"I'll ask them to throw out their best effort from the get go"
This is the part that makes sense and should be straight forward.
In most cases it is not. It must not work for them to present their best deal up front, otherwise they would do it. My best guess is that their skill at sizing up a potential customer is weak. There has to be a sizable portion of P Car buyers who can afford the cars because they use their time well. They would show allegiance to Companies and Sales people who catered to them.

 

For example, I was offered by 2 brokers 3k off an ~80k MSRP back in Sept when ordering. I'd call and some told me that they are only doing MSRP for the S. Some told me 1k off. I crossed those off the list.

There were 3 dealers that offered 2k+ off and I chose 1 of the 3 to work with. I chose that 1 based on location / service dept reviews / personal experience / references. From there, I would work with them. I finally got 3500 off, which is about 4.4% off MSRP, throwing in the whole "beat the broker" thing. It was a decent discount for a custom order during that time in SoCal. I've read some ppl got like 5% off, which translates into another $400 or so, so I didn't get the *best* deal possible, but it was a decent deal.

 

I think you did great. Lots of people were South of 4% on their deal even on far more expensive Cayennes. I simply do not understand the MSRP Dealers. It is like looking you in the eye and saying I dod not want you buying from me.
The ones that offered 1K off are from my experience more typical. They are testing you to see if they can impose their will on you or at least wait you out.
The ones who offered you a decent discount (only decent for this car....would be minuscule for most others) right off the bat were clearly going to get the sale. Sometimes I envy people who keep their cars for 6 years.....not having to go through this as often.

 

I usually get it straight from auto brokers b/c they usually work by volume. So I'd call them and they would call around all over the country to the places they get the best deals from. When he calls me back with a number, it's usually pretty decent since broker markup is usually minimal and they get better prices from the said dealerships they deal with cause they move volume for that dealer in the past (almost like wholesale pricing at the given time, I suppose).

MSRP and mark-ups are usually reserved for low volume just-released cars. For any SUV over a year into it's life-cycle to demand MSRP is pretty outrageous. The demand is artificial and the shortage is misleading. So many Cayenne's are being exported at the time (because the U.S. gets it for cheap), it causes residents of this country to pay more for another countries' demand. Exporters probably costed me an extra 2k!

 

I think I verified my point on

POWER Porsche Newport Beach

Left a message earlier today with the sales guy. No response. So much for good Service.

 

I wish I got discounts... I only have one dealer here in Vancouver, wouldn't give discounts in any way, shape or form.