Hi group, I have been lurking here for a while, as I have been strongly tempted to get into an A4 for about 9 months now and have been impressed with the discussions going on.

I just talked to a salesperson at a highly recommended dealer here in the Denver, CO area. I was talking to her about ordering an A4 1.8 Quattro with sports package, etc.

When I brought up the issue of price, she was very adamant that they get full sticker on the A4. She said that the markup on the car is very small ($3000????) and that there is no dealer holdback. She also indicated that several dealerships will negotiate to within $1000 or so of sticker but will make it up in other ways, by negotiating finance, etc, into the deal.

Is this realistic? I know that these cars are in demand but 5% over invoice (what I was offering) still seems like a reasonable profit for the dealer.

I am even contemplating now going through carorder.com although I am wary of ordering a MY2000 from them, since I won't take delivery till January or February (the price might change).

Any info/insights?

This sounds like BS to me...I'd take my business elsewhere. Hell, back in '97 when the 1.8T first came out, I was able to negotiate 7.5% over invoice. Not great by todays standards, but pretty darn good for a car that was in BIG demand back then.

<A HREF="Mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com">Andy Hedin</A>
'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Wett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, Euro Headlights, APR/Borla Exhaust (coming soon!)...

nt

I was told a same story by dealers when I was looking for my 1.8 last June. I just visited more dealers and finally found one whose first offer was what I wanted, about 5% over invoice. He told me that they can do that with no problem because they sell lot more cars than any other dealers around. My recommendation? Visit more dealers.

I paid about 4.5% over invoice, financed on my own, and have been treated with respect the whole way through. At my first service, everything went fine.

In other words, I didn't find a hitch.

I paid just about 5% over invoice for my
99.5 A4 1.8TQMS, everything except trip computer.
One other dealer offered to sell me a car with less feature for only 3% over invoice!!!

btw..I live in the NY area...

best bargains with 99.5 - indash CD and auto dimming mirrors not worth the extra wait nor $...

If they're the only dealer and they're selling all the A4's they've got for MSRP, they aren't going to cut you a deal. However, and I'm guessing here, the Denver area probably has a few dealers...use competition to your advantage.

On the 1.8t, MSRP is only about $3,000 over invoice, but most people have been getting them for around 5% over invoice, myself included (ordered the car in September, took delivery in November).

Also, on negotiating, figure out the most you're willing to pay and do not go over that price (maybe by a dollar or two). Negotiate financing seperately, same for the trade. In fact, check out the new car loan rates and get preapproved for a good one. Then AFTER negotiating the price of the car ask if they can beat your financing (pay attention to total cost, NOT monthly payments).

Regards,
Rodney

'99 A4 1.8tqms

your dealer can find a car that has been produced but not spoken for. Give them a list of what options you want and what color(s)/interior(s) are acceptable. We got exactly what we wanted (found it on the dock in Germany) and waited five weeks. Good luck.

Guestimating on a '00 pricing

w/options and destination (invoice)
=27,100

dealer's profit (+1200)
=28,300

tax (6% = 1698)
=29,998

I got quoted MSRP up here in Maine (where quattro is obviously popular), and 5% above invoice in New York (where the car isn't as super-popular as it is elsewhere) and Boston (where it is, but there are about 8 dealers in the area).

The Maine dealer called me out of the blue on the Saturday morning when I finalized my order in NY, and said basically that they couldn't come close to 5%.

--Shane

BTW, a friend also paid 5% in Boston, got his sport wheels swapped for 5-spokers for free, and got to put it on his Amex for a free plane ticket (which I still have a hard time believeing). Ordered the car off the dealer's allocation list and got it in under 3 months.

I paid about 4% over invoice for my 99.5 1.8TQ TIP in light silver with sunfroof. I was contacted by the dealer through Carpoint and really did have a great buying experience. We haggled over the price for about 30 minutes and that was it. The salesperson was great, he really knew the car and didn't try to sell me anything I didn't want.

Also, for those of you looking to finance your vehicle, I highly recommend Peoplefirst.com. I filled out an online form on a Saturday and had a check Monday afternoon with a 6.88% simple interest rate.

the $3000 dollars sounds about right. my dealer was willing to take off a whole $800. we used autobytel and found a dealer that would sell us a car for 3% over invoice($820). even though our salesman was not making a ton of money on us he filled up the tank and was detailing the car while we were talking to the finiance guy. we ended up financing through our credit union so they did not even get the money back that way