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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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