Buying Used Car From Dealer Tips?

[qtipextra 5,000+ posts]

Any tips, suggestions, or helpful information for buying a used vehicle from a dealer and snagging that great deal? How much can a person expect to be able to drop a dealers asking price?

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[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

If you plan on financing through them, make SURE that you know what your credit score is so you don't get pwnt on finance charges. You can go to your bank and they can tell you.

 

[HitManSE 10+ year member]

Have fun with them, so long as you go in there and not NEED a car, they will be loose on their negotions. If you're speaking to them, and you feel that you're in control, you'll usually do fine.

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

Buy yourself a Carfax subscription and use it on all the vehicles you are interested in. Worth the $35.

 

[PatFitz9 10+ year member]

IMO financing used cars is dumb. you usually can't get good rates compared to a new car, and with a new car you are more likely to make a deal. but they will move on anything. check the values on kbb.com and nada.com BEFORE you start talking money. the more you know, the more they can't BS you. and always be ready to walk out.

 

[bikinpunk 10+ year member]

IMO financing used cars is dumb. you usually can't get good rates compared to a new car, and with a new car you are more likely to make a deal. but they will move on anything. check the values on kbb.com and nada.com BEFORE you start talking money. the more you know, the more they can't BS you. and always be ready to walk out.

^x2 on everything. But, not everyone can pay in cash for a used car...especially if it's more than a few thousand dollars.

 

[qtipextra 5,000+ posts]

Right now I'm just gathering information. I will be buying a used vehicle in a month or so, and I just want to be prepared the best I can. I may or may not buy from a dealer. In case I do, I just want some good information. My only experience buying a car was from a private seller when I bought my corisica. So I have no experience.

Thanks for the info so far.

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

Also, the bigger the down payment, the better. Flash a $1000 bill when you propose an offer and stick to your guns!

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

Oh, and make sure you take your wife/girlfriend with you to play devils advocate. Works everytime!

 

[btlking 10+ year member]

go through the lot at night when no one is there find a car you like then find a forum for that make and model and find out what goes wrong with them then ask if they problems have happened the next time you go in to talk to the salesman

 

[Polecat 5,000+ posts]

check the dealership, and see if they have a webpage. Then look at the used cars, and see if there is a 'internet price' as it will sometimes be thousands less than if you walk up to the lot. The 'lot' salemen have it marked up a couple thousand to play with.

For example:

Just bought a 2003 Yukon. Looked online, and it was $17,900. Pulled into the lot, they told me $20,900. I aksed for the web salemen, they pointed 3 guys out. I walked up, said it was $17,900. They told me the story...then I made them come down off the $17,900.

Know yor credit score, you CAN negotitate your APR. It's also based on year of vehicle, and what your down payment (if any). I know some new cars have low APR, but you can get 6.9%=9.0% on used cars. Banks will loan usually a shorter term, but if you go through the delaer, you can still purchase a warranty sometimes and get a longer duration on payments. So your not buying a $7000 car in 24 months. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

Also, if the dealer had actually sold the car new, they may have also performed service on it. Ask if this is the case, and if so, request to see a service record.

 

[Raffi 10+ year member]

Go get a PAL from your bank...You will know you r interes rate and do not have to bother with the dealers finace games and spend hours there!!!!!

 

[mrogowski 5,000+ posts]

Hit some dealerships in smaller towns around your area. You would be surprised at what they have. I find them easier to deal with than the pushy 'don't give a crap' salespeople in the big centers...

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

when i bought my car i wasnt too successful on talking them down on price because my "used" car i was buying only had 1200 miles on it but i was very successful in talking the up a couple grand on my trade. they ended up giving me 7900 for a 2001 honda civic lx with 88k miles on it and it was beat to shit!

also if you can get a loan from the bank prior to buying the car and tell the dealer you are paying cash on the spot you can negotiate a little better.

last but not least my girlfriend sells cars and she said that with the drop in the auto industry lately dealers make more money on their used cars than their new cars. therefore you may be able to get a better deal on a new car than you would used, that is if you have good credit.