Quote, originally posted by Shane1V »Wow...how did you get it down so much?? teach me, yoda...It all comes down to doing your homework...1. Know what BOTH A) the vehicle you're buying AND B) the vehicle you're selling/trading-in are realistically worth. Dealer 'invoice' costs and used car trade-in values are widely available (kbb.com, edmunds.com, cars.com). Know what incentives you're eligible for, what others are paying (such as asking here on Genvibe ), and how long the car you're interested in has been on the dealer's lot. 2. Have high, but realistic expectations. Don't expect the dealer to 'give' you a $24,000 Vibe for $8,000 and a trade-in worth $800 bucks. THAT just isn't EVER going to happen. 3. Many of the great deals reported here on GenVibe involve redeeming significant 'discount dollars' earned using the GM credit card.4. Read Confessions of a Car Salesman on
http://www.edmunds.com That will help save you time and money. It's a long read, though WELL worth your time. Realize that it's YOUR money (or LOL - the bank's money, and you're just borrowing it for a while) and YOU have the right to spend it how and where you want to. 5. If the dealer doesn't seem interested in your business, then by all means GO SOMEWHERE ELSE where they ARE interested in your business. Be forewarned though, that if LOWEST PRICE is all you're interested in at the time of the sale, then don't complain when they won't give you the time of day when you take the car back in for service later.6. Do NOT think that 'the deal is done' once you've negotiated a price and trade-in value (if applicable) with the salesperson or even with the sales manager. The Finance & Insurance guy is also skilled negotiator who will also try to separate you from (more of) your money with financing options, add-on extended warranties, 'lifetime' tires, ETCH, service/oil-change agreements and the like. If you truly WANT any or all of these things AND WANT to finance them over the 4-5-6 year life of the car loan, that's great. IF NOT, tell them 'NO' and be firm. Walk out if you have to. I've done it.7. If you're not an experienced negotiator (e.g. major purchase sales experience, contract negotiations for a business or government entity), then by all means take an experienced negotiator with you. If being 'an (removed)' and demanding your way will embarrass your wife/girlfriend/children/significant others, then leave them home! If you're young, take a parent (or some old-fart like me) who's not afraid to tell people 'NO' and mean it. If haggling ISN'T you're thing, you may be better off buying a Saturn or finding a 'no-haggle price' dealership in your area.BTW, this current thread on the benefits, costs, and pitfalls of extended warranties may also help -->
http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=15337Good luck!