Kyle’s Corner (FYI) by the Numbers: Invoice, MSRP and True Market Value

Today numbers fly around here and fly around there. Inflation is only this much (tell that to the mom or dad at the grocery store! Oh, fuel and food are excluded in the numbers but we cannot do without fuel and food!). There is an overwhelming number of numbers but do they result in better understanding or just additional confusion?

When it comes to buying a new vehicle, it is worthwhile to know what the dealer paid for the thing and how much it has been marked up (the numbers). Leasing a vehicle can even add additional complication to the figures! Learning what the dealer paid and doing some 'lease calculation' can be a wallet as well as an eye opener.

Here are some invoice (what the dealer paid but realize that the automaker can give the dealer a lower invoice price to 'move' vehicles) and MSRP (manufactures suggested retail price) numbers for select vehicles. Remember, making an offer $500-$5,000 below the MSRP is acceptable. If a number of dealers will not accept your offer, than you can ease up a bit!

The following are 2012 model vehicles.

The first number is the Invoice (dealer cost). The second number is the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price), and the third number is the True Market Value.

BMW 1-Series 3.0 I-6

$28,565

$31,050

$30,481

Cadillac CTS-V 3.0 V6

$40,801

$43,125

$41,867

Chevrolet Equinox LS

$23,088

$24,260

$23,508

Chevrolet Malibu LS

$21,765

$22,755

$22,178

Chevrolet Sonic 1L

$14,153

$14,153

$14,419

Ford Focus S 2.0 I-4

$16,430

$17,295

$16,805

Ford F-150 3.7 V6 4x4

$29,630

$32,410

$30,732

Honda Odyssey EX

$26,390

$29.035

$27.658

Hyundai Elantra GLS

$15,535

$15,955

$15,806

Kia Sportage SX

$20,895

$21,600

$21,107

Infiniti G25 2.5 V6

$30,925

$33,295

$32,090

Nissan Altima 2.5 I-4

$20,325

$21,170

$20,597

Toyota Camry LE

$20,849

$22,715

$21,820

Subaru Impreza 2.0 H-4

$18,401

$19,245

$18,869

Volkswagen Passat (TDI)

$25,690

$26,675

$26,320

Remember the 'numbers' above are a starting point and a vehicle's price differs based on the engine size and options (what would a vehicle be without options?). Therefore, for additional information on dealer Invoices, MSRPs, and True Market Values of vehicle that fit your needs, visit: Edmunds.com.

I'm just trying to give it to you straight (by the numbers!).

Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money." He welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site: www.cartown1.com. Follow Kyle on Facebook and Twitter.