'00 Jetta GLS VR6 Buying Advice

If "Am I getting a good deal" messages are inappropriate for this
group, I apologize...

I'm considering purchasing a '00 Jetta GLS VR6 with approx. 41K miles
on it. It comes certified pre-owned by VW and the carfax report comes
back clean. The interior/exterior seem great. The dealer (after a
little haggling) came down to $13,950 off-the-lot. This is under KBB
by $840.00 (plus taxes and dealer handling). Should I continue
shopping, make a lower counter offer, or jump on the deal?
Any buying advice is also appreciated.

Thanks,

Geoff

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, wrote:

> The dealer (after a
>little haggling) came down to $13,950 off-the-lot. This is under KBB
>by $840.00 (plus taxes and dealer handling)

I don't know what you should do, but I expect that any "dealer
handling" is included in the blue book prices.

"Tom's VR6" > wrote in message
...
> In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, wrote:
>
>> The dealer (after a
>>little haggling) came down to $13,950 off-the-lot. This is under KBB
>>by $840.00 (plus taxes and dealer handling)
>
> I don't know what you should do, but I expect that any "dealer
> handling" is included in the blue book prices.

Not sure what "dealer handling" even is. Never heard of such a thing,
especially on a used car.

I guess it's a way for the dealership to charge more money...I was told
by the salesperson that it was a flat fee of $350.00.

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, wrote:

>I guess it's a way for the dealership to charge more money...I was told
>by the salesperson that it was a flat fee of $350.00.

At what stage did the salesman tell you that? Was it later than they
told you the "price"?

I wonder if you would pay sales tax on that portion.

I'm not sure if I'd have to pay sales tax on the 'handling' fee. I was
told of the handling fee after learning the price of the car.

What would be a more accurate representation of the true value of the
vehicle based on Kelly Blue Book categories: Private Party, Dealer, or
Trade-In?

Price sounds good especially being certified. Dealers like kbb pricing as it
usually on the high side so you must decide to buy the car or not.

> wrote in message
ps.com...
> If "Am I getting a good deal" messages are inappropriate for this
> group, I apologize...
>
> I'm considering purchasing a '00 Jetta GLS VR6 with approx. 41K miles
> on it. It comes certified pre-owned by VW and the carfax report comes
> back clean. The interior/exterior seem great. The dealer (after a
> little haggling) came down to $13,950 off-the-lot. This is under KBB
> by $840.00 (plus taxes and dealer handling). Should I continue
> shopping, make a lower counter offer, or jump on the deal?
> Any buying advice is also appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Geoff
>

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, wrote:

>
>What would be a more accurate representation of the true value of the
>vehicle based on Kelly Blue Book categories: Private Party, Dealer, or
>Trade-In?

A car from a dealer is costs more, and may be worth. It is more in
the book. Adding a guarantee is a significant value in the
comparisons.

Private party that is not selling to his friends is often
willing/eager to take less. The trade-in offers a lot of convenience
as well as the potential to save sales tax while buying the new car.
.. I am not pretending that I have particular insight tho. Seems to
go without saying.

Don't get fooled here like so many others.
The "blue book" is put out by the used car dealers association and exists
for one purpose: to benefit used car dealers.

Yes, its a guide that can be used to give some idea of the value of a used
car but the spread in prices between "trade in value" and "retail value" at
a dealer is set at a wide margin to benefit the dealers.

The "private party value" is also set well below the "retail value" to make
people believe the car sold by the dealer is always worth more.

Often, you can learn more about a used car from meeting the actual prior
owner and learning how well it was or wasn't cared for etc.

Yes, the dealers check cars over to some extent and offer warranties you
won't get with private sales but don't let yourself get manipulated here
into overestimating the value of this along with the downside of a dealer
purchased vehicle.

TL





"Tom's VR6" > wrote in message
...
> In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, wrote:
>
>>
>>What would be a more accurate representation of the true value of the
>>vehicle based on Kelly Blue Book categories: Private Party, Dealer, or
>>Trade-In?
>
> A car from a dealer is costs more, and may be worth. It is more in
> the book. Adding a guarantee is a significant value in the
> comparisons.
>
> Private party that is not selling to his friends is often
> willing/eager to take less. The trade-in offers a lot of convenience
> as well as the potential to save sales tax while buying the new car.
> . I am not pretending that I have particular insight tho. Seems to
> go without saying.
>

) wrote:

>I'm not sure if I'd have to pay sales tax on the 'handling' fee. I was
>told of the handling fee after learning the price of the car.

If you aren't hard up to buy a car, I'd just tell the salesperson flat out
that you're hung up on that "handling fee" and that it's a deal breaker. And
then go home.

They'll call you back. There's alot of cars out there.


Michael

--
Different places, different names, peculiar people, just the same -
We are brothers in our hearts. - GC