[Jim H]

I’m considering buying a new Bolt Premier to replace my ’13 Volt. So far, dealer discounts on Bolts in Minnesota, my home state, have generally been pathetic. An online search shows $3-4K off MSRP from some dealers in N. Illinois and maybe Iowa.
Does anyone have experience with a Bolt purchase in Iowa or N. Illinois? I’m looking for a straightforward cash deal, no hassles, gimmicks, phantom discounts, or dealer add-ons.
I had received a GM private offer in August but there were no Bolts in Minnesota at that time. I’m waiting in the hopes of another private offer in the coming months, but eventually I’ll probably have to decide, even without one. If Minnesota prices don’t improve a lot, I’m willing to purchase out of state.
Any advice would be welcome.

Jim H.

 

[hellsop]

I’m considering buying a new Bolt Premier to replace my ’13 Volt. So far, dealer discounts on Bolts in Minnesota, my home state, have generally been pathetic. An online search shows $3-4K off MSRP from some dealers in N. Illinois and maybe Iowa.

Just bear in mind that "Northern Illinois" might have a sales tax as high as 11%. Even places as remote as Moline is close to 9%.

Iowa.... Iowa's weird. They might just shove you off to paying the sales tax in your home district. (NORMALLY cars there get a discounted 5%, but that's paid at time of registration not purchase, if I remember correctly.)

 

[Jim H]

Thanks for the info. regarding sales tax. In the past, when I've bought cars from out-of-state, the sales tax went to the state the car was registered in, e.g. Minnesota, but I'll double check that.

 

[Steverino]

You had a $3k GM private offer and let it lapse? Ouch! Most who get a PO, get one for $1k. $3k is rare.

You can buy a Bolt from any state and have it flat bedded to MN for $800-$1200. I considered doing that with Bolts I found in CA and MD. I was ready to go when a local dealer matched the delivered price. Used my $3k Private Offer (the first PO I ever got in 6 years). So with almost $6k off, I bought and locked in the $7500 tax credit as well.

Don't limit yourself to N IL. I bought my Volt in Long Island NY back in 2011 when you could not buy Volts in IL. A cheap SW plane ride to pick up the car and away I went.

 

[BAZINGA]

You might want to come south, Jack Schmitt Chevrolet in O Fallon Il has 9 Bolt's all listed at $4500 off MSRP. You might be able to get the GM Military Discount if you qualify. I bought my three Volt's from them. We are only 270 south of Chicago, near St Louis.

 

[Jim H]

Thanks for the info. I would have to consider having the car shipped back. It would be a long drive back to Minnesota with limited DC fast charging on the way.

 

[Mister Dave]

Just bear in mind that "Northern Illinois" might have a sales tax as high as 11%.

You pay sales tax on the price of the car minus the trade-in value in Illinois. Trading in is a way to lower the sales tax here.

 

[Jim H]

Regarding where you pay the sales tax, from the website DMV.org: https://www.dmv.org/buy-sell/used-cars/buying-out-of-state.php

4. Sales Taxes
Even though you're buying a car from out of state,*you'll pay the sales tax to the state in which you'll register the car—i.e. your home state.
Sometimes, dealerships handle this process for you and pass along the sales tax to your home state; still, you should always keep records that you paid the sales tax to show your state's*title and registration office. Keep in mind*the dealership will probably calculate the taxes based on their home state's tax rates. If your state has higher rates,*you will be responsible for paying the difference when registering your car.
However, if the dealership doesn't handle it for you, or you buy a car from a private party, you must pay the sales tax to your home state's appropriate state agency before you can title and register the vehicle.

So it looks like it doesn't matter what the Illinois sales tax is if I'm registering in my home state. Illinois wasn't listed as exempt from that policy.

 

[Steverino]

When I bought my Volt in NY, I paid sales tax when I registered the car here in IL.

When I bought my Bolt EV in IL, the dealer collected the sales tax and license fee.

 

[flankspeed8]

Agreed that the prices in MN are pathetic at the moment. They were with the Volt too when I bought mine several years ago. When it comes time for the next, I am not going to limit myself to local dealers and will be open to an out of state purchase. I think it is important that we really support those dealers who are willing to deal and not play games. It would be nice to share the names of those dealers to throw some business their way.

 

[Ls3miata]

Look at the new post by Keyes cheverlot for a bolt in this forum. Drive from MN would not be far.