Oops, I used too many words to say that and Q snuck his post before me.
Pick you number and stick with it, no fake fees, no warranties, no dealer add ons, etc, and don't be afraid to walk out. I've walked out 5 times now and each time I got a call that they would take my offer. Just this month, I found a vehicle I thought was fairly priced, but when I went to look at it, they tacked on $2,500 in BS fees. I said no, walked, and got the call 2 days later. I said no thanks, I found another car I liked better, which was true.
If you can get a cheap ticket, flying in and driving back can be worthwhile. I saved $8,000 on my truck with a $50 ticket from Florida to Knoxville. The drive home was an excellent opportunity to properly break in my new truck. My latest was $232 to South Carolina, but I took my son with me since it's going to be his car. This one was used, but I still saved $3,000 over buying local and we had a great trip back.
Funny story: when I was buying my truck, I told the local dealer I found a truck in TN for x price. The sales guy started talking about they must be using dealer money to get the price that low. I told him it's my money until it leaves my pocket, if they couldn't come close, then I'd be on the plane the the next day. He said they couldn't possibly and I had the ticket booked in 15 minutes.
It's your money.This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,
Posts: 11831 | Location: SWFL | Registered: October 10, 2007
Go drive what she is interested in, make sure she likes it and then leave
Shop online, we have most of our vehicles discounted very heavily online. Deal with the internet department and work your whole deal getting a drive out price before you go back.
I suggest you get a pre approval from a credit union just to have in your back pocket. The only reason to use a dealers financing is if there are special rates
An example, the 1500 Silverado V8 has $750 rebate plus a $2250 trade in rebate. It also has 0% for up 36 months, 1.9% up to 48, 3.9% up to 60 and 5.9% up to 84 months, you would give up the $750 but you can still get the $2250 trade rebate
If you are looking at GM products I can get you all the info you need
Posts: 5672 | Location: GA | Registered: September 23, 2009
Originally posted by VictimNoMore: They do still negotiate, these days. I’ve bought two new cars (work) in the last year and a half. I keep it to two separate transactions if you will: The new car I’m buying and the one I’m trading in. Negotiate each side/value separately - don’t allow them to bundle it all together. If you plan on using the manufacturer’s financing arm (i.e.- Honda Finance), they will usually be even more flexible or receptive to negotiating. Be reasonable on values, and get what you want. Life is short.
Yes. If they do the financing, the dealer makes a little of the loan money, so they can drop the price of the car a bit. I bought a new car this year, and got a very much below market rate from the manufacturer, which is a good reason to let them handle the loan. If there are no rate discounts, then there is less reason to use their financing.
Yes, they will negotiate. A little research will let you know what models go for what discounts from the sticker. But just start negotiating, and be prepared to leave. You'll soon learn what the real price is. Make your first offer super low, go from there.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
Posts: 53355 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
Why can't we just treat cars like we do light bulbs at the hardware store? The price is $2.99. Pay it and walk out with your light bulbs...or don't. What a ridiculous song and dance to play while ripping people off for thousands of dollars who don't know how to sing or dance.
________________________________________________________ "Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton.
Posts: 20846 | Location: Montana | Registered: November 01, 2010
Originally posted by clang: If you wait till the last day of the quarter, you may find the dealer much more open to negotiation. The last day of the month also has some benefit. Dealers are finalizing their numbers and want to get that last sale or two in.
You can contact the dealership by email or visit. Take a test drive or two. Tell them you are just looking for now, but may be in the market in the near future. Leave contact info. Do this with more than one dealership if they are close. Then wait until the end of the quarter for the best deal.
End of year might be even better, but I’ve never bought a vehicle in December.
End of the month, quarter, year. Progressively better deals usually to be had with each as dealers try to hit sales targets. But, you also run into diminishing available inventory, as the next model year starts rolling in. So, good deals to be had mid to end December, but potentially a lot less to choose from.
Originally posted by Prefontaine: It’s pretty easy. Get on the forum for the vehicle you want to purchase. They’ll have some section, some thread, where buyers around the US are posting what deal they got. Before TTL. Do your research before you even contact a single dealer. You decide what you are willing to pay. Set that number in your head, write it on a piece of paper, or type it into your phone, whatever. Do not deviate from that number. Don’t let a local dealer try to “meet us in the middle” type bs. If the best deals are flying to purchase and drive it back, figure out the flight cost, add that to the purchase price, and go back and negotiate with a local dealer.
I enjoy the process because when they start their games, I just say nope. Then I get up, and walk out. No adds on. F your extended warranty (you can purchase that later from any dealer in the states), F your wheel and tire protection plan, F your service plan, F all of it. The only thing I’ll eat is the port installed options, if there are any. I straight up refuse to pay for any dealer add ons like tint, LoJack, and whatever else. But I’ll research and see, beforehand, what is standard, from buyers, not sellers. Take your time. You may have to say no 6 times over a month or two, refusing their meet in the middle crap. Stay your course. Remember, they HAVE to sell a vehicle to eat. You DON’T have to purchase one from them. Where people go wrong is this I have to have it now mentality. Or “I don’t want to mess with this, how much is it?” MSRP’s have really increased over the last say, 5 years. Many mfr’s have increased prices on models/trims, a full $10k. I’ve purchased 3 vehicles in the last 5 years. 2 I got right at invoice, the third was a limited edition model where the MSRP I paid, was a good deal, because most were paying $10k to 20k over MSRP just to get one. Be patient, remain vigilant, and you’ll win every time.
This is basically my approach. I will walk out in a heartbeat. When I bought my truck, 22 years ago, the manager was yelling at me that I was a fool and no dealership would meet my offer. The next dealership, which was the third, I went to gave me what I wanted.
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Posts: 8835 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008
Originally posted by Gustofer: Why can't we just treat cars like we do light bulbs at the hardware store? The price is $2.99. Pay it and walk out with your light bulbs...or don't. What a ridiculous song and dance to play while ripping people off for thousands of dollars who don't know how to sing or dance.
Amen!
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Posts: 8835 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008
Sounds like things really haven’t changed since my last purchase. That is good to know and I really appreciate all the information. I HATE dealing with salespeople and the car buying process. However, I do my research to the 10th degree before I buy.
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Posts: 8835 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008
What you may not be used to is all of the Upsell that they will hit you with . Tire and wheel warranties . Paint protection and warranties , extended warranties , and on and on .
Posts: 4376 | Location: Down in Louisiana . | Registered: February 27, 2009
Originally posted by selogic: What you may not be used to is all of the Upsell that they will hit you with . Tire and wheel warranties . Paint protection and warranties , extended warranties , and on and on .
Originally posted by selogic: What you may not be used to is all of the Upsell that they will hit you with . Tire and wheel warranties . Paint protection and warranties , extended warranties , and on and on .
Dealer tried to force the paint/fabric protection on me when I bought a F150. They said it was already applied to the truck & I couldn't waive it. Stuck to it & got them to take the $2k upcharge off, I just had to waive the 'warranty' on it, which i was ok with.
When I traded the truck for a Mercedes, they tried to scare me into the wheel protection, saying the Mercedes had aluminum wheels which were more fragile than the wheels on the F150 They didn't push it when I declined. Was a fantastic dealer to deal with, sales & svc.
This is basically my approach. I will walk out in a heartbeat. When I bought my truck, 22 years ago, the manager was yelling at me that I was a fool and no dealership would meet my offer. The next dealership, which was the third, I went to gave me what I wanted.
I've helped a few people at work find cars. I tell them to be ready to walk out if they won't deal [and take a spare key, in case the dealer plays the 'let me get your keys from my mgr' game]. In each case, it was a want not a need purchase, so I reminded them that 'you don't 'need' to buy a car today'.
This is basically my approach. I will walk out in a heartbeat. When I bought my truck, 22 years ago, the manager was yelling at me that I was a fool and no dealership would meet my offer. The next dealership, which was the third, I went to gave me what I wanted.
I've helped a few people at work find cars. I tell them to be ready to walk out if they won't deal [and take a spare key, in case the dealer plays the 'let me get your keys from my mgr' game]. In each case, it was a want not a need purchase, so I reminded them that 'you don't 'need' to buy a car today'.
Absolutely and I always have to give my wife the speech to show absolutely zero excitement over anything. Act unimpressed and let me do the talking. Good grief, I interrogate criminals for a living so I can read a freaking car salesman.
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Posts: 8835 | Location: The Lone Star State | Registered: July 07, 2008
Originally posted by Gustofer: Why can't we just treat cars like we do light bulbs at the hardware store? The price is $2.99. Pay it and walk out with your light bulbs...or don't. What a ridiculous song and dance to play while ripping people off for thousands of dollars who don't know how to sing or dance.
Tesla has proven that it can be done but of course the automotive industry has a massive lobby industry that keeps it from happening.
Yes. If they do the financing, the dealer makes a little of the loan money, so they can drop the price of the car a bit. I bought a new car this year, and got a very much below market rate from the manufacturer, which is a good reason to let them handle the loan. If there are no rate discounts, then there is less reason to use their financing.
This is a great point. I always get pre-approved through my CU. If the stealer can beat that APR, going through the factory financing, cool, I’m game. But it better be a significant decrease or at least half a point or the answer is no. And make sure you check the early payoff options if financing. Some loans no penalties, others will stick it to you.
What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone
Posts: 13064 | Location: Down South | Registered: January 16, 2010
Do your research and understand that for the lowest price you will need to go to the dealership negotiate the best price you can and then leave. go back the next day or a day after that and seal the deal. Its a suck process but it works. Or you just overpay some and call it a day. Your at the 29th of the month, with an election a week away. I could not think of a better time to go buy a car and use this method.
__________________________ The entire reason for the Second Amendment is not for hunting, it’s not for target shooting … it’s there so that you and I can protect our homes and our children and and our families and our lives. And it’s also there as fundamental check on government tyranny. Sen Ted Cruz
Posts: 5201 | Location: Boca Raton, FL The Gunshine State | Registered: July 30, 2002
Dealers hate it when you leave while in the middle of the process . We do it every time . We tell them my wife is a Diabetic and we need to go get lunch . Actually that's true . One guy wanted me to take the vehicle to go eat . I don't think so , Tim .
Posts: 4376 | Location: Down in Louisiana . | Registered: February 27, 2009
