Here is my experience. Went to my dealer today to have my rotors serviced. Because I obsess about my car, they pretty much know me by name. The service advisor saw me and aid 'Come here - I've got something to show you!' He took me to the showroom where there was a black 2001 Anniversary Edition (I thought they were all blue!) Maxima. It was sweet. Black perforated leather, the funky looking pedals and shifter and the badging were sweet. And it had 0 miles on it. Then he took me to the same exact car on the lot which had a whopping 30 miles on it and asked me if I wanted to test drive it. I jumped at the chance. The extra 5 HP seemed to make a major difference and it shifted perfectly (it was an auto by the way - they had already pre-sold the stick they ordered). It was a riot. We drove it about 50 miles up and down the highway because the salesman wanted to drive it, too. Then, the kicker. He made me a tempting offer to trade in my 2k SE loaded (no trac control) for the Anniversay Edition. Says the VW sales manager is kicking their a$$ and they want to make a deal. It stickers at 31,319 loaded (Meridian, sunroof, everything). Then (and I don't understand this) the dealer here in St. Louis adds $4k to the sticker for it being a limited edition bringing it to 35,319. But, the offer they made me was $1,000 additional down payment, and payments $100 more than the payments I have for my 2k. For my 2k, I got them down to 24, but had to absorb 3k of being upside down. So, I thought it was a pretty sweet offer, but never taking the first one, I told them I wanted no additional down and $20 more bucks a month in payments (48 month loan). He said they couldn't do it - he got to $50 bucks more in payments and $500 down. But, if they didn't sell either of the two before the end of the year (he says everyone wants a stick and won't pay the 4k for being a limited edition so there's a shot), he will give it to me for that. I told him I wanted the one out of the showroom if possible (no body having test driven it) and he said if it was stil there, I had a deal.

So, that's my story. It was addictive - I almost walked out with that car tonight, but I do love my max and the only mod I have so far is the FSTB so I wouldn't be losing out on anything. By the way, they offered my $26,500 for trade-in because they said it is in perfect shape. I wash every week and use Zaino once a month, Armor all the inside and use Lexol on the leather. Only 8k miles on it. We'll see. I'd love to have it.

Thanks for listening- I couldn't wait to come back and share!

Matt

[Edited by blackY2Kmax on 09-13-2000 at 11:06 PM]

 

My wife turned down the 2 Maxima family offer. She wants to hang onto her car, since it's almost paid off. I'm considering a trade for Limited edition for my 2000 GXE. I would get the base Limited Edition, with only Bose added on. Stick. That should be around $27,500 or so, with an invoice of $24,500. These limited editions are not that limited. I'm going to wait a month or so after the excitement dies down and make the offer to my dealer.

 

I'm pretty excited and was almost tempted to jump last night, so it's probably a good idea to wait until all the excitement dies down. They may not be that limited, but they sure are nice. I love the one I drove last night. I also tried to talk my wife into trading in her 96 Honda Accord so that we could become a 2 maxima family, but she is really enticed by the thought of only haveing one car payment in about 3 months, so she didn't bite. I may be wrong (it happens often), but it will probably bite my dealer in the rear-end to mark up an additional $4,000 for the 'limited edition' feature. We'll see. If he comes down to my number, I'm sold. Good luck with your deal.

Later.

 

We just had the same conversation. She drives a 96 Taurus that is almost paid for and doesn't want 2 car payments. (her car has been very reliable so far with 75,000 miles) She said if I REALLY wanted it, I should trade in MY car and not hers. It all depends on the offer. After I see the offer on paper, I'll probably run the other way.

 

They must be talking. It bites. The offer is ugly. I ran the numbers that they were offering and they basically are coming down $100 off the sticker. I know it's a brand new thing and they aren't into haggling for a Special Edition so I'll just bide my time and see what happens. I'm in no rush and don't NEED to make the deal so that helps a lot.

For everybody's info, the perforated leather seats are about 100 times more comfortable than my regular leather seats and they were awesome. I called my parts department to see if I don't get the car how much it would be to put those seats in my car It was $600 for EACH front seat. $750 for the back seats and $300 per door panel ( I thought that was fake leather). Luckily my steering wheel is already black!! So that is $3150 before installation. Yikes. I'll get the body kit first!