Negotiating a New Car Price -- Your Stories.

[epdaws]

Tomorrow I'm buying a new car. I want to hear how successfully you negotiated your new car price.

I'm getting a Toyota Matrix (for a variety of reasons, though it's not my dream auto by any means).

Two dealerships want my business. I met with them both today. I'm curious to know:

1) How close to cost can I get the dealership to go?

2) How much value do you put in a stronger warranty?

3) How did you get the best price?

Thanks in advance.

[NajdorfDefense]

Went to 4 dealerships, told them the exact car and modifications I wanted, told them I'd buy from lowest price period, that week, [1.9% was offered by all for financing], told them all what other 3 had offered, first guy gave me best price, closed deal. You have to get them to bid.

[Ray Zee]

costco has a new car program. 500 over invoice no hassels. dont pay more. make sure you see the original factory invoice to the dealer for that particular car. personally i wouldnt pay over that for any car. as the dealer also gets a rebate up to 3% quarterly called holdback from the manufacturer.
this applies to a current new car. not a leftover 2007 model that will be lose an extra years depreciation as soon as you sign the paper

its a great car. just a corrolla with a staion wagon back.

[z28dreams]

A little off track, but I'm having a hell of a time finding private party cars for a reasonable price.

Even in negotiating, almost everyone is asking near-dealer prices for their vehicles.

It doesn't help that Kelly Blue Book, Edmunds, and Nada are all WAY different from each other - we're talking factors of 30%.

Right now I'm looking to pickup a cheapo 2002 maxima - edmunds says this should be around $9000 (halfway between clean and average). People are asking 14k ... ?!? and wont' budge below 12k.

[Maulik]

z28,

The prices are a function of national resale value, certain markets demand higher prices. I realised when shopping for motorcycles in the MD/VA area.

[Cubswin]

3) How did you get the best price?

answer

[RR]

Consumer Reports sells a product that gives you all the cost information. Basically you need to find how how much they make if they sell "at invoice" and try to cut into that.

[rjoefish]

If a dealership shows you the invoice and says they'll sell it to you at that, or you can talk them to it, take it. Trying to get it under invoice because you know they may make some money somewhere on it is pretty fruitless. My boss sent a girl packing the other night because she was trying to buy a car from us doing that [censored].

[RR]

[ QUOTE ]
If a dealership shows you the invoice and says they'll sell it to you at that, or you can talk them to it, take it. Trying to get it under invoice because you know they may make some money somewhere on it is pretty fruitless. My boss sent a girl packing the other night because she was trying to buy a car from us doing that [censored].

[/ QUOTE ]

There is always another dealer. The last car I bought was a couple hundred under invoice, the dealer still made $450. That seems like enough profit; I mean if they don't want to make $400 I am sure there is a dealer somewhere that would like the $400.

[One Outer]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If a dealership shows you the invoice and says they'll sell it to you at that, or you can talk them to it, take it. Trying to get it under invoice because you know they may make some money somewhere on it is pretty fruitless. My boss sent a girl packing the other night because she was trying to buy a car from us doing that [censored].

[/ QUOTE ]

There is always another dealer. The last car I bought was a couple hundred under invoice, the dealer still made $450. That seems like enough profit; I mean if they don't want to make $400 I am sure there is a dealer somewhere that would like the $400.

[/ QUOTE ]

They didn't actually make $400. That's more like a factory rebate to the dealer to cover overhead. Generally, if a dealer is digging into holdback it is a net loser deal. They just wanted to get rid of the car.

Now, how do dealers do this and stay in business on new stuff? Easy. You weren't looking in the right place. You were likely so focused on the price you didn't notice when they totally buttsecksed you on the financing. Have a nice day!