SimpsonNatasha

Another piece of advice: see if you qualify for the Cash for Clunker program. You couldd get another couple thousand off then.

CEB

...in short, if the car you currently drive gets 18mpg or less according to www.fueleconomy.gov then a participating dealer can give you either $3500 or $4500 (depending on the difference in mileage between your old and new car) TOTAL. That is not above and beyond an trade in value - that is total trade in value. While the 99 A4 might have a dealer trade in of less than $3500, it gets more that 18mpg combined on the ratings. While the S4 might qualify for the mpg requirement, it certainly is worth more than $4500.

The only time this makes sense is if you have an old (but not too old as there is an age limit) gas hog that isn't worth much - think 90's big Chevys and Fords that suck up gas but are worth less than $3500 if you go to trade them in.

IIRC, in order to qualify for the $4500, your new car must get at least 10mpg more than your old one. The old car must still have gotten 18mpg or less regardless of how many mpg your new car gets...

CEB

Let me give you an example.

Your old car gets 16mpg combined (city/highway under the new adjusted rules that went into effect a few years ago) and your new car gets 23mpg.

The participating dealer will give you $3500 for your car even if the KBB value is less. You get zero incentive if your car is worth more than the $3500

Using the same example, your new car would have to get at least 26mpg in order to qualify for the $4500...

macuser

i think its more about how you buy the car as opposed to where you buy the car. what i did was i went to my local audi dealership, i test drove the car, then i started negotiating the price. once they gave me the lowest price they could on the car i wanted, i left and created a list of 6 audi dealership close to me.

i called each one and asked to speak to the fleet manager. most of the time i was forwarded to the sales manager. i told them i read an article on cnn.com telling me that speaking directly to the fleet manager is a hastle free, negotiation free way of purchasing a car. i then told them the options i wanted and they gave me a price.

i then told them i was offered a lower price at another dealership, since i spoke to the sales manager, he didnt have to get the ok from someone else on giving me a lower price. if you want, you can call the place that gives you the second lowest price, tell them the lowest price you got, and ask them to match it or beat it.

good luck, hope this helps.

macuser

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayof...ef=mpstoryview