Making a fair offer.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
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From: Philadelphia pa
Making a fair offer.
Is it safe to say that in the case of most dealers there's a $1,500/$2000 space in which to work off the asking price for a car. I realize every case is different but I've seem price all over the place. Some too high some seeming to be "TO GOOD TO BE TRUE"
I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to have an idea what is a fair offer on a car so that I can get the best deal I can.
I'm looking for a 99 c-5 in a few months and I've seem them in the high 20's down to 18.
I guess what I'm saying is I'd like to have an idea what is a fair offer on a car so that I can get the best deal I can.
I'm looking for a 99 c-5 in a few months and I've seem them in the high 20's down to 18.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,754
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From: Redwood City Ca
From what I'm seeing, '99 C5's are generally in the very low 20,000's. Factors that affect the price would be mileage, general look of the car, mods, upkeep, and your "gut" feeling about the car. Personally, I would much rather stay away from a dealer, and deal with a private party. Good luck in your search.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
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From: Philadelphia pa
Yeah I know.... I was hoping to get away with a nice one next Feb around 18 because I hear how the price is going to drop after the summer... plus with all the C-6's that will be out there as well.
But I know that dealers try and get every dime they can mark up on Vettes..(had 2 already) I just wanted to not get ripped off.
But I know that dealers try and get every dime they can mark up on Vettes..(had 2 already) I just wanted to not get ripped off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I was told by a friend, who also owns a dealership, that they can usually flex 8% to 10% on most cars. On a 99 C5 the mileage certainly can cause the spread you mention. For example one with 134k miles could be found as low as $18k. While the same Vette with 15k miles could possibly bring in $27K.Keep in mind that you're seeing asking prices. That certainly don't mean they're getting these prices.
Hope this helps,
Richard
Hope this helps,
Richard
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
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From: Philadelphia pa
Right thats what I assumed.... I think as of right now a 99 with around 50k in what seems to be in good shape (or as much as you can tell on auto trader is somewhere in the 21/22 range.
But someone told me that come Feb and March the same cars will be 19 or so. I assume I should wait till then.
But someone told me that come Feb and March the same cars will be 19 or so. I assume I should wait till then.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 1
From: Torrance Ca.
IMO a fair price for used cars is the mid-point between blue book wholesale and retail prices. When I buy a new car I usually sell my old car privately, and that's the price I ask for it, firm.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
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From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Bought mine from a dealer when it was 3 years old and paid $8,500 less than their initial asking price. I had done a search in KellyBlueBook.com and they were $6,000 higher than that. After haggling for 2 days, I drove it away at $2,500 less than the blue book average. I helped my cause by giving the Used Car Manager a couple of rounds for his foursome at a golf course I was managing at the time. Do your homework, and absolutely get a Carfax report as well. Good luck. 
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
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From: Philadelphia pa
I think you're both right.... and the last guy got a hell of a deal.
I think I'm going to jut set a price inmy head and stick with it till I find someone that likes the offer even if I have to offer it to a number of different people. I was going to just look for a 97 but after reading the forum for a week or so it seems like if you're going to go back that far it's better to go with a 99 at least.
I think I'm going to jut set a price inmy head and stick with it till I find someone that likes the offer even if I have to offer it to a number of different people. I was going to just look for a 97 but after reading the forum for a week or so it seems like if you're going to go back that far it's better to go with a 99 at least.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,401
Likes: 162
From: queensbury ny
Prices
was told by a friend, who also owns a dealership, that they can usually flex 8% to 10% on most cars. On a 99 C5 the mileage certainly can cause the spread you mention. For example one with 134k miles could be found as low as $18k. While the same Vette with 15k miles could possibly bring in $27K.Keep in mind that you're seeing asking prices. That certainly don't mean they're getting these prices.
IF anyone pay's anwhere close to 18k for a 99 134k vette,or 27 grand for a lower mileage one,i have a bridge to sell! dealers usually have 3 grand to play with on regular cars.vette's,more like 4-6.example:01,12k miles trade in 28-29 grand.retail 33-34 grand.vette's command big money in the buissness eyes of any dealer,anywhere.look up kbb trade in,with all correct info,and retail there also,and you'll see the difference,or spread,if you will.in the real world,a 99 w/134 will go thru the auction on the cheap.
IF anyone pay's anwhere close to 18k for a 99 134k vette,or 27 grand for a lower mileage one,i have a bridge to sell! dealers usually have 3 grand to play with on regular cars.vette's,more like 4-6.example:01,12k miles trade in 28-29 grand.retail 33-34 grand.vette's command big money in the buissness eyes of any dealer,anywhere.look up kbb trade in,with all correct info,and retail there also,and you'll see the difference,or spread,if you will.in the real world,a 99 w/134 will go thru the auction on the cheap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,151
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Originally Posted by KeyoRacing
Right thats what I assumed.... I think as of right now a 99 with around 50k in what seems to be in good shape (or as much as you can tell on auto trader is somewhere in the 21/22 range.
But someone told me that come Feb and March the same cars will be 19 or so. I assume I should wait till then.
But someone told me that come Feb and March the same cars will be 19 or so. I assume I should wait till then.
March may be a tad too late for the bottom pricing. I noticed this year when I was shopping for my C5 that prices began to creep up at the end of February. It may depend on what area of the country (weather wise) you are looking though. I believe C5 prices hit rock bottom in about November - December last year. Of course that may have had something to do with the introduction of the C6.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
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From: Philadelphia pa
thanks...jessem and Crawfish.
I don't want to seem like I'm putting the cart in front of the house...I have some months to go yet but when I sold my 84 back 7 years ago I just walked away from the whole Corvette thing and kind of lost touch with what was going on ...But as I was told the other day by a young lady..."There are 2 things men never out grow...Harley's and Corvettes" and I'm not much on bikes so I'm working my way back just trying to get info....
Thanks every bit helps!
I don't want to seem like I'm putting the cart in front of the house...I have some months to go yet but when I sold my 84 back 7 years ago I just walked away from the whole Corvette thing and kind of lost touch with what was going on ...But as I was told the other day by a young lady..."There are 2 things men never out grow...Harley's and Corvettes" and I'm not much on bikes so I'm working my way back just trying to get info....
Thanks every bit helps!
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My thoughts are that for a '99, a price in the low to mid-20's would be appropriate, depending on whether it is a coupe or vert and the mileage/condition. Good luck finding a good one. Dealers usually have some room to negotiate on the asking price.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,941
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From: Central CA
just remember, dealers ALWAYS over price their cars..
heres why:
1.) If some schmuck, or some rich dude comes up, and pays sticker, they are sitting pretty... really pretty, cuz they just raped some poor unsuspecting bastard
2.) If a smart, well informed person, comes up to them, they can knock the price down a little, (still well above what they paid for it) and then they seem like the good guy and they still walk away pretty,
The problem is that dealers do this because there is ALWAYS that one idiot that just pays sticker, so the rest of us suffer by having to haggle and bargain and the sort... cuz of those few idiots!!
heres why:
1.) If some schmuck, or some rich dude comes up, and pays sticker, they are sitting pretty... really pretty, cuz they just raped some poor unsuspecting bastard
2.) If a smart, well informed person, comes up to them, they can knock the price down a little, (still well above what they paid for it) and then they seem like the good guy and they still walk away pretty,
The problem is that dealers do this because there is ALWAYS that one idiot that just pays sticker, so the rest of us suffer by having to haggle and bargain and the sort... cuz of those few idiots!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 956
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From: Philadelphia pa
It's funny that you said that ... I was looking in the paper here in Phila. last night and there's a 99 Vert in there with 45k and the dealers is asking
$28,500 for it. A buddy went up just to look and said the car is NOTHING special at all. Of course the salesmen told him how hard they are to find and that they paid over 25k for the car blah blah blah and that there was a guy on his way down from NY to look at it BUT......"Hey business is Business...if you want the car you're here now buddy lets deal" lol
$28,500 for it. A buddy went up just to look and said the car is NOTHING special at all. Of course the salesmen told him how hard they are to find and that they paid over 25k for the car blah blah blah and that there was a guy on his way down from NY to look at it BUT......"Hey business is Business...if you want the car you're here now buddy lets deal" lol
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
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Yeah I heard the same nonsense from a dealer with a 01 vert.
Soooo wanted this car too but he wouldnt budge not a bad price for it, actually listed at $29,900 with 28k miles on it.
He gave me the same song n dance, "oh you better act quick we cant keep these in stock, soon as they hit our lot they are gone"
"there's also 2 other people interested in it, but I want to sell it to you man" ya ok....
Anyway this was back about 2 months ago, car still sitting there as we speak.
Sales puke called me up to long ago, "hey man you still interested" said oh hell ya in my 02 coupe I bought....haha
See what happens when sales pukes play games & wont budge on the price a lil they lose out all together ...
So I ask myself was it worth the extra few hundred I wanted off to lose a sale all together ????
Ok off my soap box...hahaha
btw there was a few minor scratches n a "lil" stress crack up near the passenger front head-light frame.
thats why I was trying to get him down a few more $$$$
Soooo wanted this car too but he wouldnt budge not a bad price for it, actually listed at $29,900 with 28k miles on it.
He gave me the same song n dance, "oh you better act quick we cant keep these in stock, soon as they hit our lot they are gone"
"there's also 2 other people interested in it, but I want to sell it to you man" ya ok....
Anyway this was back about 2 months ago, car still sitting there as we speak.
Sales puke called me up to long ago, "hey man you still interested" said oh hell ya in my 02 coupe I bought....haha
See what happens when sales pukes play games & wont budge on the price a lil they lose out all together ...
So I ask myself was it worth the extra few hundred I wanted off to lose a sale all together ????
Ok off my soap box...hahaha
btw there was a few minor scratches n a "lil" stress crack up near the passenger front head-light frame.
thats why I was trying to get him down a few more $$$$
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: The Surgeon General has warned that it's ok to smoke mustangs!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
The only thing you should be concerned with is Principle & interest! Beyond that, when negotiating, offer the dealer cost + 1%. Should make both parties happy.
Of course, this if for new vettes not used ones. For used ones, just go *****-to-the-walls and haggle the hell out of him! You've got all the time in the world and several lots to choose from; they dont have any time and only one lot!
Good luck
Of course, this if for new vettes not used ones. For used ones, just go *****-to-the-walls and haggle the hell out of him! You've got all the time in the world and several lots to choose from; they dont have any time and only one lot!
Good luck
Last edited by 4RE Killer; Jun 9, 2005 at 04:47 PM.
