Question about the dreaded used car buying process.

[TheCowsCameHome]

I haven't purchased a used car from a dealer for at least 30 years. I hate dealing with used car salesmen. Anything I've bought since has been through private parties or eBay.

At one time the dealer asking price was just that - a starting point. From there you locked horns with a salesman and tried to get yourself a good deal. In searching around the web recently I find the dealers are pretty much saying their listing prices today are no-haggle, bottom line without much room/desire for negotiation.

Additionally, in the past if you had nothing to trade there was always a price reduction because it would be a "clean" sale. That's not what I'm hearing today -the price is what it is - less your trade-in, or if you have none, tough.

Anyone out there have tips for getting a good deal under this (apparently) new system? Or do these places really still haggle like they used to?

I don't want to start looking until I know far these sales people are actually willing to go.

Thanks.

[HopeHoops]

1. NEVER mention a trade in until a price on what you're buying has been established.

They'll ask. Just say, "I haven't made a decision on that yet. Let's get back to the car at hand."

[Shagbark Hickory]

2. Yeah.. If you want a deal, avoid those no-haggle dealers.

No they really don't haggle no matter how hard you press them. If you stand there with a stack of $100 dollar bills and say this is all I got, they'll show you a different car that you can get for that.
That's been my experience.
The last time I bought a used car was in 2001. It wasn't from carmax but rather a small independent dealer in another state. They were firm on the price but I knew that going in to it and I thought the price was extremely fair for what it was. But had I been able to find the same vehicle from a private party I'm sure it would have been less.

I will say that "no-haggle" does make for a much more pleasant car buying experience otoh, if you're looking the best deal out there, those aren't the places IMO.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. We've got one big dealer an hour away with a good selection

of used models that we are interested in. One one hand he says the pricing is "bottom-line", yet on their webside there is a "or make offer" option next to each listed vehicle.

Sounds confusing right out of the gate.

I dread dealing with these people, but this time I think I'd be uncomfortable with a private party transaction since the price will on the high side, and I want some recourse if the vehicle turns out to be problematic.

[Shagbark Hickory]

6. Well those are some more benefits to going with a dealer that services the cars.

But it's by no means a guarantee that the car you get will not have problems.

If you're not sure if no-haggle means no-haggle, strike up a converstation with a salesperson and tell them you're interested in the car. As them if they can do anything to help you out on the price. If they say the price is what the price is, then say OK, thank you and start heading for the door. If "no-haggle" really means "no-haggle unless you're going to leave and go somewhere else," then that's when you'll find out. I'd also recommend leaving your phone number with the sales person. They just may end up calling you or you can try calling them and maybe they'll be ready to deal.

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. Agreed.

I think being prepared to "walk" (and actually doing it, if necessary) if you don't hear the right words is very important. As you say, it puts the ball in their court.

[Mopar151]

14. See if they offer an extended warranty

So glad we bought one when Vanna (our 04 Freestar) shit a transmission! Also, if you live in snow country, look into having "snow wheels" (Snow tires on dedicated wheels) included in the deal. (Vanna had toothy snows mounted - in August!)

[Rambis]

3. Last time all correspondence was via email

I had everything in writing. I also knew my credit score. I said if I show up and the price is not exactly what is in this email we are walking out and we will not buy the car no matter what. It went very well everything was on the table in writing.

[Major Nikon]

5. Here's what I do on my trade-in

I go to CarMax and get an estimate on what they will pay for my used car. They will give you a written estimate, and it's always been higher than what other dealers offer, in my experience.

For the last two new cars that I have bought, the dealer matched CarMax's offer after I showed it to them. Their initial offer was much lower.

CarMax's offer on your trade-in is good even if you don't buy another car from them.

[Shagbark Hickory]

8. I did this when I bought my last new car. Good strategy BUT.. if you have the patience to sell it

on your own, you may end up getting a lot more for it.

I recently helped sell a car for my father (a sorta grouchy old guy with no patience in another state).
First he took it to Carmax who gave him an offer. Then I listed it on ebay which has a flat rate to sell the car. He didn't want to have to show it to people and go on test drives etc. Even though ebay charges a fee, it's a flat fee and the car ended up selling for twice as much as the carmax offer. Normally people don't come look at the car prior to bidding I don't think but in this case someone did come look at the car and ended up being the high bidder in the end. That was the second vehicle I sold on ebay. And I'm sure it won't be the last. Whole process took a week. Totally painless.

[MrsBrady]

9. my aunt found the car she wanted

told the dealer...

I know my credit score, and this is the price I want. and I want it at such and such an interest rate.
if not, i'm out of here.

she got what she wanted.

You can leave. Just remember that.

If you are going to finance, you can have that arranged with your own bank if you want, before you go in.

[LeftyMom]

10. You're better off buying a used car at auction and cutting out the middleman.

If you need to finance you're better off going through your bank or credit union than through the dealer- dealer financing for used cars is on terrible terms and often makes them more expensive than by the time they're paid off.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Yes, but I have no auction access,

however AAA is offering me 2.44% thru a CU.

[LeftyMom]

12. Ah. I've had good luck asking around to mechanics and body guys.

Usually somebody's got a cousin who runs a used car lot who owes them a favor or something.

That's a really great rate for a used car loan.

[TheCowsCameHome]

13. Hmmm. That could be a possibility,

And when I went to the bank to inquire about loans the lady whispered "we're at 7.something - you'll do better else where" and alas - AAA approved us at the 2.44 rate.