What is the best way to haggle down the price for a car?

Question

How far below the sticker price can I reasonable try and get? What are some tricks and strategies for getting the salesman to go down in price?

Answer 1

The dealer cost is usually about 85% of the sticker price for the base car + 80% of the options. Most new cars have a dealer rebate as well that will vary depending on how well the particular model is selling and is usually between $1000 and $3000 the dealer gets paid for selling the car from the manufacturer. Also most dealers ad a dealer addendum which has items the dealer added to increase their profit. The fancy wax job is the most popular and it usually costs them about $50 to have it put on and I have seen them charge as much as $595 so try to get them to eliminate that.
The best time to buy is the last day of the month just before closing keep them haggling over the price until at least an hour after closing time and they will sell the car real cheep just so they can go home. They always have a quota to try to make at the end of the month so they will try to make the sale to improve the quota.

Answer 2

There have been some fairly good answers given, but also remember there are some variables invloved.

For instance, are you trading your car in? Are you on a new or used car? Rebates and incentives are often included, but many states require that the dealer inform you about these.


Typically, most dealers will be thrilled to sell for $1,000 over what the car cost them

You can find the invoice price online, just about anywhere. But be SURE that when you start negotiating, you have the invoice price of a car that is equiped the same as the one you are looking at. For example, a 4 cyl Fusion S is a whole lot cheaper than a 6cyl Fusion SEL... the dealer would never be able to come down to the price of hte cheaper car.

Car salespeople get a bum rap a lot of the time, but they are also tryign to provide you with a decent car that will treat you well. That way you come back and buy again. They WANT to take care of you, because they WANT your return business.

And this might be the simplest advice of all, but I can't tell you how many customers get confused about this: Consider the "difference" between what the new car will cost and the trade-in value of your car. What I mean by this is: If you go to one dealer and the look at a new car stickered at 21,000 and they give you 6,000 for your trade, the DIFFERENCE is $15,000. Another dealer might be willing to SELL you the car at 20,000, but only give you $4,500 for your trade. You don't care, because you REALLY want the new car, and they are selling it cheaper.... But the difference is $15,500... and thats what you are paying for the car.

Answer 3

It's really easy and most people make it out to be way more difficult than it really is.

If you want to take the jerk route: Just keep saying, "I'll have to think about it." When they finally stop trying to stop you from leaving, they are at the best deal they can offer you.

If you want to go the intelligent way: goto http://www.edmunds.com to look up the vehicle you are interested in, find out what the invoice is and find out what rebates they are offering in your area. If the dealer won't take 3 or 4% of that, then you are on a hot car and will have to pay more.

Do not ever pay any attention to an andendum sticker. This is a sticker the dealer puts on a car to make it look like the MSRP is higher than what it is, and is usually just to the right of the Federal Maronney lable. It will say something to the tune of "Adjusted Market Value" with a figure after it. OR, it will have a list of overly priced equipment and figure considerablly higher than sticker. Just ignore them. If they don't want to let you ignore the sticker, then find another dealer.

And don't ever forget the phrase that pays: "Well, you've been great, can I have a copy of that?"

Answer 4

In addition, don't try to negotiate from the sticker price down, negotiate from a set point up. One thing you'll never be told about are manufacturer rebates and holdbacks that go to the dealer. These incentives can actually create a situation where the dealer can sell the car below invoice price, which is what they supposedly paid for the car.

Another good strategy is to remember to just walk away. If the clowns refuse to make an offer, walk. They will be the ones losing out, not you.

Answer 5

If you are buying new - many vehicles do not have a lot of room between the sticker price and the invoice. Just ask to see the invoice - most dealerships will show you and fake invoices primarily no longer exist. (That was done more often in the 70's)

If you are looking for used. A good assumption is that the asking price is about $3000 higher than dealer cost.

Answer 6

keep in mind the sales manager will say OK no lower than this amount. the salesman, will have that price jack up. The best way is look on the net.You'll find a car like you want for cheap and still haggle. Just be hard and know what you want and what you wanna pay. If they try to add stuff like alarms and tint they will some how have you pay for it.tell I will but I choose who does it and I still want the car for said amount. Stand your ground and dint let up.

Answer 7

First they will try to get you with saying they can adjust the payment to fit whatever you need. Don't fall for that, they will adjust the payment but you will be paying an incredible amount of interest (this is how they hit ya). The best thing is to get financed through a bank or credit union. When you walk on the lot you can tell them you have cash. DO NOT tell them how much or answer them when they ask how much you can afford. Just tell them all you need to know is how much they are willing to sell the car to for. Also you may want to check out kelly blue book on the internet. They will let you know what a resonable sticker price is to but on the lot.

Answer 8

be firm also get the vin number on the car first then look it up to see if it has any accidents or any thing on them let them give you a price first then start going down and last pretend that you are no longer interested in doing buisness because of the price and you will see how fast they start coming down on the price

Answer 9

Make a list of the exact vehicle you need with all the options, color, and extras... Then send it to 10 dealers in you area. Give them a date you plan on buying.

Somone will be hungry enough!!!

Answer 10

wait until almost quiting time. You may get lucky and find the dealership owner is the only one there.