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- Thread starter SpeedGrid
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Re: Negotiating Prices From Dealerships
Ask for maintenance records and if any recalls were done to it. Being an 02 with that low of mileage I would be willing to bet it will need the LIM gaskets changed to the updated aluminum ones right off the bat. If you can do it yourself then its realtively cheap, but a shop will wnat ~$400 or so to do it.
Check the trans fluid and see if it smells burnt, and if its nice and red. Def. drive it. Listen for any knocks, bangs, etc... A 10 year old GP will need struts by now, and possibly LCA's and ball joints.
To me 7K for that sounds high, especially paying in cash. I'd give them $5500 tops. Is this a GM dealer or just some little side street place? Hopefully the previous owners have been running premium (91+) gas in it or its a time bomb waiting. Get it into boost and see if it pulls hard, or misfires/feels sluggish.
Ask for maintenance records and if any recalls were done to it. Being an 02 with that low of mileage I would be willing to bet it will need the LIM gaskets changed to the updated aluminum ones right off the bat. If you can do it yourself then its realtively cheap, but a shop will wnat ~$400 or so to do it.
Check the trans fluid and see if it smells burnt, and if its nice and red. Def. drive it. Listen for any knocks, bangs, etc... A 10 year old GP will need struts by now, and possibly LCA's and ball joints.
To me 7K for that sounds high, especially paying in cash. I'd give them $5500 tops. Is this a GM dealer or just some little side street place? Hopefully the previous owners have been running premium (91+) gas in it or its a time bomb waiting. Get it into boost and see if it pulls hard, or misfires/feels sluggish.
SlowNA06
New member
Re: Negotiating Prices From Dealerships
The car's kind of at a point where it'll need some work soon. Lower intake manifold gasket will need to be replaced soon if not already (check for leaks!). Depending on your area, that's a $600-1200 job (yeah, we can tell you how to do it yourself for less). They all need it eventually. Seems to go bad between like 70,000 and 150,000 miles. I'd suggest calling someone for a quote to know.
Spark plugs and wires. That's about $205 ($45 plugs, $70 wires, $90 labor)
O2 sensors are another 100,000 mile item... Like $300.
Transmission fluid flush + filter... like $180.
Coolant flush... dunno, $70?
Fuel filter - $30
I'd walk in and tell them I'd give them $5,500 cash for the car today. Negotiate it up to $6000, thank them for their time and walk out if it hits $6,500. Give them your number and tell them to call you if the price comes down in the next couple weeks. In my experience, used car dealers are looking to make about $2500 on a car in that price range. He bought it for ~$4,500, listed it for $7,000. He'll still be making $1,500 at $6,000.
The car's kind of at a point where it'll need some work soon. Lower intake manifold gasket will need to be replaced soon if not already (check for leaks!). Depending on your area, that's a $600-1200 job (yeah, we can tell you how to do it yourself for less). They all need it eventually. Seems to go bad between like 70,000 and 150,000 miles. I'd suggest calling someone for a quote to know.
Spark plugs and wires. That's about $205 ($45 plugs, $70 wires, $90 labor)
O2 sensors are another 100,000 mile item... Like $300.
Transmission fluid flush + filter... like $180.
Coolant flush... dunno, $70?
Fuel filter - $30
I'd walk in and tell them I'd give them $5,500 cash for the car today. Negotiate it up to $6000, thank them for their time and walk out if it hits $6,500. Give them your number and tell them to call you if the price comes down in the next couple weeks. In my experience, used car dealers are looking to make about $2500 on a car in that price range. He bought it for ~$4,500, listed it for $7,000. He'll still be making $1,500 at $6,000.
SarasotaGTP
New member
Re: Negotiating Prices From Dealerships
my guess is that in july 08 car was sold or for sale then between then and now the new owner put on the bulk of 40,000ish miles and was just finding out what a PIA these cars can be and dumped it before really putting any serious cash into it. Just a guess based on the timetable and mileage figures on the car fax.
Used is used but at a stealership you can't look the actual owner in the eye and see if they wince when you ask certain questions. The 91 or better octane is a important question not to know the answer to or at least be comfortable that you think you know the answer to. Good luck!
my guess is that in july 08 car was sold or for sale then between then and now the new owner put on the bulk of 40,000ish miles and was just finding out what a PIA these cars can be and dumped it before really putting any serious cash into it. Just a guess based on the timetable and mileage figures on the car fax.
Used is used but at a stealership you can't look the actual owner in the eye and see if they wince when you ask certain questions. The 91 or better octane is a important question not to know the answer to or at least be comfortable that you think you know the answer to. Good luck!
RooK
New member
Re: Negotiating Prices From Dealerships
With a dealership, this is what it comes down to... Showing them you're not desperate. If you start acting like this is the end-all, be-all car that you just gotta have, they'll ream you for it. Being a hard-ass and throwing an offer down and walking away, while leaving them a number if they change their minds; that gets results.
When looking for something specific, you have to either be willing to pay to be patient. This my not be the car for you so don't cave in if they won't work with you on price.
With a dealership, this is what it comes down to... Showing them you're not desperate. If you start acting like this is the end-all, be-all car that you just gotta have, they'll ream you for it. Being a hard-ass and throwing an offer down and walking away, while leaving them a number if they change their minds; that gets results.
When looking for something specific, you have to either be willing to pay to be patient. This my not be the car for you so don't cave in if they won't work with you on price.
Re: Negotiating Prices From Dealerships
Good of you to heed some advice and avoid a headache in the making. I'm sure it was the coolant elbows, but who knows what else was waiting. The no coverage thing would end the conversation real quick.
Just bide your time and keep an eye out and the one you want will come your way. And FWIW, ANY car you buy will have "problems in the future", it just a matter of how prepared you are to deal with them. Some are bigger than others.
Heck, I was willing to fly out from STL where I live to Las Vegas just to buy an 04 Marauder from a guy out there. I figured I'd fly out, buy it and drive it back blasting across the desert. Sadly someone else came up w/ the cash locally and stole it out from under me. Found a similar car here locally the next week and bought it instead. Been fine ever since. Patience isn't always my virtue either but when I'm thinking of being in debt for the next 3-5 years I stop and think.
Good of you to heed some advice and avoid a headache in the making. I'm sure it was the coolant elbows, but who knows what else was waiting. The no coverage thing would end the conversation real quick.
Just bide your time and keep an eye out and the one you want will come your way. And FWIW, ANY car you buy will have "problems in the future", it just a matter of how prepared you are to deal with them. Some are bigger than others.
Heck, I was willing to fly out from STL where I live to Las Vegas just to buy an 04 Marauder from a guy out there. I figured I'd fly out, buy it and drive it back blasting across the desert. Sadly someone else came up w/ the cash locally and stole it out from under me. Found a similar car here locally the next week and bought it instead. Been fine ever since. Patience isn't always my virtue either but when I'm thinking of being in debt for the next 3-5 years I stop and think.