Car shopping is a pain in the a**! Advice needed

[justiceischeap]

So I went to my local stealership and looked at a car that had a red tag sale price. It was a bit too much for my finances at the moment, so I decided to hop onto their website and see what other used vehicles they had. Lo and behold, I see the same vehicle I was working a deal on for almost 3k less on their website. I call back today, ask about that and they sales guy I was working with says he'll call me back in half an hour. Almost 3 hours later he calls back and says there are some problems, yada, yada and I ask again about that price discrepancy. He says, yeah, that's the price with college graduate rebates (a rebate I don't qualify for).

So I decide to chat with another sales agent on the site, ask if there is something special I have to do to qualify for Internet pricing or if that's the sales price. After dancing around the question, he finally says that's the best price the dealership can do and yes that IS the sales price. So, I capture that screen and answer and now I'm wondering if I should call the manager or just find another dealership... That's where the advice comes in... Do I hold them to the listed price on the Internet, knowing I've been lied to or do I go elsewhere?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[MicaelS]

1. If that is really the car you want..

I'd get a color printout, walk in and ask to speak to the Sales Manager. Tell him / her you want THAT car, at THAT price as advertised on the Internet. Make sure you read all the fine print on the website before you print, so they can't try to weasel out of it.

Don't let them sell you an extended warranty because they'll try to pawn you off to the credit department, and they jack up the price on those warranties.

I reccomend you spend some time researching on Autotrader.com and Cars.com and Truecar.com

You can really drill down to find the exact car you want. You might be able to find a better deal some distance away from your home. You can search the entire country.

[justiceischeap]

3. Yeah, I've used AT and Cars in the past but never heard of TrueCar

The thing about this car is it's a 2011 and still under factory warranty with 27k miles on it. I'd really like this car but the shady deal is just... it just tastes wrong. Every time the guy calls back, he's like we need more money to make this deal work yet when they can get more money by giving me this vehicle at the listed price... suddenly I don't qualify for rebates on a 3 year old used vehicle?

[Incitatus]

6. It sounds like a bunch of bull crap.

They do not get a rebate for selling a used car to a college student. They make the same profit. They're just trying yo get every penny out of you that they can. Are you financing this yourself or trying to get a loan through the dealership?

[cyberswede]

2. I'd go somewhere else.

I hate shit like that.

I also check sites like cars.com or autrader.com and search within 50 or 75 miles or whatever (depending on how far you're willing to go). Those sites also usually have links to customer reviews, as well as reports on the most durable used cars, used car models to avoid, etc.

I'm not much help, but good luck!

[GoCubsGo]

9. And, if one is a AAA member...

Some chapters have a buyer's service. Here in the Carolinas one can get a new car at fleet rates. Even cheaper if there are manufacturer incentives. They'll even finance it and deliver it to your driveway. They also sell used cars.

[Kali]

4. they will probably come down even from that (a little, anyway) if you have the cash

walking away but making sure they can contact you (and making a fair offer) will keep them interested.

oh and ask for the out-the-door FINAL cash price or you will still have more added shit like insane sales tax etc.

[Boom Sound 416]

5. All they do is lie. I'm serious. All they do is lie

Go in there and pay what you think is fair or walk out.

If you walkout, you are not the loser.

If they don't chase you out the door, you are not a loser.

Experience has taught me this. I've bought and sold a lot of cars. (Kind of a hobby)

And they are a helluva lotta cars out there. If you can't find yours. Wait two weeks.

[NV Whino]

7. You can frequently get a better deal on Internet sales.

I totaled a car a couple of years ago, and the insurance company pointed me toward some sites. I ended up buying (on the net) from a dealer I had bought from before. I committed to the car, they took pertinent information on the net, and then they sent a car to pick me up and take me to the dealership for signing and pick up. Easy peasy.

[musiclawyer]

8. Only two ways to buy

With the internet you can access the invoice price of any car

Work through the internet sales manager only .... once you know exactly what car you want

Or

If you do not want to deal with sales people at all , Use autotrader or cars direct etc. You pay them a $500 ish fee in exchange for a price just above invoice ... They do most all the work. Many people would rather do it that way than deal with the aggravation of the lot New or used too !

Never go on a lot cold without the invoice and not knowing exactly what you want

[DFW]

10. Haven't bought a car in the States since 1979

No idea how it's done these days.

[a la izquierda]

11. I did a ton of web searches when I bought my car in June.

I showed up with a printout of exactly what I wanted, with the price, competing offers, and my financing. At one point the guy asked, "does your husband have any input on this?" I looked him dead in the face and said, "this is my car and my money." My husband smiled and shrugged.


I picked up my new car 2 days later.

[justiceischeap]

12. Thanks for the advice all.

I'm going to back away from this one and wait a few weeks or look elsewhere.

I'm not a big fan of being lied to (like anyone is) and I get the distinct impression this was a shady deal. That said, I did come across a Toyota 4Runner last night while I was out looking at other lots that should be within my price range--so hopefully I can make that happen this weekend.

Thanks again!

[Myrina]

13. Go shortly before they close, tell THEM what YOU want your payments to be ....

.... actual price of the car is generally 85% of the list price. So try to get them to knock off at least %10. And don't be afraid to say 'No thanks' and walk away. They WILL call you back & deal.

[Coventina]

14. My advice, for what it's worth:

If you are buying used, private party sales are usually much easier and cheaper.

The downside is, that you have no recourse if you get swindled.

If you know cars pretty well, or have a friend who knows cars, you can eliminate most of that possibility.

Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the model of car you're considering is a big plus. Consumer Reports is a good resource for this, their used car buying guides are available at most libraries.

Be sure to take it on a test drive, or take it to a trusted mechanic. If the seller won't allow that, thank them for their time and move on.

If you're going to buy from a dealer, there will be jackassery. Go in with hard limits on what you will pay and stick with them. Do not let them take the keys for your trade-in (should you have one). Do not let them manoever you into a little room while they go "talk to the sales manager."

Be firm about not having time to negotiate - this is what you are willing to pay - if they can't match it - you move on.

Hope this helps. It is indeed a PITA. I wish you luck!!!

[Blue_Tires]

15. This is the part where I curse the NADA for the millionth time

because they are the ones who killed the "buy a new car online and cut the middleman out of the process" initiative 15 years ago...

not only did they kill it, they killed ALL discussion of it -- I haven't even heard it mentioned anywhere in over 10 years despite the quantum leaps we've made in e-commerce since then...

[mnhtnbb]

16. There's always another car or another dealer.

Walking away is a good idea. Years and years ago I did that
and the guy came running out the door after me.

I bought my current car after I found it on-line at a dealer out of state.
We agreed on price. I flew up, they picked me up then tried to put
me in the back room with the manager who tried to sell me services
that I could only use AT THEIR DEALERSHIP when I lived out of state!
A$$holes! But I drove away with the car I wanted at the price I wanted
and have had no problems in the 5 years I've owned it. (It was 2 years old
when I bought it with 14,000 miles on it.)

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. Back in the mid 1980s I bought a new Hyundai

They had just started selling cars in my area and I went to their new dealership and bought the cheapest, smallest car they had on the lot. I got the usual song and dance, with the salesman going back and forth from me to the sales manager, pretending to dramatize his struggle to get me the best deal he could. We finally agreed on a price and we drew up a contract and I made the down payment agreed upon. The contract involved terms of financing and monthly payments on my part. I drove the car home.

Then about five days later I got a call from the guy who had sold me the car. He said that they were unable to offer me the car at the contract price because there was a problem with financing (their lender refused to finance the deal at the agreed payment rate because of my lack of a borrowing track record). The dealership said I had to come in and sign a new contract at a higher amount and if I refused, they'd repossess the car. I called the California DMV and I spoke to their ombudsman who told me what they were doing was illegal. He called the dealership and told them they either had to honor the contract or let me return the car with a full refund. I returned the car. The sales manager was stunned when he discovered that I'd put about 3,000 miles on the car in one week's time (I had taken several trips to a distant university library to do research, before being told there was a problem with the car).

If what happened with the false advertising still bothers you, maybe you should call your local DMV and report them, providing them with as much documentation as possible. I'm not sure if what they did is a violation of the laws regulating dealerships but if it is, you might at least spare others from going through the same waste of time and bother.

[Coventina]

18. Are you a member of a credit union?

Many of them have car buying services where they have a list of cars available that have come from sources they trust.

Only downside of that method is that prices are non-negotiable (or maybe that's an upside?). Also, what they have is there, and if it doesn't float your boat you either have to wait or pick a non-ideal car.

But, the car comes with buyer protection and you know that the loan is pre-approved, so hassle is kept to a minimum.

My sister just bought a used Prius this way and was extremely satisfied.

[RandoLoodie]

19. Used car prices aren't set in stone

they vary according the to customer (is the customer a mullet, are they a 700 - 850 customer, do they have their own financing, are they paying cash?).

You will NEVER know what the dealer has invested in the vehicle.

They will charge you whatever they can get away with.

Advertised prices, printouts, waving pieces of paper in their faces will not accomplish very much for you.

Why should they sell you the car if they can get someone else to buy it for more?

It all depends on how much energy you want to expend and what it will accomplish.

[justiceischeap]

20. My big issue is financing with shaky credit.

I've been working on rebuilding my credit and I know high interest rate car loans do that better than anything (and, unfortunately, they're all I can get at the moment). I know this creates difficulty in getting what I want. That said, I have a car now that is fine but I'm looking for an SUV because of the places I go for my photography--my little car just can't handle the terrain at times.

That said, what I'm looking for is complicated and I'm a tough customer to deal with...I know that going in too. However, that isn't a reason to try and screw me over.

As far as the advice about being firm, I am firm and that's because I have a perfectly fine car, so I don't NEED a vehicle. This dealership didn't seem to understand or hear my terms when I went in. I told them what I could pay a month, told them what I could afford for a down payment and told them what I was looking for... again, it seemed they weren't hearing me so I'm done talking with them. I'm still not sure whether or not to lodge a complaint to their manager but I may write an online review.

[kristopher]

21. Arrange financing in advance - join a credit union if you aren't already a member.

Go in and talk to their credit person before you apply. Ask them to review your history and suggest the best way to structure the purchase in order get the best financing possible. For example, you might be well advised to buy a somewhat less expensive car so that whatever the amount you have available to put down will represent a larger percentage of the purchase price. The amount of exposure a lender incurs is not only determined by your past history and present circumstances, but also by how easily they can recoup their money if they have to repossess the car. The credit person at the credit union will be able too look at all the variables and tell you the best way to proceed.

With that amount approved go shopping, you'll have a far better negotiating position in that you'll know your limits and the salesperson won't be able to lead you into spending more than you can afford. With an approval in hand you can also explore the private market.

Don't deal with a known liar. In my experience, car sales is a high pressure profession, but the number of people who outright lie is pretty small so if you run across that, it's a deal killer - go somewhere else.

Most of the dealer's profits are gained after you buy the car. Don't mention that you have your money lined up, because management will have it in the back of their minds that they will probably make money on financing, life insurance, and an extended warranty. Let them believe that as long as is feasible.

With the financing arranged you've capped the interest expense and eliminated the gouging that is possible with overpriced life insurance policies. That leaves the warranty.

Have you ever heard of a bathtub curve?



The new car warranty covers the initial period; extended warranties cover the period on the bottom of the tub, and no warranty covers the upward slope. You are much better off spending money on a good checkup by a mechanic you trust.

Not pushing it, but I saw an ad for the Smart car last night where the lease is $99/mo for 36 months and the total front money is a bit less than $1400 (plus taxes I'm sure).

You might want to consider something like that to bridge the gap until you have more firmly re-established your credit. I don't particularly like leases but sometimes it is the best choice. NO matter what you do though - have a detailed and in depth talk with your bank or credit union first.

[justiceischeap]

22. Can my actual bank have the same discussion with me?

I've not been able to find a credit union in my area that I can join (I looked during the whole Occupy Wall Street thing). I know my bank won't finance me, I've tried but they could still help me with that discussion couldn't they?