How to Buy a New Car- I might save you money (3 Viewers)

[rick6668]

Go test drive whatever cars you're interested in this week. Once you have model and trim line established, then start negotiating next week with different dealers.

Looked at the Acadia, but the decrease in size was just too much, so looked at the Buick Enclave.

Sent emails out yesterday to 3 local dealers and got responses.  One local dealer flat out told me their manager would beat any deal and to come out and see him.

Headed out there today and had him give me an offer, it was still too high and I said I had another offer that was still better.  He finally came back with a deal that was quite a bit better (I think he needs to sell a few more vehicles to meet his bonus)

The only thing he needed was a friends GM number for their friends and family discount.  Checking with my wife's friend now, so we'll see (I'm not sure how that works?)

Do GM employees have a limited number of discounts to give?

ETA:  My buddy game me his discount, so I should be good to go.  

This thread really helped me negotiate better, not sure I could have gotten a better deal.

 

[Nugget]

Looked at the Acadia, but the decrease in size was just too much, so looked at the Buick Enclave.

Sent emails out yesterday to 3 local dealers and got responses.  One local dealer flat out told me their manager would beat any deal and to come out and see him.

Headed out there today and had him give me an offer, it was still too high and I said I had another offer that was still better.  He finally came back with a deal that was quite a bit better (I think he needs to sell a few more vehicles to meet his bonus)

The only thing he needed was a friends GM number for their friends and family discount.  Checking with my wife's friend now, so we'll see (I'm not sure how that works?)

Do GM employees have a limited number of discounts to give?

ETA:  My buddy game me his discount, so I should be good to go.  

This thread really helped me negotiate better, not sure I could have gotten a better deal.

Congrats!

 

[Dedfin]

This is probably tangent to this thread, but I need some advice on car parts.  Let's say I try to avoid purchasing all US made and US owned autos.  So no Chevy/Ford/Dodge etc, but also no whatever Mercedes that are made in Bama and so on.  This is fine because I think the VIN states the location of assembly.  But how can I avoid us made parts if I were to get my car repaired?  Is this possible?  TIA

 

[Nugget]

This is probably tangent to this thread, but I need some advice on car parts.  Let's say I try to avoid purchasing all US made and US owned autos.  So no Chevy/Ford/Dodge etc, but also no whatever Mercedes that are made in Bama and so on.  This is fine because I think the VIN states the location of assembly.  But how can I avoid us made parts if I were to get my car repaired?  Is this possible?  TIA

There are tons of parts made in China.  Tell your mechanic you want the cheap stuff and you are not worried about a warranty for the part or the labor.

 

[doowain]

I posted last week that I sent the email out to all Ford Dealers on an F-150.  I did the same for GMC on their Sierras.  Within an hour my email inbox was getting filled up and my phone was ringing off the hook.

Now, the 2017 Sierra 1500 had an incentive for 20% off MSRP (plus some other incentives).   Unfortunately, because of this, inventory was really low in my area.  Found out that the 2018 had big incentives on certain trims (SLT Crew Cab).  Excellent...that's exactly what I wanted.  Long story short, three dealerships entered a bidding war.  I ended up buying a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab All-Terrain for $13K under MSRP and never had to step foot in the dealership.  I had a trade-in that they picked up at my house (which they never saw in person -- I sent them pictures) when they delivered my truck to me.

Every bit of negotiation was done over the phone, which I found much easier to do not being face to face.  I signed all my paperwork with a beer in hand in my basement in about 20 minutes.  Best buying experience ever.

 

[Nugget]

I posted last week that I sent the email out to all Ford Dealers on an F-150.  I did the same for GMC on their Sierras.  Within an hour my email inbox was getting filled up and my phone was ringing off the hook.

Now, the 2017 Sierra 1500 had an incentive for 20% off MSRP (plus some other incentives).   Unfortunately, because of this, inventory was really low in my area.  Found out that the 2018 had big incentives on certain trims (SLT Crew Cab).  Excellent...that's exactly what I wanted.  Long story short, three dealerships entered a bidding war.  I ended up buying a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab All-Terrain for $13K under MSRP and never had to step foot in the dealership.  I had a trade-in that they picked up at my house (which they never saw in person -- I sent them pictures) when they delivered my truck to me.

Every bit of negotiation was done over the phone, which I found much easier to do not being face to face.  I signed all my paperwork with a beer in hand in my basement in about 20 minutes.  Best buying experience ever.

Except now you own a Chevy.

Kidding - Congrats on the  new truck!

 

[doowain]

Except now you own a Chevy.

Kidding - Congrats on the  new truck!

 

I think you mean GMC.

(Yes I'm aware that GM makes both if that's what you were getting at)

 

[nightmare]

Bump for Woz.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I'm getting started with this today. 

Im looking at either a Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier with a crew cab. 

I'd like a standar/transmission but that might limit my options too much to get a bargain? 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

We've purchased our last two cars from CarMax so I have no experience buying from a dealer in the last 10+ years. 

This seems like a steal, can I try and offer $20k? $22k? 

https://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=458890770

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Another thing I’ve done is say it’s a work vehicle and I just can’t go over x budget. It’s an great negotiating tool because it’s easy to draw that hard line. 

I’m sorry, my board just won’t let me spend a penny over x.

Hey Kutta, can you please expand on this a little? Did you buy new? How do I know how much to "lowball" them? 

The Frontier I linked above, can I literally just email him and say I'm interested in this truck but cannot spend over $20k? $22k? 

 

[kutta]

Hey Kutta, can you please expand on this a little? Did you buy new? How do I know how much to "lowball" them? 

The Frontier I linked above, can I literally just email him and say I'm interested in this truck but cannot spend over $20k? $22k? 

Mine was a lease. I went back and forth for a bit on the monthly lease payment. It's a pretty nice car, and he came back with $640 per month. I explained how much I wanted the car, etc., but said my board would not authorize anything over $599 per month. Every time he would come back with a number, I would just say, sorry - my board has this hard limit. Eventually we got to the $599 with everything else staying the same.

In your case, you could check out Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book and get a good idea of a starting point. If it's new, see if there are any incentives. Then just pick a number a few grand below that and draw your line. Also, be sure to negotiate the out the door price, because they will tack on all kinds of #### if you don't. It seems to work best with a new car because they don't really change - a model and color at one dealership will be the same as at the other.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Mine was a lease. I went back and forth for a bit on the monthly lease payment. It's a pretty nice car, and he came back with $640 per month. I explained how much I wanted the car, etc., but said my board would not authorize anything over $599 per month. Every time he would come back with a number, I would just say, sorry - my board has this hard limit. Eventually we got to the $599 with everything else staying the same.

In your case, you could check out Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book and get a good idea of a starting point. If it's new, see if there are any incentives. Then just pick a number a few grand below that and draw your line. Also, be sure to negotiate the out the door price, because they will tack on all kinds of #### if you don't. It seems to work best with a new car because they don't really change - a model and color at one dealership will be the same as at the other.

Thank you so very much. 

 

[Bobcat10]

.

 

[dal_boys_phan]

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Ok, so what I've done is just emailed The truck I like and found super cheap for some reason for others to match/beat. I let them know this is a work truck and I'm buying that truck or a truck that has all the same features. Up to them to beat it. 

So what's the move on financing? Should I get my own loan outside the dealer?

 

[kutta]

Ok, so what I've done is just emailed The truck I like and found super cheap for some reason for others to match/beat. I let them know this is a work truck and I'm buying that truck or a truck that has all the same features. Up to them to beat it. 

So what's the move on financing? Should I get my own loan outside the dealer?

It depends. Some dealers have great financing options. I always like to get my own financing because it’s such a hassle usually at the dealer, but you should at least listen to what they have.

Or just pay cash...

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

It depends. Some dealers have great financing options. I always like to get my own financing because it’s such a hassle usually at the dealer, but you should at least listen to what they have.

Or just pay cash...

1-Where do you get your own financing? 

2-Dealer is offering 0.9% with $2k back. 

3-My credit score is 725 - Is that good enough to qualify or will they pretend it's not so they can make more money? 

4- Since they aren't making a killing on the car, won't they try and get paid on the financing?

I'm not Chet. I've got $5k cash to put down. 

 

[RUSF18]

You're not beating that dealer rate with outside financing. I'd jump on it. 

 

[kutta]

1-Where do you get your own financing? 

2-Dealer is offering 0.9% with $2k back. 

3-My credit score is 725 - Is that good enough to qualify or will they pretend it's not so they can make more money? 

4- Since they aren't making a killing on the car, won't they try and get paid on the financing?

I'm not Chet. I've got $5k cash to put down. 

I agree with Ruf above, that’s great financing if you qualify. I would suggest making sure you negotiate two transactions - the price of the car and the financing. When negotiating, don’t let them ask you what kind of monthly payment you are looking for, just focus on the price of the car. Then go to financing and negotiate that.

good luck!

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I agree with Ruf above, that’s great financing if you qualify. I would suggest making sure you negotiate two transactions - the price of the car and the financing. When negotiating, don’t let them ask you what kind of monthly payment you are looking for, just focus on the price of the car. Then go to financing and negotiate that.

good luck!

 Thanks again. 

Please see my next postPlease see my next post

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

 So I told the salesman that I would  take it easy on him… 

 I told him that I was very busy and that I didn't have time to haggle. I told him I am willing to pay the advertise price of $25,151 with no extras tacked on and we can get the financing taken care of, the paperwork taken care of, I will show up on Wednesday, inspect the truck sign the paperwork and be out.

his response:

OK sounds great .  As you know The Internet price includes college rebate (recent college grad the last two years or the next six months) and military  rebate  ( Active duty or retired) if you qualify for either of these two please let me know.    does not show freight charges . when I get to work on Monday I’ll get you the bottom line price with no extras I will just need your ZIP Code to where the vehicles being registered.   you can fill out the credit application online at www.baysidenissan.com click finance and fill out the finance application let me know once that’s filled out so I can pull credit app also need picture of your drivers license and insurance card to go forward with paperwork

 *******. I think I'm going to respond back with :

 Yeah, I think you just lost me. No need for you to hold the truck, I will continue to shop around. 

Thoughts before I respond?

 

[kutta]

 So I told the salesman that I would  take it easy on him… 

 I told him that I was very busy and that I didn't have time to haggle. I told him I am willing to pay the advertise price of $25,151 with no extras tacked on and we can get the financing taken care of, the paperwork taken care of, I will show up on Wednesday, inspect the truck sign the paperwork and be out.

his response:

 *******. I think I'm going to respond back with :

 Yeah, I think you just lost me. No need for you to hold the truck, I will continue to shop around. 

Thoughts before I respond?

No harm in keeping it going if you really want the car. If you don’t qualify for the discounts, just tell him and ask him to “pull some strings” for you, or something like that. That’s the beauty of doing it through email, doesn’t cost you anything except a few minutes to type out the email.

ETA: You could just say - look, I want the price advertised. If you can’t do that, that’s fine. But that’s my bottom line. If not, I’ll continue to shop.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

My response:

Ahhh, we were doing so well, Mike... I do not qualify for either of those rebates. Mike, please see if you can "pull some strings" and get back to me. $25,500 is the absolute most I'm willing to spend. This truck wasn't even my first choice, I'm only interested because it's a standard transmission and fit my budget. Let's get the price finalized before we proceed with the financing. Thank you. 

He responded with: OK, sounds good I'll get some numbers and get back to you in the morning.

 

[Psychopav]

The phrase to use is "out the door". This is the number you pay via cash or financing. It includes taxes, fees, extras etc. it's all in.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

The phrase to use is "out the door". This is the number you pay via cash or financing. It includes taxes, fees, extras etc. it's all in.

Thank you. I will strongly  emphasize that going forward. 

So far I have only been working with one dealer as I haven't done this in a long time and I wanted to test the waters with one guy in case I made any mistakes such as not using the phrase, "out the door".

I literally just emailed 10 different dealerships that all have the same car with the same options and look forward to tomorrow's bidding war.

 

[Ignoramus]

Ok, so what I've done is just emailed The truck I like and found super cheap for some reason for others to match/beat. I let them know this is a work truck and I'm buying that truck or a truck that has all the same features. Up to them to beat it. 

So what's the move on financing? Should I get my own loan outside the dealer?

I usually check my bank first so I have a worst-case option in my pocket. The dealership has always been able to come with a better rate. 

 

[kutta]

Thank you. I will strongly  emphasize that going forward. 

So far I have only been working with one dealer as I haven't done this in a long time and I wanted to test the waters with one guy in case I made any mistakes such as not using the phrase, "out the door".

I literally just emailed 10 different dealerships that all have the same car with the same options and look forward to tomorrow's bidding war.

Just remember that they all want to sell a car more than you want to buy one. You will be able to get a good deal.

 

[doowain]

I usually check my bank first so I have a worst-case option in my pocket. The dealership has always been able to come with a better rate. 

Yep.  And something I found out in my dealings for my truck is that they can take more off the vehicle you are purchasing because they get kickbacks from certain lenders.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

lol they're kinda being Richards about the whole thing. I had one guy tell me "that doesn't sound reasonable" 

Another guy tells me me 29k out the door, no games or extras. I tel him that's $3,500 more then I'm willing to spend and he says " there is some wiggle room but its hundreds, not thousands" 

I thought that was the best price!?!?! Lol

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

How do I know what is or isn't reasonable? 

I want a deal but I also don't want to be an unreasonable crazy man that they will just blow off. 

 

[Polish Hammer]

I bought my wife a 2017 Honda Pilot right before the new year.  Using the "Fighting Chance" package for the first time was helpful, but I pretty much know I won't need to buy it again.  The technique was helpful and a little industry knowledge was good.  For instance things like "out the door price" as well as what some of the different fees actually mean.  However, the pricing info was, it turns out, actually available on the web.  I ended up getting the vehicle we wanted (exactly) at the dealership we wanted (though I contacted 10+) for about $2000 under invoice.  So in the end it worked out pretty well.  

And yes, I hated the people that would say "our absolute best price is XXX and then within hours say they could do a little more."  One thing that was amusing was how they different dealerships would crap all over each other and lie about how other places do business in an underhanded way applying military/college discounts to prices (which they didn't).  

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

My last message:

I've received two offers of $25k+tax/tags/title. The only thing your truck has over the other two trucks is the manual transmission that I personally like, but nobody else does or can't drive those anymore.

Tags ~$135 (I'll round up to $165)
Title ~$100 (I'll round up to $150)

$25,000 + $165 +$150 x .06 = $1,518.78

How's $26,834 out the door? 

 

[[icon]]

Not every dealer is going to go to bottom dollar. Identify the few who want to play ball.... tell them you are sending this out to (number of shops) who are all in the neighborhood, and will be buying on (insert date) from the lowest out the door price. Not much sense in wasting everyone's time with a "bidding war". That's unlikely to happen, anyway. 

 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Not every dealer is going to go to bottom dollar. Identify the few who want to play ball.... tell them you are sending this out to (number of shops) who are all in the neighborhood, and will be buying on (insert date) from the lowest out the door price. Not much sense in wasting everyone's time with a "bidding war". That's unlikely to happen, anyway. 

 

 Yes, that is what I'm finding to be true.  Some people want to play ball and others don't. 

So far I haven't given them a hard date of when I'm going to buy because I thought that would lower my leverage. That is a thought though. 

I've basically got it down to two dealers, both will start at $25k plus tags, title and taxes. 

Now it's just how much they will charge me for tags title and taxes. 

If I'm honest with myself I really do want that manual transmission over the automatic. 

 

[doowain]

 Yes, that is what I'm finding to be true.  Some people want to play ball and others don't. 

So far I haven't given them a hard date of when I'm going to buy because I thought that would lower my leverage. That is a thought though. 

I've basically got it down to two dealers, both will start at $25k plus tags, title and taxes. 

Now it's just how much they will charge me for tags title and taxes. 

If I'm honest with myself I really do want that manual transmission over the automatic. 

It doesn't.  In fact, it tells them to get their #### together.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Best offer so far is $26,900. 

Im happy with that...

now onto the financing...

They want me to send a copy of my photo ID and yada yada yada so they can do the financing before I come in, anything wrong with that? 

What other dirty underhanded tricks are they going to try to pull with me?

 

[doowain]

What other dirty underhanded tricks are they going to try to pull with me?

They probably want to run your credit before you come in so they can determine the best rate you qualify for.  It's so no one's time is wasted if your credit sucks.

I wouldn't do it unless you are positive that is the truck you want.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

They probably want to run your credit before you come in so they can determine the best rate you qualify for.  It's so no one's time is wasted if your credit sucks.

I wouldn't do it unless you are positive that is the truck you want.

 Correct. This is absolutely the truck I want.  

Whats kinda weird is I think the guy that I've got the bottom dollar price with is going to have the very truck delivered from the other dealer who I initially started bargaining with who won't go below $29,850. 

 

[kutta]

 Correct. This is absolutely the truck I want.  

Whats kinda weird is I think the guy that I've got the bottom dollar price with is going to have the very truck delivered from the other dealer who I initially started bargaining with who won't go below $29,850. 

That's awesome!

 

[Ignoramus]

 Yes, that is what I'm finding to be true.  Some people want to play ball and others don't. 

So far I haven't given them a hard date of when I'm going to buy because I thought that would lower my leverage. That is a thought though. 

I've basically got it down to two dealers, both will start at $25k plus tags, title and taxes. 

Now it's just how much they will charge me for tags title and taxes. 

If I'm honest with myself I really do want that manual transmission over the automatic. 

Tags, title, and taxes should only differ based on sales price and state. Meaning all other things being equal, TT&L should be the same at both dealerships.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Lol, I just spent 4 days negotiating a pickup truck and then looked at cars I can buy for the same price....

Jesus Christ.

Unfortunatly I'm not sure it's a good look when I show up to job estimates..... or is it?!?

How do I not buy that car?!?!?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Lol, I just spent 4 days negotiating a pickup truck and then looked at cars I can buy for the same price....

Jesus Christ.

Unfortunatly I'm not sure it's a good look when I show up to job estimates..... or is it?!?

How do I not buy that car?!?!?

Because it's a Cadillac and won't last 10k more miles? 

 

[rascal]

Lol, I just spent 4 days negotiating a pickup truck and then looked at cars I can buy for the same price....

Jesus Christ.

Unfortunatly I'm not sure it's a good look when I show up to job estimates..... or is it?!?

How do I not buy that car?!?!?

I haven't read this thread, lazy, but why are you buying a truck?

I would only buy a new/newer truck if I was retired and going to be towing a trailer around America.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I haven't read this thread, lazy, but why are you buying a truck?

I would only buy a new/newer truck if I was retired and going to be towing a trailer around America.

I like it and it's practical. Plus trucks>>>> cars. I doubt I'll ever own another car besides a 66 Mustang. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Grrrr.... what's the play here fellas?

I have a written offer for $27,157.64 from the dealer across the street. I didn't even have to haggle with them, this was their first offer. Business is business but I'm almost inclined to go with them on principal alone. That's how much I value not being jerked around.

The cheaper offer ($26,900) thrown out there by another dealer wants me to come in to sign for the vehicle before they have it transferred to their store. It's possible he's just telling me what I want to hear then raising the price while I'm there....

Sir please feel free to contact one of my managers at the store with you concerns. At this point, the only reason I will have you come in before I get the truck is because it is company policy to have the client sign for the truck to be delivered. The process does take longer than 20 minutes. I understand you have bought cars for years and I also have been selling them for quite some time as well

Im not signing anything until I see the truck. What's the move here? 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I spoke to the lady in our office who buys all the vehicles for my company and she said to contact the dealer I wish to use, don't tell them about the truck I've already worked out and ask them to preapprove me for $x before going to the dealer. 

That way they can't try to make their money off me on the backend since they aren't making a killing on the saw of the truck. 

 

[rascal]

My $.02....buy a cheaper car/truck

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

My $.02....buy a cheaper car/truck

Such as? 

Trucks aren't cheap. I could certainly buy a used truck but the only trucks im seeing for less than $20k are 2 doors and have 50k+ miles. The 4 door versions are $23k ish and have 30-100k miles. 

Tacomas could be considered a better truck but are more expensive than Frontiers. I also don't like the ride in Tacomas and the cabin is cramped. 

 

[RUSF18]

When I bought my car last month, they ended up not having the color in stock that I had originally asked for anymore (I went on vacation for a week in between). They ended up knocking a few hundred off for the inconvenience which was great because I was perfectly okay picking another color. Anyway, they were able to get the color from another dealer but needed me to give them a CC over the phone for a $500 deposit to bring the car over.

So instead of going in to sign, I'd offer that. They probably just want to know you're serious before they go through with pulling the car.