Thinking of buying...

[PTFixated]

Sorry for the cross post, it doesn't look like the 'ordering and buying' group gets much activity.

Hello I'm thinking of getting a PT Turbo. What if any pros and cons should I know about and how much of a mark down from MSRP should I expect to pay?

Thanks all

[RubyRed]

Are you paying cash or financing? Do you have a trade-in to throw into the negotiations? Up front there is (or was) $2500 cash incentive but demand for any car (except for the Hummer H2 and some other low-production cars) is so low that you can really reduce the bottom line if you're willing to play the game. You have to be willing to walk if you really want to get a good price on a GT. If you are in love with just one car at one dealer's lot then you're screwed.

Is this the only dealer in town? If so, how far is the next one? Feel no shame in playing each one off the other. As long as there is stock sitting on lots you have power, and there is a lot of stock sitting on lots right now. It may be reasonable to expect your final discount to be as much as $4000 below sticker if you can play the game and be willing to write a check right then for the agreed price.

Try to avoid using their financing. Any "deal" they give you will make them lots of money and reduce your final discount. The simpler you can keep you negotiations, the easier it will be to get more $$ off the sticker.

Good luck and happy hunting. Car shopping can be fun if you have the right mind-set. Try to treat it like fly-fishing; catch and release, catch and release, until you get that trophy. THEN you reel it in and keep it.

[Sci-Fi]

As far as pricing, compare with CarMax new car prices: http://www.carmax.com/
Then look for a similar or better deal in your area. Prices at CarMax range from $21,609 to $23,999

Chrysler rebates/incentives:
PT Cruiser
06/03/2003 to 07/31/2003
Cash $2,500
or
APR 36/48/60/72 months 0.0/1.9/2.9/3.9

[go-vair]

Just purchased a GT turbo 5-speed a couple of weeks ago. Considering what I paid, you should be in the $19,000 range (before taxes) and after all rebates on a base model GT (msrp $23,500) or a little less if you are buying outright. If you have a trade, who knows??? Good luck and squeeze them if they have several on the lot, they will want to get rid of the 03's before the 04's come out

[go-vair]

Hey Sci-Fi, another thing, make sure you mention other possible rebates Student ($400) and military ($750). I checked 5 dealers and they were all within $200 of the range I mentioned. possible to get it down in the low to middle $18,000 range if you can use one of these rebates.

[BlueMeanie]

Welcome!! Where are you located?? I know a dealership near me who has a bunch of Electric Blues and One Black Turbos in stock for 4000 under sticker. Best of luck with your search.

Dan

[JOEM]

Originally posted by thinguy
Hello I'm thinking of getting a PT Turbo. What if any pros and cons should I know about and how much of a mark down from MSRP should I expect to pay?

Thanks all

Pros: PT Turbo! Vroom! Vroom!

Cons: You'll have to much fun with it, you'll look too cool driving it, and you'll want to add neat mods and attend fun Cruises.

Price: What the others have posted. You should get what you want for under 20K. This is an almost unprecedented buyer's market and you can really cut a deal. Good luck!

[PTFixated]

I'm in southern Indiana so I'm no where near a carmax location. But I did look at their pricing and it is very good. I have about 5-6 dealerships in a reasonable area to work with.

Thanks for the info that should really help. Now I just have to convince the wife that it's practical and worth buying new.

Excellent site you guys have here. And some great looking PTs. Since I started looking at PTs my interest has increased by the customization that can be done.

[lisa]

check this out-

my regular dealership has NO GTs on their lot-as a matter of fact, they are not going to keep new PTs on their lot at all ( they have a couple of used 01s). This is their game-if you want one we will order it for you-at full price. They are always at full price if you order. I told them I was looking at an 01 5 speed at another dealership to have for a beater (get rid of the Omni) and they threw a fit and told me they would come down in price on the used 5-speed they had. The black 5-speed I am looking at is 8995 and they want 13800 for the used inferno red. I do not think they will come down-JERKS.

I will get a turbo, but not til they come out with my turbo panel and they are not going to jerk me around on price!!!

[DTs_PTGT]

I picked up a turbo at the end of March and I paid 500 over invoice before factoring in the 2,500 rebate. That's like 1,000 below MSRP before rebate. Not the worst deal in the world but you can probably chew them down below invoice if you can play the dealers against each other.

Better watch out though. One test drive of the GT and you'll be hooked!