What Does MSRP Mean?

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle in Aransas Pass then you probably have a lot of questions in mind. Among other things, you’re probably wondering, “what is MSRP?” or “what does MSRP mean?”. Simply put, MSRP means “Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price”. This is a price that the vehicle manufacturer sets as a suggestion for how much a car dealership should sell a given model for. This also means a vehicle’s price is not always set in stone, though certain car dealerships are more willing to negotiate than others.

So, What is MSRP?

The Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price, or the MSRP, is a price car manufacturers like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM recommend dealers like Allen Samuels CDJR Aransas Pass sell a certain vehicle for. Often, MSRP is accompanied by other automotive terms like base price, invoice price, and transaction price. 

Each of the above-listed terms is used to determine the value of the MSRP to both the vehicle buyer and the seller. Learn more about what MSRP is and its significance below:

• Because a car’s MSRP is set by the manufacturer, you can expect the same vehicle to have the same MSRP when sold at different dealerships nation-wide.
• Different cars within a brand have different MSRPs. For instance, a new entry-level RAM 1500 will cost more than a new entry-level Jeep Compass. 
• Not sure where to find the MSRP information for a particular car? Check the manufacturer’s website or the dealer’s website. It’s also often found on a new vehicle’s window sticker.

How is the MSRP Set?

Vehicle manufacturers use a variety of information to set the MSRP. These include everything from manufacturing costs to sales processes. Even average dealer markups play a factor. Here’s what else you should know:

• Though some people refer to the MSRP of various trim levels, technically, a vehicle’s true MSRP refers to the base price at its entry-level configuration without additional features or accessories added on. 
• Adding more features or packages or upgrading to a higher trim level will raise the vehicle price.
• Dealerships do not always sell vehicles exactly at MSRP.
• The invoice price, also known as the price the dealership paid for the vehicle, has a large effect on how negotiable they can be. Sometimes, a dealer will negotiate from the MSRP if there’s a large spread between the MSRP and invoice price. Other times, doing so would result in too little profit — or even, in many cases, a loss. 
• In-demand vehicles like brand-new models or cars popular in a particular area like Corpus Christi or Kingsville often sell much closer to MSRP.

How Do I Get a Good Price for My Next Car?

The MSRP is designed to be fair to both the dealership and the buyer! That said, if you shop smart and shop around, you may be able to shave $300, $500, or even $1,500 off MSRP. It all depends on how much a dealership wants to sell the vehicle you want to buy! Supply, demand, and invoice price also factor in. That said, here’s what you can do to ensure you get a fair price when buying your next new vehicle:

• Visit sites like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, or Cars.com to see what other people are paying for the vehicle you want.
• When negotiating from MSRP, start low and work your way up. Remember, any extra features will add to the total cost.
• If you ask for a vehicle’s invoice price, some dealers may tell you. However, they’re under no obligation to do so. 
• Looking for the best deal? Shop around at different dealerships near Port Lavaca.
• Looking to lease a new car? You can still negotiate the MSRP, as it will have an effect on your monthly payments. (When you lease, you essentially pay to use the vehicle over a predetermined period of time by paying off a portion of the vehicle’s MSRP).

Find & Finance Your Next Vehicle with Allen Samuels CDJR Aransas Pass Today!

Ready to pay the best price possible for your next new Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, or RAM in Aransas Pass? The Allen Samuels CDJR Aransas Pass finance center can help! Contact us today if you have additional questions, or use our online payment calculator to see how much the price you pay for a vehicle will impact your monthly payments.