Used Car Buying/Negotiating?

[luvmarypoppins]

Well its time to get ds18 a used car for college commuting.

I have done my internet research. Looked at about 4 dealers. Only 1 dealer has something in the price range we are willing to budget and spend. Their internet specials are way below what the other dealers offer.

There are 3 cars we would be interested in.

I think its a buyers market, but with their inventory and prices its more of the sellers market side for them. I dont know what their add on/prep fees are. That is the hard part, I dont know how to negotiate. Any tips?

I did look at the budget board and people say internet pricing is pretty much inflexible since its already low already etc.

I want to get a good deal but I know last time we got a car for other ds the internet price was inflexible too. Dh did get the dealer to do a few minor repairs first etc.

Any advice?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Shop private party instead of dealers. Look on Auto Trader.

 

[Pigeon]

Make it clear that you want to know the "out the door" price. We had an experience with internet pricing that wasn't competitive because the dealer had all sorts of nonsensical processing and paperwork fees that brought his lower internet price way up over the competitors.

 

[stevenpensacola]

www.carbuyingtips.com

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm


incredible website...lots of USEFUL information, and I mean Lots!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Shop private party instead of dealers. Look on Auto Trader.

I agree. You'll always feel taken advantage of at a dealership when it comes to a used car.

But, if you go that route...

Make it clear that you want to know the "out the door" price.

Yes, yes, yes. EVERY SINGLE THING that you will have to pay for should be included in the "out the door price". Do NOT budge, but know what the car is worth. If the car is listed with a Blue Book value of $4500, and the dealership wants $5500, factor in taxes, title, plates, etc., (they WILL NOT include that in their "$5500"), and tell them you won't pay a cent more than $5000 (or whatever) "out the door". They'll go back to their "manager" a million times, and that's okay. Let them keep going. Eventually they will come back with your price, if it's reasonable and accurate.

Good luck!

 

[stevenpensacola]

Last car we bought, I did all the negotiating via-email. Made sure they were aware that I was shopping several dealers.

As far as bottom line-out the door pricing...I asked them to verify that several times...all we basically had to do was show up and sign the papers.

Negotiating via email really puts the power back in your hands...makes it much harder to play games with you...especially if they know up front that you've done your homework.

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/used.htm

Check out the above site...incredible amount of information about how to buy a car, including tricks and scams to watch for.

 

[Mandychelle79]

Dont buy it the same day you look at it.

When I bought my car, I knew what I was willing to spend, and offered 2 grand under that. That immediately got me to the manager who didnt have to run back and forth to "get" approval. Told them what they were offering for my trade in was not high enough. Ending up getting what I wanted. Rid of my trade in with nothing to roll over to the new loan. Paid what they wanted for the car, which was slightly below Blue Book Value, but gave me more then BBB for my car to pay it off.

 

[Mandychelle79]

oh and if you use a credit union/bank. try to do the loan there instead of the car dealer. That way you can avoid the how much per month things and say this is what I have to spend

 

[dakcp2001]

You always do better on a private sale, but you have to do your research. And you MUST do a carfax on any used car you intend to buy, even if it is from a dealership. That is where I found the worst carfax reports, the dealer used inventory. Look up the Kelly Blue Book,the NADA value, run a carfax, and then you will know what is fair to pay.

 

[Kimberly]

Aside from going to a private party, I would also shop with a private bank for a loan if needed. This will give you a MUST need for an out the door price, that is, unless they can beat the rate which the bank promised you. Typically cash in hand will give you more negotiating power than a dealer asking you, "What do you want your monthly payment to be?"