[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've been helping a good friend decide on her next car. She's the kind of person to buy something and keep it forever, notably her 10 year old Mitsubishi Galant.

Over the lat 6 weeks, she's driven 2008 - 2010 models:
Mercedes C350
BMW 328
Mini Cooper
Audi TT
Lexus IS250
Lexus ES350
Acura TSX
Acure RL
Honda Accord
VW CC

First she had settled on a new IS250 (tarted up Corolla) but after another visit, she drove an 09 ES350 (tarted up Camry) and settled on that, just needed to find the best value for $ between an 08 - 10. After finding exactly what she wanted at the price she wanted, we went to another dealership today to purchase an 08 ES350 with 6K miles.

There was a 2007 GS350 on the showroom floor in her price range and just for fun we took it out. Huge difference, the GS350 is a true luxury performance sedan. Made the ES350 seem exactly what it is, a Camry.

Car has 15K miles on it. Sticker was $32,849.

We went over the car carefully with the salesman with the intent to buy right there.

Sitting down, he dropped the price $400. She said she'll take it at $31K. Brief discussion with sales manager, no go. $32,449 was the price. So we left.

I doubt the salesman, who was one of the best we've met, will call tomorrow with a counter-offer.

Anyone have some thoughts on this? We both thought the GS350, out of all the cars we'd seen and driven, was the only one worth the money. No other car came close to it. The others just weren't worth their starting at $30K-on-up asking price, especially the Mercedes.

She really likes the car. Any way we can get it for closer to $31K?