Overhaulin'

Buying a new car has changed -- How do you negotiate now?

I've gone to a couple of dealerships and have tried contacting dealers over the Internet. All of the prices I'm getting from all of these locations are within $100 of each other. Nobody is willing to negotiate. I recall the days when you could really "wheel and deal" on cars, getting some good discounts if you were willing to haggle. Are the days of haggling over? Or is there a new rulebook that I should follow to get a better deal?

Public Comments

1. the prices have gotten so low to the cost now that there isnt a lot of room, aside from end of year clearances. the best deals I have gotten are into the next year when last year's models are still rotting on lots halfway through the current year's production cycle. slim picking then though...btu you an get a good deal. otherwise, family memebers have used carsdirect.com. my dad saved some money there. there are other car selling sites as well. good luck!
2. Most dealership are just offering lower prices these days. It's all part of the "no hassle" selling trend. The only real place to haggle over prices is on a trade-in or on the financing rate.
3. i am a car sales man so i can help u greatly. now days if u tell the dealership u are comparing prices and want the best deal they will either tell u sticker or just a little off. if you tell them your buying now, at that place, do all the routines like credit apps test drives all that stuff, then u can negotiate back and forth. depending on the car is how far they will negotiate. if it is a cheaper car like a Honda fit, there isn't much mark-up, now a Nissan 350Z has more mark-up so u might be able to work a better deal. used cars though may have little or no mark-up in the price, so u might not be able to negotiate there much. to be honest buying a car is just about the only thing u can still negotiate a price on now days.
4. Buy in the last couple of days of the month. Sometimes a dealer might be trying to sell one or two more cars to meet another incentive level. Call all the dealers that sell the car you want on the 29th, and tell them you are willing to sign the papers on the 30th. At least one of them might be a little more flexible.
5. Your dealing with the Internet now buying a new car there is no profit for the dealer with consumers like you whom have done homework, I really like that good stuff. Maybe you should be looking at a used cars negotiations has not changed much. Liked your question, please check out my website http://www.usedcartips.org/
6. It depends on the car...all dealers pay the same price for their new cars and have to be competitive witht he dealer down the street. Some dealers are realizing customers don't like playing the "negotiating game" and want a decent price without all the BS.
7. We have more tools at our disposal. You can now buy a car with little or no hassle if you want to and still get a good deal. I'd suggest you look at www.carbuyingtips.com. It has lots of valuable information.