No luck buying a Camaro. Do Dealers want business?

[johntaylorny]

With the sad shape of the economy and car industry, you'd think dealers would want to sell cars. Apparently that isn't the case.

While visiting relatives on the west coast I stopped by 3 dealerships today. All had 2-3 dozen camaros on the lot.

2 dealerships wouldn't budge a penny under msrp. one actually asked me to leave. the third i negotiated with for 3 hours. the car was $29k sticker. i offered $26k. nope. no way. the best they could do was $500 over invoice. they finally told me they couldn't help and actually told me to buy a car on the internet.

and the prices for dealer options... $800 for racing stripes, $400 window tint, $300 flashing third tail light, $900 alloy wheels, $200 window vin etchings, and they all had that lovely $999 "doc fee" whatever that is.

[Orange Krate]

Originally Posted by johntaylorny

With the sad shape of the economy and car industry, you'd think dealers would want to sell cars. Apparently that isn't the case.

While visiting relatives on the west coast I stopped by 3 dealerships today. All had 2-3 dozen camaros on the lot.

2 dealerships wouldn't budge a penny under msrp. one actually asked me to leave. the third i negotiated with for 3 hours. the car was $29k sticker. i offered $26k. nope. no way. the best they could do was $500 over invoice. they finally told me they couldn't help and actually told me to buy a car on the internet.

and the prices for dealer options... $800 for racing stripes, $400 window tint, $300 flashing third tail light, $900 alloy wheels, $200 window vin etchings, and they all had that lovely $999 "doc fee" whatever that is.

Count your lucky stars on MSRP. I went to several dealers here in California and they had jacked the price up to $7,000 over MSRP!!! Of course that was when they were new and novel. The prices will eventually drop as market saturation occurs. Of course that may not hold true for the exotics (Z-28)!

[v6sonoma]

In there defense why should they sell a car for 3K less than they can get? I'm not saying over pay but lets face it. They really don't have a problem selling these. Keep looking for another dealer. Perhaps one on here can help.

[VR Baron]

I went to the internet manager and best was msrp, no markup but $1200 off for credit union discount.

[CUPRA]

I still don't get how dealers think it's 'good business' to still charge mark ups.

I bought my 2011 2SS/RS back in July for $750 BELOW invoice. It can be done. Speak to Eric Hall at Classic Chevrolet if you need assistance!

[DarkneSS]

I live in NY, bought mine in Jersey. I highly recommend Schueamacher (sp?) Chevrolet in Little Falls. They'll go below MSRP for you for sure.

[Rcfiddy1]

Well, whats that saying?

You goto Pay to Play.

If you dont buy it, someone will. If you dont want to pay msrp may I suggest used.

[CAMARU]

I got mine in July for $850 below MSRP. No one is going below invoice. If they say so they mean MSRP not invoice. I assume you were in southern California. I have never seen even a half dozen at any lot here in Norcal at one time.

[ffrcobra_65]

you came to CA, offered 3k less than MSRP for a popular car that they know they can sell at or over MSRP or at the very least at Invoice, and you wonder why they don't want your business? Last I checked, dealers sell cars to make money, not lose money. And if they can get a sucker to buy inflated options and add-ons, they will suck them dry. Did they laugh when you offered 3k below MSRP?

[Jeremeymt]

I actually bought mine used and saved a TON off what it would have costs new. I realize most people want to buy these cars new but with it being such a hot car right now I wouldn't expect many dealers to come off the price either. Same holds true for everything thats a hot item the price goes up and then once sales slow down they will drop the price down. Its just how economics works!

[JS]

Brand new my car was 34230 sticker and bought it for 32130 that night
I was happy at this price, it can be done...

[aeagleaaron]

Originally Posted by johntaylorny

With the sad shape of the economy and car industry, you'd think dealers would want to sell cars. Apparently that isn't the case.

While visiting relatives on the west coast I stopped by 3 dealerships today. All had 2-3 dozen camaros on the lot.

2 dealerships wouldn't budge a penny under msrp. one actually asked me to leave. the third i negotiated with for 3 hours. the car was $29k sticker. i offered $26k. nope. no way. the best they could do was $500 over invoice. they finally told me they couldn't help and actually told me to buy a car on the internet.

and the prices for dealer options... $800 for racing stripes, $400 window tint, $300 flashing third tail light, $900 alloy wheels, $200 window vin etchings, and they all had that lovely $999 "doc fee" whatever that is.

The best thing you can do is to bring in a trade in...if they wont budge on the msrp (because they typically cant) they will give you more for the trade in. Something about not being able to show a sale for less than msrp to chevy or something...but they can take more for a trade in and show a loss on that. If you have a car for a trade in that is the best way you can negotiate on price.

[CamaroFTW]

Cars are not marked up like they used to be. $3000 under MSRP is an absurd offer for this 2010-11 car. Offering $500-750 over dealer invoice is a good deal for most parts. If you really want a Camaro I suggest you get a bit more realistic. As others have stated above dealers are not in this to lose money. They have huge overhead and have to make some profit to stay in business. If you dont buy then it is no loss to them. Good Luck!

[ffrcobra_65]

Originally Posted by JS

Brand new my car was 34230 sticker and bought it for 32130 that night
I was happy at this price, it can be done...

....but you are not in CA. Dealers are greedy here and it is a bit more expensive to run business in CA that most states. You might have worked them down that low but they made out in the end somehow.