Buying, need help with price

[nricciardi]

Folks,

This is my first message here. Joined the forum yesterday to learn about the car. Been reading a lot since.

I need help. I'm not from US and this will be the first time I buy a car in the country. I just got into US transferred by my employer for a 3 year assignment.

The thing is that the buying process here is very different from what I'm used to. Here they give you the price but on top of that they add tax (I'm ok with that) but also other items that can really change the final number. Dealer fees... all sorts of stuff that I really don't understand. It's just a different process that I'm not used to.

So, I guess my question here would be what is the fair out of the door price for a base (no packages) V6?

When you guys use the term out of the door does that include license and tags as well?

I appreciate any help you guys can give me. I've already decided that the Genesis will be my car. Now I want to learn about all the costs and fees and taxes so that I don't get a bad deal.

Thank you very much in advance.

Ricciardi

 

[sandy]

Folks,

This is my first message here. Joined the forum yesterday to learn about the car. Been reading a lot since.

I need help. I'm not from US and this will be the first time I buy a car in the country. I just got into US transferred by my employer for a 3 year assignment.

The thing is that the buying process here is very different from what I'm used to. Here they give you the price but on top of that they add tax (I'm ok with that) but also other items that can really change the final number. Dealer fees... all sorts of stuff that I really don't understand. It's just a different process that I'm not used to.

So, I guess my question here would be what is the fair out of the door price for a base (no packages) V6?

When you guys use the term out of the door does that include license and tags as well?

I appreciate any help you guys can give me. I've already decided that the Genesis will be my car. Now I want to learn about all the costs and fees and taxes so that I don't get a bad deal.

Thank you very much in advance.

Ricciardi

Very good questions as it's a messy project to buy a car in the US. Out-the-door means your total cost, including the selling price you finally negotiate, dealer fees, taxes and registration (license plates). EVERYTHING it will cost to drive the car away. There are several web sites such as Edmunds.com, Cars.com etc that offer tips on how to buy a car. They will give you a pretty good idea of the process and what to look out for. Goodl luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[dataguy]

It's also highly specific to which of the states you are in. If you let us know which state, there are probably some local folks who know about applicable taxes, fees, and laws.

As a guideline, I'd expect to see a 2010 base V6 sedan with no additional options with a sales price in the $32,000 range before taxes and fees. In my state of California, the rule-of-thumb is to add about 10-11% of the price for out-the-door costs. That number can vary greatly depending on your actual state.

The biggest thing that you have to be aware of is that dealers will tend to add all sorts of unnecessary fees and add-ons (such as paint protection, serial numbering of parts, aftermarket alarm systems, extended warranties, and so forth). You need to be prepared to walk away if they start to add these costs, even after "agreeing" to a sale. The car is not sold until you agree on the contract price and sign.

I like Edmunds.com's advice pages: http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/index.html

BTW, welcome to the U.S.

 

[nricciardi]

Thank you all.

This is indeed a very friendly forum. I hope I'll be able to return the help in the future.

I'm in south Florida.

Thanks

 

[dataguy]

I'm in south Florida.

You'll have no shortage of S. Florida people here who can help, both with specifics about Florida costs, but probably even dealership referrals.

 

[nricciardi]

One thing that I don't understand is

"Advertising fee".

What on earth is this? Is this something mandatory?

One of the dealers I contacted is also asking $470 as "Dealer fees", much higher than the $200 average I see here? What is this for?

Thanks.

 

[sandy]

One thing that I don't understand is

"Advertising fee".

What on earth is this? Is this something mandatory?

One of the dealers I contacted is also asking $470 as "Dealer fees", much higher than the $200 average I see here? What is this for?

Thanks.

This is just another fee dealers "try" to add to boost profit on the sale. That's why out-the-door is the number you want, it will include any and all fees a dealer adds. In my experience the only way to know you are getting a fair price is to compare bids from several dealers. That way it won't matter what creative fees they come up with, the bottom line will be the out the door price.

S. Fllorida was a good (or lucky) choice for your assignment. I'm heading there from Connecticut tomorrow morning for the winter and looking forward to the drive in my Genesis.

 

[muisui]

Folks,

This is my first message here. Joined the forum yesterday to learn about the car. Been reading a lot since.

I need help. I'm not from US and this will be the first time I buy a car in the country. I just got into US transferred by my employer for a 3 year assignment.

Enjoy to be in US, altho US is not like the way when we came here like 8 years ago. ;-)

Try to look at this website and to determine the "sale" price. Remember, almost all fees in the contracts (except for Taxes and Tags) is negotiable. Some are market standard and as long as they are giving you what the market has, you are good. Some may said, the freight is non-negotiable, but you can speak to them on the "whole price" of the car....

Good luck.

http://www.truecar.com/index.html