Saturn...Really No Haggle?

[nsap]

Since the Equinox may be heading down the road, I might take a look at the new Vue.

Problem is... I am an avid haggler. I just can't bring it to myself to pay MSRP for any vehicle. Will most Saturn dealership haggle, or are they firm on their pay MSRP thing? I've honestly never stepped foot in a Saturn dealership.

All of the Saturn dealerships are at least two hours away (major UGH.) and I can't use my GM Card Points...so it's going to take a good deal to get me to go Saturn.

[bobojay]

No haggling is the deal. I'd do an Outlook before a Vue.

[guitarlix]

Have you thought about buying a used car? If you like good value and haggling, you can find some great steals out there. Why pay all that money for a new car?

Also, not really a big deal...but shouldn't this be in the Saturn discussion forum?

[nsap]

Originally Posted by bobojay

No haggling is the deal. I'd do an Outlook before a Vue.

Nah. I don't want nor need a bus.

Originally Posted by guitarlix

Not really a big deal...but shouldn't this be in the Saturn discussion forum?

Yes. I thought I put it there.

[Family Man]

I asked this same question when I was looking for my Aura, and the reply was an overwhelming NO!!!!

However, when I signed my papers, part of the deal was that I would take possesion of the car the following month. However, a couple of weeks later, the dealer wanted to make his monthly numbers, so he asked that I take the car a month early. Fortunately, I had already made my monthly lease payment for the van I had, so the dealer practically covered my first payment on the Aura.

They originally offered little, then offered to cover about half of my first payment. That was the only negotiating that I went through. Even the after sales part was fairly easy at Saturn. I said no to the offers, and that was that, while at my Chevy dealer they wouldn't take no for an answer, to a point where I had more troubles with the after sales part than with dealing with the salesman for the car.

[Ming]

Good to hear you're looking in to the VUE , but I feel your pain with the GM card points.

Still, the way GM swings it I can choose my supplier discount or the dealer's "deal" and then my GM card points (but not both) -- for the Malibu Maxx I considered the GM card point Redemption Allowance was pretty darned pitiful, so I opted for a similar-to-Saturn MSRP very close to Invoice Suzuki.

Calculate it all out and I think you may still find the Saturn an appealing deal when you consider the trim, etc. The Equinox and Torrent have extremely bloated MSRP's from what I've seen. Heck, I'd consider a GMC Canyon crew cab over the Equinox for that price.

The GM card points (with redemption limits) only seem to really make sense when you're buying a "bus" or a giant pickup, maybe a Cadillac.

Might see if you can get your hands on a used VUE a few months down the line, save a few thousand for a few thousand miles.

Don't give in to the temptation to trade-in when you encounter problems, though. It's like an easy out for GM -- they get your half-fixed trade in still in the shop, and get you in to another new vehicle. A win-win for them, and a lose-lose for you, especially if your new vehicle ends up with problems!

[BeatFace]

So, in reality, how much space for negotiation is there at a Saturn dealership? Has anyone been able to talk a dealer away from MSRP?

[69Firebird400]

I've never heard of haggling a Saturn dealer for a new car, but I haven't talked to many people about their buying experience either.

Where on earth do you live that there's no Saturn dealer within two hours? My parents are kind of in a rural area, and their nearest ones are a half hour (one south, one west). I understand that GM needs to reduce their dealer count, but it stinks that there's no coverage in some areas.

I always liked taking my wife's L200s to the dealer for service - they were always friendly, courteous, and fast. Plus as long as there wasn't a drought, they'd wash the car for free (once did it in spite of me asking them not to, since the car had been hand washed...but not a big deal).

[nsap]

Originally Posted by Ming

Don't give in to the temptation to trade-in when you encounter problems, though. It's like an easy out for GM -- they get your half-fixed trade in still in the shop, and get you in to another new vehicle. A win-win for them, and a lose-lose for you, especially if your new vehicle ends up with problems!

I'm going to crunch some numbers tonight and see what is the best deal.

Well, it's been in the shop 9 times with 12 problems, 3 of which are unresolved or reoccuring. This all with just barely 9,000 miles. I am tired of taking off work to take it in for service. Plus, it was about time for a new ride anway...but I wasn't planning to make any purchases until 2008.

And who knows? I haven't heard back from GM yet. Maybe they will just offer to repurchase it! NOT.

[Opusnbill7]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Where on earth do you live that there's no Saturn dealer within two hours? My parents are kind of in a rural area, and their nearest ones are a half hour (one south, one west). I understand that GM needs to reduce their dealer count, but it stinks that there's no coverage in some areas.

Actually I wouldn't be surprised if that's common out here in "flyover country". There are 3 dealerships within 100 miles here in eastern NE, but none west of here until Denver (or maybe Cheyenne) or perhaps in Topeka or Rapid City. If you're in Kearney or North Platte or somewhere like that, you're probably at least 3 hours from a dealer if not more...

Now, back to the original topic. I tried to haggle and they really wouldn't budge on the Aura. They did go get the vehicle we wanted for no extra charge, and I got them to throw in a couple of small add-ons, but really I'd say when they say "no haggle" they mean it. That said, though, it really was one of the nicer car-buying experiences I've had. No pressure, and no feeling of "gee...am I really getting a good deal or am I getting taken by the dealer compared to the next guy who comes in".

[2000WS6Vert]

When my mom bought her SL2 back in the day she got $500 off the MSRP. She wouldn't leave until they gave her money off. This was 15 years ago though.

[HoeyHimself]

All dealerships should be no haggle, just keep prices where they should be..too many jack the prices to the sky. See Mustang Shelby GT500. That sucks about the GM Card points tho : (

[USA1Fan]

Dude, you're gonna get SOAKED on the trade. If you've had that many problems shouldn't you be in a position to investigate lemon-laws? I'd be persuing that route if I were really trying to get out of a vehicle with so few miles and so many problems in such a short time period, rather than eating all that negative equity (sounds like you have a lot of that, anyway. I could be wrong, I know).

[nsap]

Originally Posted by USA1Fan

Dude, you're gonna get SOAKED on the trade. If you've had that many problems shouldn't you be in a position to investigate lemon-laws? I'd be persuing that route if I were really trying to get out of a vehicle with so few miles and so many problems in such a short time period, rather than eating all that negative equity (sounds like you have a lot of that, anyway. I could be wrong, I know).

I'm already looking into all that. That many problems in only 9K miles should constitute for something.

[goochman]

nsap - When my wife and I looked at a Saturn Outlook a few months back (when they had alot on the lots) the salesperson basically said, if you are interested in buying an Outlook today or soon we could have our appraisers look at your Tahoe and give you a quote - Im sure we could work out something with a trade that would be to your liking (wink wink)

So no negotiation on the Outlook but it appeared the trade in would be where some funny #s could be played.