American Express Auto Purchasing

way2fast · 12-20-2009, 06:31 PM

I contacted the dealer who gave a price of $600 under invoice today. They don't have the car/color I wanted in stock but would be able to get it from another dealer. They checked the area and found a few that were available. They charge an additional $699 "dealer fee" on all purchases which brings the cost of the Roadster to $99 over invoice....but then again, every dealer I contacted has a dealer fee ranging from $495 to $799. So even with the fee the final price is still cheaper than any of the other quotes I received. The thing is, today I finally got to see a roadster in person. While the wife liked it, to me it just looks to LARGE. Compared to a BMW Z4 or a Cayman, the thing looks huge. While the measurements provided show it to be around the same size, visually it sure doesn't look it. The high butt shape is probably partially responsible. One other note...the salesman tried to raise the top to show me what it looks like when up and it jambed...not good on a new car. Will it be a problem area ?

Soygen · 12-20-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2fast

I contacted the dealer who gave a price of $600 under invoice today. They don't have the car/color I wanted in stock but would be able to get it from another dealer. They checked the area and found a few that were available. They charge an additional $699 "dealer fee" on all purchases which brings the cost of the Roadster to $99 over invoice....but then again, every dealer I contacted has a dealer fee ranging from $495 to $799. So even with the fee the final price is still cheaper than any of the other quotes I received.

Interesting. I just priced out a fully loaded G37 Coupe Journey. It was pricing it over 9,000.00 under MSRP!

way2fast · 12-21-2009, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soygen

Interesting. I just priced out a fully loaded G37 Coupe Journey. It was pricing it over 9,000.00 under MSRP!

I just priced out the G37 Journey... with Premium Pk, Sport Pk, Rear spoiler, and navigation it was $5,100 under invoice !! That car has a sunroof and features not available on the Z coupe and is actually priced for less $$. Seems too good to pass up. Only thing is the 2010 model is not out yet so the price is on a '09 and includes mfg to dealer rebates. I wonder if the 2010 model will be a new design ?? Any one know if they are plannimg to change?

King Z · 12-23-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2fast

I just priced out the G37 Journey... with Premium Pk, Sport Pk, Rear spoiler, and navigation it was $5,100 under invoice !! That car has a sunroof and features not available on the Z coupe and is actually priced for less $$. Seems too good to pass up. Only thing is the 2010 model is not out yet so the price is on a '09 and includes mfg to dealer rebates. I wonder if the 2010 model will be a new design ?? Any one know if they are plannimg to change?

I just checked out a fully loaded G37x for 37k and called up the dealer and they said they will drop the price even more if I come by before the 26th. Looks like I'm not gonna get a Z anymore.

way2fast · 12-23-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Z

I just checked out a fully loaded G37x for 37k and called up the dealer and they said they will drop the price even more if I come by before the 26th. Looks like I'm not gonna get a Z anymore.

I went to look at the G37. The interior was beautiful. It had options I didn't even know existed. But it is a full size car...far from being a sports car. What really turned me off and broke the deal ($5100 under invoice) was how the body panels fit. The hood and trunk lid had practically no gap on one side and a large one on the other. Every car on the lot was the same..some worse than others. I'm probably too fussy but on a light colored vehicle the uneven panel gaps would annoy me to no end. What happened to Japanese quality. I lease a 2009 Saturn Aura and the panel fit is perfect. I had owned a Saturn Sky and the body fit was better than any car I had ever seen. GM seems to have their act together. Today I looked at a new 2010 BMW Z4. The car drove great and was very quick with the twin turbo 6, but again the body panels were way off...even worse than the G37. This is a $64,000 vehicle....what gives ? Comparing the interior leather and other materials with the G37, it was a no contest...the BMW was not even close to the quality of the Infinity.

way2fast · 12-27-2009, 10:57 PM

Well..... I used the American Express Pricing to purchase a car....but it wasn't a Z or G37.....it was a Mercedes SLK 350....a new 2009 with sports package in silver. Paddle shift 7 speed automatic. I think I got the deal of the century. I paid almost $17,000 UNDER MSRP for it. OTD with all fees and taxes it was $41,550 total. This was less than what Nissan wanted for a Z roadster before adding on the taxes and registration. The folding hardtop is great. With it up, you would never know the car is a roadster. It has very good 360 degree visability with no blind spots.. One thing I will miss however is this great and helpfull forum . Mercedes doesn't have any active forums where info and advice on the SLK is available.

schrute · 12-28-2009, 02:24 AM

Thanks for reporting back on your AmEx buying experience.

Share some pics of the roadster if you can. When the SLK debuted in the 90's I was a fan - nice car!

Slynky · 12-20-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2fast

I contacted the dealer who gave a price of $600 under invoice today. They don't have the car/color I wanted in stock but would be able to get it from another dealer. They checked the area and found a few that were available. They charge an additional $699 "dealer fee" on all purchases which brings the cost of the Roadster to $99 over invoice....but then again, every dealer I contacted has a dealer fee ranging from $495 to $799. So even with the fee the final price is still cheaper than any of the other quotes I received. The thing is, today I finally got to see a roadster in person. While the wife liked it, to me it just looks to LARGE. Compared to a BMW Z4 or a Cayman, the thing looks huge. While the measurements provided show it to be around the same size, visually it sure doesn't look it. The high butt shape is probably partially responsible. One other note...the salesman tried to raise the top to show me what it looks like when up and it jambed...not good on a new car. Will it be a problem area ?

I dunno, "fast" but for me, the roadster doesn't look right. I think you hit the nail on the head talking "butt". Something about the lines don't look right on the convertible (to me). The coupe looks miles better, the lines and sweep of the top work good with "the butt".

Oddly enough, that 2-seater is 2 inches longer than my 4-seat RSX. Go figure!

edjrwinnt · 12-20-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2fast

I contacted the dealer who gave a price of $600 under invoice today. They don't have the car/color I wanted in stock but would be able to get it from another dealer. They checked the area and found a few that were available. They charge an additional $699 "dealer fee" on all purchases which brings the cost of the Roadster to $99 over invoice....but then again, every dealer I contacted has a dealer fee ranging from $495 to $799. So even with the fee the final price is still cheaper than any of the other quotes I received. The thing is, today I finally got to see a roadster in person. While the wife liked it, to me it just looks to LARGE. Compared to a BMW Z4 or a Cayman, the thing looks huge. While the measurements provided show it to be around the same size, visually it sure doesn't look it. The high butt shape is probably partially responsible. One other note...the salesman tried to raise the top to show me what it looks like when up and it jambed...not good on a new car. Will it be a problem area ?

I figured this deal was too good to be true. I think I'll just make a low-ball offer for the 2009 base with sport package that is here locally. I wanna get the sales tax deduction before it runs out at the end of the year too.

way2fast · 12-20-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edjrwinnt

I figured this deal was too good to be true. I think I'll just make a low-ball offer for the 2009 base with sport package that is here locally. I wanna get the sales tax deduction before it runs out at the end of the year too.

I would try the AMEX program and see what they offer from dealers in your state. Some states have limits on "dealer fees" unfortunately for me, Florida is not one of them.

12-28-2009, 02:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	Thanks for reporting back on your AmEx buying experience. Share some pics of the roadster if you can. When the SLK debuted in the 90's I was a fan - nice car! __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

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12-20-2009, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
way2fast Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne Beach FL Posts: 11 Drives: still shopping Rep Power: 16	I contacted the dealer who gave a price of $600 under invoice today. They don't have the car/color I wanted in stock but would be able to get it from another dealer. They checked the area and found a few that were available. They charge an additional $699 "dealer fee" on all purchases which brings the cost of the Roadster to $99 over invoice....but then again, every dealer I contacted has a dealer fee ranging from $495 to $799. So even with the fee the final price is still cheaper than any of the other quotes I received. The thing is, today I finally got to see a roadster in person. While the wife liked it, to me it just looks to LARGE. Compared to a BMW Z4 or a Cayman, the thing looks huge. While the measurements provided show it to be around the same size, visually it sure doesn't look it. The high butt shape is probably partially responsible. One other note...the salesman tried to raise the top to show me what it looks like when up and it jambed...not good on a new car. Will it be a problem area ?

12-27-2009, 10:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
way2fast Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Melbourne Beach FL Posts: 11 Drives: still shopping Rep Power: 16	Well..... I used the American Express Pricing to purchase a car....but it wasn't a Z or G37.....it was a Mercedes SLK 350....a new 2009 with sports package in silver. Paddle shift 7 speed automatic. I think I got the deal of the century. I paid almost $17,000 UNDER MSRP for it. OTD with all fees and taxes it was $41,550 total. This was less than what Nissan wanted for a Z roadster before adding on the taxes and registration. The folding hardtop is great. With it up, you would never know the car is a roadster. It has very good 360 degree visability with no blind spots.. One thing I will miss however is this great and helpfull forum . Mercedes doesn't have any active forums where info and advice on the SLK is available.