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Advice when Purchasing a Car

Lefty Moonshot

Lefty Moonshot

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THP'ers, its been a long time since I went vehicle shopping. This weekend, I'm planning to go look at cars with my girlfriend as she is due for an upgrade. Beyond the basics, I dont consider myself a "car guy" nor some sort of master negotiator. We are not looking at new cars. Looking for ~3-5 years old, in the ballpark of $20k. So far I have been browsing used car inventories and saving ones that fit the mold. I know its not a great time for buying a car, buy San Antonio is a reasonable market and there are decent cars that I'm finding within this price range (from the pictures).

I'm asking for any advice you have for when going to look/purchase a car. What are the questions I should ask? What type of research should I do beforehand? Any tips on how to not get screwed?
 
Carfax or similar report w/ maintenance records. Routine maintenance being done can be better/more important than mileage. Obv. compare price to KBB as well. I drive a Rogue because 2 buddies who drive nothing but luxury vehicles each had one as a rental and raved about them. They weren't wrong.. love the car. Ask friends if they like what they drive.. word of mouth is great for reviews.
 
Always be prepared to walk away.
 
Look for the deluxe model of the vehicle you are looking for. An LX vs an St for instance. They are generally better taken care of.
 
baylrballa said:
Always be prepared to walk away.
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This. Although nowadays most issues are in the finance room. The sales prices are pretty close to what they should be. Almost no need to fear about the sticker price anymore.
Also have your phone out at all times. Just to give the illusion even of still shopping while they’re doing sales pitch.
 
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brians said:
This. Although nowadays most issues are in the finance room. The sales prices are pretty close to what they should be. Almost no need to fear about the sticker price anymore.
Also have your phone out at all times. Just to give the illusion even of still shopping while theyredoing sales pitch.
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Never thought of that about the phone. I like it!
 
Don't lead that you have a trade in. If they ask, simply say that you aren't sure yet and you may sell privately even if you fully intend to trade in. A lot of dealers use a tactic where they pretend to give you more for your trade in so they don't have to budge on sticker price. Also look to negotiate for service incentives if they are being stingy on sticker price. Unfortunately in the market right now more of the leverage in car buying is with the dealers than the consumers, so if you are buying new don't expect huge savings in negotiations.
 
But mostly:
HAVE FUN. Really. Enjoy the test rides. Expect to make a day of it. Our last car (used) we went in with this mentality. It was a blast. I never never thought I’d be in a Buick. But it felt like a floating fortress, the cup holders held the ice coffees perfectly and for some reason there was a CD in the player of an acapella group doing the Star Wars theme etc😅
 
DufferDrew said:
Don't lead that you have a trade in. If they ask, simply say that you aren't sure yet and you may sell privately even if you fully intend to trade in. A lot of dealers use a tactic where they pretend to give you more for your trade in so they don't have to budge on sticker price. Also look to negotiate for service incentives if they are being stingy on sticker price. Unfortunately in the market right now more of the leverage in car buying is with the dealers than the consumers, so if you are buying new don't expect huge savings in negotiations.
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Thanks! That seems like great advise about the trade-in and negotiation on service incentives.
 
great advice in here:

- be prepared to walk away.
- obviously don't act too excited when you found the right car.
- i hate haggling so i just go with "give me your best price".
- i like the "keep your phone out and open"....maybe even have another dealer on your page in case they see it.
- research the dealer and the cars he has on the lot before you go, this way you can google similar cars and see if their price is good or not.
- i also like the advice of "saying your not sure you are trading your car in or not". they are 2 different transactions. you have to haggle both unfortunately.
- first thing they always ask is "what payment range are you looking for" even though you know what that is don't tell them.
- shop towards the end of the month

most importantly, have fun. your getting a new car it is a fun time. good luck
 
If at all possible, hunt for certified. It sets the mind at ease and anything weird from the former operator is on the dealership to resolve, not you.

Also, make it a game. Don't take anything they say personally, know the value of your car in both KBB re-sale and trade, and be willing to dance until YOU are satisfied, not them.
 
Be aware that the used car market is tight and (therefore) inflated. While you might think you’re getting a deal on something, very often it’s going to have higher mileage on it with the associated hidden costs—needs new tires, brakes, transmission/power train maintenance, etc. So by the time you take care of these things you might be over budget and into the realm where a new car might have been the way to go in the first place. In fact, you might be looking at something like $18,000-$20,000 used, where new might be $28,000-$30,000, with a bumper-to-bumper warranty and more bells and whistles that, while unnecessary, can be pretty nice to have.
 
Canadan said:
If at all possible, hunt for certified. It sets the mind at ease and anything weird from the former operator is on the dealership to resolve, not you.

Also, make it a game. Don't take anything they say personally, know the value of your car in both KBB re-sale and trade, and be willing to dance until YOU are satisfied, not them.
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Someone told me during a prior car search.

"Go the last week of the month when salesmen are trying to meet quotas. The salesman is not your friend. If they are happy at the end of the transaction, you left something on the table. If you make them as angry as possible, while still getting the car you want, you've negotiated well." :LOL:

I kind of laughed initially, but after I thought about it, that's not far off. The leverage balance is a bit different these days though.
 
baylrballa said:
Someone told me during a prior car search.

"Go the last week of the month when salesmen are trying to meet quotas. The salesman is not your friend. If they are happy at the end of the transaction, you left something on the table. If you make them as angry as possible, while still getting the car you want, you've negotiated well." :LOL:

I kind of laughed initially, but after I thought about it, that's not far off. The leverage balance is a bit different these days though.
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hahaha, I've never left a salesman angry, because I get that he should get his piece as well, but I've annoyed the hell out of a handful of them, and enjoyed doing it.
 
If you’re not a car guy, consider a car max if you have one close by. I’ve bought cars from them now, one for me, one for work. You go in, find a car you like. Take it for a test drive (with no salesman). If you like it, you buy it. No haggling. You also have 30 days to chuck it back at them if you don’t like it. My only advice would be, but something from the lot rather than getting it shipped.
 
The car buying process has always blown my mind. Why everyone pays a different price based on negotiation is baffling. What if you had to negotiate for your new iPhone? 😂

Good luck
 
Lefty Moonshot said:
Thanks! That seems like great advise about the trade-in and negotiation on service incentives.
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On Trading in a car, ALWAYS, ALWAYS BRING 2 SETS OF KEYS!!
Always give them the spare with no other key on it.
This way, when you want to walk away and they "Can't Find Your Keys" you pull another one and tell them to mail you the spare key when they find it.
 
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I always thought I shopping for a new car is easier than a used car.

I have an idea for a budget/monthly payment. A few must haves. A few "would be nice". Take the test drives.
 
Got a good mechanic you trust? Ask them to let you take the car to your mechanic to inspect.
 
This has worked for me at the dealership- whenever the salesperson gives you the final (no commitment) breakdown of how much you will pay monthly (after you negotiated), at that moment tell him/her to include GAP insurance in that payment or you're walking. Worked for my Mustang and my dad's Silverado. GAP insurance is essential and a must (for me).
Good luck car shopping!
 
jazi95 said:
This has worked for me at the dealership- whenever the salesperson gives you the final (no commitment) breakdown of how much you will pay monthly (after you negotiated), at that moment tell him/her to include GAP insurance in that payment or you're walking. Worked for my Mustang and my dad's Silverado. GAP insurance is essential and a must (for me).
Good luck car shopping!
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As an insurance agent I will also recommend GAP. It goes through the finance co. not your ins. co. Either a big down payment or get the GAP.
 
Lefty Moonshot said:
THP'ers, its been a long time since I went vehicle shopping. This weekend, I'm planning to go look at cars with my girlfriend as she is due for an upgrade. Beyond the basics, I dont consider myself a "car guy" nor some sort of master negotiator. We are not looking at new cars. Looking for ~3-5 years old, in the ballpark of $20k. So far I have been browsing used car inventories and saving ones that fit the mold. I know its not a great time for buying a car, buy San Antonio is a reasonable market and there are decent cars that I'm finding within this price range (from the pictures).

I'm asking for any advice you have for when going to look/purchase a car. What are the questions I should ask? What type of research should I do beforehand? Any tips on how to not get screwed?
Click to expand...
I always follow these rules

1. Have your own financing before walking in. Call your bank or credit union and get pre approved for an amount slightly over your budget. You will waste a ton of time "dealing" with their financing.
2. Ask for the vehicle history report. Usually the Carfax or something similar is already online, but ask to see it from them
3. No need to be mean, but be up front. Let them know you don't have all day, you want to see a specific car and figure out if you want to buy it. If the car is not there don't let them "bait and switch" you
4. Be prepared to walk away. You have all the leverage because they need your money, you don't need them. You have your financing and if the numbers don't fit your budget, walk out and go to the next option.

Overall just be patient but firm and you will be ok.
 
As someone who sold cars for a few years... don't go in thinking you will be able to out negotiate the team at the dealership. They are professionals, and you are very unlikely to win when it's all said and done. They won't lose, that's for sure. If buying at a traditional dealership where you have to negotiate to get the best deal, go in with a "I went for it all" bottom line, and have a comfortable fall back position where you will be ok landing. You'll probably end up between those two if you are being reasonable.

I've gone away from buying cars where you need to negotiate to get their best pricing. Carmax doesn't negotiate, many other dealerships locally have followed that process. That said - while they might not negotiate on price, you can usually get accessories, warranties, subscriptions (onstar, etc.), gap insurance, etc. thrown in to sweeten a deal if not at Carmax :)
 
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