Overhaulin'

How do I get the best deal possible on a new or used car at a dealership?

Any anecdotes, advice, bargaining/haggling tips are well-appreciated. My engine caught fire and I need a car within a week.

Public Comments

1. carmax.com sells cars for 5,000 less than other dealerships..Their tag price is the final price with no haggling.
2. You are what we call a 'need' buyer in the bussiness. My first bit of advice would be to never share the details of why you are shopping. Don't share your time-frame, either. Walk through the door with a notebook in your hand, and take notes. Let them try to sell you the car, but don't buy it that day. Research the cars in your price range. Arrange financing at a separate bank before hand. Don't buy their warranty, no matter how good it sounds. Test drive all the cars you are interested in , and then go back in to negotiate. Set a price that you are willing to pay and don't back down. Don't buy new, they are a waste of money. Umm...I think that covers it.
3. 1. Don't let them know you need a car!!! Let them think you are just looking. 2. Figure out what car you like and look up it's value on yahoo auto's 3. Don't buy any of that extended warranty bull,they make big money on that stuff so consumers loose big money on that stuff. 4. Don't buy a car on your first trip!! Look,Look and look some more! 5. If you know a cars true value before you look at it,and the salesman is pushy and wants a lot more walk away. No one takes advantage of you unless you give them permission first. 6. Buy a copy of consumer reports that has the car ratings in it. If the car your looking at has a poor rating just walk away...
4. 1. Tell the salesman you are looking for a new car, not "needing" one. 1. Test drive different cars. 2. Find the one you want. 3. Cash in hand, offer what you WANT to pay for it. 4. If that works, drive off in your new car. 5. If it doesn't, start to walk away. If your offer was reasonable, they will call you back and sell it to you. Anything for a sale.
5. you should buy a kelly blue book it tells you the value of a car depending on the shape its in
6. Be careful what advice you listen to.... Find a salesman who you are comfortable with that will be honest for the sake of being honest (don't ever deal with someone who's telling you they are taking a loss, for instance) who sells a product that you like. It's that simple.. As for warranties..... A new car has an average of 10,000 moving or electronic parts that are not covered under a powertrain warranty. On a new GM car you can buy a 5 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper service contract for around $1,500. If you bought a car and it was 99.9% perfect for the first 100,000 miles...... you would be pretty happy with it, wouldn't you? Do the math... 10,000 parts not covered x .1 percent of defective parts = 10 defective parts $350 The average cost of a repair x10 number of parts you will replace $3,500 $3,500 potential cost of repairs $1,500 Cost of warranty =$2,000 potential savings And this doesn't even include what dealerships might be charging to work on your car in four years..... Four years ago labor rates were 30-40 an hour, now they are $50-65 and hour....! Now if I told you I was going to stop by your office and give you a dollar every day for the next five years, but you were going to have to come and get me every time my car breaks down, provide me with a rental while you replace my transmission..... Oh and pay for it all... Would you take that deal? Remember, the dollar a day I am going to give you..... Not worth it, is it? Isn't that the deal I am offering you today? Now it's gonna be $30 more on your monthly payment, but you can rest assure you will be covered... Now sign here...