Chevrolet Dealer Charges $5000 Camaro Premium, $1000 for "Nitrogen Tires for Life"

Eric Miller
by Eric Miller

Saw that my local Chevy dealer had a nice, bright, Victory Red Camaro up on its terrace display today. I couldn’t resist the urge to have a look at it, even though I had just filled my car with cold dairy products and it was close to 100° out. Anyhoo, the car was nice enough. It was a V6 RS with no sunroof and auto. Not what I’d want, but it was nice. List was $27K+. Get this: the dealer added a $5000 “market adjustment.” But wait, there’s more! How about a $695 “Desert Protection Pkg.”? They also added . . . you’d better sit down . . . $999 for Nitro Tires. It was explained on another car’s sticker that it’s a lifetime supply of nitrogen for the tires. Wow, just wow. This at a dealer that’s got one foot in the grave, too. When the salesman came up to me, all excited and shit (I drove up in my BMW), he was all “Heeeeyyy, how can I get you in this baby today?” I calmly said, “I’ll write you a check now for dealer invoice + $500. Minus $1998 for having the nerve to charge $999 for that Nitrogen scheme.” His jaw dropped and he looked rather upset. He finally said, “Well, I’ll have to talk to my manager about that.” I said “Don’t bother, I wasn’t going to buy the car anyway. I am however going to report this scam to every local TV channel and the AG. Take care.”

Eric Miller
Eric Miller

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  • Ricky Spanish Ricky Spanish on May 05, 2009

    you could literally wait 6 months and get this car at invoice - incentives.

  • Gardiner Westbound Gardiner Westbound on May 05, 2009

    The most powerful tool in a buyer’s arsenal is the capacity to walk away. Smart buyers allow the new model sales frenzy to dissipate before making their move. It also gives the manufacturer time to resolve the inevitable design and production bugs that plague new car introductions. If purchasers are busting down the showroom doors for the latest hot car the dealer has little incentive to accept a low profit offer. On the other hand, with a full storage compound and inventory charges eating him up he may snatch your deal and skin the next rube.

  • Boybeagle9 Boybeagle9 on May 05, 2009

    I wouldn't limit this type of dealer (saleman) behavior to just "domestics". I was told that 1 in 10 people pay sticker price. We as consumers have rewarded this type of behavior with our dollars. I remember when the GT-R came out and there was a $20,000 market adjustment on the sticker. And those cars were sold! So who is to blame?

  • Anonymous Anonymous on May 07, 2009

    [...] Source of post here [...]

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