Buying new truck very soon - need advice

[kherman]

I am trading in my 1996 GMC 1500 extended cab truck. short bed (6.5 feet) It is 2 wheel drive and has 92,000 miles on it. 4.3 liter V6. As a trade in, i'll get about $5500. Yes, I could get more if I sold it on my own, but I don't want the hassle. I'll try getting $6000 out of the dealer.

I am getting a 2003 Chevy 1500 extended cab, long bed (8 feet). I am still torn between 2wd and 4 wd. Either the base model or the LS. Leaning toward LS. If I get 2 wd, I'll get the Electronic Traction Assist System. Also getting it with the V8 4.8 liter engine.

Anyone here have negotiating advice???? Especially on what I should end up paying. I figure I'll end up paying slightly more than invoice. Maybe a hundred bucks more. Is this a realistic goal?

Any advice is appreciated.
Karl

Also, where can I get a mortgage online that is good?

EDIT:
I just went to the chevy web site.
I will be getting the LS version 1500 extended cab. V8 -4.8 liter. long bed.

Also, I am negotiating the pre-tax price, correct?

 

[Tsaico]

The question for the four wheel drive or not is more up to your driving standards... If you don't do mountains often (for teh snow) or off-road then you will usually have it dis-engaged anyway, so you might as well save yourself some money and get the 4x2. I say go for the LS, good middle of the road, not base, but not top line. And as far as invoice, you will always get it near invoice, I think you might be meaning MSRP, which a hundred bucks over probably isn't very likely on a new car, they always have something added that you want in your truck. Dealers do not have to pay for the current new vehicles until they are sold. They might offer rebates (if you live in the western states you can get a $1,000 rebate to use as part of your down right now) but won't budge too much on end price, unless you are paying cash. As far as negotiating, they will try to keep you talkinga bout monthly payments, that a load of bull. It is all about the end price and your intrest rate. By fiddling with your intrest rate and loan period, they can lower your payments so it looks cheaper then it origionally did. The MSRP on your truck new is around 19k so expect to be paying around ~22 or so. I think less would be great, but no more than 23k (not including tax and liscence). Other then that... good luck...

I want your new truck.... (stuck with ford four banger)

 

[propellerhead]

I remember reading an article online about a news reporter who infiltrated a car dealer and pretended to be a car salesman. He applied at a few dealers, then got accepted at one, then was trained, etc. The article was very revealing. I wish I knew where it was.

Anyone?