and you can view the inventory of all the dealers in your area. That way you know who has the car you want. Pick a price to start with, like $500 below invoice, and one as your top price, like invoice, and don't pay more, period. They will try to screw with you, just walk out. If they can make that deal, they will either chase you down in the parking lot, or call you the next day (I have had both done to me). If they can't do it, then they won't call you back, and you will know where rock bottom is... which is a nice number to know.

Good luck, and have fun... I view car buying as a sport, and sadly, I enjoy the challenge

 

Try Not to pay more then invoice.

Good luck

 

Well, I got the salesman down to $33,000 even, which is about $200 over invoice. I had the $34k price in mind, until he called me about 3 times last week, then I knew I could go lower. Looking back, I probably could have shaved another $500 or so, but that's alright.

They are getting the car from another dealership. The salesman said he was going to go drive it back, and I'm like 'uhm, I'd prefer it trucked it.' I didn't want the car's first 250 miles to be driven like who knows what by this guy.

As soon as I take delivery I'll be posting some pictures. I'm pretty excited...I am tempted to call and make an appointment to get the windows tinted, but I figure I need the car first hehe.

And no, there isn't any snow here, ever. Central california may get a bit nippy in winter (low 30's on the coldest day), but it hasn't snowed here in 20 years (so that negated (for me) the need for AWD).

 

I'd pass.
Very nice lines. Good feel.
Mine is loaded and has less than 8000 miles. Lots of rattles. NO HEAT at all in the rear. Under seats is freezing cold too. Dealer said it's a horrible venting design. Nothing can be done.
Lots of road noise ! Much more than Toyota but less than Honda.

For $30k you can do allot better.

 

Got my '04 Silver SL loaded doad with everything but elite and navi for $14,000.

 

Got my '04 silver SL loaded down with everything, but navi for $14,000. traded in 99 GMC extended cab fully loaded Z71 SLE. was ragged out, prolly dead now. Had 11 inches an 40 inch Interco TSLs and was also used as my farm truck, tractor and hardcore play toy for 100,000 miles. traded it in with 3rd rear end goin out and 2nd transmission slippin like HELL and the steering was really really loose do to big-*** tires! Maybe you should consider buyin it in Arkansas since most of us ain't all there . My Max is about to roll over 15000 miles and I haven't had any problems or complaints. Everything is perfect so far. Only mods are 2.5% tint and cut-off resonator. Also ordered Sarona body kit, grille, roof spoiler and truck lip from Leo at Sarona Design today. And ordered my Giovanna Genoa 20x9 chromes. Good luck with gettin a good deal.

 

Just something to consider... the '04 came out in March/April of last year... it's safe to assume that the '05 is just around the corner... I'm not sure if you can hold off for another 1-2 months to see what the '05 is like, but if you can, by all means, do so... you can either get the newest model, or an '04 at a steep discount.

 

Normally, all you have to do is walk in with a fair offer. (somewhere within a 1000 dollars of invoice, either over or under, depending on the car, the dealer, and the time of year) Then, if they don't accept it, walk out. 9 times out of ten, they will call you back and make your deal.

I did this with my max, and with my Eclipse. The eclipse was a little more tricky as I was actually shopping before the official release date. But after 2 dealers let me walk off the third called me back.

 

I sent an assload o femails to every dealer within 300 miles and paid less than invoice. The quotes just came rolling in and they have to go low or you won't call them. Try it

 

damn! let's see those pics when you get that kit and rims...i remember when the sarona dealer was posting sarona kit pics of the '04 max...beautiful! esp. those vents on the back! haha...i like 'em!

 

Two posters mentioned the '05, suggesting it may be imminent.

The unusually early (March '03) timing of the release of the '04 Maxima was set by several factors. The change to a totally new design from a totally different factory in a different country, and the slowing sales of the gen 5 design were probably among the major reasons.

I would be surprised if the '05s arrived at dealer's lots before summer; May at the very earliest. Moreover, the second year after a complete redesign usually has minimal changes, usually cosmetic. If there were any big changes in store for the '05, we would have heard something about them by now.

Several posters referred to the Nissan site as a place to find exactly the car you seek. That was true until this past September. Until then, one could look down the inventory of any Nissan dealer in the country, seeing exactly how every car was equipped. Sadly, that service stopped. Now the Nissan site links you to specific dealer's sites, of which most are absolutely worthless.

The other option at the Nissan site, which is to 'build your car' always listed dealers with cars 'somewhat like I wanted', and invariably, listed every dealer in my area. Again, totally worthless.

Because of these regressive moves on the Nissan site, I have no idea what is on my dealer's lot unless I go there in person. That is truly a sad situation, and speaks very poorly of the Nissan marketing process.

 

The site still works like it always has, even since Sept. I use it everyday, that's how I found my 04 MAX. Maybe something is wrong with your computer.