Car buying Tips

[jj808]

Here is some info that has been floating around the net for quite a while. 99% of the info is still valid. Thought i might share w/ you guys. It might help you a little bit. BTW, Whenever it mentions a TSX just think "Legacy".=)

 

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It's a source of worries to some, it's an obsession to others, you want the best deal for your TSX. You want it badly, and it's not the easiest or the funnest event of the year when you have to negotiate.

 

You can enter the dealership with a few weapons of your own that will help counter professionnal salespeople's tactics, help you get the best of them, and make your negotiating experience, if not a fun one, at least a basis for bragging about your brand new car.

 

With the crucial help of a good friend, Rotarybzzz from Los Angeles, and a few online sites as well, here is a thread with a few tips on how to optimise your next negotiations for the brand new Acura you are longing for.

 

Bringing Together And Fine-Tuning Your Weapons

 

The first thing you should realize is that cars are a demand-type item. First in line will pay the most when new models come out. Generally, there is a gentleman's agreement among the dealerships. The higher-end brands anyway, for example, Acura, BMW, etc. They have pretty much decided to "hold the line" when it comes to negotiating prices. That's why many of you shouldn't be upset with some dealers "not wanting to deal" on the new TSX, because that is what the General Manager has dictated. Best plan: wait a little while... a few months at least after a new car gets introduced to the market. You will see some dealers faltering on holding the line. Early on, the most you can expect is getting a few freebies... wheel-locks, cargo net... the cheap stuff. But you will still pay MSRP (or thereabouts). Why? Because they can get the price they’re asking from the next guy waiting in line after you.

 

 

So you've realized the best time to go is after a few months after the release, at least. There are two better periods of the year that can be considered as prime buying time: 1. The two last weeks of December, when everyone is shopping gifts for Christmas, leaving new car dealer lots void of customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end sales records. There is also the period between July and October when in general dealers are making way for new year models. Secret factory-to-dealer incentives can get pretty important. Many dealers will choose to renounce to a part of that incentive to get some volume going.

 

Now, let’s narrow down to a specific time of the month.

 

Many of you have heard that the best time to buy a car is "the end of the month", right? Well, let me spell it out for you. It isn't the end of the month per se... it is the 30th. Period. The 30th. Not the 29th. Not the 31st. It’s the 30th. The selling cycle for ALL dealerships ends the 30th of the month. A salesman's / finance guy's / general manager's / district manager's pay check is cut based off volume between the end of the preceding month and the 30th. Thus the 30th is a powerful day indeed... We will discuss more on this later.

You must also remember that dealerships are competing with each other for incentives and bonuses from the Mother Manufacturer (a.k.a. Honda, Toyota, Ford etc). That's why some dealerships can afford to do things with prices that others won't touch. They're making money in doing volume (moving metal as I call it) not in the money made per vehicle. So, find the volume dealer in your area and go on the 30th.

Now you know that waiting until the end of the month is a good ploy. Well, here's another one:

 

So you've decided to buy NEW. First thing you can do besides going on the 30th of the month is scan the newspapers in the classifieds. Look for the dealers advertising a "set price" for a new car / cars. This can be the big page ads or they can be just a small column. scan, pan and look for a set advertised price.

 

Now the thing with these ads is that most cars and most "set-prices" just about suck. But sometimes you can find what dealers call "the ad car". The "ad car" is a draw car that dealers will use as a loss leader to draw people into the store (especially during the holidays). They want to push deals and are willing to take a much smaller profit (or even a loss) on this car to get people in the door. This is exactly why I say to go to the volume dealer in your area, simply because the smaller dealers making less money per car don’t do these things! Think about it: which dealership can afford to do this? The one with 500 cars per month or 50?

 

Anyway, you can use the "ad car ad" by 1) buying the actual car or 2) use it as a counter at another dealership. Some might say "those ad cars don't exist" or "those aren't real cars" but, they are.

 

This is something you'll want to pull out after discussing the terms of the deal. It’s kind of like fishing for their best price then...BAM...show them the best price you found in the newspaper. This really works with Honda/Acura. They always have lots of advertising deals. You want to find the best price and then go to the place that says "we will beat any price". One caution though: You must be sure the model numbers match up for the car you’re talking about. For example, in the case of Acura a "415" meant an Integra with a stick and cloth and a "446" meant an Integra with leather and an automatic (I might be wrong on the exact numbers, but you see the point). These numbers are almost always printed at the bottom of the ad.

 

In terms of actually bargaining with the dealers, many times people think that the dealership always want the customer to pay cash out-the-door today and not finance. That is not completely correct. The dealership actually wants you (with at least fair credit) to finance your car because this is another revenue stream to make money on. Not really a whole lot, but a good enough percent.

 

Making Contact With The Dealer

 

You can adopt a few strategies in the way you’ll make the first contact with your dealer: 1) You can meet him in person, 2) You can establish contact by phone, and you can 3) make a fax attack (or e-mail as well)

 

Let’s start by the last option: The Fax Attack. This method consists of engaging numerous dealers in a bidding contest against one another for your clientele. Fax each manager you have chosen a complete description of the car model with equipments you want and ask them that they respond you with their best price quote. Enter round two by asking each dealer who will beat the best price you have been given round one. Some will better the offer, some will bail out. Repeat the process until you have one dealer sticking out with your price.

 

This method has the advantage of being not particularly time consuming while imposing the work of negotiating to the dealer, while you almost sit back and look at the results go. It’s next best to buying a car on e-bay.

 

Second option: The Phone Call. When calling the dealer, ask for the sales manager. Then you can ask something along the lines of, “I’m ready to offer you 24,800$ for your SSM TSX 6MT non-navi, and not a nickel more. If it’s ok with you, I’ll be there in a half hour with a certified check”. (Obviously, the financing preparation will have to be arranged with your bank beforehand). The dealer will either say no, or make a counter-offer.

 

Then again, it is a pretty straight-forward method, and it gives you the advantage of not dealing face-to-face, giving you control over the situation.

 

You can also follow the most common and maybe most arduous method, but also the one where you can get more creative, meeting face to face with your dealer.

Your first visit should not be the time when you make an offer, especially if you are not close to the 30th. Simply ask for the “out-the-door” price, namely the price + sales tax + all fees and charges. When you get back home, set yourself a target price at which you’ll buy the car. For this you’ll have to be pretty well informed of the best deals out there, and a site like this one will be pretty useful, as there are always members who’ll be willing to tell you the “great deal” they made with a specific car model.

 

Remember that any time where you feel pressure or feel you are not controlling the situation, you can walk away and give yourself some time to think. The dealer is not the boss, you are. It can be a pretty powerful way for you to get better terms offered as well.

 

You should make it clear that you do not wish to discuss financing right away. There are three phases of negotiation, and financing is the last one. If you get pressured about this issue, simply say that money will not be an issue, and if you have a good credit score at hand, you can even show him, but not more. Phase 1 of the negotiation is dealing the actual car. Phase 2, if you are trading in, is dealing the trade-in. Then, when you have agreed with the first two phases, enter phase 3, which is negotiating your financing.

 

On the next visit, walk in the dealership with a folder containing quotes you amassed from other dealers. Once they see your lower new car price quotes from other dealers (assuming you went with the phone method, or partially with the fax method), you've stopped dealer sales tactics dead in their tracks. The deal will proceed on your terms, not theirs. Don’t walk into a new car dealership without knowing how much you can buy your future car for. When the car dealer quotes you a price you can say "Why should I pay your price when this dealer is quoting me the same TSX for $1500 less?" Then you show them your new car price quotes in "The Folder". Salespeople in general fear "The Folder", because they know you did your homework. They rely on car buyers who don't research their car buying. Do this as long as you actually have something to show for in that folder!

When you feel you finally got the most out of your sales rep, you could still get a better deal. You can do two things: If you still have a few days before you hit the 30th, leave the dealership and tell them you need some more thinking, you were expecting a little better (hopefully your set price or better yet), etc. If they have met your price objective, you can give it a shot at a little better, depending on how much of a rebate they’ve already consented to you. There you must be careful not to come out as being unreasonable and unrealistic, you’ll lose credibility.

 

Return on your 3rd visit on the 30th, and check in with your sales person (if he hasn’t already called you), and see if he has something yet better to offer you. Be at all times calm and polite! Use the British method of “wait and see”. You English folks have an advantage over Latino people. You are cool, calm and slow to show any response. A typical English person will drive a Latino crazy. You say nothing, and he’ll hopefully start scrambling to get a response from you. If you wait long enough, he’ll engage in giving you all the leeway he has, maybe even more, who knows? If you are a Latino buying from an English person, try to beat him at his play, you will have the chance to de-stabilize him. This negotiation technique is valid for just about any type of selling, by the way.

 

So then again, your sales rep has given you all he’s got. It’s time to get a little more ruthless, and call in the sales manager. Tell the sales manager you have a discrepancy between both of your offers. Ask him what he can do about it. Remember this is the 30th, and though this will not automatically yield you more, it just might work on a the last day to make the numbers.

 

There are do’s, and I’ve shown a few of them, but there are many more I’m sure that I don’t know of. Negotiation is limited only by creativity.But there are definite don’t do’s. Here goes.

 

The Don’t Do’s

 

- No use lying about what the condition of your trade-in car is, they’ll check it, and if they find out your trying to scam them, you’ll never get a good price from them.

- Don’t put down a deposit until you are sure you are actually buying a car. If you try and renegotiate after the deposit has been done, you will not get much more than an angry salesperson on your back. You wouldn’t want someone to do it to you, so don’t do it yourself.

- Don't lie about your income or debt load. They run your credit report to verify it.

- Don't make an unreasonable offer. You’ll get dismissed quickly. You need to know what invoice is to base your offer on. It’s not to say you can’t get the car under invoice, but you don’t want to be offering ridiculously low either.

- Don't spout off how the salesperson is making $3000 on the deal. If you're getting a super low deal, the salesperson is probably getting $100 max.

- Don't be rude when it comes to the low rebate or the ultra low APR, you either get one or the other.

[blackheart]

That's some great information, and I know it works if you spend some time learning what the dealer gets in holdbacks and incentives.

 

When I bought my Legacy, I used http://fightingchance.com/ . I compared the Legacy and the TL, and decided on the Legacy. Using the information they provided and the fax attack, I got exactly the car I wanted at just barely over invoice last Sept.

 

I'll never speak to another salesman again after using this method. I was talking to sales & lease managers only, and finalized everything on the phone & fax.

 

When I picked up my car, I was in & out of the dealership in about 65 minutes, spoke only to the sales manager & finance manager with no BS to put up with.

Even if you don't use the method James Bragg (of fighting chance) recommends, the book he provides is very insightful to anyone who will ever buy or lease a new vehicle.

[OCDetails]

Original thread.

[barbeau82]

Or just take your family member that's a carsalesman with you

[brio11]

summary = buy a new car

[ttnio]

shopping for a new or used car is the best shopping fun...

[Nalow]

I love car shopping.... my wife hates it... But I typically cycle cars about every 3 years, and I think she hates that part most. haha

 

One thing I hate about dealing with salespeople is when they sit you down and ask you: "What do I have to do to get you to go home with this car today?"

Umm.. Yeah, I just got here and looked at the thing, drove it around the block. It's not a $200 bicycle, it's a $25,000 commitment.

[Wang Lung]

I've been in sales 25 years and I would not do a single thing in that...essay. If you want to know how to buy a car, pull up a chair.

 

Never buy a car, a house, an insurance policy, an expensive watch, a wedding ring, or anything else expensive, that could potentially require service, from a stranger. Find someone you know who can give you entre to the sales manager. His dentist, his pastor, or just someone who's bought from him that he knows. On this board, that should be easy. The last car I bought, I found out I knew the parts department manager who set up my meet with the sales manager.

 

Once you've decided to buy the car, you've already bought. We're all car enthusiasts on this board, and have a darn good idea what cars go for, so don't sweat that. From that point on, you aren't buying, you are selling...yourself. Arrange to have the service manager in the meet. For the first 30-45 minutes, don't talk about the car at all. Get to know the two managers. Ask them about their families. They love to talk about that. The last car I bought (LGT), I found out the sales manager liked to play golf. So do I. I proposed playing together, and we did. His treat. I made it clear what my needs were in regards to modifications to get the service manager on board with that. I made it crystal clear I knew what I was talking about with the cars' value, without saying anything explicit, just to remind him price is always an issue. You don't need a folder full of quotes, everyone there is an adult and knows what he is talking about.

 

When I go to that dealership once a month for service, I check in with the two managers. The underlings call me Mr. Culpepper. The two oil changes I got that took more than an hour were free. The parts department gives me a discount on everything I buy.

 

Do you really think, if I ever need a judgement call on a warranty claim, or a loner for a month instead of a week per policy (which has happened, by the way) I won't get it from a guy who knows I know he's been divorced twice and can't make a six foot putt to save his life? I could give a dozen stories recounting how well I've been treated by car dealerships. A sales manager is not looking to make a sale. He is looking to make a customer.

 

If you want to save $500 on a car, do what the kid who wrote the diatribe said. If you want a decent purchase price, want to expand your network of business associates, want to be treated with respect, and want to save thousands of dollars throughout the life of the car, take my advice. It's easier, more fun, and way more profitable.

[Richard B.]

I've been in sales 25 years and I would not do a single thing in that...essay.

 

 

i'm not either. and i wouldn't do that either. not wasting my time for a car i don't need. they don't give what i want i don't buy. oh and...when i say i am just looking...i REALLY AM just looking. i get more sales thrown at me when i am just scoping cars. i even tell them i don't want to waste their time right at the beginning. anyways...

 

i contacted costco...no haggle

 

internet was a no haggle for my old mazda i traded in for the gt.

 

both times started at invoice and rebates.

 

before costco dealers didn't want to play on an 07 back in oct 06. i got my financing from capital 1. just needed a bonehead to get me the car.

 

now i get corporate deals from my work.

 

i see "salesmen" as middle men to my goal. funny though. my mazda was 10k cheaper and i had a much better experience than i did with my subaru. service experience on my mazda was tons better also.

[Garandman]

Or just take your family member that's a carsalesman with you

Why? They are some of the least effective salespeople on the planet. They usually have little knowledge of the cars, no knowledge of the buying process, and spend their days aggressively waiting by the door for someone to walk in: and don't even have a base salary. They have about as much in common with professional salespeople as paintballers do with Army Rangers.

 

Most dealerships nowadays have inside sales teams that will set up a test drive or put you in touch with a manager to close the deal via email. The dealerships that won't do that are stuck in the same old manipulative sales process they learned in the 60's.

[wpmarky]

Question, my friend hooked me up with Manheimm access, which is showing an 07 LGT wholesale for 16k, retail for 18k. I offered 18k out the door, and the dealer is telling me 18.5 is wholesale, and the best he can do is 20k out the door and won't budge over the phone. I told him to call me back when he can work with me more on the

 

Do you guys think I can get a better price if I go to the dealership and just talk to soemone there? This is the first time I've tried the internet/phone attack thing.

[BigT]

Question, my friend hooked me up with Manheimm access, which is showing an 07 LGT wholesale for 16k, retail for 18k. I offered 18k out the door, and the dealer is telling me 18.5 is wholesale, and the best he can do is 20k out the door and won't budge over the phone. I told him to call me back when he can work with me more on the

 

Do you guys think I can get a better price if I go to the dealership and just talk to soemone there? This is the first time I've tried the internet/phone attack thing.

 

 

If they won't play over the phone, they'll probably try to work you over even worse in person. My advice would be to just move on. Sorry to hear it though. Just my $.02

[Gatvol]

WpMarky,

 

Pulling a Manheim is very good on your part. Problem is yes they won't deal over the phone with you, they don't know who you are and how serious you are. If you go in, yes they will probably jerk you around, but get a printout of that Manheim price. But please keep in mind Manheim reflects what the cars brought in at the Auction, not what the dealer round the corner just sold a used car for. There is bound to be mark up from the price you see so the dealer can make profit on the car.

 

If you're serious, walk in with financing in hand and present it as a cash deal, more then likely he will do it for the Manheim price or a bit more(Like $500) If u need to obtain financing from the dealer, then I would start at 18.5 and see where it leads. Keep in mind he's trying to make a profit so lowball him, but not so low that he will reject every offer. He'll most likely be more then willing to accept your offer if he knows you are serious. And cash offers like u coming in with bank financing will always move the car. Its a used car, he dosent want it on his lot, and how long until another buyer comes along that is serious.

 

I wish you all the luck my friend.

[Tania Sunshine]

What is the best financing deal right now on a new car? Are there any other car buying tips for 2007 cars?

I'm in the market for a mid size sedan - in the class of legacy, camry, accord, or others like them. Prefer all wheel drive b/c i live in upstate new york..

 

 

finance deals

[jj808]

Wang,

 

I used some of what was in that essay and ALOT of what you said when i went and bought my 2005 GT. I became really good friends with the Service Dept manager and the General Manager. For the most part i never once dealt with a salesman. Everytime i showed up for servicing it was awesome. I got some of my exterior parts painted for free out of it and i bought a car that was selling for $34k for $30k (fully loaded GT in Hawaii). The sales staff knew me by voice when i would call. Got rental cars for free when i had to leave the car over night. I knew they made money off of the "extras" so i gave all my business to them as i knew i could trust them and i wanted them to sray in business. Unfortunately that dealership got bought out by one of the big island chain dealer names and all that work went to shit but thats another story.

 

I would say using some or all of BOTH methods will work depending upon the situation. It just depends on you and what you feel comfortable with.

 

Oh, and it took me a week to buy my car as a few times i went there to "seal the deal" and ended up BSing with the GM for so long it was too late to get it done.

[ttnio]

in the long run , you will end up with a car that you want...together with its monthly payment,unless it was purchased in cash.... always proceed car buying with patience young man.!!!