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  • hondaman82's Avatar
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    How to negotiate a great DEAL on a new car purchase
    Not sure if this is the right forum but i think the info may be useful to those in the market for a NEW car.

    Credit go to mrblackpcs2
    What I am telling you is based on 7 years in the business and personal purchases.
    --------------------------------Formula-------------------------------------------
    MSRP = Sticker(includes Dest. Charge)
    Invoice = Can be found on Edmunds.com(include options) or kbb.com
    Rebates = Vary by local dealership
    Holdback (dealer's profit) = see below portion to calculate holdback
    Estimate True invoice = Invoice - Rebates - Holdback
    tax = ?% x True Invoice
    Tags = whatever your states charges (typically $100 - $400)
    Low ball offer = True Invoice + tax + tags - $2,000
    Target Price = [ (MSRP - Rebate - Low ball offer) ] / 2 + low ball offer (this is basically the formula I use)
    TRY TO GET YOUR PRICE AS CLOSE TO THE TARGET PRICE AS POSSIBLE!
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The car business is hurting right now. Dealers are happy with their "holdback". Its the salesman that are starving. STOP NEGOTIATING WITH THE SALESMAN! Its a fact that the average car salesman only sales 8-10 cars per month. Its also a fact that a "flat", the money a salesman is going to make on a new car sales with no profit(invoice) is $50-$100. So do the math thats only $800-$1000 in commission per month. Thats why dealer are always hiring salesman. Its also why salesman are constantly getting fired.
    GET THE SALESMAN ON YOUR SIDE! Tell him up front he's not gonna make any money on you, this will be an invoice deal. Tell him you'll slip him a $100 after the deal if you get your price. So when he goes up to the "salesdesk", he's fighting for you. When the salesman comes back to you with numbers on the paper, they call it an "A" sheet. Cross it out with a big "X", flip it over right your number on the back, next to it write "T/T out the door", then underline it. The first number you write should be at least $2000k below invoice. His manager will either send someone over or come his self. This is a good sign it shows that you werent talking to a "closer". He might even write a note, asking where r you getting your numbers. If this happends, write "I was thinking the same thing about you numbers".
    Typically his second number will be $2000 above invoice. If it is, you write," Split the difference, with T/T, out the door" They usually will jump at it.

    Tips:

    DONT BE SCARED TO WALK AWAY.
    CONFIDENCE IS KEY.
    DONT TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER YOU ARE BUYING FROM.
    DONT DISCUSS CREDIT, FINANCE, INTEREST RATE, ETC BEFORE YOU GET INVOICE PRICING.
    (THESE ARE BUYING SIGNALS, THEY WILL SMELL IT LIKE BLOOD TO A SHARK)

    DONT LISTEN TO YOUR FRIENDS. EVERYBODY CLAIMS THE GOT A GOOD PRICE. MOST DONT KNOW WHAT INVOICE IS.
    DONT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS DURING NEGOTIATING FOR INVOICE.
    (YOU MAY GIVE AWAY A BUYING SIGNAL WITHOUT KNOWING)

    SHOPPING DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH CAN WORK TO YOUR ADAVNTAGE.
    (DEALERS HAVE A PROJECTED SALES IN UNITS THEY NEED TO MEET, SO DO BANKS. THEY TYPICALLY WILL WORK BETTER DEALS AT THIS TIME TO MAKE THEIR MONTH)

    IF YOU SUBMIT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO A DEALERS WEBSITE LET THEM KNOW "NOT TO CALL YOU, NOT TO NEGOTIATE, YOU WILL ONLY ACCEPT INVOICE W/TAX&TAGS, IF THEY DO CALL YOU, YOU WILL NOT DEAL WITH THEIR DEALERSHIP, IF THE EMAIL YOU ANYTHING OTHER THAN INVOICE, YOU WILL NOT DEAL WITH THEIR DEALERSHIP" THIS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO NEGOTIATE, AS OPPOSE TO IN PERSON.

    THEY KNOW IF YOU NEGOTIATING THIS WAY YOU ARE A SERIOUS BUYER.

    THEY WANT YOU IN THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY PLAY THE "GAME" WITH YOU. ITS SET UP TO WORK AGAINST YOU. LIKE A CASINO THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS.

    MOST DEALERS HAVE THE "NEGOTIATING" TABLES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEALERSHIP OR OPEN OFFICES.
    (THIS CREATES A "BUYING FRENZY")

    IT HELPS TO HAVE YOUR FINANCING ALREADY DONE BEFORE YOU SHOP FOR THE CAR.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Calculate Holdback

    If a holdback is calculated from the:

    Total MSRP: consumers must include the MSRP price of all options before figuring the holdback.
    Base MSRP: consumers must figure the holdback before adding desired options.
    Total Invoice: consumers must include the invoice price of all options before figuring the holdback.
    Base Invoice: consumers must figure the holdback before adding desired options.

    Acura 3% of the Base MSRP
    Audi No holdback
    BMW No holdback
    Buick 3% of the Total MSRP
    Cadillac 3% of the Total MSRP
    Chevrolet 3% of the Total MSRP
    Chrysler 3% of the Total MSRP
    Dodge 3% of the Total MSRP
    Ford 3% of the Total MSRP
    GMC 3% of the Total MSRP
    Honda 3% of the Base MSRP
    HUMMER 3% of the Total MSRP
    Hyundai 2% of the Total Invoice
    Infiniti 1% of the Base MSRP
    Isuzu 3% of the Total MSRP
    Jaguar No Holdback
    Jeep 3% of the Total MSRP
    Kia 3% of the Base Invoice
    Land Rover No Holdback
    Lexus 2% of the Base MSRP
    Lincoln 2% of the Total MSRP
    Mazda 2% of the Base MSRP
    Mercedes-Benz 3% of the Total MSRP
    Mercury 3% of the Total MSRP
    MINI No Holdback
    Mitsubishi 2% of the Base MSRP
    Nissan 2% of the Total Invoice
    Pontiac 3% of the Total MSRP
    Porsche No Holdback
    Saab 2.2% of the Base MSRP
    Saturn 3% of the Total MSRP
    Scion No Holdback
    Subaru 3% of the Total MSRP (Amount may differ in Northeastern U.S.)
    Suzuki 3% of the Base MSRP
    Toyota 2% of the Base MSRP (Amount may differ in Southern U.S.)
    Volkswagen 2% of the Base MSRP
    Volvo 1% of the Base MSRP
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    EXAMPLE:
    2007 Toyota Camry LE auto w/ minimum option needed (from edmunds.com)
    MSRP: $20975
    Invoice: $18771
    Rebate: $0
    Holdback: $420 (2% of MSRP)
    Tru Inv: $18352
    Tax in CA :$1514
    Tag: 200 (est.)
    Low ball: $18066
    Target: [ ( 20975 - 0 - 18066 ) / 2 ] + 18066 = $19520 (out the door price, all fees included)
    Last edited by hondaman82; 07-23-2007 at 06:34 PM..
    07-23-2007, 12:54 AM

     
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    This can and should be used by you to post updated deal information.
    Be sure to read this because it may contain answers to your questions!
    As the formula mentioned above is seriously flawed, i.e. subtracting a random $2000 from invoice to use as a negotiating point.

    A functional calculator has been created to negotiate with:
    Viable Calculator [cox.net]

    With the aforementioned formula the more moderately priced a vehicle becomes, the failure point for a successful transaction rises.
    You can not expect to be taken seriously with an offer, of thousands of dollars below cost.
    Using an approach like this will only lead to frustration and a tremendous waste of your time.

    Go to your local public library and read this book by the guy who runs fightingchance.com:

    http://www.amazon.com/Buyers-Leas...0375720677

    The basic premise is this: A new car is a commodity -- you can get the same car from any dealer. Send faxes to the fleet managers at dealers within a wide radius and make them bid against each other. It's a fantastic book.



    - Make an appointment with the fleet manager or internet sales manager once you know the exact type of car you want. They don't mess around they just sell. - several mentioned this in the thread

    - Go to the larger dealers in your city - More volume = lower profit on each car


    Interesting read on Edmunds.com. They send a reporter to be a car salesman. - Confessions of a Car Salesman [edmunds.com]

    - If buying a German vehicle like BMW, Audi, Merc, etc., you can save 5-8% off US MSRP by doing a European delivery. This is especially beneficial if the vehicle you want is in high demand. You will save at least 5% off MSRP in terms of cap cost *and*, if leasing, the residual will be based off the [higher] US MSRP which will lead to a lower monthly payment. Thus, even though you will have to purchase a plane ticket to go to Germany, you will still end up being ahead. One downside to going this route is the time spent waiting for delivery to the US.

    Last edited by PedroR; 03-03-2009 at 03:48 PM..
    Old 07-23-2007, 12:59 AM #3
    SlickDealer07 is offline SlickDealer07
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    awesome stuff, repped!
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:02 AM #4
    irgins is offline irgins
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    www.carbuyingtips.com
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:03 AM #5
    stylez23 is offline stylez23
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    carbuyingtips.com work for me.. payed $100 over invoice on my 07 civic
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:08 AM #6
    yoshimra is offline yoshimra
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    It's either too late at night or I am too buzzed to understand all this.. Looking to get one of those new Nissan coupes. I'm not able to understand this equation, but I'd like to try to use this somehow.
    __________________
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:09 AM #7
    drac is offline drac
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    Good stuff, but I doubt that I have the confidence to pull this off
    Perhaps I'll try that email/phone method, or ask a friend to do the negotiations for me
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:10 AM #8
    leesiulung is offline leesiulung
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    What is this holdback business?

    edit: nvm, I missed the comment on the first read. So is MSRP - holdback = invoice?

    Last edited by leesiulung; 07-23-2007 at 01:12 AM..
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:20 AM #9
    hondaman82 is offline hondaman82
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    Quote from leesiulung View Post :
    What is this holdback business?

    edit: nvm, I missed the comment on the first read. So is MSRP - holdback = invoice?
    MSRP and Invoice prices is listed on edmunds.com or kbb.com when you choose a vehicle. Holdback is the dealer 's profit. You need the MSRP or invoice price to calculate holdback. Hope this help.
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:21 AM #10
    SET is offline SET
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    sounds confusing!
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:23 AM #11
    z2g is offline z2g
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    That was good info. BUT, I have to add though that my friend used to work for a Honda dealer as a salesman (about 1-2 yrs ago) and he told me that the absolute minimum that he made for an invoice-priced car sale was about $150-200. So, I don't know how accurate the $50-100 statement was.
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:24 AM #12
    java4yogi is offline java4yogi
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    i heard that working with the internet department is much better..they have their own targets and less haggle to deal with...

    comments ?
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:26 AM #13
    yodie402 is offline yodie402
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    from just getting out of the business from 2 years, these tips should work pretty well. please treat your salesperson like a person. if he is being a prick, just ask him to hand you to the "green pea" so he can get credit for half a unit, and the green peas won't mind working with you.
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:49 AM #14
    oncex is offline oncex
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    We should get an option here at slickdeals to save good and useful threads like yours. Thanks.
     
    Old 07-23-2007, 01:50 AM #15
    hype is offline hype
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    this def. works.. i don't follow these exact guidelines but i get around the same price in the end.. i'm only 22 but i've bought 4 cars and got great deals on all of them (two of them were just helping someone else but i did most of the negotiating)...

    confidence is definately key also don't be afraid to just walk off the lot with your last offer standing. you'll be amazed how many times they call back and suddenly are willing to take the offer...

    just make sure you check the paperwork EXTREMELY close because they like to hide things especially on trade-ins.. just two weeks ago i had a friend who i helped get a deal verbally and i had to go take care of some things.. then 20 minutes later she called me and told me the numbers they had on the sheet didn't seem the same.. so i went back and looked.. they had about 3,000$ less then what we had just agreed on for the trade-in value.. so of course they tried to say it was all "just a mistake".. so i just said the only mistake was coming here and we left...

    hopefully that's all readable.. it's been a long night.....
     
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