Need tips on negotiating for new car

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

I can't stand it when they try and keep you there, going back and forth to the "office" trying to negotiate the deal for hours and hours.

You know what's fun? Leave when they leave. They go to the office, you take a tour of the lot. Drives the salesman nuts trying to locate you and then having to have you paged over the intercom. The first couple of times are the most effective because they think you left the lot.

Years ago I had a salesman almost beg me to stay put when he had ran my counter-offer to his manager for the 3rd time. I told him that he had 5 minutes and then I was going to "stretch my legs" again. But I also told him that if he couldn't close the deal without running off to his boss on every counter-offer, then he should send in a guy who could close the deal on his own.

That was a few years ago. Today I think I would take my laptop and wireless air-card with me and let the salesman know I'm shopping for better deals while he's running my counteroffers to the office.

[Tuck91]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

I wonder if any car dealers/salesmen are reading this.

[john m.]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

I wonder if any car dealers/salesmen are reading this.

Haha I can just see some reading thinking "oh man, now how are we gonna rip people off!"

[Bunky]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

If the salesman is not cooperating, you can just ask to speak to the sales manager and negotiate with him directly. If you are not afraid to walk off the lot without a vehicle then you can hold out for a best offer but you have to have an idea how low the dealer will go. If you offer a low ball offer and they refuse and start walking off the lot, you may get the best price.

The finance office at most dealerships is all about upselling (warranty, paint protection, etc). If you have to finance, etc, with the dealer they will try to make more money off that.

[Honda Fit]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

If you don't want to deal with salesmen, I'd recommend taking advantage of the internet fleet sales. Call up a few dealerships in the area and ask them how much for the specific car you want. Once you have a good price, you can have the other dealerships to price match and beat it (or throw in free accessories).

I did this last year when I bought my Fit. Because the car was in high demand, the local dealerships in San Diego were selling the car for $1000 or more over MSRP. I called dealerships up to 2 hours north of me in LA and found a dealer selling for MSRP. Drove up the same day and it was painless.

If you'd rather go into the dealer, don't let them waste your time. Do your homework on pricing. Tell them the car and specs you want. When they bring out papers to show you, just turn it around, write down your final price minus a few hundred $, then hand it to them. If they won't match it, then say thank you and walk out. Most likely they'll chase you down for your business. Be firm and strong

[Murr1525]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

I'll give my little expereince, take it for what its worth.

I bought a 2005 Subaru, and felt like it was a good deal (who knows), and decided to trade it in for a 2008.

I just said I wanted the same price as the 2005 (same payment, same length) or no deal. They said how about 2 extra months, but I liked the car, so I said ok.

Probably could have said no, but realy like the car.

[dvtldav]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

Go to Edmunds.com, they will show you what the sticker price is what the invoice price is and TMV or True Market Value is. They will show you any rebates or incentives on the vehicles also. The last four or five cars I have bought I have researched through Edmunds and eventually got the cars at the price I wanted to pay. My Buick I bought in 2007 wasn't even on the lot I bought from. The dealer that had it wouldn't deal, I went to another dealer that I had purchased a car from before, told him there was a car at another dealer I wanted, he got online got the sticker price, I told him what I would pay he finally accepted, called the other dealer and I got my car. I spent maybe 1 hour at the dealership. Also, you might check out the Saturn Vue. My wife bought one last summer and she loves it. She has about 10K miles on it and it has given us no problems at all.

Dave

[Chop]

Re: Need tips on negotiating for new car

yeah. I agree with everyone here. If you have pricing knowledge, are firm on your offer, and are ok with walking away, most of the time you will get the car at your terms.

PS. If you are buying with your significfant other make sure he/she understands your strategy