Problem with buying from out of state and bringing to CA is you have to wait something like 3-6 mos. before you can register it in CA.

 

i drove to indiana to get mine becouse the dealers down here wanted that much over sticker as well + i got it for about as much under the sticker up ther as they wanted more down here

 

well i guess i should read the hole thread before posting

 

Flying ****,

At the end of it all, i got my truck for $27,599. They paid tax and license, 3 yrs of free maintence and an extended warranty.

They sold you the truck for under cost, paid approx. $3000.00 in tax and license for you, gave you free maintenance (value of another $300.00) and gave you an extended warranty that is probably valued at $1000.00+? If you add all that up you would put a sell cost on the truck of about $23,300.00. Is this dealer still in business and why would they sell it so cheap along with all the perks? Heck of a deal if I calculated right.

 

I have bought two Lightnings...

The first was a 2000 and they had a 7000 markup.
The second (and my current vehicle) was a 2002 and they had a 5000 markup.

At the time I got each one they were few and far between. I was willing to pay MSRP.

The first one I bought I did on the phone. I called Vista in Woodland Hills, Galpin in Van Nuys, Cerritos Ford in the Cerritos Auto Square, North Hollywood Ford (now Sunrise Ford) in N.H., Star Ford in Glendale, Beverly Hills Ford, Don Kott in Carson, and Ford West.

At each dealer I asked to speak to the fleet manager, I then told them I was looking for a silver L and was willing to pay MSRP...yes or no...when they all said no I gave them my phone number and told them if they changed their minds call me and I would buy it right then.

Most of them had NO Lightnings in stock, however, 3 of the dealers did...Cerritos had 2 black (which I didn't wnat) and they called back at the end of the day and said yes to MSRP,
Don Kott...also said yes to MSRP but only had RED

and Ford West (which was the only one who had Silver anyway) had a 7000 markup. I called in the morning. They said they wouldn't budge on the 7k
They called back at noon and said 5K over and I said no.
They called back at 3pm and said 2K over and I said no and told them to stop bothering me . I told them I was beign more than generous by being willing to pay MSRP. So right then they siad OK. So I obught it.

The second one was an impulse buy. I drove buy Peyton Cramer, I was thinking about getting another L (I got rid of the Silver one in 2001) and they happened to have a red one right out front.

It was the end of the year and it was the last one they had. I usually don't like red, but I do like the L in red so I pulled in to look at it. The salemen there wouldn't even acknowledge me looking at it. Again, I was willing to pay list (they had a 5000 markup) I finally say to one sales guy standing near me that I'd buy the truck for list and he said "Well, we don't sell them for less than what we have written there." So, I walk past the deadbeat salesmen standing outside and go into the showroom. I walk up to the salesmangers office, poke my head in and said...
"Your salesmen don't seem interested in selling me that Lightning. I'm willing to pay MSRP right now but not the mark up. Yes or no.
He said yes right there. Total time for negotiating...2 seconds.

If you're willing to pay list you'll get it right away. For this truck I am willing to do that. Most vehicles I would not be willing to do that. It's up to you. You have to let them know you're serious. Also watch out for hidden bull**** and stupid warrenty stuff added in financing. Just say no.

If you've got 35 k total and that's all you can spend including tax and youre willing to spend it, make it clear that you can't and won't go beyond a certain price. Period. If they want to make a sale right then and there that's it. PERIOD. If they say o, leave your name and number and walk.

They'll call you back. Especially now that it is the end of the month.

k

 

When I bought my '02 HD they were selling for $5K over sticker. I was willing to pay $800 over invoice. It took some footwork and phone calling but I was able to find who was willing to sell it for $800 over invoice (HINT: when calling ask for fleet manager), but I would have to wait 2 weeks. With that secured I went back to dealership that seemed most willing to deal and showed them what I got. They said $1K over invoice. I said "OK, but only if you get it equipped exactly like I want and I want free bed extender". They said deal. Invoice for bed extender is $200 so I got exactly what I wanted for $800 over invoice. Total of $33.4K when everyone else was paying $42K.

ZoranC