So I am not exactly new to buying cars, but am no expert. I have purchased 4.5 vehicles for myself and wife (the half was before we were married, so I only get partial credit). But I’ve noticed a large discrepancy between the buying experiences I’ve had and what also shared on line.

So in general, Honda (my wife’s preference) is a PITA to haggle down from MSRP. There are very few Honda dealers in the area compared to Ford. But all Ford vehicles I’ve purchased where basically at straight Invoice.

Maybe it’s just Ford, or the saturated and competitive Dallas area market, or that my sales guy is awesome. His Invoice pricing is exactly the same as online mustang “Invoice with Dealer Holdback” pricing. The only new arrival is the “ADV ASSESSMENT” fee which I don’t recall from last time. Online searches on this fee show that it is valid and not negotiable.

So I am paying basic Invoice + ADV Assessment + Tax, Title and License. This is quoting better than X-plan pricing which I can get through my work. Seems too good to be true, but I have printouts to prove it. So what gives? Am I just lucky, informed, or too much of a pain in the *** my salesman just gave me the bottom deal (or is it?)

 

My last three cars, '07 Sierra, '08 Mustang, '12 Subaru (daily workhorse) were all straight invoice less any rebates, all negotiated either through email or phone calls. I just told them what I wanted and what I was willing to pay. If they can't do it I just move on. Very simple.

 

Is what you paid the "bottom deal"???

Got my car for way less than invoice...

 

That's kind of what I was asking. Would you care to share some details to save a fellow Mustang guy some cash? But I haven't paid or signed anything yet so your timing is awesome, however I am itching to put the order in this week!

 

Well, I bought mine off the lot, you're not going to get that kind of deal on an order.

 

From what I have seen you can get 1000 off MSRP incentive, + the 750 off if you get the brochure coupon (I did not do) and then X-Plan discount from what I have also read. I was able to get close to $2000.00 off my new 2013.

 

Absolutely your best deal is out of Inventory. The Dealer does NOT own those cars, the BANK does. That means "Floor Plan", basically they pay Interest Daily to the Bank on what they have. Want the best deal, not to fussy, talk to decision makers, and find out which have been there the longest.... Just Sayin'

 

Everyone has a story, everyone pays less for a new car. I buy used. My story? I paid $19,000.00 for my 2011 7 months ago. It had 2000 miles on it. I guy bought it with great options (performance, leather, shaker, 3:31 axle). He kept it about a month and traded back, as his wife got cranky (so the salesman said) because they had two young children. They ended up with a Ford Explorer.
How much of the story do I believe? Doesn't really matter. The new 2012 V6 basics were stickering somewhere at 23K. Since I don't buy new, the slightly used 2011 was where I wanted to be at price.

 

Hey bud, I'll shed some light for you, since its what I do every day here at the dealership. Invoice is great. The ADV Assessment is the advertising for your region. Its already added into the invoice price. If your sales guy is saying your paying the invoice price, plus the fee (which is around $500), then your not paying invoice. Your paying $500 over invoice. If you get it for X-Plan, that is about $140 over invoice and also included the ADV Fee. Plus the good benefit with X-Plan, is if the dealer has a high documentation fee (I've seen some over $400+), when you buy X-Plan, it caps the fee at $100, so that can save you right there.
As for the rebates, they come off your price you negotiated. For example, if your at $35,000 sale price (just making numbers up), and its invoice, and you have the $1,000 rebate plus the $750 coupon, then your $1,750 under invoice "technically" but the rebates are from Ford and are used to lower the price. The dealer isn't selling it for $1,750 under, they are at Invoice less rebates.
Check with your sales guy. If your paying invoice and they add on the ADV Fee, then your not really paying invoice, as that fee is already factored in. Any questions, your more than welcome to PM me or give me a call. I'm always here to help anyone with a purchase question.

 

Well said Jeff!!

 

Awesome, that does help. I mean everything seemed to be the price I was expecting, but that ADV ASSESSMENT fee. It's $682! So I'll play hardball, and even try another dealer if it comes to it.

 

Agreed. There are so many Ford dealers in our area that there is really no reason to haggle with any one salesperson. If they're trying to stick you with some crazy high ad fee just move on to one of the other 15 dealers in DFW. Usually once you tell them you're moving on those add-on fees tend to shrink up.

 

Hey bud, what I would do, is go back and tell them, the invoice INCLUDES the ADV fee. If they try to say it doesn't, they are LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH!!! While its a fee that everyone hates, its added into the cost, for everyone. I even paid it. But its not something that is added. Its in the invoice cost. Any questions, let me know. Good luck buddy!

 

Thanks buddy!!

 

I agree, thanks for all the info since I'm on the same boat over here regarding getting the MCA x plan and what not. I may end up calling you if I have some questions

 

Ditto! This should help a ton Jeff. Thanks!

 

Hey bud, your more than welcome to call me anytime here at the store. I'm always willing to help!!

 

Glad to help buddy!!

 

That's pretty sorry that a dealer is tacking on the advertising fees twice. Another underhanded thing I HATE is when I go to a dealer and see a second sticker with ADM or AMA of $1000 or $1500 on every car on the lot. When I see that, I turn around and leave. You can understand a markup on a super rare car like a Boss, but padding their pockets on customers ignorant of what that little sticker means is pretty slimeball.

 

Jeff summed it up perfectly, I used to sell for Ford and he is 100% correct.