They're faxing it over, should have in morning. Will cover the issue
about what is the dealer's real cost. Here's an excerpt of description
of what this report should cover:

As invoice prices have become ubiquitous, however, they've also become
less meaningful. They fail to take into account behind-the-scenes
financial incentives that manufacturers offer dealers to increase the
sales of particular models. Such incentives have become common on all
but the most popular cars and SUVs--and a source of hidden profit to
dealers. Another moneymaker most consumers don't know about is the
"dealer holdback" (typically between 2 and 3 percent), which is an
amount the manufacturer retains for a period of time. All this explains
why dealers can offer you a car for "invoice plus $100." They stand to
pocket that additional holdback plus any extra incentives the
manufacturer is offering to boost sales. Paying a percentage over the
invoice price no longer ensures that you're getting the best possible
deal.

Taking all that into account, the Consumer Reports New Car Price Service
has come up with a more precise benchmark--the Consumer Reports
Wholesale Price. It represents the dealer invoice minus any holdbacks,
national dealer incentives, and customer rebates. Basically, it is a
close approximation of what the car actually cost the dealer. When you
order a New Car Price Report, this information, as well as much more, is
included. You can order a report, or you can request to have a copy
faxed or mailed by calling our toll-free number (1-800 888-8275).
Reports for any currently sold automobile cost $12 for one vehicle and
$10 for each additional vehicle requested.


I'll share results.
Robin

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In article <robinxjoy-83BB1F.01071222022004@news.west.***.net>,
Robin <robinxjoy@yahoo.com> wrote:

> They're faxing it over, should have in morning. Will cover the issue
> about what is the dealer's real cost. Here's an excerpt of description
> of what this report should cover:
>
> As invoice prices have become ubiquitous, however, they've also become
> less meaningful. They fail to take into account behind-the-scenes
> financial incentives that manufacturers offer dealers to increase the
> sales of particular models. Such incentives have become common on all
> but the most popular cars and SUVs--and a source of hidden profit to
> dealers. Another moneymaker most consumers don't know about is the
> "dealer holdback" (typically between 2 and 3 percent), which is an
> amount the manufacturer retains for a period of time. All this explains
> why dealers can offer you a car for "invoice plus $100." They stand to
> pocket that additional holdback plus any extra incentives the
> manufacturer is offering to boost sales. Paying a percentage over the
> invoice price no longer ensures that you're getting the best possible
> deal.
>
> Taking all that into account, the Consumer Reports New Car Price Service
> has come up with a more precise benchmark--the Consumer Reports
> Wholesale Price. It represents the dealer invoice minus any holdbacks,
> national dealer incentives, and customer rebates. Basically, it is a
> close approximation of what the car actually cost the dealer. When you
> order a New Car Price Report, this information, as well as much more, is
> included. You can order a report, or you can request to have a copy
> faxed or mailed by calling our toll-free number (1-800 888-8275).
> Reports for any currently sold automobile cost $12 for one vehicle and
> $10 for each additional vehicle requested.
>
>
> I'll share results.
> Robin

What good is their report if only one thing is known to be inaccurate -
the report loses credibility and doesn't give you firm footing to go
into a negotation with. It indicates current 2004 rebate for 350L as
$2500 (only true for the 2003). The dealer holdback is indicated as
$458, which comes off of the dealer cost of the car. Who knows now if
that is accurate or not, and if it varies from dealer to dealer, how is
that going to help me in my negotiations, I won't know if this
particular dealer gets it or not. The report defines Dealer Holdback as
a percentage of the total MSRP that the manufacturer holds and then
gives back to the dealer, often at the end of the year or quarter.
Holdback may vary from dealer to dealer and may depend upon other
factors such as dealer quotas.

I paid $12 for this report, all other info it provided was available on
Edmunds.

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