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Thank you i was about to say the same thing. The dealerships seem more interested in the add ons if a Smart becomes an orphan, well the majority of them anyway. I do agree with a lot of the posters that 20,000 is a bit high for a Passion unless it happens to be a Brabus edition. I know those are not cheap.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Panda
But you didn't answer the question; What did you pay $20K for? As someone else said, Passions just aren't THAT expensive. Even a LOADED Cabriolet topped out at $18-19K.
Sounds like you got a bunch of aftermarket accessories (wheels, tires, tint, alarm, extended warranties, tax, tags, etc....) and the dealer jacked up the price to make some $$'s.
If you're comparing prices of what you paid to what is listed in Black Book, or whatever, you need to match their prices with what your smart 'Listed' for, NOT what you paid AFTER add-on's.
Old-timers & collectors please chime in... I may be incorrect in my observations here, but...
My dad collected cars restoring them to original his entire life. He had a '37 LaSalle, '40 Cadillac, '57 Thunderbird, '53 Nash Statesman, Ramblers, Oldsmobiles, other Cadillacs (including a '53 convertible used in an Aretha Franklin music video), and a Pacer that was used in a Corvette promotion video. etc., etc., etc.
He worked his entire life in the auto industry and never once did he ever use "purchasing an auto" and "a good investment" together.
If you purchase an auto and later sell or trade it in for a profit, you probably can also walk on water.
The only thing I am aware you can do to "protect" your "investment" is to maintain it well and keep it a very long time. I've purchased new Mazdas and VWs holding onto them 12-15 years making them wise "investments".
If you purchase a new vehicle knowing you are going to sell it in a couple years, you are at the mercy of the economy and future popularity of what you purchase, which is very difficult to predict.
I would consult a financial adviser to select a far better short-term investment opportunity and just enjoy your smart for what it is while you have it :-)
I look upon my Tiny Red as an investment... in fun!!!!
That's what I was looking for and that's what I have. No complaints at all.
She's the first totally new car I've had in almost 20 years and indeed, the only car I would have considered waiting the 18 months that I DID wait from my reservation to the time I picked her up.
Worth it? You bet!! Now that's the best investment - fun!!
I bought a new Pure with radio and AC for $12.7 in 12/08. According to KBB.com, it's worth $11.7k right now, $11.2 on Edmunds, and that's putting my car in as a 2008 because neither sites has a used 2009 option. Not bad at all, imo.
My car looks like yours, white and black. The dealer told me my car was being used to draw people in, it was in front for 11,999. The finance guy told me they purchased it at auction to lead people in and up sell them, the did not want to sell it the first day on the lot.
Are we talking sticker price or sticker + taxes + interest? My '09 Passion comes to 20k after all that is added in.
He's talking MSRP + Options + Destination. Mine was $16,000 flat as well - Passion Coupe with all options but without metallic paint.
Mine came to like $17,434 after taxes/title/tags (MD gives you hard tags at the dealer). I later added the cargo cover at ~$180, rubber mats at $65, and the cargo nets at $40.
Current private KBB of my 7,000 mile old, not eaten in/smoked in/spotless car is $15,540 in the DC metro area... I have it insured for the value of $15,355 (pre-destination MSRP) for now.
A little known fact - if you want to know what most dealers are going to base your trade in value on, look up the trade in value for your car at fair condition. Most dealers start with that value and work from there.
Last edited by mdfortwoguy; 09-05-2009 at 09:06 PM..
I look upon my Tiny Red as an investment... in fun!!!!
That's what I was looking for and that's what I have. No complaints at all.
She's the first totally new car I've had in almost 20 years and indeed, the only car I would have considered waiting the 18 months that I DID wait from my reservation to the time I picked her up.
Worth it? You bet!! Now that's the best investment - fun!!
Today
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