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 How To Buy An STi

It actually all started at a Mitsubishi dealer. They were having a 2004 model preview promotion so you could test drive the new Ralliart Lancers (and giving out posters and 2F2F movies) so we went to the dealer and asked if I could test drive an Evo. Of course the guy said no, so I said I was serious b/c I was looking at the STi and offered to show him my bank account balance loan approval but he was being kind of snotty and after 5 min of talking he wouldn't budge. So we asked if we could just drive a Ralliart instelad but he informed us that they weren't going to be in for 2 more weeks. Instead we took out an OZ Lancer instead with inner tube tires and less power and more body roll than my Accord. Then as we pulled back in to the dealer, what do we see? A Ralliart Lancer that someone else had just taken on a test drive. My friend went in to get the poster and DVD and we left.

We were pretty annoyed and decided to at least go test drive a WRX which my friend is interested in. I went back to the dealer that I test drove a WRX at in April. I went in and the salesman I knew, Derek, wasn't around so we talked to another guy and I told him I knew Derek and that my friend was interested in test driving a WRX. He said sure so I asked if I could drive an STi (they had 2 blues come in last thursday) and he said only if I was serious and I said "Nah, that's ok, I already have a deal lined up somewhere else," and he left. 5 min. later he pulled up a WRX and my friend got in first. I got in the back while the salesman got in front. Then, the salesman turns to me and says "You don't need to test drive this. We're gonna let you test an STi." It seems that Derek had arrived from a test drive while we had been waiting and must have informed our salesman that I had inquired last month about STi prices.

We get back from the WRX drive and get in the STi (the salesman says he gets to drive first) so while he's driving I tell the salesman that I already had a loan for 4.19% approved and that another dealer had offered $1000 below MSRP with 2.9% financing for 48 months. The salesman said there's no way they could offer that deal since interest rates are going up, but he asks, "If we can beat that deal by a significant amount, would you be willing to wait a month and buy a black one from us?" to which I replied, "If you can beat that deal by a significant amount, I might be willing to change my mind to blue." which seemed to catch the guy by surprise a little so he said, "We'll do our best to beat it."

Finally, it's my turn to drive. I pop it into first gear, and push the throttle to about 80-90% and immediately yell "Holy!!!" which resulted in the salesman and my friend bursting out laughing. The pull on that car is amazing! I didn't take it too hard after that but just got a feel for the car. The interior is decent, not cheap like an altima or civic or Evo and the gauges (and beeping shift light) are very nice. I didn't think the ride was harsh at all. I was expecting 911 or Z06 level stiffness from the reviews I read, but I swear the ride was even smoother than the RSX!

So, we go in and sit down. The guy says he has two WRB STis for 32,1 and 32,4 (the latter has a boost gauge). We decide to look at the cheaper one since I can get a boost gauge for cheaper on my own. The other place is offering me 31,4 so the salesman asks "What do we have to do to get you to buy it today?" I contemplated for a moment. My Dad and I had decided we were willing to pay 31 flat so I said "If you can beat 4.19%, I'll buy it for 30" The salesman said he thought that'd be possible (which surprised me) and would be right back. Comes back and gives me a piece of paper and says "We'll give you the car for that amount at 4.15%. All you have to do is initial here and you'll go home with a car."

I was a bit uncomfortable to make that commitment so quickly so I told him, "I don't know, I just really wanted black, can I come back Wednesday?" He says he can't guarantee anything, blah, blah, blah, this is a good deal so I said "I don't know, I think black might be worth $1000." He gave me a funny look then left. Came back and said he'd beat 4%. I contemplated some more and then he said he could come back if I need time to think. So he left to get us drinks and I called my dad. My dad said the other dealer could definitely get 2.9% but wouldn't come down from 31,4 so he said if I could get at least 3.6% financing, that I should go for it. Salesman comes back and asks what the decision is. I say "3.5%," he says "ouch." I fill out a credit application and inform him that I'll put 13,5 down and he disappears again. Comes back and says they can do it. I asked which color wheels it had and it was silver, but I wanted gold. He says we can switch to the car with the boost gauge but it costs $290 more. This was tough b/c I actually wanted the gold rims AND the boost gauge and that particular car was in the show room. After trying to tell myself not to spend another $290 just for rims and a boost gauge the salesman finally says "ok, we'll give it to you at cost for 228." so I said yes.

Then we get into all the other options and stuff... being in Chicago and knowing that my dad would use the car in the snow, I decided to go ahead and get the rust protection. Then they offered the extended warranties and of course pushed the 6 year, 60,000 mile warranty. I knew I didn't want one that long but a 4 year warranty might be worth it since it comes with 2 years scheduled maintenance for free and 25 free oil changes afterwards. After stalling some more... they said they'd drop my financing to 3.15% if I got the warranty so I went ahead and accepted the 4 year. Signed the last papers and now it's history!

PRICE SUMMARY
MSRP     30,995.00
Boost Gauge   + 297.00
Wheel Locks   + 39.00
Armrest   + 145.00
Security/Mirror Upgrade   + 413.00
Destination/Delivery   + 550.00

Sticker Price*     32,439.00
My Savings   - 2,211.00

My Price     30,228.00
Document Fees   + 52.57

Taxable Amount     30280.57
IL Tax (7%)   + 2142.67
County Tax   + 15.00
Title/License   + 143.00
Warranty   + 1298.00
Rust Protection   + 329.00

Out The Door     34,208.24
Down Payment   - 13,500.00

Amount Financed @     20,708.24
3.15% for 48 months      

* Invoice Price (approx.
exact amount unknown)
    ~29,800.00

 

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