4K limited availability fee

[Reddrum]

After dreaming about the concept version for months and reading all the positive reviews of the production version for several weeks I finally went to a dealer and checked out a Magnum first hand.They had one Magnum on the lot.It was a magnesium colored SXT.I didn't think I would like that color but it was actually pretty nice,much nicer than it looks in photos.Anyway,when I first walked up to the car I thought it was an RT because the sticker price was 31K.But when I noticed the fabric seats and the black headlamp trim I checked the sticker again and noticed that it was an SXT with 4K tacked on to the price because of limited availability.There was also a Rumble Bee with a 7K availability fee and a V10 Ram with a 10K availability fee.They also wouldn't let me check out the interior or give me any information on the Magnum,so I have to wait until June 17.I haven't bought a car/truck in almost ten years so I'm wondering if this is typical of car dealers or if it's a south Florida thing.BTW the magnum looks even better in person most pictures don't do it justice.

[Magnum Dave]

Here in Atlanta I haven't heard of a limited availability fee. I was pleased that they didn't charge one, but they didn't negotiate on the price either. The Magnum is a great car and worth the wait. I'd give them a month or two then go back, I'll bet the "availabilty fee" is gone. If not, find another dealer. Just my 2 cents....

[Reddrum]

You're right Dave.I'm gonna wait and order one the way I want it.RT with alot of options either blue,grey or black.Not sure about the sunroof.Can anyone (someone who's had a sunroof) tell me wether or not they're worth getting or are they something you use a couple of times and then forget about.I feel like a little kid waiting for christmas morning.I haven't wanted a car this bad since I was seventeen.Back then it was a CJ5

TIA for any input

[steelerman]

I'm dying here. I traded my Prowler in on a grey RT last week but I have to wait 6-8 weeks for it to come in.

[4/D R/T]

I have a sunroof and use it all the time (except winter). I would love to have the Magnum R/T :cool: Might be my next car.

[Reddrum]

steelerman imagine the anticipation during that last week before you get the Magnum.It's gonna be brutal.Definately not a good time to quit smoking.

When I got back to work today after visiting the dealer I got a call on the radio,they said "come to the front of the school hurry!!".I thought the place was on fire or something.When I got there I said "what's going on".This guy I work with said "that car you like was parked in front of the school but left just before you got here".Then he said "it was a black one and it sounded really nice when it drove away".I stomped my feet and started cussin'.It amazes me that a car could do that to me being a grown man and all.

4/D R/T thanks for the input.That's 1 vote for the sunroof.

[tbirdy]

Reddrum,

Well, here in Indianapolis, we have one Magnesium SXT on the lot of the local dealer that has been there for about a week - for sale at sticker price. I talked to the salesman and they have no intention of marking them up at all. He said he's expecting 6-8 of all models and colors this week. I'm also free to order at sticker price - for now.

He did remind me that this is a production car and that Dodge will be making enough to swamp the dealer's lots by the end of summer. They intend on taking lots of market share from the small SUV's. Translation: wait a little for selection and price.

Charles -

[rcktpwrd]

that dealer is trying to make even more money on the car... tell them to go scratch and find another dealer...
in the next few months there will be plenty of cars available... once production gets ramped up... and the mystique of the new car subsides a bit...

[2020is]

I think a 4k markup on a mass production car is ridiculous. The Manufacturer should be made aware of such practices and take action. I agree with MSRP pricing when demand is high, that is just paying to play early but a 4k markup on a 30k car just blows my mind. Please, please, please, no one on this forum pay that for a Magnum. That's just crazy.

[Reddrum]

I think a 4k markup on a mass production car is ridiculous. The Manufacturer should be made aware of such practices and take action. I agree with MSRP pricing when demand is high, that is just paying to play early but a 4k markup on a 30k car just blows my mind. Please, please, please, no one on this forum pay that for a Magnum. That's just crazy.

That's Miami for ya.I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.Alot of businesses as well as politicians here have the "banana republic" way of doing business.Iguess you have to live here to understand.I'll probably take my business further north but I'm gonna go by there this weekend to see if they're still marking up the Magnums.They should have a few more on the lot by now.

If I'm elected president I promise a free Magnum R/T and free gas for everyone.

[Magnum Dave]

Here here Red, I'll vote for you!
The cars should be available soon enough, don't pay the markup. If my old car hadn't self destructed (with a little help from me I guess) I would've waited to get mine and probably not paid full sticker, but such is life. I moved North from Florida about 15 years ago and haven't regretted one minute. To answer the a previous question about a sunroof... I'm not getting another car without one. My Saturn didn't have one and my Magnum does, I think the roof's been open as much as it's been closed. I love it. I prefer sunroofs to moonroofs. The glass lets in alot of heat if the cover's not closed, so you can't open the vent and cool down the car while it's in a parking lot.... not a big deal, but just an annoyance.

[Reddrum]

Thanks for the votes Dave.Thats 2 votes for the sunroof and 1 vote for me...LOL.Bush and Kerry better start worrying.

I found out something very interesting today.It seems that some car dealers(including the one I've been talking about)down here sell at 1% over invoice to county and public school employees.I have no idea what the invoice amount is.Anybody know?

[4/D R/T]

If I'm elected president I promise a free Magnum R/T and free gas for everyone.

Got my vote!

[HemiTourer]

This is typical crap from the Chrysler people. They did it with the then new Ram and then the PT. Now its the Magnum & 300. These are just cars people. Never pay more than sticker and never more than 2 - 3 hundred over invoice. If you do you will lose your ass! I want a Magnum too but this attitude of theirs towards the people they cannot survive without might make me take my dollars elsewhere.

[NBS4]

They have one Red magnum here with no Markup whatsoever. It's a pity i'm waiting for the AWD version before i buy one

[deniss]

I saw a Magnum RT here in Jersey, and many dealers around here have a Magnum now (maybe not RT, but anyhow...). I talked to the dealer that had the RT, and they said they had no intention of marking it up, even though it's rare for now. It will be all over the place as the summer heats up and production vehicles continue permeating the nation... However, I heard from the salesman I talked to that sunroof option won't be available for 3 months because Chrysler production plant is out of sunroofs for Magnums for now. I'm not sure if that's true. In the words of this salesman - "cars are just a piece of iron to me"... I don't think he believes in being emotional about a car, so he doesn't believe in marking it up for that reason either.

Don't buy from the dealer that marks it up. They will try to make a fast buck while the car is still hot.

[rlk340dust]

The dealer in Whittier,Ca had a red r/t with a 7k mark up,don't know if it sold or not but it's not out front anymore. They have a gray sxt out front now with a 5k mark up :eek: I WILL never buy a car or truck from that dealer again.

[deniss]

hehe... happy times for dodge/chrysler dealers now, eh? Well, they've been in a rut for a long time, so I am sure they have been itching for an opportunity to mark-up a product that's actually exciting!

[Reddrum]

I went back to the same dealer today and the 4k mark up on that same car is a now a 1.5k mark up. The other 2 magnums on the lot were a vanilla colored RT and a magnesium colored SE. The RT and SE didn't have the "limited availability" mark up but they did have an additional $1,495 for paint protection and some kind interior protectection. There was also another $495 for "guaranteed theft protection". Ok, if that's a tracking device then I guess it's reasonable but, what in the hell could they possibly do to the paint and interior to justify a $1,495 charge? Maybe it's just a negotiating tool.
Now on to the good part of my visit to the dealer. I told them that I had to test drive an RT and see all the colors in the daylight before I would buy one. The salesperson told me that they only had the SXT available for a test drive. I told her that I would come back another time. She went inside to get the ok to take the RT for a test drive and left me with another salesperson. We were looking over the sticker and the guy says to me "we're looking into the mileage rating,we think it may be a mistake". I told the guy what I knew about MDS and he asked me if it was ok for a sales trainee to come along for the test drive."No problem" I said. After a few minutes the other salesperson came out with the trainee and we proceeded to check out the interior and the cargo features then on to the test drive. Finally, I'm in the driver seat. They put the trainee up front with me and asked if I would explain the MDS to him. I told him what I knew (not much) as we pulled out of the dealership onto US1 and I noticed the salesperson in the back lean forward to listen. Now I'm thinking it's pretty sad that the sales staff know nothing about what is argueably the best feature of this car. Ok,after a short run up the highway we turn onto a backsreet and check out acceleration and handling. Now here's what made my day. The trainee points at the ESP switch and says "hey does this car know what I'm thinking?". After I finished laughing I said "I don't know but I hope it doesn't tell ya' what I'm thinking". After we both finished laughing I told him what I knew about ESP (again not much) and some other features of the car. Once again the sales person in back leans forward to listen. After about 15 minutes of runnin' around backstreets it's back to the dealership.

Here's my assesment. Keep in mind I've been driving a Ram 2500 diesel for 9 years.

Exterior- Vanilla wasn't my color but very nice looking just the same. Nice lines. Pretty high "cool" factor. The 18" wheels make a difference.

Interior- Very nice. Sporty/utilitarian but not luxurious. Seating was comfortable with ample room front and back. I loved the front seats, very comfortable. Control placement was at the very least adequate. Suffice it to say the cockpit felt very good (I wish I was still in it).

Performance- I didn't drive real hard because someone is gonna end up with this car later. It had impressive acceleration (for a station wagon). I didn't do a 0-60 test but I turned on to one street and stepped on it pretty hard and before I knew it I was doin' 80mph so I backed off (residential area). Not a very technical analysis but it sure seemed like a damned fast car. I didn't feel it as much as I could see it on the speedometer. It handles very nice,very responsive steering and brakes. It sways a little bit on hard corners and turns but not too bad. Nice firm ride.

Cargo- Not huge but with four people in the car you could carry a large cooler and bunch of other items depending on much you're willing to restrict you're rear view.

Other- "Pemium" sound system, I wasn't very impressed, but then again I didn't take time to tweak the settings. Sunroof, I loved it. I will definately get one. I just hope there's a way to close it manually. It would really suck if it failed in the open position.
Rear and side views were a little restricted but not too bad. A/C seemed to work really good. It was pretty loud on high fan but the cab got cold pretty quick and I turned it down to hear the engine. Not much engine inside and I forgot to listen to it from outside.

Summary- I still want one.

We went back inside showroom and the salesperson said "I'm going to get a sales proposal.I'll be right back". I reminded her that there was no way I was going to buy a car today (I told her this before the test drive).She asked me to wait a few minutes for sales manager. I figured what the hell. So I talked to the trainee for a while. We joked about his lack of Magnum knowledge. He was actually a real nice guy. If I go back there I'll definately give him the sale. Anyway,the sales manager comes out and says "what do I gotta do to sell you that car". I explained to him that I don't want that color and that I want more options......Yadda Yadda Yadda. But he still keeps trying. While he's telling about leasing and financing and some other deals I look at his name tag and notice he has the same name as a guy I work with. So I tell him where I work and that I know a guy with the same name and he says "hey that's my father". Well, he sends the other salesperson away and tells me that when I'm ready to buy he'll give me the best possible deal. Maybe this dealership isn't as bad as I thought, or maybe it's all bullsh*t. I guess I'll find out later.

[drdeville]

Your review was very helpful and interesting, and I hope more folks will share their impressions.

Your experience of knowing more than the
salesperson is a common one amongst us
fanatics. :D

Best,

George Ferguson

[Reddrum]

Thanks George. I found it quite ammusing when the salesmen were asking me questions about the car. But it's pitiful that these people know so little about a product that they're trying to sell. One guy asked me if I'd be willing to do the presentation at Magnum premier night. I asked him if he'd be willing to shave a couple thousand dollars off the price for me. I'm sure he was just kidding........but I wasn't.

[drdeville]

...it's pitiful that these people know so little about a product that they're trying to sell.

Don't forget, you have a big advantage--you *love*
the car, so you absorb information like a sponge.
You wind up knowing more than most of the sales
folk, for whom it is just a job. :D

On the plus side, knowing more than the salesman
can be a good negotiating tool. Just remember to
wear your sunglasses, so a savvy salesman cannot
see that your pupils are dilated with lust. :cool:

BTW, vanilla might be *my* color choice. Oh well,
I'm going to wait until fall or so, when the price is
down and the (inevitable to any new car) bugs are ironed out.
:SPIN:

Best,

George Ferguson.

[magnum5.7]

I just drove a black one today. All I can say is sweeeeeet! The salesman is probably still recovering. He had us on a country back road, I was approaching one of those curves with the 90 degree angle warning posted with a 25 mph sign. I was slowing down to hit it at about 45mph to test out the ESP system. About then the salesman said to not be afraid of it and hit it hard(he obviously did not know how fast I was already going) so I did! We were accelerating past 65 when we came out of the curve! Oh man! That was sweet! It hung right in the lane and barely squealed the tires. My wife said that I was not going to get a hemi after that. They were both pale after that ride. I'm still grinning. I want one now! Oh, yeah the sun roof was way cool also.

[Reddrum]

I just drove a black one today. All I can say is sweeeeeet! The salesman is probably still recovering. He had us on a country back road, I was approaching one of those curves with the 90 degree angle warning posted with a 25 mph sign. I was slowing down to hit it at about 45mph to test out the ESP system. About then the salesman said to not be afraid of it and hit it hard(he obviously did not know how fast I was already going) so I did! We were accelerating past 65 when we came out of the curve! Oh man! That was sweet! It hung right in the lane and barely squealed the tires. My wife said that I was not going to get a hemi after that. They were both pale after that ride. I'm still grinning. I want one now! Oh, yeah the sun roof was way cool also.

LOL It's too bad you couldn't get a picture of their faces as you were taking that curve. I'll bet the looks on their faces were priceless.

I haven't seen a black one up close yet. How did it look compared to the others? I still need to see a blue one too.

Damn I can't wait for my next test drive! The salesman told me that if I get to premier night early he may be able to let me take one out for half hour or so.

[Unholy]

By the way... Here in So Cal, some dealers have a mark-up on the window sticker, but most of them will gladly cut it when you take out your check book. They are very reluctant to drop much below MSRP since the cars are so new and they don’t have any on the lot. I basically got mine for MSRP ($35,515) with a extended warrantee thrown in.

[magnum5.7]

Reddrum,
The look was priceless, even better since the salesman had some kind of issues with women and never spoke to my wife the entire time. I'm not big on black vehicles, but I loved this one. I was not sure whether I'd like them in person(the pictures I'd seen did not turn me on any) In person I fell in love with it. I drove a station wagon in college and said I'd never own another as long as I lived. Well, never say never. This thing makes a grown man WANT to drive a station wagon again. I might have to wait until December to buy one though. Man, that is going to be a long wait.

[ram64052]

im a sales man for a local dealer here in kansas city we have 5 of them 2 rt's 3 sxt's and 1 se ,, we are selling them at msrp plus there is a 500 rebate on the rts and 1000$ rebate on the sxt SO IF YOU PAY STICKER THEY SUCKERED YOU

[tedman5]

Throw in my .02 here. I think my local dealer here in PA handled my deal pretty well. I was able to special order my R/T through a fleet program which reduced the price by 3K right off the bat. So I think my mine with the safety group was $27,103 final price.
Granted, like most of you, they didn't know jackshi* about the car. I found myself explaining the car to them. But, I ordered mine in March so it was early for almost anyone to know much about this car except for the experts, us. Like someone mentioned, we love this car. That's all for now.

[Unholy]

im a sales man for a local dealer here in kansas city we have 5 of them 2 rt's 3 sxt's and 1 se ,, we are selling them at msrp plus there is a 500 rebate on the rts and 1000$ rebate on the sxt SO IF YOU PAY STICKER THEY SUCKERED YOU
My local dealer says that those rebates are only if you finance through Chrysler... Regardless, if $500 makes or breaks the deal for you, maybe you shouldnt be buying a brand new car ;)

[Casper42]

Local Chrysler/Dodge Dealer out here on the Left Coast had a 300C marked up 5K when I went to check them out. I kinda laughed at the guy who was helping me because he was your typical sleasy salesman (and I was dressed like a 20 yo kid). kept telling me BS points that didnt matter. Anyway, i ask the guy straight out: Does this car qualify for a Fleet agreement price? He says NO, its limited edition and therefore doesnt qualify. So then a few weeks later, I call another Dodge/Chrysler dealer closer to my office. nicer area, more volume i'm sure, etc. I talk to the Fleet Mgr because a co-worker bought a 1500 Hemi there 2 months back. He tells me not only are they not marking up the 300C or the Mag RT, but if I'm willing to special order one he will give me fleet pricing (Dealer Invoice less 1%). Says once they start coming in faster (The official launch party date was either tonight or tomorrow night, I forget which) it would be possible to buy off the lot with fleet pricing.

The dealerships in question out here are literally 20 miles away from each other. So your price variance and markup at some dealerships is purely based on the fact that the dealership you went to thought they could screw some people. The Fleet guy here also told me that until a dealership has its official Lunch night for the 300/Magnum (Most of them around this week basically) they are NOT supposed to be selling them. The crappy dealer out here was selling early and marking up. The dealer I used was NOT selling early and only taking bids to be revealed at the Launch night events.

Bottom line, if this ever happens to me again, where they tell me its a Bladdy Blah this or Limited avail, or whatever, and the car is marked up significantly, I'm going to shake the sleasbag's hand, tell him he can keep the car for that price, and imediately leave the lot. If they get the idea they are pissing off potential customers, they might change their tune.