Anonymous wrote:Thanks, all! So the model we want is very specific and we've been routinely checking for inventory on the Kia website. We've also been in touch with a local dealer who said they "may be able to order it" for us but they need management sign off. I have no idea how long that will take... Meanwhile, yesterday I found the exact model we want, which is located 1.5 hours away from our home and in a neighboring state (we no longer live in the DMV area). We've confirmed with the dealer that it's still available. I just don't want to drive 1.5 hours there and come home without the car because they won't sell it to us for MSRP. Should I just call them back and ask them what they're selling it for or what the total cost is out the door (including tax, title, destination, fees)? I just don't want to deal with "well that depends on XYZ." They emailed us some financing paperwork and said we could fill it out ahead of time and they won't run it until we come in.
In other news, I filled out the PenFed info (thanks to the PP who recommended this) and got a bunch of offers, but they weren't exact matches to what we want.
You can complete the transaction electronically before you head out to pick the car up. It'd be foolish to drive that far without knowing the price the dealer wants, and once you're there and the dealer knows how far you have come there's a good chance the dealer will ask for top dollar, knowing you won't want to have wasted your trip.
Ask for the dealer's best price, including all fees, and if it's satisfactory provide a down payment on a credit card to close the deal, paying the balance when you take delivery. If you need financing, arrange that on your own once you know the vehicle price and VIN. Do this with multiple dealers (I contacted 13, in three states, when I bought my last car - there were wide variations in what each dealer would sell the car for).
Know, too, that if you're inflexible with respect to brand, model, color, and trim level you'll have a harder time getting a good deal unless ytou're looking at a relatively unpopular product. Supply and demand dictate that when supply is limited, and demand is high, prices are high.