Don't fool around with all that. I used to sell cars, so here is some (limited) knowledge.
1. Don't trade your car in if you can sell it on the open market.
2. If you do trade your car, don't bring it up until you've agreed on a price for the new car. If they ask if you have a trade-in say "No." You can always "change your mind" later.
3. I used to be a dealer, so I would say offer them $300 over invoice. That's fair to the sales rep, and fair for you. Don't pay more than $500 over invoice.
4. If you are in a position to buy right now, tell them. Tell them you are going to buy a car TODAY. Make your $300-$500 over nvoice offer. If they say no, be sure they've checked with the sales manager. If still "No" then walk. I bet you don't get to your car before they come running out after you.
5. Again, don't BS. They've seen it all. Pick the car, name your price, and don't go more than $500 over invoice. They'll come back with something like "Well, the lowest we can go is $1200 over invoice." Laugh at them at tell them that if they want to sell the car today, they better make a real deal.
6. Let them know that you want to get the price nailed down within 15 minutes. If they can't negotiate a price within 15 minutes you are going to go to the next Subaru dealer. And do it. Let them know "5 minutes left guys, and then I have to go."
7. I have a 6 year old bankruptcy on my credit report, and about 50% maxed on all my credit cards. I got 10.7% APR on my last purchase. Without the bankruptcy it probably would have been 8 - 9%. Argue over the interest rate. If they say that's as low as they can go, get out.
8. You should REALLY get a loan somewhere BESIDES the dealer. You'll get a much lower rate.
9. Don't get the undercoating or paint protection. All a big scam. Doh!
10. Check the VIN on the car you want against the one on the paperwork - every time you see the VIN - to be sure they don't sell you the "wrong" car.
11. If you don't want a dealer badge drilled into your trunk lid, tell them you do NOT want one.
12. After all is said and done, very carefully inspect the car BEFORE you drive off the lot. If they've badged it, stripped it, forgot something, DON'T DRIVE OFF THE LOT! Go back and and YELL and tell them to fix it.
13. Get EVERYTHING in writing. If they say they are going to wash and detail it, have them put it on the "Due Bill." If it's missing a knob, have them put it on the "Due Bill."
14. Don't pay any dealer markup.
15. Make sure all the options on the sticker are actually on the car.
Okay, that's enough for now. A lot of this stuff I learned by seaching the web for "New car buying tips" or such. There are a lot of sites out there with great tips.
And remember, if anything feels bad, WALK OUT. Even if you come back later, they'll know they can't push you around because you will walk. Don't let the excitement of the deal screw you. When I bought my RS the finance guy told me the best rate I could get was like 14%, so I caved in and took the deal. I later refinanced for 11%, after losing several hundreds of dollars in finance charges. What a dolt I was!
1. Don't trade your car in if you can sell it on the open market.
2. If you do trade your car, don't bring it up until you've agreed on a price for the new car. If they ask if you have a trade-in say "No." You can always "change your mind" later.
3. I used to be a dealer, so I would say offer them $300 over invoice. That's fair to the sales rep, and fair for you. Don't pay more than $500 over invoice.
4. If you are in a position to buy right now, tell them. Tell them you are going to buy a car TODAY. Make your $300-$500 over nvoice offer. If they say no, be sure they've checked with the sales manager. If still "No" then walk. I bet you don't get to your car before they come running out after you.
5. Again, don't BS. They've seen it all. Pick the car, name your price, and don't go more than $500 over invoice. They'll come back with something like "Well, the lowest we can go is $1200 over invoice." Laugh at them at tell them that if they want to sell the car today, they better make a real deal.
6. Let them know that you want to get the price nailed down within 15 minutes. If they can't negotiate a price within 15 minutes you are going to go to the next Subaru dealer. And do it. Let them know "5 minutes left guys, and then I have to go."
7. I have a 6 year old bankruptcy on my credit report, and about 50% maxed on all my credit cards. I got 10.7% APR on my last purchase. Without the bankruptcy it probably would have been 8 - 9%. Argue over the interest rate. If they say that's as low as they can go, get out.
8. You should REALLY get a loan somewhere BESIDES the dealer. You'll get a much lower rate.
9. Don't get the undercoating or paint protection. All a big scam. Doh!
10. Check the VIN on the car you want against the one on the paperwork - every time you see the VIN - to be sure they don't sell you the "wrong" car.
11. If you don't want a dealer badge drilled into your trunk lid, tell them you do NOT want one.
12. After all is said and done, very carefully inspect the car BEFORE you drive off the lot. If they've badged it, stripped it, forgot something, DON'T DRIVE OFF THE LOT! Go back and and YELL and tell them to fix it.
13. Get EVERYTHING in writing. If they say they are going to wash and detail it, have them put it on the "Due Bill." If it's missing a knob, have them put it on the "Due Bill."
14. Don't pay any dealer markup.
15. Make sure all the options on the sticker are actually on the car.
Okay, that's enough for now. A lot of this stuff I learned by seaching the web for "New car buying tips" or such. There are a lot of sites out there with great tips.
And remember, if anything feels bad, WALK OUT. Even if you come back later, they'll know they can't push you around because you will walk. Don't let the excitement of the deal screw you. When I bought my RS the finance guy told me the best rate I could get was like 14%, so I caved in and took the deal. I later refinanced for 11%, after losing several hundreds of dollars in finance charges. What a dolt I was!
