2017 GTI SE, DSG, Pure White, never test driven. Southern California. May 19.
$31,500 out the door with $11,500 down and $500 Partner Program discount.
$368.85 / month, 60 payments with a 3.99% simple interest, no prepayment penalty loan.
I used the VW website to find in-transit vehicles on the way to the dealer, so not test driven.
I called the dealers to get a sales contact to work with and emailed my offer to them.
The first salesman to call me with a match got the deal.
I made sure I had a firm price by having them confirm the acceptance of my offer by email.
MSRP $33,450 included Monster Mats, Splash Guards, Luggage Net, Roadside Assistance Kit.
Cash Price $28,850, $4,650 off sticker which includes $500 Partner Program discount. (Note: So Cal region dealers pay a higher price adjustment than East Coast)
(Price on contract was $27,850 with $995 dealer BS add-ons. See below)
$31,500 out the door, including the $2,242 (8.75%) sales tax.
Financed $20,000 @ 3.99%, $11,500 down.
The higher interest got me a lower price because the dealer gets a commission based on a percentage of the loan.
Doesn't matter to me because I'm paying it off early.
Tricks the dealer tried to pull:
Gap insurance. Why the hell should I pay $650 for gap insurance when I put down $11,500. I called them on it, and they took it off.
BS dealer add-ons:
$399 ShadowMark Anti-Theft Labeling (Useless, does not lower car insurance, and the window stickers get removed to tint windows)
$399 Door edge and door handle scratch guard. (Dealer installed, maybe worth $50)
$197 1yr nitrofill free nitrogen tire fill. (For that I can buy a fill tank kit that would last the life of the car.)
I did not pay for the add-ons.
The price for the car was lowered to $27, 850 to match my offer.
All in all a very pleasant experience once we all knew I wasn't falling for gap insurance.
I probably could have squeezed out another $500-$700 off the price, but I paid a bit more for a car that hadn't been test driven.
Moral of the story.... Research and arrive at the price you're willing to pay BEFORE you shop.
Do the math... know these three numbers: out the door price, down payment and monthly payment.
Anything they try to slip by changes these numbers, so you'll know.
Confirm your offer by email on a yes or no basis BEFORE you go .
They really resist giving a written (emailed) price knowing you'll take it to other dealers to beat it.