Advice on purchasing from dealership

[cobra01]

I am looking to purchase a John Deere 318 from a dealer and I have a few questions for you guys and I also need some advice. It is a 1987 John Deere 318 w/ 46 in with only 740 hours on it. I already did a serial number lookup and it is a 1987. The paint is not the best but from the picture there isn't much rust on it. It does have some deep scratches. The tractor does need a new seat. The dealer said that they're asking $1595 for the tractor. I didn't ask the salesman if the price was negotiable, but from your experience is the price usually negotiable? If so, would $1400 be a reasonable offer? Would you offer any lower than $1400 or is that too low already?

[TX1256]

A price is ALWAYS negotiable. If they say it isnt, they arent needing to sell it that badly. Make an offer, then walk away. If they dont take it, its just not meant to be. BTW, cant you find a newer machine for that price?

[KATT]

Hope the guys from John Deere forum see this. They know the 318's best.

[Ken N Tx]

Hope the guys from John Deere forum see this. They know the 318's best.

I moved this Thread over to the John Deere Forum for more replies..:goodl:

[bleedingreen]

here in des moines 1400 is the starting price on one we deal from there. 318s
are nice units just gotta figure out what its worth to you.

[D-Dogg]

$900-$2200. How's that for a range.

A 747 hour 1987 model is a good machine. When I see these at a dealer, one of two paradigms apply. The dealer feels like buying it from a dealer is worth an extra $500-$700, or the dealer doesn't want to fool with it and prices it to move.

The machine has a nice set of Ag tires (you want to know if they are loaded and if so with what), which add $100 to the value.

The little bit of rust you mention, if around the engine covers, is most likely from when a voltage regulator failed and boiled the battery.

Does this dealer offer a 30 day or 90 day warranty? Many do and will start the warranty in March of 2010 when mowing season begins.

Don't be disappointed if he does not. There is no motivation to do so on a machine this old and at this price.

Try a lower offer, but do not be surprised if he does not move down.

[Cecil3]

I would pay $1500 for that 318 in a heartbeat! Some times trying to wheel and deal only hurts you in the end when someone else buys the tractor before you.

[JusDubn]

I would pay $1500 for that 318 in a heartbeat! Some times trying to wheel and deal only hurts you in the end when someone else buys the tractor before you.


Definitely. Around here that tractor would have sold at that price within hours.

[saskman49]

You guys get all the deals. I would be all over that at what they are asking. At the dealer here: 1983 318 with a deck and 3pt hitch with an aftermarket seat in decent shape $3550.00 and a second unit with no pics or details listed at $5295.00. Cash prices will be probably 500 less on either unit based on my dealings with them.. So I assume you should have some cash price wiggle room there as well. I haven't purchased any used stuff yet that my dealer won't negotiate on so good luck and go for it.

[jeepersmitty]

Try to bargain by getting the dealer to put you a new seat on for that price. Then I think it would be worth it.

[Kansas John Deere]

Do like jeepersmitty said see if the will put on a new seat or ask them to service the mower deck. Like new belts or bearings. Never hurts to ask for perks when your trying to buy used from a dealer.

[AnotherHickey]

Looks clean. There is a guy in town that buys the trade ins that come into the dealer so that the dealer does not have to bother with them. He has a 318 for sale with a 46 inch mower, 54 inch blade, weights and chains. If you are in western Wisconsin, it wouldn't be a bad drive: http://iowacity.craigslist.org/grd/1476059325.html

[stoon boy]

John, you seem to buy NEW JD's, I'm the one stuck buying the used stuff. $1500 up here in Canada wouldn't last long on a dealerships lot.

[johndeere]

If you would be willing to give $1400.00 then say $1200.00 and see what he saids.If he saids $1500.00 say $1400.00 and I bet you will get it.That is how I would do it.If he will not budge then try for a new seat thats $100.00 right there and see what you can do.They always allow some wiggle room asking price is just that.

[saskman49]

John, you seem to buy NEW JD's, I'm the one stuck buying the used stuff. $1500 up here in Canada wouldn't last long on a dealerships lot.

Randy,

You haven't seen my quonset. Recent additions are the 03 LT180 with 225hrs (needs abit of tlc but runs good now that I did the basic maint to it) and a 2008 JS35 electric start sp mower might have 3hrs on it (has a bent crank).

Later..

Hows the gator hunt going?

[bucs012]

I am in sales for a living. It NEVER hurts you to try and see what their bottom dollar is. It's the WAY you go about it or the way you ASK for it.

Be respectful and just ask him what the bottom dollar is if you paid cash and left with it today. You HAVE to be ready to buy on the spot so they know you are serious but NOT desperate. If they come back with "this IS our bottom price." State that you are willing to pay that if he can add in a new seat and/or service the deck for you. These are little things that ad value to YOU, but don't cost them much.

If they will do NOTHING and NOT come down on price. Then either take it or leave it, but leave it open. Leave him your name and number in case the manager/owner changes their mind.

Remember to be serious, but not desperate. Have the cash and ready to leave with it. ;)

Good luck!

[TechGromit]

It's twice the machine of my X300 at half the price. If I didn't already have a tractor, I'd buy it. Even financing it on my John Deere credit card at 20%+ interest, it's still a good price.

[PA318Guy]

Looks like a pretty good machine to me! Take it for a test drive, the Onan might throw a bit of smoke at startup but should last for more than a second or two. Any more and you have an engine that may need a ring job! Look around the base of the engine to see if there is any oil leaking and up under the deck (they miss that washing most of the time) see if there is any old oil stuck on it, a sign of a leaking seal! Check the bracket on the transmission (underneath), there was a modification to the bolt that adds a slotted area so the transmission can move a bit. For the price I'd make sure it had that mod on there or you may be dealing with a leaking transmission.
There is also a sight tube at the back of the tractor with a glass in it so monitor the transmission fluid. If the fluid is cherry in color that is the old formula, ask the dealer to change the fluid to Hyguard and a new filter!
Tractor looks really good from the pictures though and I'd offer $1,200 but be ready to pay the full amount! New seat is always a plus!

[stoon boy]

That 6 X 4 in Calgary sold mid week , before I could drive to Cow town.Spotted a HPX @ the dealership in Watson, e-mailed to see if they were interested in a trade on my 650EX Trail Buck, never got a reply. Talked to my FGC rep to see if he could bring it in to Saskatoon, he already had and sold it a week earlier.Will keep my eyes open for another one.

[slkpk]

I am looking to purchase a John Deere 318 from a dealer and I have a few questions for you guys and I also need some advice. It is a 1987 John Deere 318 w/ 46 in with only 740 hours on it. I already did a serial number lookup and it is a 1987. The paint is not the best but from the picture there isn't much rust on it. It does have some deep scratches. The tractor does need a new seat. The dealer said that they're asking $1595 for the tractor. I didn't ask the salesman if the price was negotiable, but from your experience is the price usually negotiable? If so, would $1400 be a reasonable offer? Would you offer any lower than $1400 or is that too low already?

So what did you do? Deal or no deal? slkpk