Best Family Sedan?

[Ergel]

Did you look into leasing the same car?
Was it a feasible option?

I did look into leasing. For the SE model (one level lower than the Limited) it was 223/month plus tax (figure total 245). However you also have to pay a disposition fee of like 400 which adds $12/month. Plus you will get charged for any bumps and scratches (inevitable for where I live). Plus this is only for 12k miles. Add another $20/month to get up to 15k miles, which still may not have been enough for me. Even if it would- that's $277/month * 36 months is already $10k, plus whatever you will pay for damages. So it's around owning for 6 years to make it worthwhile.

To me, it would only makes sense to lease a Honda - because of the no disposition fee and $1500 damage waiver. Looking at the numbers for the Honda Accord SE it was about 8 years of ownership to make it worthwhile (assuming you could live with 12k miles/year) and at that rate I would prob lease - but that was only with a very good deal on the lease.

[Ergel]

BTW, when I spoke to a dealer, he explained to me that leasing prices are based almost completely on residual value (what the car will be worth when the lease is up) and the total amount you pay will be pretty close to that. Therefore, cars with higher residual values (like the Honda Accord which is around 65% after 3 years) will be the cheapest to lease.

[HSS]

Dan,

can you point me to your tutorial thread on how you were actually able to negotiate new car prices down to 25%-30% off sticker price??  I would be very interested in more info on this matter.  Thanks!

HSS

[elikay]

Didn't he just post a link to that on the main site?

[AsherO]

Didn't he just post a link to that on the main site?

+1, in the DD post about 125k+ posts on DDF.

[HSS]

Didn't he just post a link to that on the main site?

+1, in the DD post about 125k+ posts on DDF.

ya he quoted this thread that's why I read it tonight but he doesn't discuss how he really negotiates.... the closest thing I found is this post here: http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=6023.msg66838#msg66838, but its not very specific

[tsqaure]

Before buying anything, I'd see what the car seat (child restraint seats) capabilities of the vehicle would be; after all, its a family car. Do you need to fit 3 car seats across? Are they all rear facing or forward facing? Are any in backless boosters (which usually take up less room)? Are there upper tethers for all 3 seating locations? Is there LATCH (upper and lower anchors) in the middle seat (99% of cars do NOT have lower anchors in the middle and you CANNOT 'borrow' an anchor from other side seat). Btw, the Impala is one of very few cars that HAS the LATCH system in all 3 seating positions.
I happen to prefer seat belt installs for any car seats I help install and will go to LATCH's lower anchors when necessary to tighten a loose seat, but they're not superior to seat belts (common misconception). The upper anchors (those hooks you see along the back windshield or in the cargo area of your hatchback or SUV) MUST be used for forward facing seats and some/all harnessed boosters. It keeps kids' heads from flying forward up to an extra 6 inches (which could mean a matter of serious, bone-crushing injury on the seat, hard plastic [or even projectile in the car] in front of them or not).

If any of this is foreign to you and you have kids in car seats or shuttle them around, The Car Seat Lady has some great tips: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system.html. Cheers and feel free to hit me up with any car seat questions you may have.

[tsqaure]

oh and that's not me/my site above

[ez1985]

If any of this is foreign to you and you have kids in car seats or shuttle them around, The Car Seat Lady has some great tips: http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/the_latch_system.html. Cheers and feel free to hit me up with any car seat questions you may have.
[/quote]
Is the car seat lady the same as the car seat nazi from baltimore?

[beej]

I happen to prefer seat belt installs for any car seats I help install and will go to LATCH's lower anchors when necessary to tighten a loose seat, but they're not superior to seat belts (common misconception).

Really?

[yossi4k]

Wound up with an Altima 2.5SL in Metallic Slate (Dark Gray/Graphite color) with black heated leather seats, moonroof, dual-zone+rear AC/Heat, 8 way power seat, intelligent key/push button ignition, etc, etc.

The Altima 4 cylinder has CVT transmission that made it feel more powerful than other 4 cylinder cars.  The V6 would've been a good few thousand more and gas mileage was worse.  Additionally the ride comfort in the 4 cylinder is indeed much better than the V6, as consumer reports also says.  Overall very happy so far, much more fun/sporty than a Camry or Accord IMHO.

Sticker was $27,500+, paid $21,000+.
Had a dealer in Baltimore that was willing to go down to $20,400+ but he didn't have my preferred color and between the airfare there, gas back, and miles on the car it wouldn't have been worth it IMO.

My first car purchase

Went in today to the nissan dealership with a quote for 25k out the door for altima v6 leather. They then refused to honor it saying that it was for a base v6 altima and they wanted 32k for the sr-v6 with the premium and sports package (apparently you cant get the premium without the sport). On the spot I called the other dealership I was dealing with and got a quote for 28k for the same car and told the guy why should i pay an extra 4k etc ..He says what will it take to get you to buy here, I said you gotta match it and viola he called his manager and matched it! Oh and also they only take a maximum of 3k per cc and only visa/mastercard. Got the same color as you Dan, dark slate

[AJK]

Went in today to the nissan dealership with a quote for 25k out the door for altima v6 leather. They then refused to honor it saying that it was for a base v6 altima and they wanted 32k for the sr-v6 with the premium and sports package (apparently you cant get the premium without the sport). On the spot I called the other dealership I was dealing with and got a quote for 28k for the same car and told the guy why should i pay an extra 4k etc ..He says what will it take to get you to buy here, I said you gotta match it and viola he called his manager and matched it! Oh and also they only take a maximum of 3k per cc and only visa/mastercard. Got the same color as you Dan, dark slate

...that was where you were supposed to say "you gotta beat it"

#missedopportunity

[Dan]

Well done, but is V6 really worth 7K extra though?

[Ergel]

Well done, but is V6 really worth 7K extra though?

+1. I originally thought it might be but in these newer cars its really not that big a difference

[Dan]

+1. I originally thought it might be but in these newer cars its really not that big a difference

I tested both and definitely didn't think it was worth the difference, but to each their own?
I'm very happy with the pickup with the 4 cylinder.

[yossi4k]

Well done, but is V6 really worth 7K extra though?

They were quoting me 21k for stripped 2.5 w/o leather so with leather it would be at least 4k more for the SL and Convenience  Plus package so were looking at a difference of 3-4k. Dan, whats your cars got as far as the add-on packages?

[Ergel]

They were quoting me 21k for stripped 2.5 w/o leather so with leather it would be at least 4k more for the SL and Convenience  Plus package so were looking at a difference of 3-4k. Dan, whats your cars got as far as the add-on packages?

for the sonata for 21 with leather

[yossi4k]

...that was where you were supposed to say "you gotta beat it"

#missedopportunity

I was thinking of that but I had no leverage! The best they would counter offer would be to match it and what would I say? "No I'd rather pay the same price at the other place?" Also, I was negotiating on my shvers behalf and he wanted the deal done right then and there

[Ergel]

I was thinking of that but I had no leverage! The best they would counter offer would be to match it and what would I say? "No I'd rather pay the same price at the other place?" Also, I was negotiating on my shvers behalf and he wanted the deal done right then and there

So let them say that. You had nothing to  lose. And you could have just walked out and gotten the same price somewhere else so he could be afraid to lose you

[yossi4k]

So let them say that. You had nothing to  lose. And you could have just walked out and gotten the same price somewhere else so he could be afraid to lose you

Your right. But I wasn't 100% that the other dealer wasn't bluffing or playing shtick. Off the cuff, he sounded fishy as he was insisting that he was offering me the leather w/o the premium package which theres no such thing. The only way to get the leather is by getting the Premium Package and then by default: the Sport package.