no, i mean you most likely didn't actually get that price (i'm not sure, i don't know all the specifics). certain dealers do a great job of making you
think you got that price, when in reality they're giving you a price plus freight (which is already included in the MSRP), and plus other bogus fees. in the end, you're really paying thousands over this price
We bought a 2013 Compass Sport for $13,490 plus taxes and fees last month in Tacoma, WA. No options, but with standard PW/PL, A/C, carpeted floor mats, keyless entry, manual transmission, cruise, alloy wheels, heated mirrors, fog lamps, 2.0 liter engine. The price included some rebates/factory incentives, but was a great deal in my book. It was purchased for my son. Good fuel mileage, nice standard features, good warranty. The local dealer advertises a few loss leaders each week, usually a Compass for $12,990 (with a military rebate), a Patriot for $9,990, and some other models. We went for the Compass because of the higher level of standard equipment (and in my opinion, better styling) over the Patriot. Happy so far. If you are interested, Google Tacoma Dodge Chrysler Jeep. I have no relationship with them, just a satisfied customer.
take this post for example. there's no possible way that this guy paid $13k for a compass. it just isn't possible. let me show you why.
the least expensive 2013 jeep compass left in the country has an MSRP of $20,490. it is a 2013 sport with zero options. it has an invoice price of $20,228, a whopping $262 in markup. when the dealer sells it, they will get $585 in holdback from the manufacturer, so in reality, the dealer's "net cost" on the car is $19,643. currently in your area, based on a los angeles zip code of 90001, there is a $3,000 rebate which everyone qualifies for. you already said you don't qualify for the lease rebate, college grad, or military, so if you walked in the door and that dealer wanted to break straight even, they would sell it to you for $16,643. keep this number in your head, it's very important.
"how am i seeing prices for $14,000 and under" you ask? it's simple.
destination on this car (which i already said was included in the MSRP) is $995. they remove this cost from their advertised internet pricing to make it look lower, only to add it in later at the end as a bogus "fee". $16,643 just went to $15,648. they'll throw in the military rebate of $500. now we're down to $15,148. they're using the lease loyalty rebate as well, of $1,000. price drops to $14,148. add the college grad rebate as well and you're down to $13,648. add a few bucks in profit so the dealer doesn't just break even and there's your advertised price of $13,995.
"but wait, what about that number of $16,643 you told me to remember? wasn't that their dead cost?" yup. so ask yourself, would anyone in charge of running a business and earning a profit in order to keep that business afloat advertise right off the bat a $2,648 loss, or
more, on their inventory? not anyone who wants to have a job the next day, that's for sure.
so you see, there is no way on earth that any dealer is actually selling these anywhere near the prices you're seeing, or the prices you're looking for. there are dealers that do a phenomenal job of making people
think they got those prices, like the second person i quoted in my post. he didn't pay $13k for his brand new compass, i'll bet my job on it. but he
thinks he did, which in the eyes of the dealer is all that matters. they'll simply add fees and destination until the price on their screen goes back into the black. it happens every day. if you walk out of a dealership and believe that you paid anywhere
near the price you're looking for, you got had, plain and simple. Vbpiper, look at the buyer's order for your MK. if you see "destination", "freight", or "delivery" on there for $995, which i will guarantee you will, you were a victim of this creative maneuver. if $13k is your budget, you need to be looking at pre-owned models. hell, my 2011 is still worth more than that in its lowest trade value, what does that tell you? if people are still, years later, trading these cars for THOUSANDS more than what you're "seeing" them go for new, how is that possible? it isn't, those people are victims of advertising, plain and simple.