Qacer

I wanted to know how you guys normally negotiate your car prices. Do you go by Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book as a starting point? Also, besides taxes, title, and registration, are other fees just padded fees (read negotiable)?

I've not done much negotiating. My first car purchase was a brand new 2006 Corolla LE with a moonroof and the rest standard features. I ended up paying $19k out of the door. Months later I asked around others who made similar purchases, and I felt like I didn't get a good deal. This time around I've been reading various articles, so I'm getting some additional tips. However, I wanted to get some comments from the local folks.

The car that I'm interested right now is a Mazda CX-9. I saw an ad for a 2008 Grand Touring version with 40k miles, leather seats, moon roof, navigation, etc. for $25k (pre-negotiated price... not sure if this can be haggled). I've looked at Edmunds, KBB, NADA, Automotive, and VMRintl, and the average price is around $22.5k. I figured if I add on $2k for taxes and other fees, then a bottom line price of $24k would be a good deal in my book. Does this sound like a good price?

Clifford

Have a set price before going into the negotiation that you will not pay more than. Also have a price which you would like to bring the dealer down to, NEVER EVER EVER TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY!! The good deal is all what YOU feel is the good deal, if you come out satisfied with the negotiation and feel that your needs were met. Keep in mind if you cannot negotiate a price you can always try to squeeze in extras many people don't think about, service dates they could do, pay for tax/tag/title, you just have to think outside the box and figure out what you want in the end. If it is the lowest price, like I said go in their with a price you want to pay and the highest you will settle, only settle if you feel needs are met, like if the dealer will not budge on the initial price, ask to throw in something else, like an upgrade to the stereo or something(just an example). Bring print outs of NADA and KBB with you, be prepared for their, "well we need to make money too" lines and such. In this type of negotiation you are not trying to care what he gets, you want what is best for you. Just research and be prepared. Be confident in everything you say, it will go a long way, don't let them push you around with numbers/financing and other jargon.
Good luck!

Taylorinalaska

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO SAY NO. People think its rude to do that shit, if they want 25k for a car worth 22.5k and they won't budge, you say "thanks anyways." If they're dicks, remind them that they're losing a sale.

Salesmen know exactly when they're losing a deal, and if you make them feel like it isn't going their way, they may cut you some slack. Unless its like a saleman with balls of steel or something...

BTW, offer them something low as hell, to show them that you're cheap as hell. They know not to flash big prices to a cheap ass.

mitzu

bring a gun with you, they'll listen

Empire

yeah, everyone wants a good deal, just keep in mind, that sales person gets paid based on the profit the dealership makes. if you get it down to the dealership cost then that sales person won't make any money. Maybe 25 bucks depending on the dealership. Example with the whole adding in stuff to make the deal better. To add a sunroof to a car is something like 1,500 bucks. Do that to a new Altima, and the sale's guy doesn't make anything.
Just something to keep in mind when you're trying to get the price as low as possible. The dealership will have their minimum profit built into the price, and it won't go below that. The sale's guy is the one that gets nailed when you haggle the price down to "cost"

zhillz

You can haggle a lot more if you have a large down deposit or you finance by yourself instead of through them.

plazma

The no haggle prices are bs. It's more like you pay what we say or kick rocks. They base the cars they buy off black book pricing for the most part and those numbers are way lower then the nada or kbb people use.

If nothing else figure what the car sold for new. Take the miles and the fact it is used and mostly out of warrenty and find a number you like. As the other guys said don't be afraid to say no or even to leave and think about it when not under pressure. I'd bet that less then 30 percent of people who leave without saying yes don't come back to the dealership. The dealers know this and most won't let you walk away without turning you over to management. Also known as a T/O

CoRDiTe

I tell them what I am going to pay. Bottom line price out the door. If they haggle with me I will try to meet somewhere near my price. If not I walk out. They will either sell or they wont. Move on to the next place and find another similar or better car.

XxXJokerXxX

+1

Do your research before you even think about going to the dealership. Check out Autotrader and look at what private sellers have to offer and what dealerships have on their lots. That will give you a good idea of where you can expect to start as far as price goes. From there just sit down and come up with a price you are willing to pay for that car.

When you know what you want and what you are willing to pay it gives you more confidence for dealing with the salesmen. Make them agree to your price and make sure it is an "out the door" price without any added dealer fees or taxes on the back side. Don't let them talk you into looking at something else or upgrading/downgrading if you have already decided what you want.

As has already been said, don't be afraid to walk away. When I bought my Vette I told the salesman and the used car manager what I would pay for the car. They told me they couldn't do it so I said I was going to look at a few more cars in the area and they could call me if they changed their mind. They called back 4 days later and we ended up at an even lower price than I originally offered.

CoRDiTe

Don't fall for the BS line, " Oh to get it at that price we have to remove the radio, leather interior, wheels and put hubcaps on, alarm, etc.. etc.. " Get it with everything you want or walk out, but remember and try to meet somewhere in the middle. Don't expect to get the car for 11.5k if they are offering you 11.9k out the door and you know that is an awesome deal and still way under the value of the car.. 11.9k sounds better than 13k before taxes. This is just an example. I don't know how much the car you want is worth.