Hi Michael and Jeremy:
I kind of know what I will be doing, but here is a little story of my van experience. My hobby is dogs, and I go to a lot of dog shows – obedience and agility trials with up to seven dogs (whippets). The safest way to transport my dogs is in crates.
In 2006, I leased a new Grand Caravan (my first new vehicle) as it was the lowest-priced van I could locate. I immediately had to take out all the seats except the driver and one passenger. Boy, oh boy, were those seats heavy. My husband and I (both senior citizens) had to lug them down to the basement, where they stayed for two years.
In 2008, my lease was up and when I visited the dealer I was told: “Oh, don’t bother buying out the lease for $16,000; it is only worth $14,000.” So I signed up for a new 2008.
Well, to make a long story short, my lease will be expiring in about two months, and I will have to ante up about $16,000 if I want to keep the current van.
So, what is the true current value of my 2008? Should I dicker long and hard to get it for a reduced price, or should I go for a new one?
Do you have any pearls of wisdom for me?
Thank you, Heather the dog-loving librarian
Cato: I hate, absolutely, hate to hear this sort of story. It tells the tale of an honest person – Heather – who was steered badly by an incompetent or dishonest salesperson. You need a cargo van, Heather, not a passenger van!
Vaughan: Wait a minute. I think Heather needs a Whippet. What a grand entrance to a dog show arriving with whippets by Whippet. Unfortunately Willys stopped building them in the early 1930s so it might be difficult finding one in good shape.
Cato: Now that’s a pearl of wisdom.
Vaughan: Alright then, suggestion number two: Ford Transit Connect. Cato has a good point about cargo vans and this is a good one. It’s fuel-efficient and you can load umpteen dog crates through big doors both on the side and in the rear. Perfect dog hauler.
Cato: The Transit Connect is not quite the cheapo bargain you get in the Grand Caravan, but it’s not expensive, either. The list price for the Transit XLT with a glass window at the rear – so you can see to avoid backing over the dogs at those shows – is $26,799.
But you’ll be able to afford dog chow because that number is only the start. I’m talking discounting here. Ford Canada has a $1,500 factory-to-dealer rebate on this cargo van, so you should go in and negotiate a $1,500 price cut right off the sticker.
But that’s not all. You should fight for an additional $500 or $600 dealer discount. That is, you want some of the difference between the sticker price and the actual dealer invoice. I think $500 is fair, but push for $600.
On top of that, I am hoping you buy your doggy beds, bones, crates and all the rest in bulk – at Costco. Because if you were a Costco member as of April 30, Ford Canada will lop another $1,000 off the price in the form of a factory-to-customer rebate.
Vaughan: We’re up to $3,000 in discounts, so if you negotiate with the tenacity of a Rottweiler, Heather, you’ll see the price of that Transit Connect chewed down to $23,799.
Cato: Hold on; I’m not done barking out information.
