2008 Saturn Buying Experience - Deal Or No Deal?

[intotheoh]

Ok Saturn-ites. This would be my first Saturn, and I need to better understand the buying process. I get that its supposed to be "no haggle" but come on - why is it I can buy a Traverse and haggle to get a better price, but the Outlook? No way.

My wife is looking at a 2008 Vue (new) and here is the offer thats on the table:

XE 4wd V6 Sticker: $24,800
Employee price: $23,728
Bonus Cash: $2,750

Total: $20,978

That seems like a great deal, but I am not accustom to just accepting their first offer. So - tell me, should I walk away? What has your experience been?

[Ritz]

Saturn has just been officially killed by GM. You'd be a fool to buy a Saturn vehicle now and a double fool to pay retail. My advice would be to look elsewhere for a car...and that's coming from a Saturn owner.

Best,

[far2grumpy]

Intotheoh ... I admire the fact you're looking at a new vehicle and have considered buying whats considered to be an American brand.

It sounds as if the Saturn folks are willing to deal ... you might compare the product at the last price they offered with anything similar ... both foreign and domestic. If the Saturn dealer is on shaky ground you might want to ensure there's other GM stores in your area.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about Saturn going away ... GM will try to sell or spin-off the brand and plan to otherwise stop production in 2011 ... but you'll still be able to have your vehicle serviced.

I now drive a 05 Vue ... which suits me perfectly. I have been around long enough to own Corvairs, Pintos, Plymouth's, Oldsmobile's, Camaro's, VW beetles, etc and there's one thing in common with all ... they don't make them anymore but you can still find parts and get them fixed.

[intotheoh]

Thanks!

Yes- I live in Seattle and there are 4-5 Saturn dealers within driving distance.

I know that the brand is going away, but its still a GM and the theta platform. I'm not worried that part.

So - do I just buy it at the price they offered or can I actually haggle down more?

[far2grumpy]

Its never too late to haggle ...

Do you have a trade? Perhaps they'll give you a better deal, or they may throw in a few years of free service?

If you go back - make sure - they know that you know - the fuse has been lit.

I checked our local Saturn dealer (Iowa) - no 2008's remain but MSRP for two similar equipped 09 XE's are in 27,550 range.

MSRP to me is code for time to get down and dirty when trying to make a deal.

[FGCA_XRL]

Tell them this: I can buy a Traverse or Acadia for this much, but my wife likes how the Outlook looks more. I understand that your brand will likely being phased out, and so I want to pay xxxx.

If they don't want to play, good for them. When Saturn disappears, you will be able to get your warranty work done at a different GM outlet.

[intotheoh]

The dealer called tonight and threw in a remote start and 2yrs service, but wouldnt budge on the price.

I guess I'll just have to think about it

[Ritz]

Originally Posted by intotheoh

The dealer called tonight and threw in a remote start and 2yrs service, but wouldnt budge on the price.

I guess I'll just have to think about it

If you *really* must do this, play hardball. They'll back down. That dealer is staring into the maw of losing his franchise and the prospect of getting stuck with inventory can't make things any more pleasant.

Any sane dealer would probably give you a significant discount just to get the darned thing off the lot, given today's financial realities.

Best,

[intotheoh]

I guess thats what turns me off about this process.

Their motto is no haggle and no hassle, but I feel like this is the biggest hassle of all.

"We don't haggle - unless we really want you to buy this car"

[far2grumpy]

Its OK to haggle to some degree ... reputable dealers except you to negotiate ... keep in mind 99% of them try to screw you seven ways from sundown ... and you'll never, ever cause them to lose money (or sleep).

You mention 4 or 5 Saturn dealers in your area ... so I'd call around to see if any could give you a phone quote for similarly equipped vehicle. Bounce the offers off of each other.

IMO the deal sounds decent ... adding remote start and 2 years service will not break their back. The "free" service usually means oil and oil filter only and can be DIY for less than $20 per event.

[coach35]

Just my opinion but I wouldn't buy another Saturn till GM decides the fate of Saturn one way or another. To say that any GM dealer can work on them is not 100% true. When I had a small electrical problem I asked my local Chevy dealer about looking at it and was told that they don't keep info on hand for Saturn repair. They also pointed out that their mechanics are not up to speed on all aspects of Saturns. They didn't say no but they let me know that the Saturn dealer is down the road. If you have several Saturn dealers nearby you might be ok, maybe one will survive.

[intotheoh]

Update - bought a new 08 Ford Edge SEL. Got a smoking deal.

$32,000 MSRP - $24,000 out the door.

Just couldn't commit to Saturn amid these changes

[Bismarck318]

Originally Posted by Ritz

If you *really* must do this, play hardball. They'll back down. That dealer is staring into the maw of losing his franchise and the prospect of getting stuck with inventory can't make things any more pleasant.

Any sane dealer would probably give you a significant discount just to get the darned thing off the lot, given today's financial realities.

Best,

I found this strange too, my local Saturn dealership has a no haggle on his used inventory too, much like a Scottish auction, & reduces the price by $500 every 30-60-90 days... then moves it to another dealership back to full price if it don't sell, whats up with that? I dislike the haggle, but I got a better deal elsewhere.