I went to test drive an A4 1.8 about a month ago. I know I have seen many responses on this board about availability and pricing on this model and the 2.8. You might have seen my posts about my relocation to Dallas in the next few months, and the response I received price-wise from the Dallas dealer, prices being considerably higher than where I am now in New Jersey, although I would think the demand would be higher in New Jersey. My desire is to purchase either a 1.8 or 2.8 in Dallas, as I would like the service and loaner cars to be where I purchased the car.<p>Anyway, I have test driven a number of cars, and never got a call back from any of the other dealers. After I test drove the Audi, and was given a price of $1,500 over invoice, the Sales Manager called me back about a week later and told me he could do better on the price if that was holding me up. I told him I had not made a decision as of that point. I thought I wouldn't hear from him again, but it's been about three weeks since the last phone call, and he just called me again, and said he would do everything to get me into the Audi I wanted. He would locate a car, give me as good a price as possible, etc. As I stated, I really want to wait until I move, but I am very surprised at the anxiousness of this dealer, as he is the only dealer within an hour's distance of me, and I live in a pretty toney area (Princeton), where I would think the demand would be higher. I am a little puzzled as to why he is pursuing this situation, where every other dealer won't deal very much because of supply and demand.<p>Any thoughts?

My guess is there are ten people like you, if five buy he meets his numbers to support a higher allocation of Audis for the next two months. Then he'll come up short again and need some help from an enthusiast like you. It's a bad cycle for him to be trapped in, but if you can capitalize on his less-than-desirable situation, all the better.<p>Cameron<br>

I know its fun to revile car sales people - however this manager may just know that the most expensive art of his business is sales lead acquisition. Sounds like he is actively soliciting your business vs. just waiting for you to walk in a cut a deal.<p>There's hope yet. Now all we need is similarly proactive service managers realising that an once of genuine TLC follow up to a service call would net them more repeat business and profits than a week of wall jobs!

I know its fun to revile car sales people - however this manager may just know that the most expensive part of his business is sales lead acquisition. Sounds like he is actively soliciting your business vs. just waiting for you to walk in to cut a deal.<p>There's hope yet. Now all we need are similarly proactive service managers realising that an once of genuine TLC follow-up to a service call would net them more repeat business and profits than a week of wall jobs!

I wouldn't puzzle over it too much. It sounds like they're ready to cut you a great deal. It's not like you're buying it out of the back of a van in the Wal-Mart parking lot. You know you're getting a real A4.<p>BTW have you told them you're moving? If not, don't. They may be hoping for the repeat business, and they may also be expecting the warranty business. I believe they charge that back to Audi, and probably make a killing on it.

You didn't say which of the Dallas dealerships (Central or Park Place) that you were dealing with. If it is PP, and you are dealing with BradH, he's following-up because, as someone else suggested, "He's a pro" and likes what he does. Brad did a great job of taking care of me whin I was deciding on my car, options, etc., and has been invaluable when my 2.8Avant had to have a new brain. See SOMEONE ELSE's (can't remember who) post of a few days ago regarding PP for more info about what you can expect from them.<p>They (PP) will wait, but of course would prefer not to. Keep us posted (NPI)

The dealer that keeps calling me is Nassau Conover Audi in Princeton, New Jersey. The dealer I called in Texas that was very negotiable is Park Place Audi. I called Central Audi, and they were non-negotiable and unpleasant on the phone. I think when I get to Dallas, I will go to Park Place. Financially, I need to move first before I buy anything, and even though Nassau Conover would probably make me a better deal, I need to wait. <p>I was just surprised at the pursuance of this dealer on the A4, considering it is a "hot" car!