Overhaulin'

Whats the best price reduction you received on an almost new used car?

Im looking to get a new car but im getting a used one. At least one that has 250 miles to 7000 miles... Prices range from $21,999 to $19,999 and im just wondering what are some acceptable discounts that one can expect? $1000 off? $2000 off? Im sure its different everywhere but I figured I would ask anyway.

Public Comments

1. i got 2k off and 0 percent on a leftover 05 freestyle
2. Not much either ways you get screwed on the financing if they bump to much off the retail price.
3. To negotiate start at the numbers below and work your way up. Take the MSRP of the car (new or used) Lets take the sticker of a say 31,000.00. car (new) $31,000 x 70% = $21,700 this is the wholesale price of the car. (dont believe invoice its a scam manufacturers holdback is what you are trying to penetrate) Ok..so we are at $21,700.00 now lets add back 12.5% for the dealers overhead and profit. $21,700.00 x 112.5% = $24,412.50 would be the best price for this new car. Show no emotion and write down this number on a piece of scratch paper or your business card and tell the salesman that if he wants to sell the car (at your price) call you. Thats it ...........no emotion or reaction. See most people make car buying an emotional thing and get taken to the cleaners every time. Take the emotion out and you are dealing on their level. Have done this over a dozen times successfully...yes some salesman will call you crazy or out of your mind but stick to your guns. If he does not want to sell the car at your price move on to the next dealer. Its kind of interesting that when the salesman says dont you want to test drive the car (new) and I say no they look puzzled. Then they say dont you like the color and I say I dont care about the color Do you want to sell the car ? they are bewildered. If you want to purchase a used car use the same math above. MSRP for that year x 70% x 112.5% and subtract .35 to .40 cents per mile on the odometer based on the condition of the car or truck. Jock
4. There are so many variables here that no one can give you the answer you're looking for. But I can try to help you narrow things down so that you might get a relevant answer. First of all, what state do you live in? And when do you plan to buy?That makes a difference. Certain model cars sell better in one region than another. For instance, here in Southern Cal, convertibles are a hot commodity. There is very little discount on them. But SUV's are dead in the water. You can expect to get at least $3000 off the asking price. In the Northeast, all wheel drives are a hot seller, Like Audis with quattro and Subarus. You can get a decent deal during summer but those deals dry up in autumn and winter because everyone wants one to drive through the snow. Yet you can get a very good deal on most any rear wheel drive car in winter. Is the car you're looking at a popular one with car rental agencies? If so, then you can always get a great deal on it since the market is flooded with lots of rental trade-ins. Are you looking at a full size car, compact, SUV? That makes a difference too. full size, trucks and SUVs have more mark-up on them. Even used. Medium size and compacts have less room to deal with. It's just the nature of the business. Amd what kind of dealership are you shopping at? Is it a turn-over house where one salesman greets you and another takes over, like a tag team, and hammers you for a sale? Is the first question out of the salesman mouth "What will it take to get you to drive this home now?" These kind of dealerships are what we call the "old blue suede shoes" style of selling. The huckster. The con artist. You'll never get any kind of deal from them. With regards to one of the posters who said that you have to take the emotion out of buying, he's absolutely correct. But his attitude towards the sale staff will result in only two things: he gets tossed off the lot, or we let him think he's got us over a barrel then stick it to him without him every knowing that we did. Yes, we know exactly how to handle someone with the "know it all" attitude. Afterall , he may have bought a new car once every 3 years. But we sell 300 cars a month. Or 10,800 sales to his one purchase. We've perfected our craft on how to deal with his type. Please don't take that attitude. If the salesperson is being fair and considerate with you, return the same. But if he/she's overbearing and pressuring you, walk out and don't look back. I wish you good luck on your purchase.