Generally? How about every time.

 

If now, how would they stay in business, right?

 

I probably should've worded that a little differently. There's obviously a mark up from what they bought it for, but there are a few out there that actually sell their vehicles at kbb/nada private party value and not retail value.

 

 

I'm surprised that the sentiment here is to do it privately rather than through a dealer.

 

IMO picking a used car is like investing. I could invest my money in equities with lower cos and potential for greater return, but as a complete amateur when it comes to picking stocks, I'd rather go with the slightly more expensive but safer route of going with a mutual fund with an established manager. Similarly, since I know nothing about a car, I could buy a cheap one of craigslist, but I'd rather go to a dealer who I know and trust and will guarantee me some quality.

 

Dealership cannot guarantee you anything, and really, a private party cannot guarantee you anything either. I don't care how much you 'trust' the dealer, they generally know absolutely nothing about the vehicle they sell. They buy their cars at auctions, or take trade-ins, but they don't know what has been done to the vehicle, and they almost never have proof of what was done.

A dealer gets used cars by either taking them as a trade or buying them at an auction. Obviously,their goal is to pay as little as possible for it. A dealer probably averages $600 to $800 dollars reconditioning the car before putting it on their lot.

 

If you're looking on a lot and the car is clean with an asking price of $13k to $15k the dealer probably has about a $2000 to $2500 markup above and beyond what they paid for it plus the amount they spent in reconditioning.

 

Most used car managers would probably take a $1500 gross profit unless its a hard-to-get vehicle. Most would probably go down to $1000 on an average vehicle in that price range.

Do you know what kind of car you want? Look around at a few different cars, compare prices, and then go after the car you want.

My mother has a way of getting a car for her price that is amazing to me. She acts really interested, and when they offer her a price that is a little high, she just says no thanks and starts to walk off. She got a dealer to take 4,000 dollars off the car that I drove in high school, believe it or not.

I would say, to act like you're interested in the car, but don't act too desperate for it. Go in like you have other good options (whether you do or not) and you'll get their lowest price many times.

 

JMO though.

Isn't that sentence a oxymoron? A car dealer that you can trust?[/

 

Believe it or not there are some good dealers out there that are genuine and a credit to there community.

Avoid American cars.

 

Ford product would really surprise you right now. I have a couple of friends who have bought a F-150 and an Fusion. Really nice rides.

Isn't that sentence a oxymoron? A car dealer that you can trust?[/

 

Believe it or not there are some good dealers oout there that are genuine and a credit to there community.

:thumb:Absolutely!

Isn't that sentence a oxymoron? A car dealer that you can trust?

 

Didn't mean to get any one upset, just making a tounge in cheek comment. I'm sure there are many fine car dealers.

Avoid American cars.

 

What would be considered Anerican made these days?

What would be considered Anerican made these days?

 

It's American engineering that's the problem, not so much American-manufactured.

I have bought my last 2 vehicles on craigslist

Take someone else along as an extra set of eyes, also as someone suggested Edmunds offers great information, and lastly I beleive the service is called Car Fax you pay about $30 and they will give you a report on the car concerning previous repairs... Good Luck and remember you can always go up rarely down in the negotiating process!

I am in need of a car and I am planning on looking at some dealers for used cars. Anyone with previous experience offer any tips on buying a used car? Negotiating ideas, how much to expect to come off of sticker? I am looking in the 10-13 range, would they come down $1,000? Any help from the BGP family would be appreciated!

 

Be willing to walk away. That's the first rule of buying a car- new or used. Do your homework, know how much you can and are willing to pay before you test drive it. Don't come off your number and don't let on to anyone you've "fallen in love" with the car.

 

My wife and I bought our van back in February and they were asking $9,995. We couldn't pay more than $8k (without taxes). The van booked for $7725. We drove it and liked it, we took it to a mechanic we trusted who really liked it, so we went back and offered $7500. They countered at $9k. We offered $7900, They countered at $8,500. We left. The next day we went out looking again and really could not find anything as nice as that van. The salesman called us and told us he really wished they could earn our business so on our way back and we offered them $8,000 over the phone. When we got there they had already pulled it off to the side and took our offer.

 

Interesting side note we called the previous owners who traded it in for $6500. The dealership had put new brakes all around, turned the rotors, and replaced a bent rim. So I'm not sure how much they had into it but they were easy to work with, very nice, and it was a blast to negotiate with them. I love that kind of stuff.

 

I don't know if your are financing or paying cash, but with used cars you have more wiggle room paying cash. My Dad bought an Accord years ago that the guy wanted $8k for. Dad pulled out $5k in cash and told him he would drive it home today and the dealer would have cash in his pocket for supper. The Dealer said "Let's go draw up the paper work!" Amazing what a wad of $100 bills will do for you.

 

My Dad was a banker and he NEVER went to look at used cars without his NADA book. The blue Book and stuff are not really what matters- the NADA book is what banks and dealers use to actually price the car. NADA has several prices including the average a bank will loan on a particular model of car. All are very helpful tools in getting the best price.

 

CARFAX it as well. Most used dealers worth their salt will already provide a CARFAX. The place where we bought the van not only already had the CARFAX, it was posted in the window, and they offered to call the previous owner and ask permission for us to speak with them.

 

Finally if you can buy towards the end of the month. If they have had a slow month they are more apt to make better deals to move cars at the end of the month than at the beginning. I'm convinced we would not have got that good of a deal on that van any other time, but it was the last Saturday of the month and they were clearly not selling a lot of cars.

 

Just a few tips.