i can't wait to replace my 1998 sts with the new one , but the small glove box and rear seats clearance are really annoying . another thing is to have the HUD & ACC i have to wait 3 months to have it :rant2: . Do you think it is better to wait till 2006 model ( i heard they will shorten the back seat & change the glove box ) or should i go for 2005 without HUD right now . Another thing , any comments regarding the cashmir interior with Light paltinum exterior combination ?:hide:

my guess is you will save big bucks if you buy an 05 vs 06. The issues you identify are pretty minor considering the big discounts being offered now vs paying a few g's more for an 06

You will make a much better deal if you do so before July 5th. The employee discount is about 4 percent less than dealers coust in addition to any other discounts. BUY. BUY, BUY.:contract:

It's a great time to purchase right now as mentioned!

I just picked up today an STS4 Luxury Performance Edition for $3000 below invoice price ($7700 below MSRP).

While no GM financing incentives are available, my dealer found financing for 4.25%.

To top it off, he also gave me a reasonable trade-in allowance for my 2002 A6 2.7T.

Ahh, its a great day so far.

Side note: I'm not one to haggle, I found what I wanted and was willing to pay their price. A good shopper/haggler might have been able to get them down a bit more on price and up on the trade-in allowance, but this is my small town dealer (and my friends and patients) so I wasn't going to argue. They have to make a living also.

My dealer told me he heard there was not going to be a large difference between the 2006 and the current 2005, just some minor things such as color options, maybe glove compartment and rear legroom improvements.

:wave: From the excited newbie on the forum

ZZ

ZZ---- believe me no matter how good you are you can not get the price lower than Employee. The dealer can not get it that cheap. Any additional money off and they would be writing you a check.

I kind of agree that you wont get it any lower, however GM is reimbursing the dealers I assume just as they would with incentives so maybe there is possibility for small differences amongst various dealers. I am on the fence to buy a 2005 STS4, i was originally going to buy one when they first came out but then decided to wait till 2006's came out but now this is very tempting.

wick05, that's what the dealer told me and it made pretty good sense to me, though I know they really do not pay invoice given the holdback and other factors. I figured it was basically the price at which they purchase from GM.

I suppose I could have argued for a little more for my A6, but maybe at best another $500-1000. In our area the cars just do not command as high of price for trade-in/private sale/ and retail sale. We went on line and found the average retail asking price at several midwest dealers and he offered me $1000 under that for trade in and I accepted, figuring he needed to make a little profit to run his business.

Oh, and I forgot he saved me over $1000 by finding the best rate a whole 1% lower than the best rate my local bank would go, which was itself 1% lower than for their regular customers.

A lot of stores will tell you that they do not make much on a employee purchase. Its BS. The salesmen might not make a lot but the dealer gets a bonus. They make a minium of $500 on ever car sold.

In the same concern it is up to the dealers if they want to sell the car for GMS. Most of them do not care. But I had a store tell me that when I bought my STS they would not sell it to me at GMS. I laughed at the salesman. Made 2 calls and drove out with my Black Beauty. Sometimes the best thing to do is to feed a salesmen his own medicine.

I had a store tell me that when I bought my STS they would not sell it to me at GMS. I laughed at the salesman. Made 2 calls and drove out with my Black Beauty. Sometimes the best thing to do is to feed a salesmen his own medicine.

:thumbsup: Good job .

I wonder if salesmen dislike knowledgeable internet-savvy buyers. I would guess the dealerships don't mind as much assuming sales commission is based on a percentage of the profit the salesman can get for a vehicle. I've always done extensive online research before I went to deal on a car, including shopping my 3 main financial aspects of the purchase deal: purchase price (invoice), trade-in value (Kelly Blue Book, NADA, etc), and financing options/interest rates.

I think its a pretty good time to buy an STS right now. Sounded to me like the STS was moving pretty well even before the GM Sale.

I bought mine prior to the GMS for everyone. Outside of LaGrange, IL?? If so, I would stay away from Motor Works. They think you need to pay to be there customer.

I love my STS, I have had it for about a month now. It suprises me everytime I drive it. Like cutting through a S-turn by my house going 40 and it held like glue.

"A Shack Outside LaGrange" actually just goes with my nickname "ZZ". That's a long story though.

I actually live in Northeast Iowa. I always explain though that up in this corner it doesn't look like the rest of Iowa; its hills, woods, valleys, bluffs, twisty roads actually very nice.

I had my STS all weekend, actually signed the papers yesterday. We have some great roads around here for exuberant driving, and I have tested it very well, pushing it a bit towards its limits. I totally concur with your observation of just how amazing this car handles. I had it up to 140, but ran out of road. I've read a top speed of 155, and I can believe that; rpm was ~5400 when I had to shut her down and I believe the V8 redlines at around 6450. My guess is that this is a drag limited top speed and not electronic, but I don't know for sure.


Nasser: Sorry to hijack your thread. To your questions, all I can give you is my experience. This is an awesome car, and I am extremely pleased. I would have loved the HUD, I have that in my vette and love it. I really did not need the ACC based on my driving habits, I wish the HUD was a stand-alone option.

thanks ZZ for your advise , but i think i will wait till 2006 model , which should be released in 4 to 5 months . If it does not include improvments regarding glove box and rear seats , at least they should up date the bluetooth system , anyway i am still enjoying my 1998 STS , believe it or not
another question , does the Sunroof close automatically when you shutdown ?