Buying a new car in Alaska but only 1 dealer available...

[Bacstar]

Thinking about buying a Cadillac CTS Coupe, however, Alaska only has one Cadillac dealer so my options for shopping around are pretty limited. If I decide to go with them, I'll probably have to order the car with the options I want which takes 6-8 weeks. Just wondering if anyone has any experience in a situation like this?

I've looked into maybe purchasing out of state, but the nearest State is Washington which does have an exemption for sales tax for Alaskans, but I'd hate to make the 3000 mile drive back into Alaska considering the car will get pretty beat up on the Alcan highway, and I'll have to also wait for summer. Made that drive in winter, and it was scary. Couple times I thought I'd die and not be found til the spring melt. I'll have to look into shipping, but I imagine any money I saved on the sales tax will be wasted.

 

[homercles337]

Buy in WA and ship the car.

 

[Bacstar]

Now would I have to fly down there for the sale, and could the dealer handle the shipping arrangements for me? I've found a dealer online, but I won't be ready to buy until this spring.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Why not buy it in WA, and drive it back to AK?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I waited 8 weeks for my car. Was worth it. And I live in California.

 

[Bacstar]

Thought about it, but the roads aren't in the best of shape: gravel and rocks, pot holes, road heaves (i think that's what they're called). Not to mention road hazards due to wildlife. You should see the cars and trucks around here.... every vehicle has a cracked or chipped windshield... I'd hate to put a new car through all that kind of driving right away.

 

[Bacstar]

I won't mind waiting if I have to order. I'm just wondering how much I'll get reamed or how much negotiating power I'll have since the dealership knows that they're the only dealer here in Anchorage.

 

[Bacstar]

I waited 8 weeks for my car. Was worth it. And I live in California.

Was looking at the sales tax laws in California too. I'm originally from California and was thinking about buying it while I was down there on vacation in January, but the state has some rules for sales tax exemptions. I'll have to talk to a dealer while I'm down there and see what they'll do for me 🙂

 

[Bacstar]

Heard that the new 2012 Chrysler 300S's were out, and the dealer had one in stock last week. Had to go check it out and took it for a test drive. Well... I was pretty impressed.

After looking at the numbers and features, I was swayed enough to end up getting it over the Cadillac.

 

[SuperSix]

8 weeks isn't a very long time when making the right purchase on a 50k vehicle. Why not make sure you have exactly what you want, when spending that much money?

Also - call some Caddy dealers in WA, they will know the ins and outs, and may give you a better price - delivered. You could use that to negotiate a better deal with the local Caddy dealer.

 

[alfa147x]

Was looking at the sales tax laws in California too. I'm originally from California and was thinking about buying it while I was down there on vacation in January, but the state has some rules for sales tax exemptions. I'll have to talk to a dealer while I'm down there and see what they'll do for me 🙂

Someone in another thread said sales tax depends on where you live. No matter where you buy it

 

[Bacstar]

I had 3 vehicles I was looking over: Cadillac CTS-Coupe, Chrysler 300, and the Audi S6 or A6. Audi was the most expensive when getting all the options, second came the CTS, and finally the 300.

The Chrysler won out due to price, and I, over the years of owning the 300M, developed a loyalty towards the brand. The 300S just suits me better than the Caddy. I could have gotten the SRT8, but I definitely need AWD. I'm also happy to say I've got the first one in Anchorage 😉