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Smart Shopper Purchasing Strategies - Questions & Success Stories
3884 messages, Last post on Apr 08, 2009 at 1:08 PM
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With my budget, I really don't want to pay much more than this. You guys say there are lots of cars just as good out there: what are they? Thanks. How about a used Corolla, Civic, Cavalier, Cobalt, Echo, Prizm, Metro, Elantra, Accent, Spectra, etc., etc. For my money, I'd look for a used Elantra - you're likely to find one with lower mileage for a lower price. Have a mechanic check it out (on a lift - pay him or her for their time - it's worth it). The Elantra has a good history for reliability now, but still has a low resale value, so it can be had cheap. Some of these other cars (particularly Civic and Corolla) are great cars, but kind of pricey. Good luck! |
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Replying to: weathermike (Sep 17, 2008 8:59 pm) Personally I wouldn't say anything about what they may or may not have paid for the car. I would simply concentrate on what you will pay for the car. What they paid is meaningless to you and the selling price of the car. There is no law that they have to make so much profit, or any for that matter. Just research what the price to you should be and make offers based on that and what the car is worth to you. If they ask how you got it just say thats what your willing to pay. Don't fall into the trap of paying them their cost and a profit. |
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Replying to: weathermike (Sep 17, 2008 8:59 pm) On a couple occasions with car purchases, I have researched and made fair offers to dealers, and after negotiations they get to the point that they say they absolutely can not sell it at that price. I walked out and went to another dealer, who easily ended up beating the first dealers minimum deal price....by substantial margins. I don't worry about it anymore, just move on to a different dealership, and a different vehicle if need be. |
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Replying to: weathermike (Sep 17, 2008 8:59 pm) 
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Replying to: weathermike (Sep 17, 2008 8:59 pm) You are not concerned with what this particular dealer paid for this particular car. Frankly you may never know what this dealer paid for the car. He could tell you anything. So don't think in terms of refuting what he is telling you. That is just an argument that most likely will go nowhere quick. Stick with what you know and what you are willing to do. I agree with snakeweasel. It is not your concern if the dealer makes any profit, but it is also understood that if the dealer is making no profit then he is less likely to do the deal. The guides like Edmunds TMV or KBB might get you in the ballpark, but they also might only get in the parking lot of the ballpark. Current auction prices on similar cars get you in the batter's box. None of this is about trying to figure out what the dealer paid for the car, but rather about trying to figure out what he is likely to get for the car. Auction prices are $W to $X, your max price is $Z, you offer $Y. Your offer is essentially a guaranteed amount for the dealer. Auctions or the next customer remain a gamble for the dealer. The dealer must decide, take the guaranteed amount or take the gamble. He may counter. You go back with $Z and tell him it is your highest and best offer. He is back to deciding. If he takes the offer, deal is done. If he decides to take the gamble, you thank him for his time, wish him well and walk away. No arguments, no trying to convince him he paid too much for the car, no trying to convince him your offer is the best he is likely to get (it also remains that he actually might get more from the next customer or at auction). It is just what each of you are willing to do. That might match, it might not. If it doesn't, move on. The rest of your post leaves the impression with me that you were/are indeed hot for this particular car. As I said earlier, if the salesman got a whiff of this, it does not surprise me that he stuck to his guns on price. Young student, pretty limited budget, needs a cheap car, hot for this car is the kicker that convinces the salesman to not budge much. Did/do you have any other car under consideration? BTW - was this a BHPH lot?
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Replying to: weathermike (Sep 17, 2008 8:59 pm) I know I’m late to this party and like you said ‘…you’ve gotten lots of advice’ from some knowledgeable folks on these Edmunds boards. So, take the advice and buy what you want. You don’t have to explain how you got your numbers. They’re only going to be shot down by the salesman anyway. If that car can’t be bought (for whatever reason) at the price you must pay to stay within your budget you have to fall in love with another car. It’s that simple. Stop beating yourself up over this. It ain’t (as one of our posters has said before you got here) “rocket surgery”, you’re just buying a car. I’m sure at your age it won’t be your last one and some day, by watching your budget now, you’ll be in a position a little later to buy exactly what you want and not be worried about a couple extra bucks. jmonroe |
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Replying to: mattandi (Sep 18, 2008 7:31 am) I had some other cars in mind (obviously this is the one I wanted first or I wouldn't have negotiated), and I showed him the folder of papers on them I had. I don't feel I expressed any excitement about the car. I was careful to avoid that. And yes, I had an older person with me, thanks. 
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Replying to: weathermike (Sep 18, 2008 12:03 pm) Real World Trade-in Values Post details of any used car in there and your location, and a dealer will tell you what similar cars are going for at auction. The post message screen has an outline of the info you need to provide.
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Replying to: mattandi (Sep 18, 2008 12:22 pm) |
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Replying to: mattandi (Sep 18, 2008 12:22 pm)
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