My Deep Water Deal

[mtyson227]

Hi guys...newbie here.

Like most others in the search for a new truck, I've been doing my homework. I've read almost everything I could find on the current round of 1/2 ton trucks. I had basically widdled it down to the F-150 Super (King) Cab Lariat. But wait....there's more!

I took a Lariat out for 2 hours. Loved the truck. Great looks. Very good interior (except for wood trim that looked to much like plastic). Loved the power sliding rear window, and the fact that the windows in the extended cab door go up & down. The only thing the dissapointed me a bit was the performance from the 5.4L engine. Very smooth...but just felt like it was lacking something.

I'm able to purchase through the Ford X-Plan, and the idea of no negotiations is very appealing. They even offered my fair values on my trades straight off the bat (98 F-150 XL Reg Cab 4x4 & 01 Mustang Cobra Convertible).

They I decide, I better go drive the only other truck I would consider, the Titan. I never liked the looks from the magazine pics, but I had not seen any close up. What a better looking truck in real life. Both trucks look good, but in different ways. Interior is nice. Basically...the Nissan has a few amenities the Ford does not have and vice versa. Then I drive it...

WOW!!! What a difference. My 98 F-150 is a 4.6L so I know why it doesn't have real get up and go. But the difference in power between the Titan and F-150 is real and huge. I love the exhaust note also. This is important to me because I'm getting rid of my Cobra which has AWESOME power. So I decide to pursue things further. I tell them I want a King cab LE 4x4 with the following options:

• Side Airbag Package
• Off-Road Package
• Navigation Package
• Towing Package
• Floor Mats
• Splash Guards

They found me one in Deep Water Blue with the exact option but also has the bed divider and bed extender. I was probably going to eventually get them anyway (divider helps with packing the truck for EAGLES tailgates) so I had no problem with that. Invoice with destination comes to $33,914. They agree to 1% above invoice with no issue. That brings the price to $34,253. I think it's a pretty good deal with no haggleing.

The only problem I'm having with the dealership is that they are offering $500 less than what Ford did for the Cobra. Seems funny since they are going to sell the Cobra for at least $3000 more than the trade-in. It's in PERFECT condition.

Anyway, I looked at an Armada in the Deep Water Blue they had on their lot and liked the color. I'm going back in tomorrow and if they do the deal as said, and give me the right amount for the Cobra...the deal will be done. I'll probably take the 1.9 financing instead of the $1000 because the monthly payment works out to be about $10 less a month.

BTW...as soon as I told Ford that I test drove the Nissan and told them I hadn't made up their mind...they got very nervous and stopped returning my calls so quickly. The Nissan dealer pretty much knew that as soon as I drove the Titan...I'd switch camps.

Anyway...I know you all will agree on the Titan decision. Do you think I'm getting a good deal at 1% over invoice (which is basically like $339 over invoice).

Thanks for your input.

[GETSOMZ28]

That is a great deal on the Titan! If it were me though, I would sell the Cobra privately and get more money for it. I upgraded from a 96 Ranger to the Titan and the dealership wanted to give me $2000 for trade in value. I sold it one week later for double that! I had ten offers in 7 days for the truck. I should have asked for more $$...

[CyBwRBill]

2004 Nissan Titan
4dr Crew Cab LE Rwd SB (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
What Others
Are Paying
MSRP Invoice Edmunds TMV
National Base Price
A note about advertising fees $31,200 $28,203 $28,790
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code Change - - -$234
Optional Equipment $6,410 $5,543 $5,645
U01 Nissan Navigation Package $2,200 $1,908 $1,942
V01 Nissan DVD Mobile Theater $1,450 $1,258 $1,281
T01 Big Tow Package $900 $780 $794
J01 Sunroof $900 $780 $794
S01 Side-Airbag Package $850 $738 $751
L92 Floor Mats $110 $79 $83
Color Adjustment - - $29
Radiant Silver
Destination Charge $650 $650 $650
Total with Options $38,260 $34,396 $34,880
Incentives & Rebates -$1,000
Customer Cash Adjusted True Market Value $33,880

Invoice on my truck was 34,396. Rebate 1,000 = 33, 396. I paid 33,128 so I was able to get slightly under rebate. I think I could have worked another 3-400 off but I was happy with the experience and didn't have to haggle much to get this deal.

The ONLY thing I paid in addition to this was tags (87) and tax (1560). The 33128 included all dealer fees, etc... On my contract, this dealer fee was 395 and 6.50 for battery fee so I guess I actually paid 32726 for the truck.

I negotiated an out the door price vs a price on the truck. I worked solely with the dealership's internet/fleet manager. Also, I got NMAC financing @ 4.14% (I actually left 1% laying on the table there).

While I could have done a bit better, this is a better than average deal and I am happy with the purchase.

[CyBwRBill]

all of the formatting was lost when the message was submitted. The 3 columns represent:
1-MSRP, 2-Invoice, 3-Edmunds TMV (what people in my area are averaging on these trucks)

[mtyson227]

Yeah...I probably could have haggled more, because they had no problems at 1% over invoice which all dealers scoff at in the beginning. Of course if they didn't give it to me...I was going right back to Ford since they were giving me a good deal from the get-go.

I wonder...are their any dealer incentives with the Titan. I looked all over the internet, but could not find any. (besides the normal kickback from Nissan of course).

[caltitan]

Originally Posted by mtyson227

...Do you think I'm getting a good deal at 1% over invoice (which is basically like $339 over invoice).

Sounds like a pretty good deal and you did great by negotiating the sale price before negotiating your trade in value. Does the truck have a recent build date? If it's older you might want to ask if they have addressed any of the TSBs that have been issued for the truck. Good luck on the rest of the deal and hope to see you back here with that Titan. I have a deep water too and I love driving it.