Tips to Negotiate at a Car Dealership
Negotiations with the auto dealership can shed light on your hidden necessities. Being in the industry for years, the dealer’s sales reps are trained to ask the right questions to help you aggregate all your wishes and crystallize the demands for the car.
Even if you’re diving into the world of used car buying not for the very first time, it’s crucial to gear up properly and be ready to provide clear answers. Today, we prepared some tips to play the game smart and savvy.
Preparing for negotiations: what to do before visiting a dealer
Think ahead about the current needs, favorite hobbies, and plans. Aggregate the wishes of your relatives and count the maximum number of passengers you wish the car have. And leverage the wealth of information accessible to car buyers online to collect some ideas.
Ask yourself:
- What kind of car do I want?
- Is the AWD enough, or do I definitely need a FWD auto?
- What if we could use a couple of additional seats occasionally?
- Is trunk size a crucial factor?
- What about off-road features? Would just the high clearance presence be enough?
- How much am I willing to spend?
- What monthly payment would suit me if I finance a car?
These questions answered will help the dealer to offer you a range of autos from their car lot, which are wider than the most popular models. And to see more options is great to think about possible alternatives, to Google the pros and cons of the particular production years, and to come back for the second iteration: choosing your favorites and preparing for the price negotiation.
Phrases you should not tell the dealer at the first meeting
"I Love This Car; I Don't Know Much About Cars, I'm Going to Pay Cash, My Current Car Is on Its Last Legs, I Already Have a Car Loan Lined Up." - The phrases you use show how interested you are, so it's wise to hold off on revealing your plans until talking about money.
The best way to understand if the can is right for you is to do a real test. Great option to visit multibrand dealerships to compare the cars side-by-side during the test-drive.
Can I take a test drive on the highway or off-road section?
It is important to check the car's behavior not only in the conditions you usually drive. Some problems may manifest themselves on bumps or at high speeds. Any sounds, like cracks or whistles, may signal malfunctions and can be a reason to negotiate the price or even to dismiss the car from your wish list.
What equipment does the car come with?
When you set on a couple of the best autos, it’s time to choose the favorite. Check the equipment and the specifications. It happens that the model’s equipment lists the availability of an option, but in fact, it is not there. But an alternative case also can take place: the car is equipped better than it was advertised. Check the condition of your favorites, discuss the advantages and drawbacks of each, and move to the next step.
Tips for the price negotiations
You can assess the price range for the vehicle you’re interested in, estimate the value of your trade-in, and discover available manufacturer incentives, as well as local taxes and dealer fees that may be added to the final price. Entering negotiations armed with concrete data minimizes the chances of unexpected issues.
You may start with our comprehensive guides:
Tax fees on a used car in Indiana
When you have done the primary research, go to the dealer and ask the questions listed below.
Can I have a discount on a used car?
Most dealers are ready to make advances and discuss the price, especially if there are reasons for this. Thus, the reason for bargaining can be discrepancies in the declared configuration or shortcomings revealed during the test drive. Moreover, the dealer may have special offers or discounts for specific cars in the lot.
What benefits can I get with financing?
Most Indiana dealerships offer advantageous financing deals. At Indy Auto Man, Indianapolis, you have good chances to finance a used car at advantageous terms even with a bad or zero credit history. Moreover, you can get pre-approved online and establish a clear budget limit. If your pre-approval is for $20,000, it helps prevent you from overspending on unnecessary features or upgrades.
What discounts will I receive under the trade-in program?
Trading in your used vehicle at the dealer will not only save you time and effort but can also bring financial benefits. When using the trade-in program, car dealerships can give a discount on a new car. This offer may be valid for certain models. At Indy Auto Man, Indianapolis, we don’t have any restrictions on makes, we can estimate any used car and offer a fair market price for your trade-in.
Can I see the full purchase agreement with the final cost of the car and all related services?
Study all the expense items in the contract. Check for additional services and the installation of equipment. You may have been charged commissions or added accessories that you do not need. You can refuse unnecessary expenses.
What kind of warranty do I have?
Find out whether a car has a factory warranty and what cases it covers. Ask whether a dealer offers any guarantees. For example, at Indy Auto Man, each vehicle comes with a 7-day exchange and a 30-day price match guarantee.
Get an online car buying experience with no pressure
With thorough research and a clear understanding of your budget and the expected price for your desired vehicle in Indiana, you hold a significant advantage. The crucial step now is to remain composed during negotiations.
Online negotiations can alleviate pressure by eliminating the intense face-to-face dynamic. Using chat, email, or text allows you to take your time in evaluating the dealership's offers from the comfort of your own home.
Regardless of how you negotiate with Indy Auto Man, you can feel confident that you’ll secure the car you want at the price you aimed for. Check our inventory or contact us right now to discuss any questions about your future car!
