Used Car haggling tips?

[theSPOOLER]

Anyone got some advice for a used car buyer? I can get the red book values from the library, and I know what the dealer wants, but any advice on getting something in between when the car is a bit more exclusive. Which isn't to say, it's in high demand, I've seen the same ads for weeks on end, but they don't seem in a hurry to lower it either.

The last used car I bought, the dealer refused to haggle at all. Told me they know what they can get for it, it's one of the cars they continually turn around, and they'll sell it with out me. And after watching that car model for 2 months, they were right, they never lasted more than a few days and when you want to get picky with colour, it's even harder. Needless to say I caved instantly, and I'm fearing the same technique this time around.

[Exas]

Don't buy used cars from a dealership.

[Rifle]

Don't buy used cars from a dealership.

What he said; the majority of used dealerships are nothing but carnies at the fair, looking for a sucker.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

What he said; the majority of used dealerships are nothing but carnies at the fair, looking for a sucker.

Gotta say this actually made me laugh... good analogy.

Buying at a 'Used Dealership' is scary... I heard some really surprising tales.

Buying used at a New Dealership you already know may be a good idea.

Buying privately will save you some money, but as always buyer beware.

[Tha_Doggg]

I bought a used car at a dealership and after haggling it was cheaper than getting it private. They also provided a 1 month warranty whereas if I bought it private it would have been as-is.

[theSPOOLER]

While I appreciate everyone's opinion, the reality is that I am buying a used car, and thus am still looking for some negotiation tactics/advice. Help a fellow RFDer get taken for less!

How should I make my initial offer? Should I pretend I'm not all that interested, even though I making an offer and clearly am? Should I be honest and ask for a better deal? What counter measures are likely to work? Do I just point out flaw after flaw? Or are they going to argue it's already factored in the price. As I'm stated earlier, this isn't a Civic. There's not a lot of choice available. I've been watching for over a month and the dealer doesn't seem interested in lowering the price to encourage a sale. I'll certainly try to get a lower price, but I won't know when he's just playing hard ball, or when he's seriously not going any lower and so this thread continues...

Like a house, is it common with a car to buy it on a conditional inspection? I would need to take it to a mechanic, probably for some length of time, but I'm not really sure how that's accomplished.

[Exas]

While I appreciate everyone's opinion, the reality is that I am buying a used car, and thus am still looking for some negotiation tactics/advice. Help a fellow RFDer get taken for less!

How should I make my initial offer? Should I pretend I'm not all that interested, even though I making an offer and clearly am? Should I be honest and ask for a better deal? What counter measures are likely to work? Do I just point out flaw after flaw? Or are they going to argue it's already factored in the price. As I'm stated earlier, this isn't a Civic. There's not a lot of choice available. I've been watching for over a month and the dealer doesn't seem interested in lowering the price to encourage a sale. I'll certainly try to get a lower price, but I won't know when he's just playing hard ball, or when he's seriously not going any lower and so this thread continues...

Like a house, is it common with a car to buy it on a conditional inspection? I would need to take it to a mechanic, probably for some length of time, but I'm not really sure how that's accomplished.

Bring along a mechanic when you go see the car. It's even better if you have a couple of friends that know stuff about cars come along to inspect the whole thing.

[Pete_Coach]

Be prepared.
Yes, the Red Book value is help but also go to the Auto Trader and have a look at the prices for similar cars. Let the dealer know you have this info and even show it.
Also, have the car checked over by a mechanic you trust, again, let the dealer know you will do this before you decide to take ownership and even ask him if he will pay for all or part of the inspection. That normally puts them on the spot.
Ask for full disclosure of the history of the vehicle, this is available to the seller and they should have it. If they indicate that they bought it at an auction and it is from out of province, well, you have a decision to make. Ask him to pay for a CarFax.
All in all, it is very dependent on how much you want this car. Don't fall in love with it before checking it out or else you will be very disappointed if it does not work out for you.
Be aware and leary of any "freebies" they are willing to throw in to make the sale and most of all, as stated at the beginning just be prepared with info.

[Audiogenic]

Go on a really sh_tty day weather wise towards the end of the month when the professional liar's (salesperson) quota is due and don't show that you like the vehicle too much (short answers to their questions).

[Sylvestre]

based on what you said, here's a tip, don't "want" a certain model/colour. Any salesman who knows you must have a certain car already has you by the balls.

[feet_]

if buying privately.

i always wave the cash if front of their face. show him the money!!
or write a check of what u want to offer.
and then start walking away.

:)

if they dont stop you. up your offer or find another car

[dbx]

do most people just let you take the car to your own mechanic ..with perhaps a deposit put down as some assurance?

[Shaner]

I disagree with quite a few previous comments.

I have been successful in negotiating a reduced price for a used car and my current car, which I bought new.

I showed serious interest in the cars. If you don't show interest, the dealer may not take you seriously (especially if you are young) and may not even take the time out to negotiate. If the dealer thinks there's a good chance you'll take the car off his hands at that moment, he will be willing to negotiate.

Here's what I did...

Went in, showed a lot of interest in a specific car. Told the dealer that's what I was looking for and was interested in taking the car off his hands that day, but I was a little concerned about the price. For my new car, I mentioned how I could get the same car for thousands less by buying one that's only a few months old with very little KM's on it. That's a reality that dealers can't deny. For my used car, I mentioned how I had seen similar cars going for slightly cheaper, but they weren't the colour I wanted. Colour has no effect on price, so letting the dealer know you prefer a specific colour is not a bad thing.

Once you let the dealer know you are concerned with the price, they'll probably ignore you at first. they'll continue talking about the car, which is fine, let them. I suggest taking it for a drive, checking it out closely, asking as much questions about it as possible, asking about their financing (even if you aren't going to go with their financing options), etc. Once you decide you want the car, get a price in your head that you're willing to pay. The dealer will bring you in and start doing some paperwork which will probably just confuse you. Just ignore him, that's his process that he's going to do regardless of your price, let him do his thing.

Once you get through the formalities, you'll eventually get to the price. He will just write it down on paper, mention it quickly if at all, and then move on to the next part. Stop him at the total price (before taxes) before he moves on. Mention that you are pre-approved for financing (maybe five thousand less than the total before taxes) and state you'll be paying the difference in cash, if you decide to go through with it. Mention that you came in expecting to pay x number in cash and the rest in financing and that's all you can afford. The dealer will probably shrug you off and mention how it's a good deal, his profit is low, etc. Keep on him. Mention how much you like the car, that the financing is all set up, but you can't really afford to pay too much in cash because of other things going on in your life (make some stuff up). Before he can get going again (interrupt him if need by just as he is about to speak) pipe up that maybe you can do another $500, but it's going to really make things tight for you.

At this point, if the dealer is still profiting and if your offer is reasonable, he'll probably accept. On the other hand, some dealers will see you as being weak because you gave in on the price slightly and they'll push you for more. The problem you have is you don't know whether that's the cash or whether the dealer is in fact not profiting on the car and will not sell the car for that price, no matter what. It's a judgement call. If you're willing to do another $500, consider it. If you think your price is reasonable and you won't go any higher, tell the dealer it would financially irresponsible for you to go a penny higher and walk away. Leave him with your contact information and tell him that if he changes his mind, to give you a call and you'll buy the car. If he doesn't call you it's because he wasn't profiting on your offer.

Another thing you can do is negotiate for maintenance. For my used car, I negotiated 2 years of free oil changes. I gave in on $500 and the dealer gave me free oil changes for 2 years. The only agreement was that it had to be a minimum of 4,000 km's between each oil change and if I wanted synthetic, I had to pay extra. This worked out great for me because of how much I drove.

Anyway, those are the things I did and it worked great for me.

Good luck.

[DragonZealot]

Finally some valueable input to this thread. :arrowu: Good stuff Shaner.

One trick I used and worked is in the original offer put in some cheap dealer installable option or accessories like floor mats. When you feel your bottom line is rejected ask the sales to take that option off cause you are unable to offer more money. This is a signal to the dealer not to waste time to ask for more money from you.

Also go there alone to haggle and bring something to read or a movie to watch. :razz: