Discount Off MSRP On A Brand New 296

So after years of buying basically every other brand besides Ferrari, I decided it is time. The 296 gets nothing but praise from everybody, so I decided that’s going to the be the first Ferrari in the garage. The bang for the buck is undeniable, prices at the moment for barely used ones are unbelievably low.

So I reached out to a dealer through a mutual friend (won’t mention which dealer) about picking up a used 296. After talking to the dealer, I had mentioned other track focused/limited cars I have from other brands (765LT, Aventador SV, Aston 770 ultimate, etc) and the dealer proposed something to me. He offered me a brand new 296 GTB they had in stock, and in return, if I bought this car the dealer would offer an allocation for a 296 Speciale. They offered $45k towards the purchase price of the car ($45k off MSRP) PPF the car, and ship the car to me. Also it is a pretty healthy MSRP, $450k.

So my question is, Is that a good deal? Is $45k towards the purchase on a brand new 296 GTB the going rate? Or is that too low? I know these things are going for $50-100k give or take under sticker on the used market, so I would most likely lose some $$ still even with $45k from the dealer going towards the purchase. But with the 296 Speciale allocation being offered, it sure is tempting. Please let me know your thoughts before I pull the trigger or not!

 

That’s an amazing deal. I’d jump on it all day long.

 

I was under the impression that Ferrari didn’t allow dealers to sell a new car under MSRP. This is per the dealer I’ve been speaking to here in NorCal. Is that not the case?

 

They technically aren't selling the car under MSRP. The dealer is offering $45k towards the full purchase price.

 

Hmm…seems like the kind of blatant trickery that would tick off Ferrari corporate if indeed there’s a policy prohibiting sale under MSRP. That said, more power to the OP. Seems like a good deal. Certainly says something about demand for the Speciale as well.

 

That looks like a very good deal - you'll have to pay for the Speciale though, and if you trade-in (or even sell privately) the 296 you buy now you will probably get a hit there also.
But the Speciale seems to be really awesome, so it's apparently worth it.

 

Idk. Seems like there are a ton of "used" GTBs for $100k or more off with basically delivery miles.

 

The guaranteed Speciale allocation makes the deal worth it. As mentioned, the dealer will make the $45k back on the trade.

 

Allocation guaranteed? contract? ..... When? .... soon? .... someday?



.

 

Was thinking that exact thing. Unless they are willing to put the guaranteed Speciale allocation in writing I would not do it. (They are good at taking the reservation but not holding the reservation).

I had a similar situation with the Pista. Was told to buy an 812SF and I would be guaranteed an allocation for the Pista. Shockingly when the time came for the Pista they were not able to secure my allocation and apologized.

 

Here early for the inevitable Tokyo Cyan spec'd Speciale. Like others mentioned, if you can get some sort of guarantee, I would be all over it.

 

I have it in writing that it is a guaranteed allocation for the 296 Speciale.


And also, it isn't $45k off MSRP. I know that sounds confusing, but the dealer told me "we can't sell any new Ferrari's under MSRP, but we can give you from the dealer $45k towards the purchase of the car at full price". That make sense? So they are giving $45k from the dealer side towards the purchase price at full MSRP. So the only downside would be id be paying tax on a $450k purchase not a $405k purchase.

 

In the USA that is called Price Fixing, Collusion and is illegal. The S in MSRP is Suggested... Manufactures SUGGESTED Retail Price. Ferrari or any manufacture/distributor can control by law the advertised price but not the negotiated price.
I deal with MAP ( Minimum Advertised Price) & MSRP & dealer pricing everyday and this is the way our lawyers have explained pricing to us.

 

I get what they are doing as far as the dealer goes. I'd negotiate something to help out with the taxes on $450k instead of $405k.

Interesting how Ferrari dealers are discounting new un sold 296... tells you something doesn't it?

 

Shady sales tactics...E$$whole$!

 

So am I the only person that has been offered $$ towards the purchase of a new 296 from the dealer? Or have other members had a similar experience?

 

It's actually not price fixing. It is unilateral pricing which is legal in the USA. A manufacturer is able to contract with distributors or dealers to set a certain price. There is no unfair pricing as everyone has the same pricing. Bose has been doing it forever. Now different countries view this very differently and have laws against it.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the deal and I'd take the car. No matter what, you are the first owner which should mean you are getting a decent deal (not a screamer, but certainly pretty good). The sales tax on $45 K should be $4-5 grand so you are really getting $40k off. Still a good deal, and a guaranteed speciale is likely to make up for any discount you missed out by buying a used car with delivery miles. Plus you get a brand new car!!! You'll be the first guy to fart in it.

 

Assuming the delivery driver or dealer porter didn't have taco bell earlier in the day!

 

There are some creative ways that this happens. Way over allowing on a trade is one that happens all the time.

 

While I doubt you're the only one, I guess no one else would burn their dealer by posting it publicly only to have FNA's wrath upon them.

 

My understanding is unilateral price fixing is only on MAP and MRP and it is legal for retail stores which is what a Ferrari deal is , an independently owned retail store can negotiate the final price with the end user and discount that price.

Manufacturers cannot legally fix a price in the sense of making an agreement with other businesses to set prices. Price fixing is illegal, whether it's between competitors or through a mandatory agreement with retailers that restricts price competition. Manufacturers can legally set a minimum advertised price (MAP) or minimum resale price (MRP) if it is done unilaterally and not as part of an agreement with retailers, as detailed in a Harvard Business article and with the FTC.
https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/dealings-competitors/price-fixing#:~:text=A%20naked%20agreement%20among%20competitors,willing%20to%20do%20the%20same.


What is not allowed

• Horizontal price fixing:
  When competitors (like multiple manufacturers or multiple retailers) agree to raise, lower, or stabilize prices for their products or services, according to the Legal Information Institute.
• Vertical price fixing:
  An agreement between a manufacturer and a retailer to set a specific resale price. This was made illegal again in the U.S. in 2007, following the Supreme Court's decision in Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc..

What is allowed

• Unilateral policies:
  A manufacturer can set policies that affect pricing, such as Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) or Minimum Resale Price (MRP), as long as these are communicated unilaterally and not as part of an agreement with retailers.
  • MAP: The minimum price at which a product can be advertised.
  • MRP: The minimum price at which a product can be sold.
• Enforcement:
  Retailers comply with these policies because they risk losing their supply of the product from the manufacturer if they don't, according to Corporate Compliance Insights.
• Rule of reason:
  Since the Leegin decision, vertical price maintenance agreements are reviewed under the "rule of reason," a fact-based standard that asks whether the agreement actually harms competition.

 

Yep a negotiating tactic I use.... let's get creative! LOL

 

So basically the dealer is paying tax/title/registration for you.

It's a good deal, but I've always said, one should buy the car and not the deal.

Buy the deal, and you'll never really enjoy the car. Buy the car? You'll never really worry about the deal.

I recognize your handle from Rennlist, and know your stable, so I have no doubt you know what you are doing.

Good luck.