Ok, I'm getting ready to buy an Evo. So far the price with just the wing is right around 30k. I realize that is a bit high, but the dealer is going to give me $16.5k for my 02 WRX with 46k on it. In addition, the Evo I would be getting would be an 03 (I THINK).

Now, is there a huge difference between the 03 and the 04? I'm willing to go to another dealer to get an 04, but the $16.5k for my WRX is an amazing offer...

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all!

-Sean

 

do a search. You find a lot of 03 and 04 info.

Unless you craving for leather and better sound system, 04 is your best bet. If you not craving for leather and will upgrade the crappy sound system, 03 is just fine.

 

Mechanically, the '03 and '04 are identical. The difference being the availability of leather interior and Infinity sound system. I think the '04 might have a better warranty on powertrain, but you're sure to pay a higher price for the car.

 

Well, I'm not craving either leather or the sound so it seems that the 03 will be good.

Now, what should I do about the price of it? I want to get it a little lower, but I really want to maintain the high trade value they're giving me. What do you think is a fair price for an 03?

Thanks so much for catering to my n00b questions :-)

-Sean

 

30k is too high.. he's offering so much on your trade-in because he jacked up the offset amount of the car for sale. Unless you are desperate to get an Evo, then don't buy it for 30k. that's just silly.

 

Price for a 03 Evo should be around invoice or lower depend where you live in FL they are selling below invoice

 

Don't let the trade-in price drag you into a sale.

The single most important thing to keep in mind when you buy a new car with a trade-in is the REAL PRICE you want to pay!! Ask yourself how much you are really willing to pay.

Most ppl will tell you a 03 EVO should be around 27.5-28.5K. Do some homework to see if the 16.5 k for your WRX is fair mkt value or not. If it is a fair price (like list on kelly blue book) then tell yourself I won't pay more than 11500 (28K-16.5k).

the other best way to do it is let the dealer agree on the new car price first...then tell them you have a car to trade-in, so you only have to work on one car's price instead of two.


hope this help and good luck

 

As long as your not upside down on your WRX you will be alright. Just have the dealer take it off your hands. One of the best ways to get a deal on an evo is set a certain monthly payment you want to have. Also, don't let them try to finance the car for more than five years. If they offer you six, then walk. You can figure out what your payment would be for a 28,000 dollar car by using a credit union payment calculator. Good luck and if I were you try to go to at least two different dealerships to get the car. You will be surprised on how the second dealership will fight to beat the first dealership's price.

 

Listen to these posts ^^^ they are right on. 30K is too much at this point for an 03. I paid 28K a month ago for an 03. Stick to your guns. You may need to hit another dealer, but you can get one for less.

 

Sell your car yourself, then come in with cash. Money talks loudly when you can slap it on the table.. the next best thing is a stellar credit rating. If you can drive the car off the lot right there and then you can deal.. just tell them what it will take and stick to it. It would be good leverage to tell them that you really want an "04". BTW if you finance for more than five years you will end up with a significant neg. equity situation (upside down).

 

Well, the thing is that the car isn't worth 16.5k. That's why the offer is so good. Most people are getting about 14k for their WRXs with similar mileage. What's really nice is that the 16.5k will pay off what's left on the WRX loan, so I won't be upside down.

I'll go back and try and work them down a bit. It's obvious they want the sale, and I want the car.

Thanks for all this advice guys, it's very helpful!

 

You said it yourself, schleppy. The car isn't worth 16.5k, and no one knows that better than the stealership. You aren't getting 16.5k offer for it, you are really getting a 14.5k offer for it, and they're just tacking that on to the value they could sell the Evo for to a knowledgable buyer = 28k. Think about it, the '04's are already out and they are still sitting on an old model... and here you come strolling in, and are seriously considering paying sticker price for it.

 

check the value of your WRX frist and see how much you can sell it in the papers with that price you'll prob get more money that way

 

The WRX is worth a little more than $13k. So the offer isn't too bad when you look at it. I'm going to see if I can get the price knocked down 1k, or get them to throw in some free stuff (regular Lancer tail lights, etc)...

Excellent advice so far, I really appreciate this guys! I look forward to spending more time on here!

 

First rule of car buying, or at least one of the rules.

NEVER bring up the fact that you have a trade until you are done negotiating the price of the car you want to buy. It's just simple math, it's one more edge a dealership has against you.


You may need to just go to a different dealership or wait awhile until this dealership forgets about you.
Rule of thumb is negotiate the price you want to pay for the car, then at the last minute bring up the fact that you have a car to trade in. You'll be amazed at the "difference" in price when you don't give the dealership too much information up front.