Would you go for it? Updated

[paysensmom]

We found a van we like. Dealer gave us a decent quote. The van has a luxury group we aren't interested in that is $1795!!!

He told me "if I could make it worth your while would you consider it?"

That makes me think he can go lower on the van. My dads advice is to not haggle on it and give them what they ask for but also demand they give me what I ask for on my trade in. How would you go forward? We live 3.5 hours away and they won't see the van until we drive there to get the new van.

 

[Dsnyfireman]

I have NEVER paid asking price for a car new or used! And I get top dollar for my trades too! I am a car salesman's worst nightmare . I would tell them to give you their best price before you drive to the dealer, once you are there they think they have you. If they want to sell it bad enough they will give a fair offer on your trade and the new van before you go. Get an email from them and print it off so they can't go back on what they said as easily. They have more room to move than you might think, I worked for a dealer for 8 years and I saw how much room some have! Good luck !

 

[Pigeon]

I would make the trade in a completely different negotiation.

First, I'd get a bunch of internet quotes for exactly the van I wanted, without the extra junk you don't need.

Then I'd go back with the lowest and give him a chance to make you buy his van.

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I, personally, would never buy a vehicle this way. You have zero information. You can't assess if he's giving you a good deal or not, and in all likelihood, he isn't. Knocking money "off sticker" is the first sign you're not getting the best deal - always work up from their cost, not down from MSRP sticker. Further, I would never make trading in part of the transaction, because you will *never* get full value for it. Its like giving money away. Sell that vehicle yourself if at all possible.

Go visit Edmunds.com, perhaps a local credit union, or the Consumer Reports car pricing service and get that model's invoice price with what *you* want, and also with the options on this model from the dealer. Do some research on calculating an estimate (you really can't get it exact) on that car's actual cost to the dealer, factor in a reasonable profit, then make HIM an offer. If he doesn't take it, walk away.

A salesman coming to you saying "Can I get you interested in this car today" is begging you to gamble on a game where he's holding all the cards. I can't encourage you strongly enough not to do so without doing your research first; otherwise, you're doing what 99% of the car dealerships out there rely on- uninformed consumers walking in off the street, underinformed, really "liking" a particular vehicle, and persuading them to pay waaay too much for it.

Please check out the resources I noted above, do your research, and save yourself some serious $$.

Good luck!

 

[paysensmom]

I have been on Edmonds and trucar and the price he gave us beats the price that those sites say I should aim for

 

[OklahomaTourist]

I have been on Edmonds and trucar and the price he gave us beats the price that those sites say I should aim for

Are you certain you have all the options matched up correctly?

Current model year?

Demo?

Not doubting you, but there's this old saying that if something sounds to good to be true......just don't have a lot of faith in a dealership just handing you an offer that's truly "that good" without there being a catch. Have you already told them you plan to trade? If so, that could be where the lowball will come in.

As I said, maybe its really a great deal, but color me skeptical. Be very careful.

 

[paysensmom]

Edmonds invoice is $43,229 the dealers invoice is $44,330

He offered us $37,997 plus tt&l and $200 processing fee and $995 destination fee. So really $39,192

I am guessing that includes $2000 rebate Chrysler has out.

With new 2014s coming soon. Should I try to get lower? If so then what price?

 

[paysensmom]

Bump for the night crowd

 

[OklahomaTourist]

Edmonds invoice is $43,229 the dealers invoice is $44,330

He offered us $37,997 plus tt&l and $200 processing fee and $995 destination fee. So really $39,192

I am guessing that includes $2000 rebate Chrysler has out.

With new 2014s coming soon. Should I try to get lower? If so then what price?

The "processing fee" is negotiable (just a bogus term for "extra profit"), but in most cases the destination fee is not.

The Limited variety has a $2,500 rebate available, and given that $$$ ballpark I'm going to guess that's what you're pricing. My guess is he plans to make up the difference on a trade if you've already told him you plan to do so. If you haven't, and his offer represents essentially a literal "take" price, its probably worth exploring more aggressively. Still strongly encourage you to sell the existing vehicle separately to maximize value. The question is whether that offer from the dealer would be valid if you walked in the dealership and handed him a check for exactly that amount. I'm a little skeptical, because you haven't even been handed to the closer yet.

I don't have hard numbers on the T&C handy, so can't give you a more detailed analysis than that, but just beware of how "valid" a lowball offer is when you get in the dealership... beware if he starts trying to "foursquare" you, or tell you that vehicle "sold just last night," or things of that nature, especially if he knows your 3+ hours away.

Good luck, hope it all works out for you!

 

[amcnj]

Sites like edmunds will show any incentives, such as rebates, for the model and year you are interested in. I would make sure all are being applied. I dealt with online quotes before and I asked if the price included all rebates and they responded by basically asking me which rebates I was aware of!

 

[eyor44]

If you are conversing through email and state that you are coming to get the vehicle and he acknowledges this, then he can't use the "we just sold it line". Well, he can, but it is not ethical. My brother buys online through the dealer for every vehicle and swears by it. The difference is, you are not taking a salesman's time in the showroom. They can be working with other customers while working with you online.

Take all emails as proof of the offer you accepted.

 

[paysensmom]

Where does it say there is a $2500 rebate for the limited? And yes, that is exactly what we are looking at

 

[tarheel618]

If it is a Chrysler/ Dodge van. PLEASE PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH on its reliability.

We had a Dodge caravan it was horrible and in the shop more than on the road.

Here is an old thread about Chrysler products http://wwww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=731450

I only say this to hopefully save you heartache.

 

[the5marions]

Any vehicle can have problems and have some people who like it and some who dislike it. We have a 2008 Caravan and LOVE it. There have been some problems but Dodge has taken care of them with recalls, etc. (Town and Country is a sister model of the Caravan). The thread the PP refers to is from 2005. Chrysler completely redid the caravans and T&C in 2008. Biggest complaint with older models seems to be transmission problems, but the newer 6-speed transmissions they started using in 2008 seem to be very reliable. If you like the van and think you are getting a good deal I would go for it!

 

[OklahomaTourist]

Where does it say there is a $2500 rebate for the limited? And yes, that is exactly what we are looking at

The incentive information I saw indicated that there are two distinct promotions available - one $2000 incentive and one separate $500 incentive. I will find the link and post it for you.

I would also be very cautious of any Chrylser product. Although I have not researched the T&C or its twins recently, I do remember when we did research on minivans in general the Chrysler products were universally among the worst performers in terms of overall reliability. Perhaps that has changed in the last few years, but it would take considerable "convincing" for me to trust a Chrysler product. No offense to current satisfied Chrysler owners, but just offering the caveat.

 

[paysensmom]

Any luck finding that link?