If all goes well, a fellow board member will be making the long journey to MA to order a car from me this weekend. He informed me via PM that dealers in his area are asking a FIVE THOUSAND DOLLAR MARKUP for a Solstice

That makes a $25,000 Solstice $30k, and puts a $7,000 profit in the dealer's pocket if someone is dumb enough to buy it. Sure, there is the law of supply and demand, but this is ridiculous. Instead of welcoming new customers into the Pontiac fold (especially the crucial import intenders), lets scalp the crap out of them

So, how much will the rebate be on Solstices next summer, when GM has a huge inventory of the damn things because dealers were scalping them? $3k? $4k? What a way to blunt the intro of a great new car, a la 2004 GTO. And I dare say Pontiac wants and NEEDS this car to make a significantly larger splash than the GTO. If this is representative of what Pontiac dealers will do (I'd bet $2k will be common), Pontiac is in for a real fun intro...

 

I think we all knew it would happen.

The amazing thing is.......... you didn't really hear much about dealer markup on the new Mustang ....

Sadly, things will probably never change.

Believe it or not, my sister-in-law stopped by a Pontiac dealer to look at a new Montana SV6 when they first were coming out... the dealer actually told her something to the effect that "These are the new SUV minivans that everyone wants... you can't even think about getting one for less than $3000 over sticker!"

 

The saddest thing of all is that I bet most of these people aren't paying this extra money because they think if they don't they'll never get one. They aren't paying the extra money because they think it's worth it. They're paying it because they want to be the first to own an initially rare car.

Then when the streets flood with them not only will they suffer NORMAL depreciation, but the ENTIRE 5 grand extra that they paid above sticker price goes down the drain. 5k extra may not seem like a completely obsurd amount when buying a 25k dollar car because it's 'just' 20% more. But when you consider that if you kept that car for a year or two you've effectively doubled or almost doubled your loss in depreciation? That's NUTS. That's like paying double the lease payments on a 2 years lease just to get a car a few months ahead of your neighbors.

 

The one Mustang I went to look at had a $5000 "Market Adjustment" on it. It was a GT of course, but a very stripped one, w/ cloth interior, no aluminum, and an automatic too!

 

I know there are probably lots of laws in place, but I find it hard to believe that there is NOTHING GM can do to stop it.

They should allow dealers to sell Solstices for over MSRP, but if they do, they lose their allocation for the rest of the year.

If I had a saturn dealership, I'd be advertising Sky's with the fixed MSRP like there's no tomorrow.

 

Jason your at least an honest Car salesmen and I respect that. If I ever come Pontiac shopping I'll give you a call. (Maybe 1st Indiana customer, heh).

That is ridiculous I agree. What's next a 5K markup on a SS Camaro ~40k. Might as well get a vette. I think GM needs to step in and make some "Rules".

 

i went to look at a new Mustang GT with my girlfriend a few months back when they first hit the lots. we priced one out on FORD'S website for around $28,000 or so. when we got to the dealer, we played dumb and the lowest price he gave us was $33,000! when i showed him the price we got online, he said there wasn't a dealership in america that would let them go that cheap. just goes to show how alot of delaers all play follow the leader on hot cars.

hey Jason, if i'm ever in the market for a Pontiac, i'm definetley coming to see you!!!

 

ohh there was some scalping on the Mustangs, some up 8-10k$, but at this forum we mostly think their idiots buying them anyway... but also the 350z's were also marked up considerably, the PT Cruiser saw price tags above 35k$ and people were still excited.

Dont worry when the camaro comes back out, everyone come to me I wont pull anything over on you

 

hey Tim. is there anyway to ship me a camaro if i buy it from you

 

I'm sure we could work something out.

 

put me down for a black, black interior "stripper" Z28 with an m/t

 

can do sir...

 

when can i expect it to be shipped

 

Buy a Sky when they come out...they won't have markups and look better IMO.

I am surpised the dealer gets people approved for that much over sticker....

 

Personally, I regard these stories of markups as positive news for GM. If the people are that stupid to pay the premium... err, that's another story!