2008 CTS: Is Employee Price the Rock Bottom?

[69Firebird400]

OK, so in spite of my previous inquiry about 2009 CTS interest rates, I've now found a 2008 model with everything I want at a dealer about 50 miles away. Because it's an 08, it lacks the 2009 price increase but has a $2,000 rebate; that means that instead of $43,958.40, the employee price less rebate is $39,227, which saves me $4,731.40. Also, this particular car is a late build 2008, so it has Bluetooth - woo hoo!

ANYWAY...I was under the impression that the employee price was non-negotiable, but rather than assuming that it is (especially on a 2008 leftover), I thought it would be smart to confirm that before telling the dealer that I'll take the car.

Any thoughts, advice?? I'm calling the dealer TODAY to make my arrangements.

Thanks in advance.

[MrCritical]

As far as I know, that's the "take it or leave it" price.


There's so many 2008's on our lot, I don't know when we'll get any '09's in volume.

To be honest, most of the dealers around here have told GM if they want them to order more '09's, they'd better get a better incentive than "employee price on '08's.

[TheGeneral]

http://www.gmbuypower.com/index.jsp?...&userType=GMFF

You can build the car or search for the specific one your looking at.

[69Firebird400]

Thanks for the info, fellas. Actually, I don't need to search for the car - I've found it.

I asked my dad to check with one of his contacts at a Cadillac dealer to ask whether the employee price is take it or leave it, and he was told that it is. Not a big deal, since it's a great price.

[caddycruiser]

Yes, GMS basically is the bottom of the bottom...it's a nice chunk under invoice as it is, and lower than any dealer would typically be willing or able to go, even in a pinch.

On a car especially like the hot 2008 CTS, GMS is a screaming deal.

[69Firebird400]

Of course it's a good deal, but I wanted to do my diligence and not leave money on the table. Coupled with my $3,500 in GM Card earnings, I'm getting around $11,000 off MSRP on a new popular model...can't beat that!

[Navymac]

well technically...no. But I seriously doubt you'll get it for less. You can always ask them to throw something extra in

[ZQ8]

Yes they can. Local dealer ran ad that was $500, $1000 and $1500 below GMS and rebates ! Thay can if they want to.

[MrCritical]

Did those lowball prices include destination charges? prep?

What do they charge for admin fees?

[TheGeneral]

My moms malibu LTZ V6 was $25,300 . She bought it last week. But Malibu's are hotter and more pratical and afforadable to the average joe. I say a CTS could go a little lower than gms.

[redgtconv]

There is a Chevy dealer by me that has GMS price listed by their vehicles on their website. But when you go to the details of the car, they say "No reasonable offer refused". Sounds to me like their deperate and willing to negotiate. However, it could just be this dealer or just Chevy. You never know unless you try. I would say hold out until the 31st, go to the dealer with your checkbook and make a reasonable offer. The worst they can say is "No!".

[ZQ8]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

Did those lowball prices include destination charges? prep?

What do they charge for admin fees?

Yes the price included destination, prep and the doc fee!

[FenwickHockey65]

Something tells me that GMS is the lowest they'll go, but you never know, they do need to move 2008 models. No harm in asking if they'd be willing to negotiate something lower.

[ZQ8]

A GM dealer told me they can today .

[Slowrider5]

IF you were buying a car that was more of a commodity, which you could competitively bid out to multiple dealers, then you could perhaps do better. This is because dealers will step on each others toes to bump up their volume. However, what you're looking for is very specific, and only that one dealer has it. That means you have no leverage to go lower, and the dealer has no incentive to go lower either. You could contact other dealers, and they'd search inventory within 50 miles and find the one that is at the dealer you're talking to. Then your dealer will know there's something fishy going on when they start getting inquiries from multiple dealers to do a dealer trade on that car, and you could lose the deal entirely.

You got a great price, plus GM Card earnings, go for it.