Car negotiating tips?

[Wimbo]

Don't forget... if you buy through a dealer, you have to pay taxes on the purchase. If you buy through an owner, you do not.

 

[vta]

Bring my father-in-law. He destroys car salesmen and gets what he wants.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Don't forget... if you buy through a dealer, you have to pay taxes on the purchase. If you buy through an owner, you do not.

that is true re dealer, I just paid 5300 in tax

up here though if you do a private sale, they can still hit you with tax

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Ok. Look for a weak spot.


ie. I just bought a 2002 BMW X5 - garage kept, BMW maintained etc. MINT CONDITION

Book Value loaded was about $12k

Guy had it listed for $10.8K

I went to see and knew right away this was the one. I had been looking for 2 months. I saw newer years 2004-07 and they werent in as nice condition.

So I gave it a once over. It was clean and well maintained.


So here was his weakness. I asked why are you selling? He said he has to get minivan etc. I asked about his driving and how many miles he puts on it etc. He said, Its at my parents I dont drive it that much as he has another car.

I said, Oh your parents probably want it outta here right? He said yes.


Gotchya!

I told him I had to look at a few others.
I did.

Then I called him and said that I could offer him $8k right now. 1-2-3.

He said he didnt want to sell that low... but his parents wanted it out of their driveway / house.

Find a weakness? Maybe wife wants it gone? He really needs the money for something else and fast??

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Ok. Look for a weak spot.


ie. I just bought a 2002 BMW X5 - garage kept, BMW maintained etc. MINT CONDITION

Book Value loaded was about $12k

Guy had it listed for $10.8K

I went to see and knew right away this was the one. I had been looking for 2 months. I saw newer years 2004-07 and they werent in as nice condition.

So I gave it a once over. It was clean and well maintained.


So here was his weakness. I asked why are you selling? He said he has to get minivan etc. I asked about his driving and how many miles he puts on it etc. He said, Its at my parents I dont drive it that much as he has another car.

I said, Oh your parents probably want it outta here right? He said yes.


Gotchya!

I told him I had to look at a few others.
I did.

Then I called him and said that I could offer him $8k right now. 1-2-3.

He said he didnt want to sell that low... but his parents wanted it out of their driveway / house.

Find a weakness? Maybe wife wants it gone? He really needs the money for something else and fast??

That guy was stupid as hell, he should have just got insurance and parked it on the street instead of taking 4000 less than he wanted.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I found a car at one of those auction-type dealers. Guy bought it an auction and fixed it up. Drives good, body condition good, interior has some minor issues, but nothing that takes away from the car.

The guy came down $700 and he met my max number. But I do have to come up with the TTL for it before leaving the lot.

BTW, you still gotta pay taxes on the car even if you buy from an owner, you just don't need to do it before actually getting the car.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

That guy was stupid as hell, he should have just got insurance and parked it on the street instead of taking 4000 less than he wanted.

Actually, the guy was a good guy. A standup guy. Just needed to dump it.

Check your math. He only got $2,800 less than what HE WANTED.



That wasnt the point of the post.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I sold cars for a number of years. When buying, I always look up what NADA value is for the car, and them offer them the trade in value. Dealers typically shoot for a substantive amount under trade in value. Also, I recommend lemon busters on any car you decide to buy.

Good luck.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Actually, the guy was a good guy. A standup guy. Just needed to dump it.

Check your math. He only got $2,800 less than what HE WANTED.



That wasnt the point of the post.

Your point was, see if you can screw the seller, I knew what you were getting at. You didn't pull one over on him, he was stupid. Hell for all you know, he might have been willing to get rid of it for 6000 and screwed you over.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I only buy new cars and just did last night actually.

Most dealers don't haggle that much anymore given they cut their MSRP for the most part to the bone now. I was able to knock 1200 off the sticker price of a $46000 vehicle so I figure woohoo

In the end, if you want the car, you will pay for it and probably more than you have to pay.

Does the fact that you could have gotten 4,600 off rather than 1,200 off make you feel better? I'm sure your salesman appreciates you for it. :laugh2:

Rule of thumb. 10% off the sticker is what most vehicles are able to do, give or take a few.

 

[Kristen82]

I was told to go to a dealer near the end of the month as the salessleaze might be just short of their monthly sales quotas and could therefore be a little more flexible than usual.

I'd rather go with a private seller. That way you don't have to feel like you need to take a shower after the transaction.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Does the fact that you could have gotten 4,600 off rather than 1,200 off make you feel better? I'm sure your salesman appreciates you for it. :laugh2:

Rule of thumb. 10% off the sticker is what most vehicles are able to do, give or take a few.

Maybe down in the US and on domestics but not up here for imports. For the most part, the sticker price is what you pay especially for imports.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I was told to go to a dealer near the end of the month as the salessleaze might be just short of their monthly sales quotas and could therefore be a little more flexible than usual.

I'd rather go with a private seller. That way you don't have to feel like you need to take a shower after the transaction.

I would have preferred that but my car blew out an engine a couple of weeks ago so Contessa and I are surviving on one vehicle and that is not tenable. We needed another vehicle and couldn't jack around too long to save a few measly dollars.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Maybe down in the US and on domestics but not up here for imports. For the most part, the sticker price is what you pay especially for imports.

Yeah, not in Austin, not if you know what you're doing.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I was told to go to a dealer near the end of the month as the salessleaze might be just short of their monthly sales quotas and could therefore be a little more flexible than usual.

I'd rather go with a private seller. That way you don't have to feel like you need to take a shower after the transaction.

Aw, Kristen, you're breaking my heart. I was once a new and used car salesman. I was actually a pretty nice guy about it, and treated my customers well. They, in turn, sent me people. We're not all bad guys.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

It also depends on the type of vehicle. My new vehicle is in high demand, low supply so not like the dealer has to try to cut the price to make a deal. If I didn't buy it, then the next guy would.

I also got the exact model, colour and the DVD player was better for my son than on another make. He enjoys watching movies in the vehicle. Sometimes you pay to get what you want.

 

[rynochop]

Don't forget... if you buy through a dealer, you have to pay taxes on the purchase. If you buy through an owner, you do not.

Where do you live? Not in Texas, when you change the title over they rape you on taxes.

 

[rynochop]

I only buy new cars and just did last night actually.

Most dealers don't haggle that much anymore given they cut their MSRP for the most part to the bone now. I was able to knock 1200 off the sticker price of a $46000 vehicle so I figure woohoo

In the end, if you want the car, you will pay for it and probably more than you have to pay.

Wow, the sales/f & i guys were high fiving when you left.

 

[Idgit]

Depending what you want to pay, a car broker can probably find you what you're looking for at auction at much less that dealer mark-up. You may have to pay for relocation of the vehicle (~$300) and the dealer's negotiable markup ($500 for a quick flip). They expect you to pay cash, though, and you could have to wait a week or two for the next auction; you have to be ready to buy the vehicle based on the dealer's assessment of it's worth. If you can find one recommended, it's a good route to go.

If buying from the dealer, find the make/model you want on the edge of the lot where it's not on prominent display. Mention you thought you saw one like it a month or so back. If it's the same vehicle, they're probably looking at selling it at auction themselves and will deal more readily at that point. They don't want their capital tied up in inventory that won't move. Negotiate price before you tell them you're paying cash--they want to make money on the financing. They'll end up unloading a car they haven't been able to sell at about what they'd expect to see it for at auction if you can find the right vehicle and time it right.

 

[WoodysGirl]

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