2004 Solara SE V6, 80,000 KM has replaced the ION. I think the ION ownership was the shortest of any car I've owned. Paid 17,200 for the Solara and probably could have got a better deal if I was a better negotiator. It's fun looking so young, dealers assume I have no clue how to buy a car.
When I started the negotiation I was a bit tired so I flat out asked the salesguy if he wanted my REAL offer or if he wanted to 'play the game'. I said I didn't want to be there all night, I know what I think is fair and that's the number I'll settle on and whether he wanted that number now or after 3 rounds of "let me check with the manager". So we decided to play the game. Sticker was 18,420, I offered 16. Sure enough he comes back with a note from the manager that they couldn't go lower than 17,885 because the sticker price was actually 19,995, not what was marked on the windshield. They also mentioned (and showed) me a $1,900 bill of the 'service' they did on the car so I could see they 'put a lot of money into it'.
So I looked at the bill and told him, 'sorry, not buying it. These are retail prices and there is no way your cost is even half that.' So again, I said, "do you want my REAL counter offer or do you want to go another round?" He said it was up to me so I said "ok, instead of being here all night, 17,200, no fees and it's a done deal, 1 penny more I walk out." They agreed, car is mine. Sounds simple enough, but it took 2 HOURS so I was a bit irritated but in the end I got the car I wanted and I couldn't find another 2004 on autotrader that was even close to that price.
I've always loved the look of this car when it was redesigned in 2004, it's quiet, wicked JBL stereo, reasonably quick and handles quite well for such a large car. Most importantly the seats are fantastic! Enough jibber jabber...the pix!
