[moombolt]

Hi, about to jump into the EV ownership experience and order the Bolt.
As I've read most people say that MSRP is basically what dealers go by.
I spoke with a local dealership, and they were doing a 'rainy day' special of $500 off
msrp. Almost went in and placed the order by didn't end up going, but this
shows at least some dealership is willing to haggle. Anyone has similar
experience ?

 

[Boltar]

I think it will probably follow supply vs. demand in most markets. If you want one of the earlier, initial quality plagued models like most of us : /
you may have to pony up MSRP or close to it. Sometimes manufacturers offer up incentives across their lines, like "switch from a competitor" incentives or others, we'll have to wait and see what GM is offering when the car we want/order arrives. The silver lining of getting a car in Jan-Feb is that many dealers aren't too busy around then, so we'll see if they do anything to entice consumers that doesn't end with an asterisk *except Bolt EV.
FYI, I called the Costco Auto Program the other day, and they had no info about the Bolt. They said that they typically start to be able to get new model cars 60-90 days after they start hitting the dealerships. Essentially, when the dealers have stock they want to get rid of.

 

[moombolt]

I think it will probably follow supply vs. demand in most markets. If you want one of the earlier, initial quality plagued models like most of us : /
you may have to pony up MSRP or close to it. Sometimes manufacturers offer up incentives across their lines, like "switch from a competitor" incentives or others, we'll have to wait and see what GM is offering when the car we want/order arrives. The silver lining of getting a car in Jan-Feb is that many dealers aren't too busy around then, so we'll see if they do anything to entice consumers that doesn't end with an asterisk *except Bolt EV.
FYI, I called the Costco Auto Program the other day, and they had no info about the Bolt. They said that they typically start to be able to get new model cars 60-90 days after they start hitting the dealerships. Essentially, when the dealers have stock they want to get rid of.

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering - do we negotiate the price AFTER the car arrives, or at the time of ordering/putting deposit down ?

 

[Electro]

I would expect after considering I don't think they're giving direct prices at the moment ? I think you just put down the deposit and do the negotiating and discussing after

 

[Bazinga]

But aren't people putting in their orders now and not just a deposit? If it's just a refundable deposit, then you probably negotiate after the dealership receives some Bolts. If you're ordering one then you probably negotiate before delivery.

 

[Electro]

But aren't people putting in their orders now and not just a deposit? If it's just a refundable deposit, then you probably negotiate after the dealership receives some Bolts. If you're ordering one then you probably negotiate before delivery.

That's what I would think but @devbolt posted this the other day so I'm kinda confused as well.

Went down to the local dealership last night and ordered a Bolt Premier in Kinetic Blue Metallic (extra $395) with the DC Fast charging ($750), Driver Confidence II ($495), & Infotainment packages ($485). This is a real order with a real order number, not just putting my name on a wish list. Dealer has gotten 25 allocations, and I'm number 17. Every dealer I've contacted seems to be selling at MSRP. $1000 refundable deposit was all that was required to secure my slot/order.

 

[DucRider]

Until you sign a purchase contract with the dealer on a car with a specific VIN#, there is no point in negotiating (for either side) as it won't be binding.

 

[devbolt]

The salesman that I worked with to place my Bolt order guaranteed me that he would sell it to me at MSRP. No markups or extra add-ons. If, for some reason, I were to pass on the car, he would have no qualms about slapping a markup on it and see if someone bit.

Invoice price, not counting hold back, is about 96% of MSRP. Which means about $1700 of profit for the dealership on a fully loaded Bolt Premier with all the options. There's not a lot of room for negotiation, at least in this first round of deliveries. None of the dealerships I talked to were willing to negotiate price. They didn't seem to have any trouble filling their allocation slots. I was #17 out of 25 that that dealership had. And they had only started taking orders about 4 or 5 days earlier.

It's not worth the time to me to try and save $500 - $1000 off of a car that is already over $40K. I'd rather get the car that I want and not have to play games. It's less than an extra $25 a month on a 5-year loan.

 

[Raymondjram]

Most customers buy what the dealer has on the lot, and they (not the customer) select the options when ordering. The better dealers allow you to place a custom order with (or without) options as to buy the vehcile as you really want it. That will cost more, but the important detail is that you will be satisfied with the purchase for as long as you own the vehicle.

My 1995 Buick Regal, which I had to search for at several GM dealers, had all the factory options, except the sunroof. It cost me $27,500 in December 1994 (and financed at 1.8% interest for 60 months), but I was enchanted with my purchase. I drove it for 21 years, and sold it December 2015 to a friend who also loves it.

That is how one should buy a car! BTW, I never haggle to lower the price because the dealer later gives me discounts for services and parts, such that in those 21 years I spend much less than any other who would have haggled. My present vehicle is a 2009 Chevy Equinox which I bought during GM's bankruptcy, with no haggling, but at zero (0%) interest. And I still love it! If I can get a Chevy Bolt EV in 2017, it will replace the Equinox, as the cargo area difference bewteen them isn't much, but the passenger space in the Bolt EV is larger than in the Equinox. Then I will not spend any more money on gasoline or gas engine maintenence.

 

[moombolt]

Was able to
- put down deposit for $1000 at one local dealer, with $500 off MSRP, but can only get in line to select from their stock, when they come in
- put down deposit for $500 at another local dealer, with $500 off MSRP, all customize order

 

[VacMan]

I used the Costco program to secure a preorder "at supplier pricing" with a $500 refundable deposit. Nightfall LT with rapid charging port.

 

[moombolt]

I used the Costco program to secure a preorder "at supplier pricing" with a $500 refundable deposit. Nightfall LT with rapid charging port.

how'd you secure this ? using costco auto program's reference, and go to a local dealer and get your order placed ?

 

[astricklin]

I can access the supplier pricing through my employer and Bolt EV currently shows that it is not eligible for a discount. The Spark EV also shows no discount so I would expect this to be the case for both vehicles for some time.

 

[moombolt]

I can access the supplier pricing through my employer and Bolt EV currently shows that it is not eligible for a discount. The Spark EV also shows no discount so I would expect this to be the case for both vehicles for some time.

does that mean unless dealer willing to part with their profit margin, there are no manufacture-based discounts ?
but isn't costco auto program just what we need to get dealers to part with some profit ?

 

[VacMan]

how'd you secure this ? using costco auto program's reference, and go to a local dealer and get your order placed ?

Yes, I did the Costco program which directed me to Weseloh Chevrolet in Carlsbad. Got a call from them and that was that.

I can access the supplier pricing through my employer and Bolt EV currently shows that it is not eligible for a discount. The Spark EV also shows no discount so I would expect this to be the case for both vehicles for some time.

That's why I put that in quotes. Costco doesn't use supplier pricing, he just used that as a pricing reference. I learned the trick to use Costco to lock in savings on cars that will likely sell at MSRP or above from my buddy who flips cars. He was buying Raptors under MSRP and then reselling them for $5k over MSRP when all the dealers were selling them for $10-15k over. The trick is to get the order(s) in before demand is too great.

 

[moombolt]

Yes, I did the Costco program which directed me to Weseloh Chevrolet in Carlsbad. Got a call from them and that was that.

I'm still waiting for the call. I actually had already placed the order from the same dealership, from the same contact, before I realized Costco Auto Program has it too. Wonder how this is gonna go through.

 

[Boltar]

That's interesting, I called the Costco Auto program a week or two ago, and they said they had no information about the Bolt and that it would likely be available through them only after cars were at the dealer lots.

 

[moombolt]

That's interesting, I called the Costco Auto program a week or two ago, and they said they had no information about the Bolt and that it would likely be available through them only after cars were at the dealer lots.

When I did it it was over the web, the selections are there for the Bolt

 

[moombolt]

I'm still waiting for the call. I actually had already placed the order from the same dealership, from the same contact, before I realized Costco Auto Program has it too. Wonder how this is gonna go through.

Got a call from the sales person who i made the original order with, and I mentioned Costco Auto Program. He said when the car comes in then he can see whatever's the 'deal' at that point and 'take care of it'. We'll see

 

[evDude]

That's interesting, I called the Costco Auto program a week or two ago, and they said they had no information about the Bolt and that it would likely be available through them only after cars were at the dealer lots.

I believe it just showed up in the Costco Auto program system a few days ago. I had checked last week and it wasn't there...