I've never bought a car at a dealership. Whats the best/most normal way to talk them down? Cash in hand? Hard nosed attitude? As soon as I get rid of mine I'm looking to pick one up.

 

Like in all businesses, there are good ones and bad ones. Talk to them first, feel them out. If they seem like good people, hold off on the attitude ... you may get a better deal and have much nicer buying experience by acting cool.

If I get bad vibes from them, I usually walk, but if they have a car I really want, I duke it out with them. But remember that when we lock horns with them, they almost always win because they're pros--they sell cars day in and day out, whereas we haggle a car purchase only once every few years.

Cash in hand is always good leverage in negotiations (I'm not talking greenbacks--just bring your checkbook).

In any event, do research first, know what you're buying, and what they're worth. If you're sure you're getting a good deal on what you really want, grab it; otherwise, time is on your side, so don't let them rush you.

 

:iagree:

If it doesn't feel right then just walk.

 

I love haggling .. I can tie car salesmen in knots :lol: :lol:
I actually bought a used car from a dealer once and paid less than they did for it. It took me about 3 hours to do it, but it was fun and worth it :jester
Are you looking at a new or used car?

 

I don't think cash will get you the best deal. They make their money from deals with financing companies so i think they give you a better bottom line price when you tell them you are financing. When you sit down with the finance person write them a check for the full amount :yesnod:

 

Go on the internet and find the invoice price on the car you are looking at.
You should be able to buy it at or below invoice.If they won't sell it to you
for that price go somewhere else.
bhamvett
95 Z07

 

Not a dumb question at all. Some people are gifted at the give and take of haggling. I'm not, so my best results have always been obtained by getting up and telling them their deal simply isn't good enough, and I'll keep looking. You MUST be prepared to do this, even if the car seems perfect. The one thing they don't want to see is a sale walking out the door. Be firm, be polite, and just keep returning to the $ figure your research tells you is right, and which fits your wallet. If it gets close, you may be able to get them to throw in extended warranty for next to nothing, but I would in general stay away from anything that clouds the actual bottom line sale price. Always keep in mind that there is no shortage of Vettes in any year. Sooner or later the right one will present itself...be patient and remain flexible, don't convince yourself you MUST have a particular car. Dealers are pros, they can sense this, and you are then at their mercy. Try to stay "in the driver's seat" at all times. Good luck!

 

well it helps to buy in the winter because they are selling less.

Last summer I offered a vette dealer a blue book trade for a 96 vette,
trading in a 95 mustang. If he got the vette for book tradin value,
I figured he would be making $2k on the deal.

He wanted book + another $4k !!! I got him down to book + 2k. He wouldn't go lower and I walked. He sold the vette about 2 months later.

Your best bet is to sell what you have private party and buy private party; but its hard when that vette fever has you buy the short ones...

 

cash is king. tell how much you will pay for it and show them the money. they will say yes or no. they will probably counter. if they dont take your deal leave them your phone number and go. they will call you back to counter again. if they know you are a buyer they will work with you. 75% of the people that walk on there lot are not buyers.

 

Thanks, I will try to remember all of this. As soon as my 89 sells the search begins!

 

Research, do all the work upfront. Know what you want, what the dealer paid, what you are willing to pay for it. Be ready to walk away. sometimes very hard to do when you "love" the car. Look at the vehicle and make your offer. Accepted, you just bought a car, rejected you go elsewhere. Very simple. I love buying cars. I once went to a dealership and the dealer had a sign on his desk that guaranteed no haggle pricing. What you see on the invoice is what you paid. I asked if the sign was true, because if it was I was leaving. He politely laid the sign down and I got the car for $1200 less than the "no haggle price". Its also nice to tell them you don't want to be low balled. A term salesmen know very well. Just saying it will catch them off guard and give the impression you've done this before. Again, the cars value is not whats on the car, but what you are willing to pay for it. Keep in mind they have to make a living as well, it just doesn't ALL have to come from this one deal :cheers: Its very easy to find out exactly what a dealer paid for a new vehicle. The figure they give you is rarely the true figure. Edmunds .com is an excellent site for looking at ball bark figures, It will list a cars value were you to buy it from a dealer, trade it in, buy it from a private party, or or just sell it outright. Buying a used car from a dealer can add several hundred dollars compaired to shopping from a private seller. A few hours of research can save hundreds and its fun.
:yesnod: good luck