Car-Buying Advice Please

[mentalbreak]

I am in the market for a new car. I have already decided that I want to purchase new, and I want the 2020 model. I also want a specific trim level, and would prefer to land at the lowest end of that trim package.

The mfr just announced a rebate/finance rate option in this car in the last few days. Previously there were offers on other models, but not the model I want.

Local inventory shows 1 vehicle at the low end of the trim package, and 4 that run $3k - $12k higher. I do not value (ie do not want to pay for) those extra features.

I don’t know where to start or how to negotiate. There are 2 dealerships in my area, and 2 more within 100 miles. I was hoping Costco auto-buying might be able to show me a non-MSRP price (to go down from there), but there were no participants for that.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

~mb

 

[Luanne]

All I can do is give you our experiences. Dh usually knows exactly what he wants. He goes into the dealer and tells them. If they don't have that exact model there, he'll order it and wait until they do. If this special they are advertising is only available to cars on the lot you might not have a lot of negotiating room. But if the dealers are eager to make sales they should be bending over backwards to get you what you want.

 

[bbodb1]

A bit more info might be helpful here:

• Do you live in an area with multiple dealers for the vehicle you selected?
• Are you willing to travel a bit to find a better price?
• Have you read websites OR visited your local library for sources such as Edmunds.Com or Consumer Reports?

Which Car Buying Service Is Best for You? | Edmunds

Using an expert to help you buy your next car can save you time, money and hassle.

www.edmunds.com

The above IS an old article, but it does offer another possibility - a car buying service.

 

[mentalbreak]

A bit more info might be helpful here:

• Do you live in an area with multiple dealers for the vehicle you selected?
• Are you willing to travel a bit to find a better price?
• Have you read websites OR visited your local library for sources such as Edmunds.Com or Consumer Reports?

Which Car Buying Service Is Best for You? | Edmunds

Using an expert to help you buy your next car can save you time, money and hassle.

www.edmunds.com

The above IS an old article, but it does offer another possibility - a car buying service.

2 dealerships in immediate area
4 within 100 miles
Willing to drive further (but wondering if there are pros/cons for not buying from closer)
Other metro areas have 5-6 dealers and 10-15 vehicles.

I have seen some type of thermometer graphic about price, but not sure how fact-based/realistic those are. I will look specifically at Edmunds. Thx!

 

[bbodb1]

As an aside, there are a LOT of YouTube videos offering Car Buying Advice. I've been watching some of Kevin Hunter's videos.
To be clear - I am NOT suggesting his advice alone is the gospel, but take a few minutes to watch some of his videos.
Do some reading about your desired car on Consumer Reports, and websites like Edmunds.

 

[Luanne]

The other thing is, you might try using a car broker. Of course saying that is easier than doing it. We used a broker in California a few times. He happened to own the shop where we took our cars and he did it for fun. He did charge a fee, but it was minimal. We could have also used a broker here in New Mexico as we found someone who did that. We ended up not using him, but I have a couple of friends who did.

 

[Glynda]

Wait till near the end of the month to negotiate. That's when they're really eager to reach their sales quota.

 

[mentalbreak]

Wait till near the end of the month to negotiate. That's when they're really eager to reach their sales quota.

Patience is not my strong suit! But thriftiness is a strength and I do not want to overpay. I have finally acknowledged that it is time to say goodbye to our 17yo vehicle (that we bought when my oldest was in a carrier car seat). Now that I have made my decision, I want it NOW. But don’t NEED it NOW, so will research and find the right price.
I will absolutely cry when I walk away from my current vehicle.

 

[Sea Six]

It's that time of the year where if you buy a 2020 it's last year's model by the time you get it. Wait until the end of year clearances start as the 2021s come out. It's too late to call a 2020 new.

 

[Luanne]

It's that time of the year where if you buy a 2020 it's last year's model by the time you get it. Wait until the end of year clearances start as the 2021s come out. It's too late to call a 2020 new.

But doesn't that mean it's usually less? When do the 2021s come out?

 

[Glynda]

But doesn't that mean it's usually less? When do the 2021s come out?

Some as early as August.

 

[rjp123]

Now is the worst time in history to buy a used car. Prices have gone up like crazy. Avoid at all costs.

Some reasonable new car deals however. Just avoid the 72+ month finance deals. You'll be underwater for the first 3-4 years of the deal.

Oh, and buy an extended warranty on a new car.

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[mentalbreak]

Some as early as August.

Will be later this year due to factory shutdowns.

 

[Sea Six]

But doesn't that mean it's usually less? When do the 2021s come out?

Last year's model is always less, as it is already depreciated 1 model year. US assembly lines usually shut down around this time of year to re-tool for next year's model. The new models are usually rolling out by late August, Euro / Asian models a little later. Demand is down so much this year, We'll have to just wait and see. There is not much demand for new cars. At this time, you take what's on the lot or wait. Depending on the model you may not get what options you want because you're stuck with what's already out there. The lines were shut down so much this year between the UAW strike and Covid, I suggest WAITING! Not much driving going on, better to wait and see.

 

[Glynda]

Will be later this year due to factory shutdowns.

That makes sense!

 

[bbodb1]

Patience is not my strong suit! But thriftiness is a strength and I do not want to overpay. I have finally acknowledged that it is time to say goodbye to our 17yo vehicle (that we bought when my oldest was in a carrier car seat). Now that I have made my decision, I want it NOW. But don’t NEED it NOW, so will research and find the right price.
I will absolutely cry when I walk away from my current vehicle.

Speaking of your old vehicle, is it still running? You might consider keeping it.

 

[bbodb1]

Now is the worst time in history to buy a used car. Prices have gone up like crazy. Avoid at all costs.

Some reasonable new car deals however. Just avoid the 72+ month finance deals. You'll be underwater for the first 3-4 years of the deal.

Oh, and buy an extended warranty on a new car.

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36 months (at most) financing if you need it and can swing it...

 

[geist1223]

The best prices on 2020 Models will be in November and December but the selection may be poor. Many Credit Unions and Insurance Companies have car buying services similar to Costco. When I bought my truck the trim level did not come with a Power Slider. It I went up a trim level it came with a Power Slider. But the Dealer Manufacturer deal on the lower trim level was so much better I could add a Power Slider and still save thousands.

 

[PamMo]

You've seriously GOT to listen to Episode #513 of This American Life, 129 Cars https://www.thisamericanlife.org/513/129-cars It is a brilliant inside look at what happens behind the scenes in a car dealership. I HATE the whole ritual of car buying. It's such an awkward dance for me, and I can't ever tell if I'm getting a good price. When they tell me they are selling a car below their cost, I always laugh. But, they DO sell below their cost to get bonuses. It's a super weird, arcane business model.

I've used Cars.com as a starting point to get an idea on prices around the area.

 

[Glynda]

You've seriously GOT to listen to the July 5th, Episode #513 of This American Life, 129 Cars. It is a brilliant inside look at what happens behind the scenes in a car dealership. I HATE the whole ritual of car buying. It's such an awkward dance for me, and I can't ever tell if I'm getting a good price. When they tell me they are selling a car below their cost, I always laugh. But, they DO sell below their cost to get bonuses. It's a super weird, arcane business model.

I've used Cars.com as a starting point to get an idea on prices around the area.

Hubby and I listened to it a few nights ago.

 

[Talent312]

A friend I know waited until a "big" game for a local team was on TV.
Thus distracting the salespeep. My suggestion:

Check the dealer's own websites... They may have an internet price or discount.
Also check out "True Car" (https://www.truecar.com/) to see how that compares.

We looked at every Rav4 at area dealers and chose an "internet discount" at a dealer
45 miles away. At the time, they also offered -0-% financing, which was a no-brainer.

Some sources for car buying/pricing services:
AARP, AAA (some places), American Express, and maybe your bank or credit union.

.

 

[mentalbreak]

A friend I know waited until a "big" game for a local team was on TV.
Thus distracting the salespeep. My suggestion:

Check the dealer's own websites... They may have an internet price or discount.
Also check out "True Car" (https://www.truecar.com/) to see how that compares.

We looked at every Rav4 at area dealers and chose an "internet discount" at a dealer
45 miles away. At the time, they also offered -0-% financing, which was a no-brainer.

Some sources for car buying/pricing services:
AARP, AAA (some places), American Express, and maybe your bank or credit union.

.

Nice move in waiting for the big game. That could be a 15 months away!

 

[Bucky]

Sounds like you are looking at a vehicle that is probably in high demand and low supply. if a rebate just went on it. If thats true you can pretty much disregard anything you read here. Would help if I knew the make and model to know whether you are spinning your wheels or not. There is no carte Blanc way to buy every vehicle. Different makes, models, trim levels require different tactics.

 

[Brett]

A friend I know waited until a "big" game for a local team was on TV.
Thus distracting the salespeep. My suggestion:

Check the dealer's own websites... They may have an internet price or discount.
Also check out "True Car" (https://www.truecar.com/) to see how that compares.

We looked at every Rav4 at area dealers and chose an "internet discount" at a dealer
45 miles away. At the time, they also offered -0-% financing, which was a no-brainer.

Some sources for car buying/pricing services:
AARP, AAA (some places), American Express, and maybe your bank or credit union.

.

I also got quotes from three local dealers for the same [make /model /year /trim package} car and selected the dealer that had the lowest price

 

[amycurl]

Since you know what you want, here’s what we did:
Did a test drive at a dealer on a Sunday afternoon. Not regular salespeople on duty, so no pressure to sign that day.

Ordered the report from Consumer Reports that provided the dealer invoice price for the car, so we knew how much the car cost the dealer.

We then used our credit union’s car buying service. They found the car through a dealer about an hour away from us that would sell it to us for just a few hundred over that dealer invoice price. The CUABS then delivered the car to us and we signed the paperwork with them.

We NEVER interacted with a dealer salesman and it was a dream experience.


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