Overhaulin'

How can I get the best deal possible on a new car?

I've been told there are some great deals on cars right now but so far I haven't seen anything great. I'm looking for a deal on a Nissan Altima or Ford Escape. What are some techniques you have used to get a great deal?

Public Comments

1. I make the dealership happy. Which means I don't do any of the age-old and utterly stupid techniques. Such as trying to negotiate lower on a car that's already far below MSRP. I don't bring in friends and try to pressure the salesperson. I don't offer cash, because I know that dealerships make more money off financing...so offering cash isn't any benefit. And I absolutely do not do the technique of saying "well, I offer this, or I'm walking out." Because if that's the attitude you have, who'd want to help you anyway? You're not interested enough in buying to stick around, so go ahead and leave. I go in, educated about the car, am friendly, and make the entire experience better. And in doing so, I generally get lower prices, because they're willing to work with me, as I'm the kind of customer they prefer; rather than someone trying to score a deal. Just put yourself in their shoes. Who would you rather work with? Someone agreeable and friendly, or someone who's trying to use tactics to get the lowest bargain? if someone comes in, complaining about rates, trying to bargain, and generally aggressive...you're less eager to help them out.
2. Have A+ credit or have plenty of cash.
3. You have to be willing to walk and not act as though you either really want or need their car...even if your desperate or in love with the car. Tell them that the price they want is too high and be willing to walk out, if they get your phone number they will call you and give you a better price, and don't fall for all of that 'extras' crap that they pedal. A lot of times they will give you a good price and then boost the price with upgrades, extended warranties, rust proofing (all new cars are rustproof already), protection packages (Youcan do all that stuff yourself and better for about $20) and things like that...they are ALL unnecessary. When they want to sell you that stuff ask if you need to but it because their product is crap and that if you really need all of that stuff, your going to look elsewhere...and LEAVE. Remember, this is what they do all day every day, if they can take advantage of you, they will. They are not your friend no matter how freindly they are, they are business people. I suspect that Vipassan... sells cars, the only advise of his I would follow is, don't tell them if you are paying cash or are going to have a huge downpayment. There are a lot of dealers that need to sell cars and worst case is you have to go back to one of them, it's not likely that they will turn down your business. What do you care what dealers hate...you're there to buy a car, make a business transaction, not make friends. Go to a few dealers and don't buy from the first one you go to, even if you think they are giving you a deal you can't beat. You can always go back. As far as JTnKC goes he's right use kbb but for your trade in if you have one because they will surely try to rape you on your trade-in, telling you why your car isn't worth that much. These guys are like lawyers, they make their living smiling and lying. When a car salesman says 'I promise'. he might just as well be saying 'f*** you chump'. A friend of mine bought a new car and traded in a 2001 BMW they told him his car wasn't worth what kbb said and had a list of reasons why, they gave him $6,800.00, (not the $11,000.00 that kbb said) for the car and then, without doing anything other than giving it a wash and wax, put the car on their used car lot 2 days later for $13,500.00. Yes they need to make profit, but it should fall in the 15-20% range...not 100%. Both of these car salesmen are 'thick as theives', they are trying to help other dealerships or themselves, I wouldn't trust what they tell you. you need to be the one in control, you are the one with the money. I looked at the Escapes in 2008 and I wouln't buy one if it it was 30% off, they had problems with the 2007 ( specifically with the rear brakes) and reverse engineered it to 2006 instead of making it right. 2007 they put disc brakes on the rear, but they were crap, so research the brake situation first and foremost if you decide to buy one.
4. don't listen to forcry....whatever. dealers hate people like that. vipassan...has the right idea. www.kbb.com and www.edmunds.com will tell you the accurate msrp and invoice. an altima right now you can buy for invoice (after destination), minus the $1500 customer cash available right now and some dealers will even dip into the $700 holdback they have on it. I work for lee's summit nissan in the kansas city, mo area and we will dip into that to make a deal. so just educate yourself and know the numbers. best possible deal would be invoice (after destination) minus $2200...PS, you'll need to leave the dealer a few hundred to pay the salesperson a mini and make a few bucks. dont be an asshole about it. just educated and looking for the best deal. also, don't buy an escape. stick with an import. you'll be way happier in the long run...I PROMISE.