cookpr

Been looking at what I can expect to get to ultimately when I go negotiate.

Obviously, if the car you want is on the lot, you can bargain more, but from reading this forum, Edmunds, Fresh Alloy and others, it appears that since this car has been on the lots for a year now, one has a bit more wiggle room.

Is it realistic to go in to a dealership (here in the Chicago area where there are many) and expect to get a 04 SE for at least $4,000 MSRP?

Say a black on black 04 SE is stickered at $31,000ish, is it realistic to get them down to $27,000 + TTL?

Is that too low, or can I get even more off?

Chris_RI

Im from RI, I just bought a 04 SE with Driver Preferred Package, floor mats,mud guards,sliding roof. Most cars come with this package by default, most common. MSRP 32,300. Now I had a trade in so I got screwed somewhere in there with the trade in, because you never really know what yuor getting for the trade or what they are taking off, but according to their papers I got the car for 29,000 and that was after going back and forth between dealers. It wasnt easy originally it was around 30,500 they offered. Anyways I had 1997 maxima with 135,000 miles and the thing was in good shape but they rated it fair blah blah and gave me kbb value of like 3800, I prob could of sold for more but I didnt want to waste my time, time=money. Anyways, Since there are no deals or good financing options its tuff to get a good deal on the maximas. I think you should shoot for 4 grand off but be prepared to get turned down. I shot for lower but it wasnt happening. Heres what to do, get some prices without a trade at different dealers. Then when you dont like the price say "well I can get it at so and so for 27,000" or whatever you are shooting for and I gurantee they drop like mad, and then if its still a little high you got to work with them more. who knows, im no expert, avoid the trade in option, and and have your own financing unless you have good credit cause you can get a good rate through them, i got 3% . Remember Im no pro either
Good Luck

Maximaino

According to Edmunds, a Maxima equipped like Chris' would have a TMV of $30,670 and invoice at $29,340 (not including regional and coloradjustments). Seems like Chirs got a good deal.

Try multiple dealers over the internet and make them know that they are competing for your sale.

Tvetti

I would negociate the price based on Invoice price and NOT on MSRP.

The difference between MSRP and Invoice increases with the number of options and hence getting $4000 off of a loaded car is easier than on the base model.

Any options, the closer you get to the invoice price, better the deal is!!!

The other thing I would do
1. Dont settle down with a price based on your monthly payment.
2. Get the price first and then talk about the trade in.

And to answer your question, i have seen other posts where the people have got $500-$700 below invoice for a car that is been in dealer's lot for a long long time.....

just my .02

cookpr

I for one, do not agree with the Edmunds TMV stuff. Those prices seem nowhere near reality, in fact, they seem rather "dealer friendly".

With no hassle, you could go to CarsDirect.com and get one for just over invoice. Also, there are several Credit Unions in Chicago that with no effort, have a buying program where you can get any Max for $300 below (thats with no effort whatsoever other than picking it out). So in my mind, anyone paying over invoice is leaving a lot on the table.

There are dealers here in Chicago (Woodfield to be exact) that advetrise having over 100 available - so they are not flying off the shelves. A quick scan on the NIssan site shows most have 20-40 minimum available.

cookpr

I agree, anyone negotiating on monthly price is asking for a shaft up the ***, sideways!!

I also agree there is much mroe wiggle room on a loaded car.

I am a month or two away from buying yet, but will certainly keep everyone informed of my "journey". My target is $1000 below invoice, which I think I can swing with out much stress.

We shall see.

Chris_RI

If you don’t mind waiting like you said I bet you can easily get a great deal in the summer since the 05's will be rolling out end of summer. Waiting is tuff, and then your tempted for the 05 not the 04. But I like buying an 04 when the 05's are around the corner because it preserves mileage when you want to get rid of the car, it looks like you drove it less in a sense.

cookpr

Yeah, that would be ideal, but I honestly dont envision 05's coming out until the fall, and not sure I want to wait that long only to have to worry about getting the new 05 vs 04.......might turn into a constant what if and waiting game.......

1SICKLEX

In Atlanta, just saw in Sundays'a paper. SE maxima's going for 23,999. Great price to me.

aussie983

iTrader: (16)

'04 maxima??????????

Chris_RI

Yea thay doesnt sound right? the base is 27 change, it must have sever hail damage or something

cookpr

Actually, in Chicago, most dealers typically advertise "select" SE's at $24,500. Even saw one the other week w/ leather listed for $24,995.

Albeit, $24,500 is not $23,000, so could be a demo or something.

Yinzer

I just bought a 2004 (new) SE 10 days ago. Admittedly, it's stripped down (floor mats and splash guards), but still much more than I was used to! The price was quoted in a newspaper ad at $24,499. Tax (7%) and title pushed the final price to over 26,000. But there were no extras like destination charge or dealer prep added in. So, according to Edmunds I paid nearly $1,000 less than invoice. The dealer had two in stock - red and bronze. I really liked blue and the salesman said he'd try to find one in blue for me. He called back in about an hour and started telling me how the ad was a misprint and the newspaper made a mistake, something about the state attorney general, blah, blah, blah. "Oh great" I thought, "here comes the bait & switch". Well, what the salesman was getting to in his round-about way, was that he thought I hated red. He couldn't get a blue one at $24,499 and would I be interested in the bronze? He ultimately said that the dealership would honor the price quoted in the newspaper (interesting that two separate newspapers quoted the same price) and that their property & casualty insurer would file a claim against the newspaper. Now I'm not naive - I know the dealer made some money off of me. But I'm comfortable with what I paid. If I paid too much, please don't let me know. I don't think I could bear it. ;-)

mdlightning2002

msrp 32.620 paid 28.700 plus tax tag tonite on the road sweet car love it

cookpr

congrats on the purchase.......what color?

So my theory is correct, $4000 off MSRP is the ticket...

gmc74

I would aim for $500-1000 off invoice, and work up from there.

lightonthehill

cookpr -

I don't see the $4K off MSRP in this thread. The most off I see here is the $23,999 for a stripped SE in an Atlanta newspaper. The base MSRP is just a hair over $27,000, so we are talking just over $3,000 off MSRP.

But, as silvermax04 pointed out, dealing from MSRP can be meaningless, due to the options issues. Dealing from invoice gives the true story of how good the bargain is.

In my opinion (other's opinions will differ widely), Buying the '04 Maxima at invoice is a very good deal. Buying around $500 below invoice is a great deal. Buying around $1000 below invoice means the dealer really wanted to get rid of this particular vehicle.

There are, of course, variations based on such things as number of Nissan dealers in the vicinity, quantity of vehicles on the lot, sales quotas/deadlines, and even idiosyncrasies such as clearing the 4 speed SLs for the newer 5 speeds.

Good luck in getting your new Maxima. Think 'below invoice', and be polite, but be stubborn and persistent.

Virus

iTrader: (1)

Never deal with MSRP. Just put blinders on that price. Always deal with invoice. KBB and Edmunds both list invoice numbers. Although they aren't always accurate numbers, because there is so many incentives from the manufacturer that we don't know about.

ethorn

What you start with off of MSRP depends on the options... Best advice is as what most have said. Deal with invoice price and consumer reports will give you the dealer incentive. I started from what I suspected it was based on the Acura TL and G35x which I had investigated. I did OK and got mine for 28800 on a MSRP of 32100 (If I remember right). I just wish I got the NAV so that my screen would be brighter and less washed out under sunlight.

Reese

I just bought the SE Pref. PKG, six speed, black. It listed at 32,045 (Tampa Florida), I traded in a vehicle that I still owed on... I ended up getting the car for 28,500 out the door... I did it 31 May (Nissan's end of year sale)... Good luck...

Reese

Reese

I just bought the SE Pref. PKG, six speed, black. It listed at 32,045 (Tampa Florida), I traded in a vehicle that I still owed on... I ended up getting the car for 28,500 out the door... I did it 31 May (Nissan's end of year sale)... Good luck...

Reese

2k3TitaniumSe

iTrader: (3)

A Nissan dealer in IL has $5000 off MSRP.

AngryPotato

I just picked up my Maxima Tuesday and it had a 27,890 sticker price here in Connecticut. I paid 24,544. Not a bad deal for such a bad *** vehicle IMO.

2k3TitaniumSe

iTrader: (3)

Not a bad price at all!

kenny

The 04 Max is selling at a price where the 03 Max used to be sold at for comparable equipment. The difference is that with the 04 you get a better rear suspension, a fresher look (like it or hate it) and roomier interior. I don't know about reliability, but it seems that the 04 has more quirks, because it is a first year production.

Nismo_K

Be prepared to haggle... go to
Autobytel.com and find out what the average price is in your area. Take it in with you to the dealership and say, this is what I want to buy this car for, this is what I know people are buying them for, can you match it.

I always use the, I have other people checking into the car for me at other dealerships and am looking for a competitive price.

My mother in law is currently shopping for a 04 Max or 04 G35 Sedan.

I got the Infiniti dealer to give me a drive off the lot price on a Brilliant Silver 04 G35 Sedan, auto with leather interior for $27,895 TTL included.

Haggle, haggle and tell them you're a cash buyer if you're able to get financing through another institution and they'll jump through hoops for ya.