I am currently living overseas and am scheduled to be moving back to North Carolina in a couple months. I am seriously considering buying a new 05 GTO when I return. I was wondering what everyones thoughts were on the best method of buying one since I have about 2 months before I will be back? Would ordering one make sense, get better pricing, etc? Or should I just go back, look around at the dealers and find the one I want?

I dont know what dealer stock is on the 05's now, especially in NC (Charlotte area). Is it easy to find one sitting on the dealer lots?

What is the average price markup/reduction most people are seeing? Are there deals to be had, or should I be happy to only pay MSRP?

Also, how hard is it to get the grill inserts from the Sports Appearance Package? I really like those and think it drastically changes the appearance of the car.


Thanks,
Brian T.

I think it all depends on your relationship with a dealer. You are in a tough position not being around the states.

In the past, I've always asked for a spec sheet and spec'd my own car out, then special ordered it after making a deal for price. Usually, if you deal with a reputable dealer and a long time professional salesman, you can be counted on as a repeat customer and they will work with you. I have always paid about $500 over invoice. By ordering the car, you don't get involved in paying "floor plan" interest that all dealers must pay the factory for stocking the cars on the lot which they must recover from customers. It used to be 90 days free, then they begin paying interest which is added to the net cost of the car. Also be aware that sticker on the '05s is about $2,400 over invoice so there isn't as much markup for dealers as there used to be. In addition, by ordering the car, you avoid having a few dozen lead-footers test driving the new car during the crucial break in period and you get one with 4 miles on the clock, not 400. If you pay a new price, get a NEW car.

You're usually better off selling your own trade in unless you don't want to deal with the hassles. Often, if your trade in is a performance car, you will have to decide if you want every punk, broke kid in the area test driving your old car while they decide if they "want to buy it or not". Dealers make their killings on the trade-in markup, not on the new car price, but it may be worth losing a couple of thou to let them mess with the test drives.

Brian:

Fancy running into you here. Jason of Sewell Pontiac on this forum is also the ClubGP sales contact for the Grand Prix. You may wish to look up your Grand Prix contacts in the Dallas area for their direct experience with Jason or Sewell.

Edmunds has a "prices paid" forum for the GTO:
Edmund's Pontiac GTO Discussions (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/ed_displayMakeModelRelatedDiscussions!make=Pontiac&model=GTO)

--Victor

I sent him a pm but have not heard anything. Hey man thanks for the plug.

Excellent question Btrotter,

I to will be interested in getting a GTO (But not till July) I know a long wayz off but that is the time frame I am lookin' at. I have actually seen some posts on the web of people getting the car (an '05) at invoice, however I don't know if there just yankin' my chain or if there serious but I would love ta get it at or slightly above invoice stock or closer to MSRP with Aero kit installed (Minus the wing, would rather have the stock wing), don't know if I am dreamin' at these prices or if it's an actual possibility, but I have a few months to find out.

Joe

Hey guys, sorry, all the replies the board sent to my email letting me know I had responses got stuck in my spam filter. I just now found them and logged in here to see I had replies.

I also sent a Autobytel request in to see what type of feedback I would get from it. I got 2 replies back for dealers offering them about $1100 under invoice. I am still about 7 weeks from going back to the US, so I am in no hurry to get it. I will get back to the US, find one to test drive, then possibly test drive some of the other cars that are running a close second to the GTO (G35, 300C). Then if I still like it, probably buy it.

Jason, if I decided that all my local dealers were knuckleheads and I didnt want to give them my money, would I have to drive to TX to get one from you, or can you deliver? If delivery is an option, what is the cost?

Thanks for all your feedback. I am still trying to decide on the color I want. The only thing I definetely know I want is a manual tranny, and at least the front part of the sports package. I like the front clip, thats it. I loathe the rear, especially the dual tips and those slits above the exhaust. I dont like the rear spoiler either. Any chance in getting just those pieces of the kit added?

Thanks guys,
Brian
btrotter@pobox.com

Originally posted by FastXTC@Mar 4 2005, 10:22 AM
Brian:

Fancy running into you here. Jason of Sewell Pontiac on this forum is also the ClubGP sales contact for the Grand Prix. You may wish to look up your Grand Prix contacts in the Dallas area for their direct experience with Jason or Sewell.

Edmunds has a "prices paid" forum for the GTO:
Edmund's Pontiac GTO Discussions (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/ed_displayMakeModelRelatedDiscussions!make=Pontiac&model=GTO)

--Victor
Yep, used to be an avid GTPer as well. I sold that car 2 years ago when I moved to the UK. Now that I am on my way back to the US, I am looking to replace my old memories with the GTP with a GTO.

Originally posted by btrotter@Mar 5 2005, 03:18 PM
I got 2 replies back for dealers offering them about $1100 under invoice.
Oops.... sorry... I meant $1100 under MSRP...not invoice!

Originally posted by btrotter+Mar 5 2005, 05:39 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (btrotter @ Mar 5 2005, 05:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-btrotter@Mar 5 2005, 03:18 PM
I got 2 replies back for dealers offering them about $1100 under invoice.
Oops.... sorry... I meant $1100 under MSRP...not invoice! [/b][/quote]
Whew I was about ta say where are these places again? LOL Ya almost had me ordering one 4 months early. LMAO

Joe