Looking at getting a Spider
-
Tybersk8er
Looking at getting a Spider
I've been looking into getining a 1980 fiat spider to go along with my aprilia rs50 (italian theme). The engine is beautiful looks bran new, starts like a dream. The only con to the car is it looks like it was left in the rain with the top down... since about 1980... Well it looks bad inside anyway. The center consol is ruined, seats could be redone. But other than that beautiful car! The dealer wants $3,500 for it, but I think I can talk him down (the cars been sitting there for around 6 months now). I just wanted to know what you guys think of your fiats, and do you think this would be a good purchase? I know its going to be biased when I ask here, but what are the pros and cons of these cars?
-
So Cal Mark
If the interior has been subjected to weather, you really should look at the floor for rust damage. If the carpet was allowed to stay soaked for any length of time there may be rust holes in the rear footwells. Either lift up the carpet or inspect the floor from underneath.
If you're not familiar with Spiders, you might want to have a professional inspect the car for you. One area of concern is the front crossmember where it mounts to the body/frame. Cracks can occur there and can be expensive to repair.
Other than that, Spiders are one of the better sports cars of the era and an excellent value. If you figure that a new interior will cost in the $1000 range, you should be able to get the dealer to drop the price considerably. Good luck with it
If you're not familiar with Spiders, you might want to have a professional inspect the car for you. One area of concern is the front crossmember where it mounts to the body/frame. Cracks can occur there and can be expensive to repair.
Other than that, Spiders are one of the better sports cars of the era and an excellent value. If you figure that a new interior will cost in the $1000 range, you should be able to get the dealer to drop the price considerably. Good luck with it
-
Mark_vaughn
Having sold cars for a living, I will give you some insight. Not every dealer is the same, but here is an example of a large Toyota dealer.
A used car gets traded in at $X.
Before it is sold the dealer adds "pack" to the figure to ensure profit, this gives the "cost" of the vehicle. Pack at the store I worked at was $750, but I know of stores with $1500 pack.
Cost = (trade in) + (pack)
Then the sales person wants to make a buck, and he should. So he is going to add at least another $1000 on top so he will get paid about 30% of that, or $300. Most stores will pay at least $100 bucks per deal (a mini).
We have: (trade in value)+(pack)+(commission)= sales price.
Oh, and they will probably try and add another $99 to $499 in "Doc. Fees" for filing paperwork or whatever. Just have them subtract that amount from the purchase price and your are even.
My guess is they traded that car in for less than $1000. If they show you their "cost" to try and prove what they paid for it, just remember that number includes their "pack".
Here is a method for a little less stress in car shopping at a dealer. Decide what you will pay for the car, regardless of the asking price, then write it down and sign it. You have to be ready to make the purchase. Then tell the salesperson that you will tip them $100 cash if he makes it happen within an hour. Then stick to your original numbers, if they can't they wont. If it is possible, the salesperson will make it happen quickly. If you buy the car, give the salesperson the 100 bucks!!
Remember, "Profit" is not a bad word and it is what keeps everyone in business. Don't hate car people for making a profit unless you choose not to accept a paycheck at your own work.
Happy car shopping.
A used car gets traded in at $X.
Before it is sold the dealer adds "pack" to the figure to ensure profit, this gives the "cost" of the vehicle. Pack at the store I worked at was $750, but I know of stores with $1500 pack.
Cost = (trade in) + (pack)
Then the sales person wants to make a buck, and he should. So he is going to add at least another $1000 on top so he will get paid about 30% of that, or $300. Most stores will pay at least $100 bucks per deal (a mini).
We have: (trade in value)+(pack)+(commission)= sales price.
Oh, and they will probably try and add another $99 to $499 in "Doc. Fees" for filing paperwork or whatever. Just have them subtract that amount from the purchase price and your are even.
My guess is they traded that car in for less than $1000. If they show you their "cost" to try and prove what they paid for it, just remember that number includes their "pack".
Here is a method for a little less stress in car shopping at a dealer. Decide what you will pay for the car, regardless of the asking price, then write it down and sign it. You have to be ready to make the purchase. Then tell the salesperson that you will tip them $100 cash if he makes it happen within an hour. Then stick to your original numbers, if they can't they wont. If it is possible, the salesperson will make it happen quickly. If you buy the car, give the salesperson the 100 bucks!!
Remember, "Profit" is not a bad word and it is what keeps everyone in business. Don't hate car people for making a profit unless you choose not to accept a paycheck at your own work.
Happy car shopping.