I need some car buying tips

[LovetheMouse12302]

We have been van shopping for quite some time, I've been looking at 2010 town & country and 2010 caravans. Everytime I go to negotiate a price I get dirty looks and am told they aren't going lower than sticker price. I am not offering unreasonable amounts. I don't walk in with sucker on me, or do I? My parents always told me never ever pay sticker price for cars, they have some room to negotiate. When my dad bought my first car I remember my parents got a great deal and it was easy. I guess I want to know what I'm doing wrong.

 

[defendthehill]

I just bought a 2010 Caravan....I paid below sticker. They have plenty of room under sticker they just don't want to if their inventory is low or they are moving inventory quickly. I say stick to your guns....you can get below sticker.

 

[bonoriffic]

Use true market pricing from Edmunds.com. Without knowing your exact area, it would seem that in general people are paying at or below invoice. To pay sticker would be insane.

Watch out for rebates and incentives that are currently available up to $2000. You should be paying invoice price BEFORE those incentives are added.

 

[DISdreamin']

A second for Edmunds.com - use that to see what is fairly realistic.

There are lots of web sites out there for car buying, but my biggest suggestion is know exactly what you want and do your homework before walking into the dealership.

FWIW, DH wants to buy a new car later this year and I am already researching so we can get an idea of what we want and can afford. One of my biggest goals is to see if I can contact internet sales departments and have a price all negotiated (once we decide on a vehicle) before we go into the dealership to buy. We'll, of course, need to test drive the car to make our final selection, but I don't want to sit with someone and haggle over price.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Not sure if this relates at all to the OP's situation but ...

When I was used car shopping, no one would budge a cent on the sticker price either. Why? Because I was female and shopping all alone. Easy target.

Yes I know what everyone (especially other females here) will say - I need to learn to be aggressive and firm and stand my ground, and not let them treat me that way. Easier said than done. I admit I am not great at that stuff. So yep - I am the only person on the face of the planet to pay sticker price for a used car. It came down to paying full price or walking (yeah- walking to work lol), and I had to get a car somewhere.

I know I needed help (preferably from a male, that's how these car-buying games are played) to get a good deal, but I had absolutely no one to turn to. So I knew it would turn out me paying the maximum. And I was right. Ughhh.

Oh well - love my car though! I run my cars until well over 200,000 miles so I hope to not be car shopping again anytime soon!

 

[mjkacmom]

A second for Edmunds.com - use that to see what is fairly realistic.

There are lots of web sites out there for car buying, but my biggest suggestion is know exactly what you want and do your homework before walking into the dealership.

FWIW, DH wants to buy a new car later this year and I am already researching so we can get an idea of what we want and can afford. One of my biggest goals is to see if I can contact internet sales departments and have a price all negotiated (once we decide on a vehicle) before we go into the dealership to buy. We'll, of course, need to test drive the car to make our final selection, but I don't want to sit with someone and haggle over price.

THIS! You will learn what you can reasonably expect to spend. For example, when I got my Odyssey, I paid sticker - they couldn't keep them in stock, they were so popular. Other vehicles I paid less than sticker, like with my Windstar. I ended up going to 3 dealerships for that one, and found one that would take my offer. Edmunds and Kelly Blue Books are your friends.

 

[SarahKate]

When we were researching earlier this year, we found a website called invoicedealers dot com and they will show you dealerships where you may get invoice cost.

With that said, our local KIA dealer (we were wanting to get a 2011 Sorento) was on that list but was very non-committal about that and just wanted me to come in. This was even through their so-called "internet sales manager". Would have been more convenient to buy locally, but we skipped them all together!

I started looking at dealerships in St. Louis and found that their KIA dealerships were offering them at invoice cost right there on the site - that's the price that the list, NOT the MSRP. We found a great dealership there who we worked with on the cost and when we traveled there one SAturday morning we were fully prepared. We got invoice cost, $2k in rebates on top of that, and KBB trade-in value.It was a great, great experience. All that, just traveling 100 miles away.

The point of that story is just to look in surrounding areas and don't just stick with your local dealership.

 

[CC12005]

I agree with researching prices on Edmunds.com and then this is the most important part -Stop walking into dealerships & trying to negotiate & do it ONLINE instead. You will almost always get the lowest price that way, since they know you are only coming in if they give you the lowest price. Once they get you in that's when they will try to sell add ons such as extended warranty & financing. I briefly worked at a dealership & I remember they even told me the lowest prices were for the internet people. Edmunds has a dealer inquiry option for this.

 

[Ali]

Can I ask what you paid for your kia sorento? I just bought one last week and I'd like to know what others ended up paying.

When we were researching earlier this year, we found a website called invoicedealers dot com and they will show you dealerships where you may get invoice cost.

With that said, our local KIA dealer (we were wanting to get a 2011 Sorento) was on that list but was very non-committal about that and just wanted me to come in. This was even through their so-called "internet sales manager". Would have been more convenient to buy locally, but we skipped them all together!

I started looking at dealerships in St. Louis and found that their KIA dealerships were offering them at invoice cost right there on the site - that's the price that the list, NOT the MSRP. We found a great dealership there who we worked with on the cost and when we traveled there one SAturday morning we were fully prepared. We got invoice cost, $2k in rebates on top of that, and KBB trade-in value.It was a great, great experience. All that, just traveling 100 miles away.

The point of that story is just to look in surrounding areas and don't just stick with your local dealership.

 

[dimimi]

Use true market pricing from Edmunds.com. Without knowing your exact area, it would seem that in general people are paying at or below invoice. To pay sticker would be insane.

Watch out for rebates and incentives that are currently available up to $2000. You should be paying invoice price BEFORE those incentives are added.

We do the same thing. This lets you know a realistic sale amount. You are doing things right so far, if you don't like their price, walk away. Also, I would suggest you ask to speak to the manager that will make the decision, do not waste your time with someone that is going to walk and ask the manager and make you sit and wait. Ask to work directly with the manager. It works.

 

[SarahKate]

Can I ask what you paid for your kia sorento? I just bought one last week and I'd like to know what others ended up paying.

The MSRP for ours was $27,997. It's a EX with a V6 engine and also has the 3rd row seating option. The invoice cost was was about $26,500......then we got about $2k in incentives. There was one $1k rebate and then a 2nd one where we got a choice between $1k or a KIA low APR.....KIA had a finance company already offering a low APR so we were able to take advantage of the other $1k. So I guess the cost of the vehicle was right around $24,500. We were ahead of the game on our trade since they gave us KBB trade-in value so that brought it down even more!!! It was soooo nice that they were up front about everything and we walked away from the place feeling great.

Did you read the recent information regarding their safety testing? It gets a "Good" rating in ALL categories, which is the highest you can get.

I've had a few little glitchy problems but nothing that hasn't been an easy fix. We love it! Do you like yours?

 

[swilshire]

My best advice is buy something other than a Chrysler. We finally got rid of our third one last year and never, ever again will I get anywhere close to one of their dealerships. They'd have to practically GIVE it to me to get me back.

That being said, if the people at the dealership are unfriendly to you, find another one. The second one we bought, I left two dealerships on principle before ever attempting a purchase. The salesman at the first one walked right past me to shake hands with my husband and ignored me (the purchaser). At the second, I went alone and a whole slew of salesmen ignored me completely because I had no man along. At the third dealer, the salesman offered help promptly, and negotiated appropriately.

When I bought my Honda Odyssey last fall I was working in Jacksonville and they seemed more willing to negotiate prices than my dealers at home. I emailed all the local dealers, worked with the one that seemed most customer friendly, and made the deal before I ever went to the lot.

Sheila

 

[sookie]

go with toyota. I have a caravan and its just OK - its been a good car up until now but has had its quirks.
i got a decent price on it - new - 2007.
BUT
i would get another toyota in a heartbeat. i have a 2010 camry that i bought before the recalls and honestly - they were so on top of the recalls it was insane (at least my dealer was) it gets great mileage and the oil changes are included for pretty much the first year.
i will buy a toyota van for my next van!!!

i paid below sticker even in the heat of cash for clunkers. i say dont move from trying to go below sticker. and stick to your guns and negotiate. i have a friend who is pissed because she also bought a 2010 camry - and she paid a lot more for it than mine, and mine has a LOT more features on it than hers does! just negotiate and don't make a snap decision (which my friend does - a lot).

 

[ctinct]

Really, try different dealers. I bought my first car ever by myself less than two years ago. And I second doing your homework and using internet pricing. The dealers are not going to offer these things to you, but if you know about incentives, holdbacks, etc., and mention it after you've negotiated a good price, they'll come through.

Also, and others may disagree with me, go where you feel comfortable. I did a test drive and then asked if I could have the car for $x.00. The guy went into the mgrs. office, and I swear THREE guys came out and one actually yelled that there was no way he could let the car go for that price. I knew he could, but at that point the negotations were finished--I walked out. The funny thing is, I had previously emailed the internet dept. of this dealership, and later on I got a reply that they would sell the car to me for LOWER than I had requested. (They obviously did not know it was "me", because I had never given my full name when I was there in person.) It was a good price, but you know what? I gladly paid a hundred dollars more and bought the car at a dealership that treated me with respect. Oh, and I wrote the first dealer a very polite email when they followed up and told them exactly why I went elsewhere.

 

[dd50]

Use true market pricing from Edmunds.com. Without knowing your exact area, it would seem that in general people are paying at or below invoice. To pay sticker would be insane.

Watch out for rebates and incentives that are currently available up to $2000. You should be paying invoice price BEFORE those incentives are added.

Edmunds is the best place to check. Always, always, always negotiate out the door as many times they like to add on other costs to bring their price up again.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

We have been van shopping for quite some time, I've been looking at 2010 town & country and 2010 caravans. Everytime I go to negotiate a price I get dirty looks and am told they aren't going lower than sticker price. I am not offering unreasonable amounts. I don't walk in with sucker on me, or do I? My parents always told me never ever pay sticker price for cars, they have some room to negotiate. When my dad bought my first car I remember my parents got a great deal and it was easy. I guess I want to know what I'm doing wrong.

Go to the AAA website. Put in your information and they will give you a price and a list of dealers in your area. Work from there.

Good luck.

 

[topdog]

Shop at last week of the month when salesman itchy to made the quota. Go on a rainy day when business is slow so salesman desperate for customer. Drag the sale process as long as you possible can. Prepare to spend 2 to 3 hours to negotiate. The longer you can negotiate, the more the salesman wants to close the deal. Salesman won't let 3 hours of his/her time to goes to waste just so the customer would walk out. Go late if possible. If dealer close at 9pm, go at 7 or so. Trust me, if salesman want the deal bad enough, they will open late for you. Don't let them rush or push you. There are some of the strategy.

Other people has mentioned. Go to Edmunds.com to find out the price of the vehicle. Never walk in without knowing ballpark figure of the vehicle.

Finally, if possible, do not finance from the dealership or manufacture finance company. They will stack all kind of fees without you even knowing it. Worse of all, they will run a credit check on you and that will hurt your credit rating, pass or fail. That's a fact. If you must finance from the dealership or manufacture finance company, insist dealer to show you the itemize price of the vehicle, tax, plate and possibly service charge before signing anything. Always refer your price with the vehicle total price. Never let them just tell you or negotiate on what's your monthly payment would or should be. That's usually where they hide the extra charge. Borrow from a credit union if you can. They usually doesn't do credit check.

 

[rainydayplay]

That being said, if the people at the dealership are unfriendly to you, find another one. The second one we bought, I left two dealerships on principle before ever attempting a purchase. The salesman at the first one walked right past me to shake hands with my husband and ignored me (the purchaser). At the second, I went alone and a whole slew of salesmen ignored me completely because I had no man along. At the third dealer, the salesman offered help promptly, and negotiated appropriately.

Really, try different dealers. I bought my first car ever by myself less than two years ago. And I second doing your homework and using internet pricing. Also, and others may disagree with me, go where you feel comfortable. I did a test drive and then asked if I could have the car for $x.00. The guy went into the mgrs. office, and I swear THREE guys came out and one actually yelled that there was no way he could let the car go for that price. I knew he could, but at that point the negotations were finished--I walked out. The funny thing is, I had previously emailed the internet dept. of this dealership, and later on I got a reply that they would sell the car to me for LOWER than I had requested. (They obviously did not know it was "me", because I had never given my full name when I was there in person.) It was a good price, but you know what? I gladly paid a hundred dollars more and bought the car at a dealership that treated me with respect. Oh, and I wrote the first dealer a very polite email when they followed up and told them exactly why I went elsewhere.

I agree with these two posters. When I was 17, I rode around with my mother while she looked for a new car. Several of them didn't want to deal with her. When she'd asked about negotiating, they refused. One even started to accuse her of being dishonest because we'd only had the car we were wanting to trade for 3 years.

By the end of the day, she found a car she wanted and people who were willing to work with her without Dad present (which, Dad always makes Mom mad because he just accepts sticker price. Even when I bought the first car I ever had to buy, I got it down from almost $18K to under $15K.)

 

[apnep]

We have been van shopping for quite some time, I've been looking at 2010 town & country and 2010 caravans. Everytime I go to negotiate a price I get dirty looks and am told they aren't going lower than sticker price. I am not offering unreasonable amounts. I don't walk in with sucker on me, or do I? My parents always told me never ever pay sticker price for cars, they have some room to negotiate. When my dad bought my first car I remember my parents got a great deal and it was easy. I guess I want to know what I'm doing wrong.

My advice is if you know exactly what you want, don't even bother going in to the dealers. Negotiate with Internet Sales departments for a quote. If you go to Edmunds.com you can get a quote from up to 5 dealers in your area within minutes and let me tell you, they will compete with each other. Then you can start pitting dealers against each other for the best price.

Good luck,
Ang

 

[dd50]

Not sure if this relates at all to the OP's situation but ...

When I was used car shopping, no one would budge a cent on the sticker price either. Why? Because I was female and shopping all alone. Easy target.

Yes I know what everyone (especially other females here) will say - I need to learn to be aggressive and firm and stand my ground, and not let them treat me that way. Easier said than done. I admit I am not great at that stuff. So yep - I am the only person on the face of the planet to pay sticker price for a used car. It came down to paying full price or walking (yeah- walking to work lol), and I had to get a car somewhere.

I know I needed help (preferably from a male, that's how these car-buying games are played) to get a good deal, but I had absolutely no one to turn to. So I knew it would turn out me paying the maximum. And I was right. Ughhh.

Oh well - love my car though! I run my cars until well over 200,000 miles so I hope to not be car shopping again anytime soon!

I purchased my cars by myself except for one and always got a good deal because I did research first. Way before I had a computer I did go get the books from the library to see what they were paying, etc. My first car I did pay to much for because I didn't know better and was only 23 but after that when you walk out they will call you to discuss it.