There are all kinds of rumors regarding buying a car:
1) Buy at the end of the month because they are trying to make their quotas.
2) Negotiate up from invoice instead of down from sticker.
3) Don't buy an American car made on a Tuesday (because of MNF) or on a Friday.
4) Negotiate the sales price as far down as possible and then switch to the equivalent lease rate.

What are your strategies when you're about to buy a new car? Please don't mention specific dealers here; share your ideas.

 

Well, after buying so many cars, I have found that your best leverage is to NOT show that you are in a hurry to buy a car. Do not hint, but EMPHASIZE that you are shopping around and the best priced car will earn a place in your garage. Negotiating up from invoice is a good start. And do say you have good quotes from other dealers.

 

From my approach, don't even visit the dealers. Start the interest by emailing them (the sales or internet manager only), and then do all negotiations over the phone. I made them know I was in a hurry (makes them work more frantically and not waste your time) and wanted the exact car with exact specs at the given offer. If they didn't take it, I went to the next dealer. Once you get an good offer, don't stop there, use it against the next dealer, until you get to the price you want. Always work from invoice (calculate all the fees into it too, so you don't seem like a jackass) Supposedly those managers work a number's game, and want to end the month with a high quantity of sales.

 

my only advice is to use what ever method your comfortable with, but if you already know what you want, you dont need a salesman, they are totaly usless to you.

speak directly to the sales manager that way there is no salesman commission on the line and you can "get to the point" faster because they will see that you are there to buy not be "sold"

other quotes from dealers are a must, and make sure you mention them and the fact that your not going to stop looking for the best price even if you have to have the car shipped in. (well the shipping part maybe specific to us alaskans :P)

once you finaly nail them down on something let them know that you are going to take that quote and continue shopping around (their last chance to lower it!)

Use inside connections, they'll do wonders for you.

and goodluck :P

 

This is a good resource...
http://edmunds.nytimes.com/advice/bu...6/page001.html

 

The email route is a great method. I had a friend who negotiated with five dealers within 600 miles of his location, and never had to leave his computer chair. He was able to work several dealers down in price for his new WRX, and finally got a nearly fully loaded sedan for $23,200. Which was lower than any other dealer was willing to go for a car with those options.

When you go to the dealer, don't fall for the old "We'll only give you this deal if you buy today," crap.

Also, if you can, do some research for the dealer you're considering buying from. My brother was a car salesman for one of most dishonest dealers in the country. The salesman would get *****ed out on a daily basis by the sales manager, and told "there's no reason any ****** f_cker who enters our lot should be leaving without a new car!" He then told them, "If I overhear you telling the customer the truth, I'll fire you on the spot!"

Buyer beware........

 

Yet another reason why I'm not a car salesman...

 

not all dealerships are run like that though.

you gota realize theres the good guys and the bad guys

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying...ng.buying..4.*

best article I have ever read!

I had to deal with 3 stupid sales people before I got fed and went to the sales manager. We had to have my car shipped from ontario but he was the only person who was able to find the exact car I wanted. Ididn't have to settle and I got what I felt to be a good price.

 

1) Yes!
2) Maybe. Figure out dealer's dead cost (which is usually lower than invoice because of factory holdbacks and hidden factory to dealer incentives) and then add a reasonable profit. Many times this number is lower than invoice. See http://www.carbuyingtips.com and http://www.fightingchance.com for details. I'm not affiliated with either of these sites but am a very satisfied 'customer.' Using the FightingChance method, I scored me Evo for $750 over invoice in April when everyone else was fighting for MSRP or more.
3) No idea about this one.
4) If you're interested in a lease, then you should definitely negotiate the lowest possible price. Be prepared.

Read this thread for some good specific ideas and what worked for me: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...5&pagenumber=1

 

Well, most of the comments are completely incorrect. The end of the month quote is the only reason why you may get a better deal. Unfortunately you will never be able to find out if they have a real quote to meet, or if they have already met it. Last month we stayed untill 11PM on the last day of the month...I have no idea why?

The bottom line...
1) Go to the store and talk to the salesperson, get informed about the product, pick up a manual, take a testdrive (A good salesperson will PUT you in the car and close the doors), see the service department (A good saleperson will show you without asking)
2) Evaluate the dealership...and maybe its someone you want to do business with...
3) You can get THE SAME DEAL 90% of the time...So find a dealership you like, with service you like!
4) If you want to buy a Ford F150 at invoice...not a problem. If you want a Honda dealer to even show you what invoice is...problem. (Honda of america sued dealers for advertising with the word invoice..many other comapnies have the same policy)You can get a good deal and get good service on any make or model. BUT BE FAIR! And don't insult salespeople with low-lowball offers and comments about salespeople.
5) Find out what you want to offer (Reasonable with a substantial reason for this offer...5k less than invoice - your just wasting time...and not getting a better deal)...Write it down...do a credit app. And see if they'll accept your offer or counter-offer(with a reason)
6) If you feel your offer is reasonable and the dealership service is not worth the extra money...LEAVE. They will either take your offer...or you'll go someplace else!

 

People like to do things in various ways, so I can only post what works for me.

I always try to negotiate by e-mail first.

I always talk to the fleet manager or general manager, don't bother with salespeople.

If the GM or fleet manager sends a salesperson to deal with you tell him straight out "if you want to sell your car, let me deal with the fleet manager or general manager", don't take no as an excuse, just walk away.

Dealer's will play off your emotions to try to sell you a car... walking away is always the best tactic, they will ALWAYS call you back.

 

You will get the same deal if you talk to the salesperson or the manager...it makes no difference. The manager makes the decisions in both cases... If you goto a dealership that is busy...the manager just doesen't have time to directly deal with every customer.

 

While that may be true, I would like to skip the first hour or two of BS that the salesmen is trying to feed me and the crap numbers he brings back from the sales manager the first 3 tries.

 

Also try to buy (deal) on the Evo that's been on the lot the shortest time. Flooring charges are added in based on the number of days on the lot. When they pull it up on the Computer, flooring will be figured in. Less time on the lot, less flooring fees. You should be able to get an Evo under $29K. Start with MSRP. If they say no way, walk away. They will likely chase you down.

 

This is precisely why a buyer should buy using a faxed offer to multiple dealerships. With this method, you will ALWAYS find the dealers who are desperate to make one more deal at the end of the month.

About 50% of the dealers will call you back and either accept, reject, or try to negotiate the offer. If they negotiate, get their best offer in 2 minutes and wait for other calls. Tell them that the moment a dealer accepts your offer, you're done, so now's the chance to close a deal with you. If they accept, you drive to that dealer and complete the paperwork in 30 minutes. If you're pre-approved through e-loan or peoplefirst, you can give the dealer's F&I Manager a chance to beat your financing. If he can't, you're done. In and out in an hour.

As always, I suggest you make your offer first to the SALESMAN who offered the test drive. DO NOT offer MSRP. You can close significantly lower than that, and several here have proven it by doing it (myself included).

After the purchase, you can tour the service depts of the convenient dealers and have the car serviced wherever you choose. I suggest you work with a service dept who has a rep for friendliness, customer service, and is not hostile toward reasonable aftermarket parts. Service is a huge profit center for dealers, so they will be more than happy to give you a tour.



John G