Help With Car Haggling!!?

Question

Ok, so I am selling my old car and starting the look for a 'new' one. 'New' because, new to me, but it will be a used car.

I am looking at a good sporty car, around $4-$8k or so iguess.

When i bought my current car, i think i got taken for a ride.

I'm glad i had my Bros. there, which he is much better at haggling at me.

I am generally somewhat shy, and don't like confrontation so haggling comes hard to me, even though it's MY HARD EARNED MONEY.

I was wondering, can anybody please give me tips, sugestions, common tactics used by sales ppl, and ANY other haggling tips?

i found this site:

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/how-to-haggle-when-buying-a-car/article30784.html

anything more like that??

I plan on paying cash, so i SHOULD be able to get a better deal.

Answer 1

Firstly, I would check that the car you look at is priced correctly compared to other similar models.  But remember it will always be priced slightly higher as negotiations will be expected.

Second, offering a lower price is just part of it.  If a car is priced 5k, you offer 4k, you meet on 4.5k.  Then see what you can get... Will the seller throw in any extras?  Full service maybe?  Car mats?  Full tank of fuel?  If the seller thinks the deal is done you'll be surprised how much you can get.

Good luck.

Answer 2

You'll want to go to kelly blue book (linked below) and find the kind of car and features you want.  It'll give you fair market value.  However I've always felt KBB is a dealer tool, because dealers usually will offer less then it pretty easily.  So consider KBB the number not to exceed.  Another better source in my book is Edmunds.

Since you are paying cash, you can avoid all the financing and payment c**p they'll throw at you.

Since this is a used car, you should run a carfax report on it, even if it's from the dealer.  And you should have an independent mechanic inspect it first.  If they won't let you have a mechanic check it out, run, unless they'll give you a bumper to bumper guarantee for a decent amount of time.

Lastly, you might get your best deal avoiding the dealer altogether and buying from a private party seller.  At the price point you mention, there should be plenty of good cars available on craigslist or Autotrader or several others.

I also found good deals to be had from rental companies.  I bought two great cars at good prices from rental companies, but they would be more then your price point.

As for a negotiating tactic, silence is golden.  They'll write down a price and show you.  Just sit there silent like you are thinking it over for as long as you can stretch it out.  They might even make a better offer before you say a word.

Answer 3

i guess u could set a high price to see there reaction. also u dont wanna go to low just to find out u could have gotten 800.00 more dollars from em or sumthing.

personally i would say have yer bro do it if he's so good at it

Answer 4

Set a price for yourself, and don't settle for anything.  If you don't think a car is worth more than $4k to you, and they are asking $5k, offer $3500 and hold it.  If they want to sell it they will.  If they don't want to negotiate, then leave, but also be well aware of how much its actually worth.  If it is worth what they're asking, don't expect them to negotiate much but if they aren't working with you don't buy from them.

Notice: They will lie to you about other interested buyers and such to sell it.  If it were a good deal it would have been gone by then.