OK, I located another Max that fits what we want. It's an '02 SE, loaded with every option except navi. It's White w/tan leather. 27k miles. They're asking $19,988, which is, of course, way too much. What do you all think I should offer for this car?

Also, what should I use as bargaining material? For example, I know it has the stock Potenzas on it, and I know they're awful. I printed out the user comments on TireRack in case the dealer tries to tell me they're "awesome" tires. I'm going to use the fact that I'll have to replace the tires ASAP as a bargaining chip. What else can I use? Any flaws on the '02 SE that I should bring up?

Thanks in advance...I'm going to the stealer tomorrow, so any advice is appreciated.

 

i dont think the tires are a strong arguments...
maybe you should take it for a drive and slam on the brakes when you're goig like 50 to see if the steering wheel is virbrating.. sign of warping rotors.. i think that would be a better argument

look if there are any paint chips.. look at the carpeting. check the radio system..if it comes with bose 2k2 are know to loose sound randomly in the speakers.


at the time when i bought my 2k1 which was in 2002 i bought it for 17 k .. and it had 15k on it..

so you should be able to get the car for 17-18 k if u negotiate right

good luck

 

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else have any suggestions? This is going to be my first semi-new car purchase. I am driving an '87 Civic now...so you can obviously see what an upgrade this is going to be for me.

 

Offer $16,000 to $16,500, then replace the tires once you "steal" the car from your "stealer". $20k for a car with a trade-in value of $14k is freaking ridiculous.

 

$17.5-18 is where you will probably wind up. Loaded Maxes at dealers go for a pretty good premium.

 

I was thinking of offering them 16k. If I can get it for $16,500, I'll drive away in a new car Friday. We shall see...

 

Just got back. The car WAS in good shape. However, the Bose REALLY DOES SUCK! Dang, does it suck. I was utterly unimpressed with it. Not to mention, the dealer would not budge any lower than 18k. The absolute most I would have payed is 17k, but all I offered was 16.5k. We'll see if they call me back tomorrow with a lower offer. If not, no biggie. I'm in no rush.
I'm seriously considering getting a base SE with no leather and Bose, though. I'd like to have the leather, but not the Bose...and I know you can't get leather w/o Bose. I'm just not sure the leather is worth the extra several $k to me. I'm betting I can get an SE with cloth and no bose with less than 30k miles for $15k or less. I may start looking at them, too.

 

if u get cloth you can always get a aftermarket leather for around 600 bucks..

 

Is it nice, though? And do they replace the cloth in the door panels with leather too?

 

I picked up an 03 SE with 28K miles for $17,000 back in Dec. It only has the moonroof and I am going to put in a leather kit both the kits I am looking at with do custom logos in the seats and comes with the door panels for about $600-$650. (of course not installed)

 

I am in the same situation as the original poster. I am looking at a 2002 GLE that is listed at $20k. The salesman is my dad's old friend so I should be able to talk him down a few k hopefully

 

Where would one find such a kit?