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Do we have any car buying experts?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by GODZILLA, Sep 11, 2022.

  1. Sep 11, 2022 at 2:09 PM
    #1
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Just wanted to see if we have any members who have been able to wrangle really good deals on new cars/trucks and their trade ins.

    Thought it might be nice to get people's tips and strategies that are generally effective. I'd like to avoid anecdotal incidents (like a new salesman making a mistake, etc.) and stick to repeatable things that have been found to garner the best outcomes. I'd like to hear what people have done that has worked out for them. Obviously, the market changed a lot in the last year, so newer experiences may be more relevant. Let's not get shitty and argue with each other, either. Keep in informational if we can!


    What are your dos and don'ts when you go to buy a new vehicle? Please, give a brief explanation of why you would or would not do certain things.

    Is there a specific person at a dealership you should work with when getting the price nailed down?


    Do we have any salesmen who are willing to shine a little light behind the curtains and help us in our quest to not get bent over by a dealership?






    Full disclosure; I'm hoping to get some good tips to use in the next few weeks/months!
     
  2. Sep 11, 2022 at 2:34 PM
    #2
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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    If you are willing to travel to Texas, I'm sure I can get you a good price :rofl:

    In today's market, it super easy to email multiple dealerships and work deals without even talking to salesman in person. I used the dealerships further from the major towns, they normally are more incentivesed to get you a deal so you don't go elsewhere. I would get one offer and use that at the next dealership to see if they would beat it, this also allows you to see the codes on the invoice so you can ask for exactly what you want. If you have a dealership where you can connect with the sales manager or the stores General Manager, they can normally get you a better price.

    I am basing this off my experiences in 2018, I know there have been some changes, but I feel that some of this process should be the same.

    Be open and honest with them, if they start playing games, move to another dealership. Get things documented in emails not just said over the phone or in person.
     
    bulldog93 and GODZILLA[OP] like this.
  3. Sep 11, 2022 at 2:38 PM
    #3
    RobertD

    RobertD SSEM#123, ASCM#4 "I call it Vera" ~Jayne Cobb

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  4. Sep 11, 2022 at 3:00 PM
    #4
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    So long as the 1000+ miles wouldn't hurt my trade value and the deal was good, I have family I can visit in Houston. :D
     
    texasrho83 and RobertD[QUOTED] like this.
  5. Sep 11, 2022 at 3:24 PM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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  6. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:11 PM
    #6
    Buckeye1977

    Buckeye1977 New Member

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  7. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:19 PM
    #7
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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    Moving to a third gen already @GODZILLA?
     
  8. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:22 PM
    #8
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    Third Gen Taco. :burnrubber:
     
    Cpl_Punishment and T-Rex266 like this.
  9. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:27 PM
    #9
    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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    Here's your tip:


    ...and you may want some of this when you take your Tundra in; I recommend the Gel as it doesn't dry out as fast!!!
    upload_2022-9-11_16-26-36.jpg

    ...and this is for you when you're done at the dealer and you're driving off in your new Taco:


    upload_2022-9-11_16-27-42.jpg

    You're welcome!!!!!

    :hattip:
     
    GODZILLA[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  10. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:29 PM
    #10
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    I always negotiated free shit, even if it’s not their veh I’m purchasing. I had PPF done on the Tundra, by Toyota when I leased one of their vehicle for the wife. I get free all weather floor mats, free alarm, etc.
     
    War Machine and GODZILLA[OP] like this.
  11. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:31 PM
    #11
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    If the dealer doesn't want me going in dry they can bring their own lube, and if the Taco Pro makes me THAT happy, I'll make sure I have rubber floor mats. ^_^
     
    NWPirate likes this.
  12. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:32 PM
    #12
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    Did you get anything on your Teslas?
     
    T-Rex266[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:34 PM
    #13
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    Tesla doesn’t negotiate, but also no markup.
     
  14. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:35 PM
    #14
    DrZoidberg

    DrZoidberg New Member

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    I have a lot of connections, what you looking for?
     
    GODZILLA[OP] likes this.
  15. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:38 PM
    #15
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Adam
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    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
    A dealership crazy enough to trade me straight across for a TRD Pro Taco in Solar Octane. :pray:
     
  16. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:39 PM
    #16
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    2000: Bilstein 5100's 16x8 589's with 265/75/16 and 1.25" spacers Flowmaster 50 series over the axle dump Pioneer touchscreen with backup camera Full interior and dash LED conversion Trailer brake controller with 7 pin Bedliner coat bumpers & trim ARE topper 2019: ARE topper with full Bedrug kit and Vortex rack TRD shifter 1.25" wheel spacers (I like to live dangerously) Red tow hooks for that +15 grip bonus
    Tips
    -know what you are willing to pay before you go
    -know what the vehicle you want to buy is worth, not just locally, but in other areas accessible to you
    - never talk trade in until the deal is done
    - a deal isn’t done until you have a signed out the door price. That’s an important one
    - after they get done breathing all their hot air out and wasting precious oxygen the rest of us could have used, tell them what you are willing to pay. Out the door.
    - don’t get hung up on where the financing comes from if you’re going that route. Get the best interest rate you can get, even if it’s not your bank or CU
    - when they get done repeating the O2 wasting, repeat your initial offer
    - if they won’t budge, and this is a really really important pro tip. LEAVE. Like, thank them for their time, get up and walk out. You don’t have to over pay for the vehicle. They don’t have to sell it to you. Be willing to walk away and try again on the next one.
    Happy hunting
     
  17. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:41 PM
    #17
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    I'm sure the rules have changed since Covid, due to the limited supply/high demand. But the last three vehicles I have bought have been done by putting a specifications sheet together and emailing it to as many Toyota dealers as I was willing to drive to. Every time, I was able to get a price under Dealer Invoice, because I found dealers that make big volume bonuses and I tried to time it so that my purchase would be near the end of the quarter. I got a written and signed purchase agreement for my Tundra for about $1500 under Dealer invoice in March 2020, right as Covid hit. Due to Covid lockdowns, I was not able to take delivery until May, but they stuck to the price we had agreed to. Try to find the Internet Sales department at the dealership. I have found that they will give you a better price.
     
    Patch999, WILLINH and GODZILLA[OP] like this.
  18. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:42 PM
    #18
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    Also, even if you plan to pay cash, agree to finance through the dealership or through Toyota. Many times, you can get another $500 or so off because they think they will make it up in financing.
     
  19. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:44 PM
    #19
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    Solid tips. Walking away is not hard for me, because the absolute worst case scenario is staying in my lovely Tundra. :) The ability to walk is a huge one, and really easy now days because you can do so much of your negotiating online.
     
    RobertD likes this.
  20. Sep 11, 2022 at 4:45 PM
    #20
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    Excellent tips! The covid shakeup has made things uncertain, so that's a big part of why I started the thread. I'm hoping to learn from others, and also have this exist as a resource for other members in the future.
     
  21. Sep 11, 2022 at 5:02 PM
    #21
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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  22. Sep 11, 2022 at 5:10 PM
    #22
    Patch999

    Patch999 SSEM #17 You are what you do when it counts

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    I love doing it. My kids drag me along whenever they buy.

    It has changed since the Rona but looks like it might settle down.

    We bought my wife a 2022 4Runner this year for around 250 over MSRP which killed me that I couldn’t get it down more but they had a $7500 dealer markup on it plus a $1500 dealer package. Still bothers me but she really wanted it.

    Tips. Find comparable that are cheaper. Car gurus is your friend. Look the distance you are willing to convince you salesman you will drive for a deal. If it’s really good deal, drive. Other prices at other dealers make a strong argument on your side

    I’ve heard don’t mention your trade but understanding they will always low ball you gives them wiggle room to get you to a better price. I’ve never bothered with them slow rolling . I just tell them my price and if they can get there with either the trade or price off the deal I move on.

    Guess this should have been number 1 but walk if you don’t like the deal. It won’t always work but it’s effective more often than not. I have had sales managers call me before I made it off the lot.

    Don’t be disrespectful to your salesman unless they are to you. It’s a game. They want to take your money you want to keep it. If they are ugly to you, walk.

    If paying cash get all of this pricing worked out before the trade vehicle and leave if you are trading in or not vague. Lots of money to be made in finance and your trade so IMO it’s a waste of time to work a deal that may include it if you are not going to trade.

    Now the next level of hell. Finance.
    If financing have your rate before you go. Cap 1 can give you a rate while you are sitting at the dealership. You have a lot of control I finance. They will quote you the highest rate they think they can get away with so having a better number can shut that down. Don’t tell them what you have until they give you a rate.
    It shines a light o them trying to screw you and can reign them in

    Once you agree on a rate the magic door opens the the hell level 4-5 depending on how long you have been there.

    Extended warranties. You can turn them down or use it to your advantage.
    1st the is negotiable. Turn it down and see how fast they lower the price

    2nd it can be canceled within 30 days (at least in TX) and comes off your note. Your payment stays the same but you pay more towards principle.

    3rd it can be used to beat the rate they quoted of you had walking in.

    This applies to GAP as well if you got a good enough price. Don’t be upside down with out it.

    I was able to get another 1.8% off my rate when I bought my Pro. I went home and canceled the next day. They will fight it because they are waiting for the check from the company that sold it.
    After that fought mine I waited until someone lied and told me that the law had changed and I could not cancel it before I copied every email address on their website with the lie. They were more than happy to help me after

    looking forward to learning some more tips.
     
  23. Sep 11, 2022 at 5:53 PM
    #23
    Tundar the Barbarian

    Tundar the Barbarian New Member

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    Speakers, amp, subs, floorboard lights...and the little step thing under the bumper
    Maybe not a thing anymore, but get a present value app or site on your phone. I've had a couple times over the decades, all was agreed to, then the payments were 20-30 dollars higher than the agreed total/rate would've equalled...they'd tacked on charges for things we'd already said no.
     
    GODZILLA[OP] likes this.
  24. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:00 PM
    #24
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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  25. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:11 PM
    #25
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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  26. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:15 PM
    #26
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    You wanna come negotiate for me? This is great! Thank you!
     
  27. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:16 PM
    #27
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Adam
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    2023 Solar Octane TRD Pro TACOMA, 2022 Honda CB500X
    Trying not to mod it
  28. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:17 PM
    #28
    Patch999

    Patch999 SSEM #17 You are what you do when it counts

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    You bet.
    Just reread it and saw all the crap spelling and missed words. I was frying chicken while trying to type it on my phone. :rofl:
     
  29. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:18 PM
    #29
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA [OP] Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Trying not to mod it
    Phone keyboards make us all look like we were recently kicked in the head by a mule. :thumbsup:
     
  30. Sep 11, 2022 at 6:21 PM
    #30
    Patch999

    Patch999 SSEM #17 You are what you do when it counts

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    Add old eyeballs to that and people wonder how you manage to get dressed in the morning.
     

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