Does this sound like a good offer or should I offer more or less?

[SeanEXP]

What this be a good offer for this vehicle? 2003 Ford Explorer.

I want to purchase a vehicle by the end of the month. I have around $11,000 to $11,500 for a vehicle. I am planning on purchasing a SUV because I have a family and I live Upstate New York that have crazy winters.

I have seen this 2003 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4WD 4 door v6 with around 35,600 miles(rounding up). The dealer wants $12,880 for it. I refuse from paying this for a Ford Explorer. I was looking in the range of $10,000 for the vehicle and maybe $1,000 for an extended warranty from FORD plus tax and registration and the etc. That will be around the $11,500 mark. I am not planning on tell them I am paying cash so they get the impression that I am going to finances so they can receive those kickbacks. If they get the impression I am going to get financing though them, than I believe they will be more likely to knock off some off the asking price since they will receive kickbacks. Or say that I am looking for financing, than say I changed my mind once we get an offer agreed upon. Do you think this will work in this situation? With the kickbacks they should be getting that should bring them right back up to their range...only if I was financing....

I took off around 20% off their asking price, they didn't pay not close to $10 grand for this and also the tires will need to be replaced soon. They usually don't pay much for trade ins. I am planning on taking off half and adding $200-$300 for the extended warranty (for example: they give me a quote of $1,500 for extended warranty; I would divide that by 2 and add $200-$300 on that half). I know dealers have to make a profit as well. Extended Warranty for a Ford usually pay for itself. At the end of this month the vehicle will be sitting for a whole month. Is this a long time for the dealer or no? Someone said that it cost dealers for sitting vehicles, why is this?

Does this sound good for the price I am going to offer or should I offer more or less? Opinions and advice is well appreicated. Thank you

It has: Heated seats, Leather seats, heated mirrors, two tone paint, Steering wheel mounted A/C controls, memory seat, memory pedals, adjustable pedals, Overhead console, Front dual zone A/C

Doesn't have: third row, sun roof, parking sensors

 

[blively2]

First of all, I think that $10K for the vehicle in question is right on the mark...no more. I pride myself on getting a great deal on every vehicle purchase I make - $10K is all I'd offer them, as well.

Also, you're right on the money when you state to hide the fact you're not going to let them know you're not going to need financing, as well as reducing the extended warranty offer.

One thing I would do that you did not mention, however, is to research the tire brand online to discover what the end-of-life is for those particular tires are..the odometer states around 35,000 miles you said - those tires are pretty bald for only 35,000 miles driven. I would let them know you have a feeling the odometer is not correct, or they replaced a good set of tires that came with the trade with the bald set now on the vehicle. I would use that as leverage to get them to settle for $10K even, $1000 for the extended warranty, and to put on 4 brand new tires (at no additional charge).

Have fun (I always do when buying a new vehicle - I love the thrill/challenge of the dealership sale)!!

 

[SeanEXP]

Hi Blively 2: I did a research like you said on those tires. I figure the BF Goodrich would have a recommended replacement for these tires but they didn't. If they did, than I was probbably missed it. So I turned to reviews on these tires.

For the most part these tires usually comes stock on vehicles from what I was able to gather. Some people replaced them at 28k, 35k, 63k and some people evn said 88K(very surprised).

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2095202&postcount=9

This person said these tires lasted 75k on the same model and year as the one I am looking at. It does snow and we do have bad winters in this area but 35k almost 36k does sound kind of low to have tires like that especially looking at this post. Do highway miles wear tires faster than street? If so, previous owner could have done only highway with this vehicle...

I did a CarFax and everything looks good with the miles. I am not sure how accurate carfax is. Have anyone ever found problems that wasn't on a carfax?

I will use that as a leverage to have them settle at $10k and $1,000 for the extended and 4 brand new tires(at no cost). Hopefully they go for it, at the end of this month it will be a month since its been sitting.

About the $1,000 for the extended warranty, what plan should I be expecting to receive for $1,000?

 

[bisjoe]

The key to getting the deal you want is willingness to walk away if they don't go for it. Try to find 1-2 others that you might like as backups.

How much they will discount it depends on many factors. If they think you really want that truck they will remain stubborn. I'd start lower and then compromise to the figure you want. If they won't go for it thank them and walk out, telling them that you have several others to look at. If you wait until the end of the month, the best day to buy is the last business day of the month, during the week, and the worst is Saturday when they are busiest and sell a lot of cars.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I agree with bisjoe- have other vehicles that you're looking for, don't strictly go for low mileage either. Honestly, I'd take a V8 Gen III with 70k over a V6 Gen III with 35k.

The one thing sticking in my head is the miles. 36,000 was the cutoff for a Ford standard warranty. Why was it stopped at 35,600. I know the time has run out by now, but something just seems odd.

 

[zerodevil]

those rear rotors look shot to anyone else?

 

[Joe Dirt]

It could be the lighting, but yeah, they look pretty grooved out.

I don't know- I just don't get good vibes on that Ex, especially with under 36k on it. Something is up... Sixth sense I guess... It could be fine, but I'd look around.

Who is selling it- private party, Ford dealer, or a lot?

 

[SeanEXP]

Well maybe I wasn't suppose to get that one...they sold it saturday evening.. Maybe I was more excited because of the low miles but maybe i shouldnt just look at a vehicle's mileage...back to sqaure one...

The last explorer I had 99 XLT got rid of it with 114,000...OMG...it was a money pit...when I see high miles it just scares me....lol..i just don't want something like the last one which is why I am getting an extended warranty no matter what...

Found one which was a 2004 Eddie Bauer edition..with 87,500 miles. anyone have any complaints on this year and model with around the same mileage? What should I look for?

I am not sure if I can get the Premium Care Extended Warranty from the Ford Dealership with this vehicle if I decide on purchasing it. Would anyone agree that the car shopping is the worse sometimes...

 

[NJExplorerFan]

SeanEXP - sorry to hear they sold the truck. I'm in your exact same boat looking for a Gen III Explorer. Although, I only want a V8 with the 3.73 gears and Class III/IV towing package (or a V6 with Class III/IV) so I can pull my car on an open trailer. It seems like there are so many Explorers on the road, but for someone like me who's very particular on what he wants, it can get difficult. Not sure if you're as particular as me.

Don't worry, something will come up. Just keep on looking. Like you said, it just wasn't meant to be. Good attitude!

Do you have any preference on what you want? Color of interior/exterior, engine, towing capability etc?

 

[SeanEXP]

SeanEXP - sorry to hear they sold the truck. I'm in your exact same boat looking for a Gen III Explorer. Although, I only want a V8 with the 3.73 gears and Class III/IV towing package (or a V6 with Class III/IV) so I can pull my car on an open trailer. It seems like there are so many Explorers on the road, but for someone like me who's very particular on what he wants, it can get difficult. Not sure if you're as particular as me.

Don't worry, something will come up. Just keep on looking. Like you said, it just wasn't meant to be. Good attitude!

Do you have any preference on what you want? Color of interior/exterior, engine, towing capability etc?

NJExplorerFan: I am glad I am not in this boat alone V6 or V8 doesn't really matter to me because I am not considering towing anything. Just some that has space and that can get me from point A to point B and back to point A...

Something will come up..I am looking at another one: 2004 EB with 87,500 miles...I am going to look outside the miles..hopefully I can get an Premium care extended warranty since it covers more parts...

as far as color i would like it dark blue or black. I like the EB edition since it has nice features. When I do get one hopefully it has a DVD or I can just have one instaled keep my nephew entertainment on long rides....

What about you do you have any preference such as trim, color(ext & int), dvd entertainment, parkin sensors, and etc? Also what are you looking to spend? I am looking for something in the 11k range which includes warranty, taxes and etc.

Hopefully we both find something soon, the worse part is the search... seems like explorers are trendy these days..everyone is holdin on to them

 

[zerodevil]

mines not going anywhere for a long time! YOU CANT HAVE IT!! anyways, yeah guys keep it up, there are a LOT of explorers on the market, expand your horizons, and stay vigilent, and eventualy you guys will find somthing that just clicks. untill then, feel free to continue to stalk us on the forums and drool over our awesome trucks, and ask questions pertaining to rides your looking at! again, good luck!

 

[SeanEXP]

Here is my problem in finding one. I am basically trying to find one at a Ford Dealership because I want a Extended Warranty.

I have seen other dealerships other than Ford selling nice explorers but I don't want to purchase it than take it to a Ford dealership to have them tell me that my vehicle didn't pass the "inspection" needed for the extended warranty. Since Used Vehicles need to be inspected prior to getting the extended warranty.

If I purchase one from a Ford dealership than they would either have to pass it or tell me what is wrong with it vehicle and why it didn't pass.

I hope this makes sense...I am not quite sure how the inspection works..but this is what I always thought...please correct me if I am wrong...

 

[FordmoPar69]

NJExplorerFan: ... seems like explorers are trendy these days..everyone is holdin on to them

Thats cause A) they are great cars/trucks (3rd and fourth gens i consider both) and B) now one knows exactly what kind of vehicle the next X will be.

and on this car don not buy it, to me it looks like who ever owned it before did not take good car of it and the dealer is being shady bout the car, so find a different one to buy, especailly for 10 g's

 

[jasongt06]

You do not have to buy from a Ford Dealer to get a Ford ESP, as a matter of fact I would not buy the Ford ESP from a local dealer as they are way to high. You can search around, many Ford Dealers sell the Ford ESP online at a much lower rate than your local dealers.

Here is my problem in finding one. I am basically trying to find one at a Ford Dealership because I want a Extended Warranty.

I have seen other dealerships other than Ford selling nice explorers but I don't want to purchase it than take it to a Ford dealership to have them tell me that my vehicle didn't pass the "inspection" needed for the extended warranty. Since Used Vehicles need to be inspected prior to getting the extended warranty.

If I purchase one from a Ford dealership than they would either have to pass it or tell me what is wrong with it vehicle and why it didn't pass.

I hope this makes sense...I am not quite sure how the inspection works..but this is what I always thought...please correct me if I am wrong...

 

[corkey]

i bet on auto trader . com you can find them all day for under 10 k, ,

 

[thepotroast]

In this down market, you shouldn't have a problem getting something like an 04-05 Explorer with low(er) miles for around your price range. I personally think that their asking price and the price you were willing to pay are too high for that particular truck anyway, which doesn't matter now that it's gone.

Truly, there are lots of Explorer's for sale, auto trader. com, craigslist, even eBay (stick to local auctions that you can inspect before bidding/buying).

You have a healthy budget to get a newer (than 03) Explorer with decent miles. We're in 2010 now, a 7yr old Explorer that sold new for $28k is going to be 1/3 of the price now...and even less when gas goes back to $4/gal

 

[NJExplorerFan]

NJExplorerFan: I am glad I am not in this boat alone V6 or V8 doesn't really matter to me because I am not considering towing anything. Just some that has space and that can get me from point A to point B and back to point A...

Something will come up..I am looking at another one: 2004 EB with 87,500 miles...I am going to look outside the miles..hopefully I can get an Premium care extended warranty since it covers more parts...

as far as color i would like it dark blue or black. I like the EB edition since it has nice features. When I do get one hopefully it has a DVD or I can just have one instaled keep my nephew entertainment on long rides....

What about you do you have any preference such as trim, color(ext & int), dvd entertainment, parkin sensors, and etc? Also what are you looking to spend? I am looking for something in the 11k range which includes warranty, taxes and etc.

Hopefully we both find something soon, the worse part is the search... seems like explorers are trendy these days..everyone is holdin on to them

Funny, I'm also looking at Black or Dark Blue. Love those colors! And, I want my interior in dark grey/charcoal. I'm ok with an XLT trim, but I gotta have a V8. I'm only looking at spending around $8k for mine with 70-80K miles on it. I prefer leather because my dog sheds, but I'm ok with cloth and a rear seat cover if that's all I could find. I also like having a moonroof. I don't want to spend any more than $8K on my Explorer because this will just be a 2nd vehicle for me. Everyone says there are tons of Explorers out there, but to find the exact trim, color and features you want at the right price, it isn't as easy as it seems. Just gotta have patience I guess which is hard for me since I like things done in the snap of a finger

 

[Claus]

The key to getting the deal you want is willingness to walk away if they don't go for it.

Ditto. You walk in, say you want the car, put the $11,500 in cash down on the table and ask her/him if it's a deal. If no you take your money and slowly walk out the door without looking back. They may hunt you down and accept your offer or let you go. Both is a win-win situation for you since they either accepted or would not have come down to your price anyway.

This reminds me of when I was shopping for an V8 I sat once in a Ford dealership haggling about the price. I was stuck with my highest offer but the sales person, while being nice at first, continued talking to his boss and did the back and forth for couple of hours, giving me hope that they would agree to my offer. It didn't happen. All that time I had a baby that screamed his head off. I was ready to walk away a long time. What a jerk for keeping me there and giving false hope. I'd call that my worst day of my life. Thank you Lithia Ford of Omaha.

 

[DLinkOZ]

Totally agreed. That's how I bought my Mustang. They kept looking for ways to hide the price, but I had no trade, didn't want their financing, etc. They had nothing to do but say yes or no without the typical 4 square hijinx.

 

[SeanEXP]

I found on the web 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4X4 V8 with 58,000 MILES.

They have it price at $16,400. I think this is way too much and I am not paying this because this out of my range. I am in the $11,000 area. Do think seem like a high price or not?

It has: power adjustable pedals, chrome running boards, indash 6-CD Changer, leather seats, dual power seats, heated seats, trailer tow package, third row seating, dual zone climate controls,, driver seat memory, 17" chrome alloy wheels, moonroof, rear parking sensors, rear heat, traction control, fog lights and garage door opener.

On the dealer's website they say that this vehicle is price at little bit over $19,000 on KBB.....Very shocking close to 20,000 for a 2005 when a 2010 cost around $28k. Wow...car value must be going up these days.....i thought the older the vehicle the lower the price....