How to avoid getting "screwed" at a dealership?

Question

I went the other day and the sales man was feeding me such bull c**p... I am sick of it I know I want to buy a civic and the price that it is going for how do you not get messed with with financing etc. down payment will be around 6 k and I need a co signer because of bad credit due to me being a idiot

I make between 85-120,000 a year

any advice?

Answer 1

first off if your a girl take either a bf or husband or father then get straight to the point tell him you mean business if he tries putting you in the car u dont want snap at him and tell them which one u really want be sure not to just settle for any car even if its close to the car you want  DONT you would be sorry

Answer 2

Yes, go to another dealership. Go near the end of the month when they are trying to make quotas. Go during a week day when business is slower.

Find the car you want. Decide what the maximum you will pay is.

Pretend you will use them for financing. (They get a kickback from the finance company so will offer a lower price).

Tell them "I will buy this car if we can agree on a price."

Offer them 20% below your maximum price, ask them to take it to their boss.

Repeat until you get something close to the price you want.

pay cash

Be prepared to walk, but when you leave, walk very very slowly.

Answer 3

It's not something that can be spelled out for you in a few sentences.  It's you're attitude.  I hate to say this, but from the moment you walk in the door you have to be just as shrewd as they are.  They're going to try and "s***w you" no matter what, so if you know very little about cars, take someone with you who does.  

Since you have bad credit, expect the interest rate to be high, even with a co-signer.  If you are looking at new cars the interest rate will be lower than if you are looking at a used or pre-owned vehicle.  Interest rate is determined by how much of a "risk" you are for the bank to loan you "x" amount of dollars for your purchase.  Usually you can't negotiate interest rates because the dealership itself is not the one financing you.  But be smart and shop around.  If you are a member of a credit union be sure to get your loan from them.  Interest rates are usually on the order of a few percent lower than personal banks such as Bank of America, Chase and Citi.  

If you know a little about cars, check it over with a fine-tooth comb.  If not, pay the extra $50 bucks to have your family mechanic examine the vehicle before signing anything.  It's better to pay the extra money up front than to find out a few months later you bought a lemon.  Don't let them give you c**p like "our mechanics viewed and certified that there is nothing wrong".  They'll tell you anything to make a sale.

As far as negotiating a better price on the vehicle, you need someone with experience to do this successfully.  Go there educated.  Know the specifications and weaknesses of the vehicle you are looking at from the MOMENT YOU WALK IN THE DOOR from the KBB value, to the gas mileage to the crash test ratings.  If the car is used and there is anything wrong with it, demand that it be repaired to your satisfaction free of charge or use it as a negotiation factor when trying to agree on a better price.    

Usually banks won't finance cars that are over eight years old, so aim your sights for a vehicle that is a 2001 or newer.  I bought a 1999 last year and got whacked with an interest rate of almost 18% and was REQUIRED to purchase a $2000 1 year warantty to cover the powertrain on the vehicle.  If they give you that c**p, just walk away.  It didn't turn out so bad for me, (I had the tranny replaced for free about a week ago) but this is not usually the case.  There will be other cars.  However if this is a new vehicle, it should come with a decent warranty that is included in the purchase price of the car.    

It takes a little experience and a lot of knowledge about cars to have a pleasant experience at a dealership.  That's why it's important to do research before you go.  Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

You need to negotiate with the dealer on price only.  Get your financing somewhere else. That way they can't play the numbers game with you.

Answer 5

Ha ha ... welcome to Honda and Toyota dealerships ... they are very cocky and unlike thier domestic competition, couldn't care less if you buy a civic ... there are 3 other people in the showroom looking for one too.  You don't want it? Take a walk!  Civics sell themselves, you'll probably pay sticker, or very close to it.  What are they financing at? and for how long?  Right now in Canada they're financing the Civic for 2.9% over 60 months, which isn't too bad.

Answer 6

Yes - with that kind of income, why finance at all???  Take $2000 and buy a decent used car to get you around.  Then make $400 a month payments into an account for yourself to buy the Civic with cash.  When you have enough, go wave your cash in the dealer's face and watch him pee on himself trying to get it into his pocket.  In the end you save yourself the finance charges and have a car (the one you bought for $2000) you can put on Craigslist and get most if not all your money out of.