Or you can take advice from someone who's been selling for a long time and not be a douche towards your sale guy. Customers make buying a car much more difficult on themselves then they need to by following your advice.

Do some research on the car you want to buy and know the market. If your budget is 10k then look at car at or near 10k. Don't shop for 18k cars and expect us to come down just because that's all you can afford.

Average return on a used car is under 2 grand after the car has been reconditioned and made fit for sale. Car is priced more so there is "wiggle room" cheaper cars will have less margin.

Know that older cars (ie 06 and older in the eyes of the banks) will not offer financing more then 48 months and the rate willbe higher than what you want to hear. If you belong to a credit union it's better for older cars.

Unless you are writing a check the whole "don't discuss payment" thought process towards car buying is stupid. FACT-99% of the people I talk to have no idea how much a car payment is. No, you cannot buy a 50k car for 400 per month.

Cheap math for a 60 month car purchase.
200 per month = 10k financed
300 per month = 15k financed
400 per month = 20k financed

Best advice. Start with Internet department. Typically people there are more seasoned and work under a different set of standards. This gives you a chance to develope a relationship with someone before you go into the store. If you dont click with the sales person, call back and ask to speak with the used car manager. Shop the person as much as you shop the car. I sell 6 figure vehicles sight unseen over the phone because I take the time to develope a relationship with my clients.

Best advice if your treat me decent I'll return the favor. Treat me like a lesser human being and we are both going to dislike the process.


Quote Originally Posted by jim View Post
The other part of the equation is you the consumer. If you allow the sales dept to get you in a corner you loose. Go in ,tell them after browsing and they have said "my sales mgr said this is the lowest we can go" You will think about it and walk out.
They will either follow you to the door or mgr will intervene. let them know if you wanted to play games with price and monthly payment you would have purchased at dealer x this morning.
Then tell them this is where you want to be price wise and a monthly payment no more than $XX.xx

After that keep quiet. The first person who talks next looses.
read the fine print, finance paperwork and remember you don't need or want the stain resistant coating the put on the interior for $400!