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the_marq · 04-17-2007, 07:31 AM

This is a skill that I just do not have. It would be nice if this was something that was taught in high school instead of the oh-so-useful skill of determining the hypotenuse of a right angle triangle.... how many times have you used that?

Anyway, as a new Dad I have to get rid of my pick up truck (2001 Ranger) and I'm taking the full on plunge into a 4door car. Mrs. the_marq and I have pretty much settled on a Honda Civic EX, but that's not important. What I am really wondering about is; what is expected of you when you are negotiating? I really have no idea how it works. When I was buying my truck (also when new), I felt like a wiener when the salesdude said, "The price of that truck is $19200."

Then I said, "I'm only paying $18000." Is that how it works, is that all there is to it? He looked at me like I was an idiot, maybe that was part of his strategy. Anyway, I'd really like to go into this purchase armed with some skills and strategy for getting a good price on this car.... wtf is a good price anyway?

Let's say for the sake of argument that the MSRP of this car is $25000. I'm in Canada btw, so bear with me Americans... we pay ALOT more for cars up here.

So how do I do this, I imagine I'll be sitting at the sales guy's desk he'll look at me and say, "OK it's $25000, sign here." As if it's a foregone conclusion that I'm just going to take the offer. What do I say?

--Fuck you Slick, I'm not giving you a penny over $20000!
--Oh come on now Steve, certainly you can do better than that.
--Really $25000... how about 23000? (then what, how does the give and take process go?)
--I INVENTED PINEAPPLE JUICE!

OK the last one was a joke, but seriously how does this work?

--If the new car is listed at 25G's how much will the dealership reasonably move, what's their markup?
--I'm buying (not leasing) and the finance rate is either 2.9% or 3.9% I forget right now. Is it worth asking for a better rate or is that 'off the table?'
--What words and phrases should I use, or avoid?
--What traps might the salesman lead me into?
--Is it easier to get them to throw in extras (leather seats, moonroof etc...)

Thanks.

04-17-2007, 07:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	How do you negotiate? This is a skill that I just do not have. It would be nice if this was something that was taught in high school instead of the oh-so-useful skill of determining the hypotenuse of a right angle triangle.... how many times have you used that? Anyway, as a new Dad I have to get rid of my pick up truck (2001 Ranger) and I'm taking the full on plunge into a 4door car. Mrs. the_marq and I have pretty much settled on a Honda Civic EX, but that's not important. What I am really wondering about is; what is expected of you when you are negotiating? I really have no idea how it works. When I was buying my truck (also when new), I felt like a wiener when the salesdude said, "The price of that truck is $19200." Then I said, "I'm only paying $18000." Is that how it works, is that all there is to it? He looked at me like I was an idiot, maybe that was part of his strategy. Anyway, I'd really like to go into this purchase armed with some skills and strategy for getting a good price on this car.... wtf is a good price anyway? Let's say for the sake of argument that the MSRP of this car is $25000. I'm in Canada btw, so bear with me Americans... we pay ALOT more for cars up here. So how do I do this, I imagine I'll be sitting at the sales guy's desk he'll look at me and say, "OK it's $25000, sign here." As if it's a foregone conclusion that I'm just going to take the offer. What do I say? --Fuck you Slick, I'm not giving you a penny over $20000! --Oh come on now Steve, certainly you can do better than that. --Really $25000... how about 23000? (then what, how does the give and take process go?) --I INVENTED PINEAPPLE JUICE! OK the last one was a joke, but seriously how does this work? --If the new car is listed at 25G's how much will the dealership reasonably move, what's their markup? --I'm buying (not leasing) and the finance rate is either 2.9% or 3.9% I forget right now. Is it worth asking for a better rate or is that 'off the table?' --What words and phrases should I use, or avoid? --What traps might the salesman lead me into? --Is it easier to get them to throw in extras (leather seats, moonroof etc...) Thanks. __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series