I am in the market for an 05 RS and recently swung by the local dealership here in CT. The sticker was 19,600 for a base RS with Automatic Trans. The dealer said he only makes 900 of the car, so when asked him what would be fair, he said around 19. Is that an average price or should i try for lower? I am not looking for a hand out, just reasonable. I dont want to be taken for a ride. Note this is my first car that i am buying and am new to the process. Also that after test driving it, i am stoked for sure! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

I think you should be able to get it for less. With 06 models coming soon and Rs not being the hot seller, I can see you getting the price down lower.

 

that's silly. I'll put you in an 05 RS A/T all day long for around 17K (a little over depending on options), and be happy for it. It's practically "distressed merchandise" at this point, and between factory incentives, and dealer holdback, there's plenty of room to move.

That's like going into a store with a HUGE clearance banner out front to find out that they're giving 5% off on hand towels.

 

You dont happen to live near Connecticut, do you?! =) My hunch has been that was too high, but the dealer was pretty firm that he could not go lower than that. I guess i'll have to try some where else and see what we get! Unless you guys have any advice for me?

 

Man, i am having the toughest time getting these dealers to budge. The lowest offer i have had was 18,700 for an automatic base rs and 19730 for a rs pro auto with spoiler. The guy said that both of these are invoice prices and before rebates. Sometimes i do hate New England. Any advice for me? Or am i gonna have to suck it up?

 

You should be looking about 17,500-17,900 (after teh 500 rebate) for a RS auto.

 

mention the magic word holdback. This is the allowance that the dealer gets below invoice. Ask him if he would be willing to sell it for less in 4 months after he's paid juice on it through the entire fall, tell him you'll wait, because at the price he's asking, you're pretty confident it will still be there.

Granted, I'm a car salesman, and I don't know if I have the ***** to actually SAY that, all I know is that if a customer had the ***** to say that to me, I'd be so stunned I'd do pretty much whatever they wanted. If it'll work on me, lord knows it'll work on anyone.