Opinions Please.....

SickWhip · 08-01-2005, 08:54 AM

As some of you may already know, I am looking to trade my Red Brawn 05 CC SE with utility bed in for a Titan equipt with Side airbags. I just bought my Titan 12/31/05. Most said to wait a few years till I wasn't upside down. I have been talking to a great dealer about 40 minutes from Opelika, my new home. I went and talked to them on saturday and they seem to be really nice guys that give it to you straight. A spent most of the time talking to the main manager face to face. This is the deal we came up with. I owe $24,800 on my Titan now. They are going to give me $22,000. There is a $2,000 rebate. So most of my negetive equity is being eaten up by the rebate. We found the only truck in the country that was equipt the way I wanted it (as sad by two different dealers). Blizzard 05 SE CC Utility Bed, Big Tow, Popular with Captain's Chairs (I was hoping for a bench

), DVD (Had to get it to get the setup), Side Airbags, Floor mats. They are going to sell it to me at invoice ($30,351 according to Edmunds). They want me to pay for shipping. The Titan is located in Texas. In this situation is the dealer making any money. They already assured me that their doc fees etc. are not inflated. I've been working with three dealers to finally get this price. On a side note, the other two dealers said they have worked with Larry Rich Nissan, and say they are a great dealer with great people. This is a first for me. Usually when you have dealers competing against each other, they play pretty ruff. One of them said if you had to go with anyone else, you couldn't go bad with them. And its not like they are neighbors. The other dealers are 150-200 miles apart. Sorry this is so long!

P.S. Has anyone had any experience with an L.O.P. plan for financing? My sales person says all of the employees use this plan when buying their own vehicle.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 08-01-2005, 09:00 AM

You're losing too much money on the deal just to get side airbags? I don't understand that theory but....that's just my opinion.

92TripleBlack · 08-01-2005, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickWhip

In this situation is the dealer making any money. They already assured me that their doc fees etc. are not inflated. I've been working with three dealers to finally get this price. [/b]

Hmmm, Yes, they are making money. The dealer makes about $1200 if he sells at invoice. Also, make sure you aren't giving up your low financing to get the rebate.

As for trading for air bags and utility, I'd skip it. Very rare you will need those air bags, and if you do, very rare they are enough to help. I've been in 3 accidents where I was T-boned by cars at speed and they would have done nothing. And if you are rolling, again, very rare they will help. More likely is if you are wearing your seatbelt you'll be fine, not wearing one, you're dead.

Sounds to me the end result is you are getting the same truck, with lower miles, different color and bed but paying more. Its up to you. I'd wait for a couple years and get an '07, or at least ask about the pricing for a new '06 vs. the '05.

But if you are so concerned about the air bags, why not go get a Volvo?

CJ3FLYR · 08-01-2005, 09:19 AM

Safety technology including side airbags drove my purchase decision. If I were in your boat I'd wait even a few months. Nissan is supposedly going to make VDC available on a much wider range of Titan models... I'd hold off until at least the Thanksgiving/Christmas sales and see what happens. If you have enough concern about the side airbags you should want VDC too. I know I do.

mhwo · 08-01-2005, 09:29 AM

I have the side impact airbags and specifically wanted them on the Titan. They are PROVEN to reduce or prevent injuries and I want the maximum protection for the family. As a police officer, I have seen enough crashes to know that the side impact bags really work. Of course, if the wreck is really bad (crush by larger vehicle such as a semi) they may not help. But it's like having insurance. I have had only one claim on my car insurance in 25 years, but I still get full coverage.....

DryHeat · 08-01-2005, 09:35 AM

I have side airbags in my Pathfinder and would love to have them on any vehicle. They don't just help in roll-overs, they help in side impacts. Depending on where the passengers are seated it will prevent their heads from impacting the side pillar and/or their heads hitting the vehicle penetrating from the side.
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TitanBillB · 08-01-2005, 09:39 AM

Safety for your family should always come first. I had to drive my wife's 03 Civic to get a tire changed last week since I didn't want her on the donut with my boys in the car. After the trip I decided she needed a new car although the Honda was fine. We went out Saturday and got her an 05 Explorer (sorry guys) with side air bags. I didn't lose like you will be but can appreciate your intentions. I have to agree with the majority of the replys though, wait just a bit to find the truck that has the options you want with no others put in. They get about $1,800 for the DVD system which is severly overpriced. Just my opion on waiting but if you don't, I like your motivation.

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 08-01-2005, 12:13 PM

Side airbags in a big truck though? Nah...seems like a silly way to tug at buyers heart-strings. All tests I've seen were in cars...and smallish cars at that. In a small car maybe I'd go for them but....not in a big truck like Titan. BUT.....if you MUST have them, it's your truck and your money. They certainly can't have a negitive effect.

SickWhip · 08-01-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanBillB

Safety for your family should always come first. I had to drive my wife's 03 Civic to get a tire changed last week since I didn't want her on the donut with my boys in the car. After the trip I decided she needed a new car although the Honda was fine. We went out Saturday and got her an 05 Explorer (sorry guys) with side air bags. I didn't lose like you will be but can appreciate your intentions. I have to agree with the majority of the replys though, wait just a bit to find the truck that has the options you want with no others put in. They get about $1,800 for the DVD system which is severly overpriced. Just my opion on waiting but if you don't, I like your motivation.

I talked to the dealer this afternoon and they informed me that the other dealer will not let them have the truck or whatever reason. So we are looking into ordering an 06. They haven't called me back yet. I'm kind of getting up there in my price range now though! When I first started looking into new vehicles, I wanted a 350Z or Mustang. But I got my Titan for less than I could have gotten the first two (plus I fell in love with it after a test drive). But now this truck is going to be at least $3,000 more than a Z or Stang with all the options I want (including airbags)! I just bought a house and I know the Titan is the more practical choice, but it is sooooo hard!

Thanks for all of your great feedback! Keep them coming. Does anyone know anything about the L.O.P. Plan?