So... we're looking at buying a car. I've never done that, not even close. My sister's information is years out of date, like 10 or so. Things are different today
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There are sites which can get you information on what a dealer paid for your car if it's new. Research them and then keep that information in mind in your negotiation. They will need to make some money on the overall deal, but try to keep it to about $1K on a small non-luxury car.
Visit dealer and manufacturer sites in private browsing mode: when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks also into you.
Don't discuss the deal amongst yourselves in the dealership. Go see the car, say thanks, then go elsewhere to discuss; only one person should do the negotiating at the end, because divide and conquer works.
Shop multiple dealerships.
Talk total price after all fees, add-ons, rebates, and taxes; don't talk payments, it obfuscates too much.
They will try to upsell you. Start out asking for the bottom version, then "let them" upsell you to where you want to be. Air conditioning and automatic are nice to have. I don't know many people who drive standard well enough to save gas, since automatic transmissions are pretty good now.
Be willing to walk out if they don't meet your pricing. Make sure they have your contact info so that the manager can call you.
Take good notes.
Be patient. They will go and try to get your deal approved by the manager, who will of course say no, and it will feel like a big runaround. It is; they are all on the same team. Just stick to your numbers.
Don't get the extended warranty or the dealership rustproofing, fabric protection, etc.
We've been very happy with the Mazda 3; in about 8 years, we've put almost 250,000 km on it and it's still in good shape. We do our maintenance, though. It's not as fuel-efficient as some, but it's very pleasant to drive.
You can get your credit reports.
There are sites which can get you information on what a dealer paid for your car if it's new. Research them and then keep that information in mind in your negotiation. They will need to make some money on the overall deal, but try to keep it to about $1K on a small non-luxury car.
Visit dealer and manufacturer sites in private browsing mode: when you look into the abyss, the abyss looks also into you.
Don't discuss the deal amongst yourselves in the dealership. Go see the car, say thanks, then go elsewhere to discuss; only one person should do the negotiating at the end, because divide and conquer works.
Shop multiple dealerships.
Talk total price after all fees, add-ons, rebates, and taxes; don't talk payments, it obfuscates too much.
They will try to upsell you. Start out asking for the bottom version, then "let them" upsell you to where you want to be. Air conditioning and automatic are nice to have. I don't know many people who drive standard well enough to save gas, since automatic transmissions are pretty good now.
Be willing to walk out if they don't meet your pricing. Make sure they have your contact info so that the manager can call you.
Take good notes.
Be patient. They will go and try to get your deal approved by the manager, who will of course say no, and it will feel like a big runaround. It is; they are all on the same team. Just stick to your numbers.
Don't get the extended warranty or the dealership rustproofing, fabric protection, etc.
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We've been very happy with the Mazda 3; in about 8 years, we've put almost 250,000 km on it and it's still in good shape. We do our maintenance, though. It's not as fuel-efficient as some, but it's very pleasant to drive.
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