Realistic? Is dealer being ridiculous about S4 price?

[Ynnekdude]

I've been looking to get a new 2008 S4 fully loaded for some time now and I'm starting to get frustrated. The salesman I've talked to is a nice guy, helpful, but I'm really getting irritated with the pricing aspect. The car I am looking at has an MSRP of $55,985...the "dealer's price" which they have plastered on the front windshield is $46,750. I know that's quite the price drop but the dealer still needs to be realistic about the market IMO. I've been in to the dealer several times and recently the salesman told me the most he could take off the car was $250...are you kidding me? That's a weeks worth of gas in that bad boy . I know there's already been a huge drop but I just really don't thing it's low enough...if it had the DTM package I'd talk . Has anyone had similar experiences or think I'm ridiculous for thinking $46,750 is too much?

[ZachPDX]

As someone who works for a chain of dealerships (not in sales) I can tell you that yes they would love to sell you a car but at the end of the day they cant loose money just to make a sale. Plus with gas prices so cheap right now that argument goes out the window. Not interested in a used s4?

[channad]

There is a S4 just like mine in DTLA Audi...the sticker is $58k and they are discounting it $8k...that was in November...it's still there. You could make an argument that the 2009 A4 is out, and the B7 body style will soon be "out-dated."

Good luck!

btw, DTM FTMFW!!!

[Hamann]

that's a good price. Or, buy an 07 RS4 for the same price...with 20k miles.

[sakimano]

eff that..you can get a 2007 RS4 for low 40s.

Better yet, buy a NEW 2008 RS4 for $57,000...there are a BUNCH out there at dealers advertising $17,000 off list (74,000 with premium package - NAV etc.). That's the best $10,000 you'll ever spend, going RS4 for 57,000 vs S4 at 47,000. I imagine you'll save about $2000 of that over 5 years on fuel efficiency, thanks to the brilliant FSI RS4 engine. No shit. So you're really paying only $8000 more for an RS4 (LOADED) vs an S4. No brainer.

I think 2008 models will get 'stamped' right around now...i.e. they're still new, but they're now titled to the dealer, and are 'in service' (warranty is now officially eroding).
Those will be like a cold sore the dealer would love to get rid of.

[fusionx]

once you sit down and show him you want to buy that car id think he would defiantly knock the price down a little more. they can't be selling shit over there anyways

[ieatfishburitos]

As sakimano said, I'd highly recommend getting a used low mileage RS4 for ~40k or a new RS4 for 55k or so...

[Justchill30]

I think you should seriously explore the idea of a used RS4. They do indeed sell in the low 40's with 20K miles on them. You would be much more satisfied with that car overall. You could then purchase an extended warr. for a few grand and be set for 4 years or so. That S4 is prob going near invoice but that does not justify you paying 10K more for having a brand new car. Think about it this way, as soon as you drive away you can kiss 5-7K goodbuy.....Go RS4 you wont regret it.....

[Ynnekdude]

once you sit down and show him you want to buy that car id think he would defiantly knock the price down a little more. they can't be selling shit over there anyways

Well I have sat down with him... I've even made an offer, rather low obviously, but he didn't take it. They have actually been moving a lot more cars than I'd ever expect. There was a black 08 s4 I was looking at with DTM package, fully loaded, that I originally wanted and I expected it to never sell. It ended up selling within a week of me making an offer on it...for $250 below sticker? Audi has kinda overtaken BMW and Merc in my area so that might contribute to them being so stubborn since they are still making sales. I can't go a block without seeing an A8 or S8.

As someone who works for a chain of dealerships (not in sales) I can tell you that yes they would love to sell you a car but at the end of the day they cant loose money just to make a sale. Plus with gas prices so cheap right now that argument goes out the window. Not interested in a used s4?

I actually am looking for a used one at the moment but I am always hesitant to get a used car because I never have any idea how it was treated before. Plus I wanted Nav and most of the cars I have seen don't have it

[IzzyS4]

I wanted to guess that you were dealing with McGrath Audi in glenview but then you said nice salesman, and there aren't any their. lol

[Ynnekdude]

I wanted to guess that you were dealing with McGrath Audi in glenview but then you said nice salesman, and there aren't any their. lol

Haha, o no I hate McGrath... I've been in their Lexus dealer and they were huge snobs. I went to Laurel Audi in Westmont. I got lucky with the salesman who helps me because I've talked to others and they are real pieces of work.

[EYE4SPEED]

You can always retrofit with NAV - don't let that be a deal breaker. Plus when the calendar rolled, prices should be dropping again on older cars.

[mcb001982]

Your problem is that you think you're the last person in the US with a little bit of money kicking around in their pocket - lowballing is not going to get your anywhere and with $10k off on that car that is all the money (no more holdback or marketing money). Just to give you a little insight there is about $5-6k in a S4 for profit plus the holdback and marketing. Trust me when I say this the dealer is "maybe" only making $500 on that car priced the way it is.

[Jmaak]

Making $500 on a 48k car? Right... If that were really the business model of Audi dealerships they would be the ones needing a bailout.

[cellg8]

btw, DTM FTMFW!!!

This guy always hits the nail in the head...

[simona]

why not go for CPO dealers will be more inclined to bend on price.

[mcb001982]

Making $500 on a 48k car? Right... If that were really the business model of Audi dealerships they would be the ones needing a bailout.

Well it is a $58k new car.... If it was used I would say they are making more - but not on a new car. Maybe $1k topps at that price.

[sakimano]

Making $500 on a 48k car? Right... If that were really the business model of Audi dealerships they would be the ones needing a bailout.

he didn't say it was $48k...a well equipped S4 is about $55,000. They've already knocked out their few grand in markup and then some to sell it for $48k...Audi is eating some of the shit for the dealer.

you're clearly one of the clueless minions who thinks that the dealer pays $20,000 for a car they sell for $55,000. The dealer is just a broker really....he pays only a few grand less than you...and with that spread, he's forced to pay rent and employ about 30 people to run a dealership and try to sell the car at a price that will sensibly give him a return on his investment.

[jloh]

I've been looking to get a new 2008 S4 fully loaded for some time now and I'm starting to get frustrated. The salesman I've talked to is a nice guy, helpful, but I'm really getting irritated with the pricing aspect. The car I am looking at has an MSRP of $55,985...the "dealer's price" which they have plastered on the front windshield is $46,750. I know that's quite the price drop but the dealer still needs to be realistic about the market IMO. I've been in to the dealer several times and recently the salesman told me the most he could take off the car was $250...are you kidding me? That's a weeks worth of gas in that bad boy . I know there's already been a huge drop but I just really don't thing it's low enough...if it had the DTM package I'd talk . Has anyone had similar experiences or think I'm ridiculous for thinking $46,750 is too much?

The price has already been heavily discounted from the original MSRP. If you think that the dealer is looking to "pay the rent" by selling you the car at $46750, then yes your thinking is a bit ridiculous.

[S-Fore]

sticker on my car was $55K, I paid $49K about 2yrs ago. It all comes down to what you are willing to pay. Dealers & the staff know us waaaayy better than you may think. Act coi, it'll do you no good. They can read us like porno mags. There are tons of Audi dealerships that have tons of cars. Do some research and find the deal that you are looking for. Myabe you'll have to drive a few hundo mi. You'll always be able to service it at the local dealer, its not like they are gonna take it personally. A dealer may blow out a car once and a while, for hope of return/referral business, at invoice, but they will never lose money on a new car. My brother owns a dealership, so I know this too well. I want cars for nothing all the time

[BigJS4]

he didn't say it was $48k...a well equipped S4 is about $55,000. They've already knocked out their few grand in markup and then some to sell it for $48k...Audi is eating some of the shit for the dealer.

you're clearly one of the clueless minions who thinks that the dealer pays $20,000 for a car they sell for $55,000. The dealer is just a broker really....he pays only a few grand less than you...and with that spread, he's forced to pay rent and employ about 30 people to run a dealership and try to sell the car at a price that will sensibly give him a return on his investment.

Well said...

You should look at the mark-up the domestic brands have in them... Once you do, you just might begin to feel bad for the dealers.

On a side note... when buying a car.. DO NOT follow what you read on AOL, Edmunds, Yahoo, etc... Those are great ways of not getting a solid deal, and they are also ways to make your car buying experience harder and less enjoyable.

I work with and in Car Dealerships every day... I'm amazed what I hear customers say to the sales people.

Oh well... just remember the best deal is the one that makes YOU happy. If its the exact car you want, then just drop the money... buy the car and be happy. If you only want to pay 10K for it... I suggest looking for another car.

[Silver B6 S4]

You are crazy for thinking it's too much. $9K off MSRP for a NEW car? The dealer isn't making anything off that.

As said before, dealers make most of their money on used cars...

[SebringSilver]

That's not a bad deal at all.

Not quite as good as the $9,000 I got off of the 2008 Acura TSX I bought last summer though.

It was the 2nd last one of the 1st gen TSX they had left on the lot and the new model had already started arriving. Sometimes, you really can get pretty amazing deals.

[Silver B6 S4]

that's Not A Bad Deal At All.

Not Quite As Good As The $9,000 I Got Off Of The 2008 Acura Tsx I Bought Last Summer Though.

It Was The 2nd Last One Of The 1st Gen Tsx They Had Left On The Lot And The New Model Had Already Started Arriving. Sometimes, You Really Can Get Pretty Amazing Deals.

Msrp: $55,985
Deal: -$46,750
=$9,235 saved.


Thats a good deal if you ask me.

[ginkof]

i bought my 04 s4 in 04 with 92 miles on it for $46,600... sticker was $53k

[beecha91]

Msrp: $55,985
Deal: -$46,750
=$9,235 saved.


Thats a good deal if you ask me.

x2!!


That's why I left selling new VW's. The mark up on new Rabbit's, Gti's, bug's, Jetta's, etc was only like $600-$700 bucks to invoice. So you would have people come in to badger you down 1,000's of dollars or they wont buy. Or on a fully loaded passat its a little better, and you would still have people that would want like $4-5k off like theyre buying a Ford F150. Plus all spring and summer we had 0% on every model for 60-70 mths. People would want it $1000's under invoice, and getting 0% for 60-72 mths. So after making mini deals on everything new ($100 a car) I had to cut my ties. I was having to split my new, and used car sales every month just to survive. To the OP, if you do go for something used let me know if i can find you something I promise I'll make it a fun experience.

Don-

[email protected]

[stickley]

Msrp: $55,985
Deal: -$46,750
=$9,235 saved.


Thats a good deal if you ask me.

$9,485 saved including that $250 off
I think thats a wonderful deal.
but maybe you should keep talking with him about the price. who knows, he might even bump of $500 and add some other stuff

[CHEROHALA]

instead of being like every other joker coming through the door, "is that the best you can do for me", "is that the best you can do for me".....Sales 101- NEVER RE-Offer against yourself! Man up and show in a firm BID.
"I'M WILLING TO PAY 45K, CALL ME WHEN YOU'RE THERE- Write your bid on your business card and tell him give it to the sales manager"....

I bet a sales person calls you before the end of the month.

[Hamann]

People always assume a dealer wants to get raped. maybe...just maybe...he doesnt want to sell you a car for a loss.

[CHEROHALA]

In january 2009, that 2008 s4 is essentially a Used Car. Be fair, show the bid you want to pay and give him the option. If that car was hot/hard to find, the same dealer would have no problem charging you a premium over msrp. Thats the beauty of a Fair Market System! There's no room for irritation

[quattro.it]

That is a pretty good deal. If you like the car I'd go for it before someone else does. If it were me I'd be looking for a nice clean CPO RS4 instead. Much rarer cars with a clear step up in performance. For those of you who say there are TONS and BUNCHES of new S4s rotting on the lots at dealerships you might be right if you live in California. Anywhere else and I'm skeptical of that claim. Oh, they are in Canada? Okay, I'll just start the import process now then...

[sakimano]

how many fking cars do you have!?!?!?!?
seriously though, that's a decent car. Made in Japan...Euro spec Accord...the new one is hideous, but yours looks good. Tough turning radius though, at 40ft circle!

That's not a bad deal at all.

Not quite as good as the $9,000 I got off of the 2008 Acura TSX I bought last summer though.

It was the 2nd last one of the 1st gen TSX they had left on the lot and the new model had already started arriving. Sometimes, you really can get pretty amazing deals.

[killintime]

I've been looking to get a new 2008 S4 fully loaded for some time now and I'm starting to get frustrated. The salesman I've talked to is a nice guy, helpful, but I'm really getting irritated with the pricing aspect. The car I am looking at has an MSRP of $55,985...the "dealer's price" which they have plastered on the front windshield is $46,750. I know that's quite the price drop but the dealer still needs to be realistic about the market IMO. I've been in to the dealer several times and recently the salesman told me the most he could take off the car was $250...are you kidding me? That's a weeks worth of gas in that bad boy . I know there's already been a huge drop but I just really don't thing it's low enough...if it had the DTM package I'd talk . Has anyone had similar experiences or think I'm ridiculous for thinking $46,750 is too much?

I got out of the S4 game in May of '08 and have regretted it ever since. So I've been looking and looking. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or a reason to the pricing out there.

Some reflect KBB and Edmunds, some reflect the hard times and then there are those that make you say, "WTF?!"

I'm in the Northern VA area and just a week or so back there was an '08 S4 at HBLs. It was FULLY loaded, it had all the options that made it look like an RS4. It had 8k miles on it and they were selling it for 39,995. It was a steal and lasted for only a short time...they were pricing things to move.

I say, take your time and wait. The right deal will come along. I think it has for me here recently and I've been looking for months.

Good Luck

[covertS4driver]

instead of being like every other joker coming through the door, "is that the best you can do for me", "is that the best you can do for me".....Sales 101- NEVER RE-Offer against yourself! Man up and show in a firm BID.
"I'M WILLING TO PAY 45K, CALL ME WHEN YOU'RE THERE- Write your bid on your business card and tell him give it to the sales manager"....

I bet a sales person calls you before the end of the month.

I like this. Make an offer, walk away.
Lets be honest, its already a good deal. Try to sweeten it a little.

On second thought, ask the guy who picked up the TSX where he went......

[Hamann]

I got out of the S4 game in May of '08 and have regretted it ever since. So I've been looking and looking. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or a reason to the pricing out there.

Some reflect KBB and Edmunds, some reflect the hard times and then there are those that make you say, "WTF?!"

I'm in the Northern VA area and just a week or so back there was an '08 S4 at HBLs. It was FULLY loaded, it had all the options that made it look like an RS4. It had 8k miles on it and they were selling it for 39,995. It was a steal and lasted for only a short time...they were pricing things to move.

I say, take your time and wait. The right deal will come along. I think it has for me here recently and I've been looking for months.

Good Luck

$40k is not a steal on that car. It had the RS4 kit, complete with vents, etc? You can get an Rs4 with 10k more miles, for around 5k more...and, it's MSRP is what...like 15k above an S4?

[...Mark...]

I'm in the Northern VA area and just a week or so back there was an '08 S4 at HBLs. It was FULLY loaded, it had all the options that made it look like an RS4. It had 8k miles on it and they were selling it for 39,995. It was a steal and lasted for only a short time...they were pricing things to move.

There is a grey S4 on the Atlanta craigslist stie w/ 13k on it where the seller is asking $45k. I'd rather go that route.

[sakimano]

$40k is not a steal on that car. It had the RS4 kit, complete with vents, etc? You can get an Rs4 with 10k more miles, for around 5k more...and, it's MSRP is what...like 15k above an S4?

20ish actually!

______________________________________________

There is a grey S4 on the Atlanta craigslist stie w/ 13k on it where the seller is asking $45k. I'd rather go that route.

RS4 I hope...

[beecha91]

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true


http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

[Jmaak]

Are you guys serious? I never said anyone was making 20k on a s4. What I said that the dealer making 500$ on a 58k, 48k sale price car is insane. Lets take a moment to look at this.
Lets say this dealer is hot and can sell cars like nobodys buisness. They sell 8S4's in one month at the 48k with the $500 profit. Thats about 196k in sales with a net profit of 4k.
Please explain how a buisness could survive on profit margins so small.

[jloh]

Are you guys serious? I never said anyone was making 20k on a s4. What I said that the dealer making 500$ on a 58k, 48k sale price car is insane. Lets take a moment to look at this.
Lets say this dealer is hot and can sell cars like nobodys buisness. They sell 8S4's in one month at the 48k with the $500 profit. Thats about 196k in sales with a net profit of 4k.
Please explain how a buisness could survive on profit margins so small.

You ask a question and here's the answer. In the dealership business model, the profit is in pre-owned vehicles and service/parts. There is very little profit margin on new vehicles, and when a vehicle is heavily discounted (albeit with factory incentives), the idea is to cut losses (stop paying interest/flooring) and move a piece of metal.