Buying a new car

onesixtyfourth

I am off to buy a new car tomorrow. My wife and I have shortlisted four cars that we are interested in and are going to go and view/test drive them. Does anyone have any tips for the negotiating process with a garage. None of them are private sellers but one is a main dealer (2 cars) and the other two cars are at local garages.

This will be a cash purchase so no finance involved.

jenny-wren

- Don't appear too keen.
- Aim low price wise to leave room for negotiation (but not so low that the dealer thinks you're having a laugh!)
- Don't put down a deposit until you are really sure (with I'd thought of this one, ahem)
- Make the seller know that you have a number of options in terms of type of car / dealer
- Be sure of the maximum you are prepared to pay and don't go over it unless the seller throws in a few 'extras' for you.

Good luck!

onesixtyfourth

So the big question is how much is too much in dropping the price I mean. Does anyone know what kind of margins the garages work with.

vikingaero

Check out online prices at places like Drive The Deal, Deal Drivers, Carfile, Broadspeed etc and take the printout along.

emmell

Are you buying brand new or 2nd hand, do you have a p/x?
What are the cars you have singled out and the prices?
ML.

mikey72

onesixtyfourth wrote: »

So the big question is how much is too much in dropping the price I mean. Does anyone know what kind of margins the garages work with.

Depends on what they're asking.
If it's an unpopular model that's been with them for weeks, the margin will be lower than a popular model that came in yesterday.
Do your research and offer what is a fair price for the car compared to others for sale.

onesixtyfourth

emmell wrote: »

Are you buying brand new or 2nd hand, do you have a p/x?
What are the cars you have singled out and the prices?
ML.

Second hand cash purchase no px Citreon c3 1.6 Diesal £5995

jenny-wren

Look at the car and the price tag (with the seller beside you), pull a face and say 'hmm, I like this car but it's a little more than I had planned spending'. Wait for him to suggest a lower price and, if he doesn't, then say 'the figure I had in mind was closer to £5.5K'.

If you're prepare to spend £6K then maybe knock a couple of hundred off for starters.

Jennie-1987

When I bought my 5dr 206 it was £3295 with many similar being £3500 in the Birmingham area and £4000 near Bristol, I managed to get it for £3000 and thought that was amazing but when I did look on Parkers then its about the same as their valuation for a low dealers price. Maybe look at Parkers?

Personally at 6k Id start at £5250 or £5400 because that gives you more room to negotiate however if 6k is a good price in comparisons youve made previous to visiting then start higher.

property.advert

I certainly would not be going anywhere near £5250 or £5400 on a £6000 motor. I'd be pushing them for a number and if they came to £5500 pretty easily, I'd be going under £5000.