Car Haggling help??

Question

Hi guys!
My husband and I are getting ready to purchase a used car (possibly 2). I had a few questions maybe you all could help me with:

1) In all reality, how much can you haggle the price down on a used car? Lets say a car is $17,000.00 and I'd like it to be haggled down to about $14,000.00. Do you think this is possible??

2) Give me some of your best haggling tips when buying a used car---what are some good things to say/do to get the price down and have it on the road with tax, tags and title when all is said and done.

Any other advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help!! :)

Answer 1

Check both the links. I think Edmunds and Kelly Blue Book have calculators that factor in the make, model, year, and condition of the vehicle, as well as the ZIP code where you are to determine what a car is really worth in your neck of the woods. Then offer $500 to $1000 less to see if they bite!! LOL

p.s. you could print out your results and show them what both websites say the car is actually worth. I think one of this will allow you to simply input the VIN rather than checking off all the features included in the vehicle in question.

Answer 2

Absolutely possible. I just bought a used truck that they wanted $14,000.00 for, I paid $8,000.00. Would have gone as high as $10,000.00, but they did not know that! Best time of the month to buy is around the 25th. Do your homework. Check out nada.com and kbb.com for prices. Get a carfax report. offer them less than what you are willing to pay, that way you have some wiggle room. Remember that they want your money as much or more than you want the car. After all, there are other dealers. Have fun playing the game!

Answer 3

It depends on the kind of car you want to buy. You could probably drop the price down $3000.00 on a truck or SUV right now but cars are very popular because of gas mileage. The main thing is you have to be willing to walk away and go somewhere else. I purchased my Explorer in June and got it for $4500.00 cheaper then they were asking. I did my research and had an idea of what I wanted ahead of time. When they weren't willing to deal with me then I told them thanks and walked away. About 4 hours later the saleman called me and said they could work with my demands. Another idea, if you are trading a car in on the deal, don't tell them ahead of time. They will offer you a better deal if they don't think they are going to have to accept a trade-in. They will offer you a better deal because they think you are going to have to finance a larger amount.
Don't let the salesman see how excited you are or how much you like a certain car, it will ruin it for you in the long run. Good luck and hope this helps!

Answer 4

The dealer is making at least $2,000.00 on a used car, probably more so you can go from there, If you want to pay $14,000.00 for a $17,000.00 car just ask him for a piece of paper and you write down $14,000.00 on that piece of paper, hand it to him and say this is what I will pay you for this vehicle and you will find out an answer real quick, he will then start bargaining.

Answer 5

There are lots of web sites that will provide you cost of all new vehicles.....get that information so as to know where you could finish......find out the rebates...also ask the salesperson if there are any loyalty rebates that you might be eligible for....assuming you own the same brand......sometimes Dealers will hold this back from you.......ask them also are there any "Dealer Rebates or Incentives: to the dealer that might help in getting to you goal....that goal should be a "fair" price over the invoice 2-500 over the invoice is good.....do not....I repeat do not work payments first with anyone........the rule of thumb is $20 per 1000......a 15000 vehicle would be around $300......so if you are seeking similart payment don't go to the 40,000 vehicles.......go to NADA guide on the Internet and that site should help with an invoice........shop your best rate prior to going with one of your banks......that way when they give you a 450 payment on a 15000 vehicle you know that they are up to something.......they will come back well that is a short term payment..."where were you hoping to be?".....is the next word out of their mouth.......work the best price.......using the rule of thumb I told you about and you get to the price....you will be OK......if you lease...work the best price still and make sure that is the price on the contract......they will often switch you from retail to lease and change the price cause it is a more confusing contract.......speaking of confused....you probably are by now.............BEST PRICE FIRST....THEN WORK PAYMENTS!!

Answer 6

all these answers are great......i didnt really notice anyone say....make sure you are prepared to leave with no vehicle...most people want a vehicle so bad they end up paying more for it...trust me..i have fallin into the a couple times buying atvs...

Answer 7

if its used point out every thing wrong with it even if its little and act like you want it but give them the "i like it but man thats to much" or even say it make them ur lower offer if they say no or hesitate start to walk away and say well i guess ill look somewhere else but say it sad ....man im good