GM Offers Getting Tempting

[jake75]

I just got an e-mail from GM announcing a $1,000 GM loyalty rebate through 1-31-08 that is good on the Vibe.As I calculate -Expected discount of $1,000Vibe Loyaty Rebate $1,000 through 1-31-08GM Card Rebate Offer $2,000 through 1-31-08GM Rebate $1,250That adds to $5,250 off MSRP, which nets to 13,795.I've located a Moonstone with AT & Power Pkg MSRP 19,045.13,795 + 1,218 tax on 18,095 + 250 doc fee + 50 title fees = 15,313I think I can sell my 2003 with less than 30,000 miles privately for at least $10,000. So $5,313 net cash difference for 60 months - that's $89 a month to drive my 2003.

[cs1992]

Good deal if you can get it.I'd be more conservative about the price your asking for your '03. I've noticed, at least in my area, that car sales seem to be following home sales...SLOW b/c people simply overprice their property. I frequently scan Craigslist and am amazed at the ridiculous prices people ask for their vehicles. Good Luck

[MRCN RCE]

yeah jake that is really tempting. if you were going to sell your 03 privately, check around your area for vibes/trixes and set your price around what they ask, so you won't be sitting on it forever. i'm sure you already know this, but i just wanna say i gave some good advice to somebody today. also, always remember to look both ways before you cross the street. damn i'm on a roll haha i wish my payments were $89 a month

[jake75]

Called dealer to see what their in stock Moonstone Vibe with AT & Power Pkg would cost - I know a salesperson there so no problem doing this by phone.Deal would be $50 over invoice. $19,095 MSRP, Invoice is $18,353, so selling price is $18,403. According to Edmonds invoice is 17,966, the additional $387 is for advertising fee, customer contact fee and gas. I saw all those on the invoice when I bought my 2003. They are legit. Still that is only a $692 discount. I have been reading of discounts in the $1,000-1,250 range. Hard to see how they can do that unless they are willing to sacrifice part of their holdback (rarely happens), OR unless there is some extra GM incentive money. [The profit margin on options is 12% so a vehicle stickering $3,000 more has $360 more play.] The other place they get you is the doc fee is now $250. It is that level because that is what the recently amended Ohio law allows them to charge. That's probably $150 more than it should be. The state fees for title registration and temp tags is $25.50.After the $1,250 reg rebate, the $1,000 loyalty rebate, and the GM offer to up my GM card rebate balance to $2,000 the price comes to $14,428.50 plus $1,259.08 tax. [6.75% tax is based on price before rebates].The decision is complicated by the fact that a comparable 2009 will sticker $455 less at $18,640 and have 4 wheel disc antilock brakes, stabiltrack, and side airbags standard. The invoice cost of these three items in 2008 is about $1,550. I'd bet there will soon be a $500 rebate on the 2009, and my GM Card Balance would be $1,500 so I would have that. So assuming a $640 discount the 2009 with these added safety features would probably be $16,275 pretax, a difference of about $1,850. Question becomes is it worth $1850 more to get the safety features and a 1 year newer model year. [Also On-Star and supoosedly some other improvements.]I am thinking maybe it would be better to wait for the 2009's. Sorry to be so windy - perhaps some on here will benefit from my detailed commentary. I know I often pine for more details in many of the posts I read.

[ashift30]

What qualifies for a Loyalty Rebate? I have an '02 Chevy burb does that count?

[micbarric]

ashift30, you qualify! :"Customers must own or lease a GM vehicle, model 1999 or newer..."

[ashift30]

Awesome! Thanks!

[Raivis]

thats messed up. when i bought my vibe in 03 i owned a 81 firebird and that qualified me for the loyalty bonus. there they go changing rules.

[jake75]

Depends on when you bought - at least in Jan 2003 there was a $2,000 rebate.In Jan. 2008 there is a $1,250 rebate plus the $1,000 loyalty rebate, so not much difference.And in Jan 2003 there wasn't the spector of the next year's model coming out in a month with a $455 lower price plus 4 wh disc antilock brakes, stabiltrack, and side airbags standard at no extra cost.

[vibolista]

The rebates have some regional variations. I just bought a 2008 for about $1,100 more than my son paid for a lightly used 2005 last year. The 2009 Vibe is going to be very nice, but the best goodies may be bundled with the larger engine. More power can be fun but, you will probably take a hit on economy, too. The 09 should turn out to be a little more refined car for sure. Even the seats look great and are better bolstered in the GT model. Personally, since I have to drive mine in snow, I decided to buy an 08 while they still came equipped with plastic cladding. It was a tough choice.

[lovemyraffe]

I'm not sure what snow and the plastic cladding have to do with each other. I drive in the snow all the time.

[vibolista]

Unfortunately here where I live, they use sand (very small rocks) and lots of salt to treat the roads for people who don't put snow tires on their vehicles and then try to drive the same way they would on a dry summer day (we find a lot of these drivers doing short unexpected off road tours). As you drive along, the little rocks on the road are continually sprayed off the tires at fairly high speed... pitting any painted surface under the car or around the wheel wells. Salt and moisture will then go to to work, starting the corrosion process. Doesn't take too long before you find a nice crop of rust sprouting up. That plastic cladding keeps most of this from happening around those vulnerable areas, so your Vibe lasts quite a bit longer when it's driven in this environment. Newer cars have much better corrosion protection than those built just a few years ago, but that plastic cladding is just an added bonus, especially here in New England.