all the automakers do this. i had a saturn SC2 10 years ago and they are still sending me offers to buy my car back. my last car was a bmw 330ci and i have been getting these types of solicitations from my local dealer not BMW North America. i agree that it is just another shameless ploy to get peoples' attention. i think the economy is at a tipping point and the makers are really feeling the pinch. good. that means better deals for the consumer generally.