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I just spent the last few days talking with dealers via email, why my dad dealt with them in person. We are getting no where.
Here's my problem and question:
We want a 2014 Nissan Versa SV or SL of fairly specific colors (silver or gray exterior with the charcoal interior) and no options, packages, accessories, etc. because we don't want to pay anymore than necessary.
The cars we're looking at have extremely varying prices. The same dealer has the exact same car listed at $14,000 on cars.com but at over $17,650 on their website, and that's not including taxes and fees. WTF?! The cars.com price doesn't seem to be accurate and the dealer won't return my emails anymore.
I just received an email from a dealer and it sounds like cars are priced based on options that come with it. He indicated that it comes with floor mats so that's an extra $170. According to Edmunds, all these dealers are overcharging by $1500.
Am I missing something? How do we negotiate a lower price? I've spent hours upon hours researching and something doesn't seem right.
Figure out what you think is a good price. Go to the dealer and show him that you are willing to pay cash right then and there. You'd be surprised at how fast they agree on a price. I've done it several times and it always works. It worked better back in the day when every dealer had a different price and it's a bit harder now that they pull the BS that "Everyone pays the same price" crap. Cash is still King !
I assume you are looking in a broad/drivable geographic area; one you can go to and make the purchase, vs the corner dealer(s).
Fwiw, many find making their contact via the dealers' Internet Sale Mgr, listing the options you want, (or noting the car(s) they have on hand with compromise options), and requesting their best out the door price.
Adding in a trade in can confuse the issue considerably, but maybe you are just buying outright. Financing clouds the out the door price a bit too: if you are cash, the dlr is missing the financing side. If you are financing, the dlr's 'Credit Mgr', can play with the deal and make it confusing, but poz for 'them.'
Not sure of your location, (VA?), but every Toyota dlr, and actually every brand dlr here in western NC/upstate SC, has an Internet Mgr who is the usual go to guy for best online quote, though some will not offer lowest via email, until they feel you are serious vs kicking tires.
As for wanting 'no options', (an odd choice for something you are going to be driving/living with for several years, and will be detrimental at trade in time, imo), most dlrs have a low ball/come on stripper car on their lot, though the color may not be to your liking.
Having bought cars for 50+ years, no expert, but experienced, I am surprised at your trouble in finding a car you want, at a reasonable price. Maybe I am missing something in your post...
GL, mD
The way I did it recently was to make an initial visit and test drive, let them make their usual silly offer, and conduct the rest of the negotiation by email. Seemed to work OK, I got an acceptable price on exactly the car I wanted that they got from another dealership.
Under no circumstances attempt to negotiate by going back and forth while you are sitting in the dealership.
Be ready to turn down the extended warranty (otherwise known as additional dealer profit).
Since you want a stripper car (base model w/ no options, not a car for exotic dancers), are they available at the dealers or will they have to order? Dealers don't generally carry stripper models because they're not in demand.
Another option is to look for dealers' screamer newspaper ads on Thurs/Fri for that weekend's loss leaders. They usually have one or two of these (usually with moderate options) at discounted prices to entice people to come in.
Go to the dealership when they are closed and see if they have the car you want. If they do, copy the price down. Contact the internet sales guy/gal and make them a reasonable offer. Go from there. That's what I did when I bought my last car. It was very easy.
We bought a truck via internet auto sales service (NOT craig's list, etc) - and they delivered it to our HOUSE!! It was great!
We just went 'shopping' to see what features were 'must have' and 'don't want' - and we went for a 2003 when the 2004's were already well out - so that was cheaper too. They found a model within 100 miles, and delivered it to our house, along with paperwork that we signed at our kitchen table. It was very nice!! And, we saved about $7,000 (off sticker price - that was still in the window).
We bought a truck via internet auto sales service (NOT craig's list, etc) - and they delivered it to our HOUSE!! It was great!
We just went 'shopping' to see what features were 'must have' and 'don't want' - and we went for a 2003 when the 2004's were already well out - so that was cheaper too. They found a model within 100 miles, and delivered it to our house, along with paperwork that we signed at our kitchen table. It was very nice!! And, we saved about $7,000 (off sticker price - that was still in the window).
How do you know $7000 off sticker was the lowest price possible? It's the previous year's model so most dealers would be motivated to get rid for.
How much did you pay this auto sales service middle man?
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