LF: Suggestions on getting the best deal on a car

[mr_clark]

The wife and I are shopping for a new vehicle. Currently have no idea what to buy and I'm in no major rush. We may buy used if the price is right but we'd pretty much want to stick with nothing older than a 2007.

Looking to spend about $20K-25K. I've done a bit of research online for suggestions on how to get the best deals (like shopping late afternoon on the last day of the month when it's raining!). I'm wondering if any of the great bargain hunters here have any pointers, websites, etc that may help me strike the best bargain I can.

BTW: Not really looking for pointers on BrandX over BrandY etc. Just general tips and tricks would be great.

Thanks.
.

[Hugh Jass]

I bought a brand new car 2 yrs ago and managed to get a decent deal with a few things thrown in. But if I was to do it again, I'll try and get a demo of the same vehicle. Something with about 10,000km on it. You'll still get the same warranty and the car will have a lot of added extras. You can find them on autotrader or just ask any dealership.

My friend just got a Chrysler Town and Country, fully loaded with 12km for $37,000. I believe the full retail is $48,000 or something.

Oh yeah, get something that is great on gas, as that stuff is just going up in price by the day :)

[EscaBoi]

To be honest, I think it's easier to shop when you know what you want or have in mind. That way you can do research on that car and then start looking around for prices and specifics of how much the car is worth. ie/ leather seats, A/C, exterior mods, which add to the price and you know how much should be added or taken off the price of the vehicle with/without these things on.

For example I just picked up an '05 TSX with navigation for $23,000. IMO it was a good price, considering most '05 go for about that price range without the navigation. At the same time I did a lot of driving around and negotiating, when I didn't get what I was looking for, I'd leave to the next dealership. I got $2000 off the sticker price, which most of the other dealerships would only give me $1000-$1500 off.

If you're looking at an '07 make sure you know whether or not it is a demo vehicle. If it is, make sure to bargain and ask for less. I'd also recommend telling them to waive all other included fees, ie/ admin fees, vin etching. These are 2 things that most dealers throw into the price that you can easily knock $500 or more off for yourself.

I was negotiating with Woodbine Acura and the salesman refused to take off the admin fee, which was $295. He kept saying "I can't take it off, and it's only $300, that's not much". I got up and left and took my business elsewhere, which listened to my demands. $300 may be not much to him but to me it's still a lot of money that can go towards other things for the car.

[MrDisco]

I'm wondering if any of the great bargain hunters here have any pointers, websites, etc that may help me strike the best bargain I can.

Get an APA (apa.ca) membership (~$60) and request an invoice for the car you're interested in. Not having one when going into the bargaining process is just dumb. That's pretty much it when it comes to bargaining.

Beyond that, I have a thread which is geared just for you:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=273100

[AGR-1]

Most manufacturers have special offers and programs on a month to month basis, accompanied by subvented finance or lease rates which again change from month to month. Its known as "dynamic pricing" in the retail industry, the price and incentives are "adjusted" as per several parameters.

That you have the cost of the vehicle it will give you an idea of how much you can possibly negotiate from the MSRP for a price. The incentives are usually mentioned on the manufacturers web sites under the special offers section. If you try to get too much of a discount from the MSRP, the dealer will conveniently withold incentives or his participation on incentives to make up for the additional discount.

Price is one variable, the incentives are another variable.

Going in the last days of the month might give you a slight advantage to get an additional freebie.

One area where most folks drop their guard is the Business Office, when they start buying various packages, extended warranties, and insurances. The Business Office/F&I is a very lucrative profit centre for dealers.

[AirBosh]

To be honest, I think it's easier to shop when you know what you want or have in mind. That way you can do research on that car and then start looking around for prices and specifics of how much the car is worth. ie/ leather seats, A/C, exterior mods, which add to the price and you know how much should be added or taken off the price of the vehicle with/without these things on.

For example I just picked up an '05 TSX with navigation for $23,000. IMO it was a good price, considering most '05 go for about that price range without the navigation. At the same time I did a lot of driving around and negotiating, when I didn't get what I was looking for, I'd leave to the next dealership. I got $2000 off the sticker price, which most of the other dealerships would only give me $1000-$1500 off.

If you're looking at an '07 make sure you know whether or not it is a demo vehicle. If it is, make sure to bargain and ask for less. I'd also recommend telling them to waive all other included fees, ie/ admin fees, vin etching. These are 2 things that most dealers throw into the price that you can easily knock $500 or more off for yourself.

I was negotiating with Woodbine Acura and the salesman refused to take off the admin fee, which was $295. He kept saying "I can't take it off, and it's only $300, that's not much". I got up and left and took my business elsewhere, which listened to my demands. $300 may be not much to him but to me it's still a lot of money that can go towards other things for the car.

Did you get a 6spd tsx with navi? it's had to find one these days.
how many kms was on your tsx?

[Aggy]

Check out some of the other threads on this site...

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433591&page=79

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=584320&page=2&highlight=ask+me+dealership

[EscaBoi]

Did you get a 6spd tsx with navi? it's had to find one these days.
how many kms was on your tsx?
Yes, 6 Speed with navi and 71,000km. Finding a 6 speed was already hard enough. The nav was just a bonus when I found it ;)

[Shaner]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5357775&postcount=13

[AirBosh]

Yes, 6 Speed with navi and 71,000km. Finding a 6 speed was already hard enough. The nav was just a bonus when I found it ;)

good find!!! i'm looking for one too

[wally_walrus]

The wife and I are shopping for a new vehicle. Currently have no idea what to buy and I'm in no major rush. We may buy used if the price is right but we'd pretty much want to stick with nothing older than a 2007.

Looking to spend about $20K-25K. I've done a bit of research online for suggestions on how to get the best deals (like shopping late afternoon on the last day of the month when it's raining!). I'm wondering if any of the great bargain hunters here have any pointers, websites, etc that may help me strike the best bargain I can.

BTW: Not really looking for pointers on BrandX over BrandY etc. Just general tips and tricks would be great.

Thanks.
.


Ever heard about this:

http://www.fightingchance.com/

[mr_clark]

Ever heard about this:

http://www.fightingchance.com/

Checked it out but it's USA only. They do have a link to http://carcostcanada.com.

Anybody tried out Car Cost Canada.

Also on another note, I was talking with somebody and they said that Toyota doesn't negotiate on price anymore. The sticker price is what you pay no matter what. Is this true? Any way to get a better deal on a Toyota?

Thanks.

[AGR-1]

Toyota lowered their prices its quite possible that the "negotiation room" is diminished.

This infatuatation with knowing the cost of a car when manufacturers have monthly "special offers" is somewhat outdated. Especially when most prospective customers are more responsive to the finance deal than the actual price of the vehicle.

One customer pays cash at 500 over cost takes delivery on the 25th of the month, the following month the manufacturer comes up with a special offer on the same model with a value of 2,000. Another customer pays 1,250 over invoice and get the special offer of 2,000.

Which customer got the better deal?

[Aggy]

Here's some more threads:

Buying at a dealership: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363609&highlight=buying+car+dealership

Free Car Cost Canada reports: http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484563&page=3

[VivienM]

Also on another note, I was talking with somebody and they said that Toyota doesn't negotiate on price anymore. The sticker price is what you pay no matter what. Is this true? Any way to get a better deal on a Toyota?

You're in B.C. I think the infamous "Access Toyota" program is implemented more strictly there (or in Quebec) than in Ontario.

If the dealer says "Toyota says we can't sell it to you for less than price", and you want to shake things up a bit, have them put it in writing, and call up the Competition Bureau. Toyota ALREADY got in trouble a couple of years ago over the anticompetitive aspect of the Access Toyota program, and they agreed to make it clear that dealers could sell for less than the Access price. If they're reneging on that settlement, I'm sure the Competition Bureau would love to hear about it. :)