Buying a used car

dixie06

Hi, I wonder if someone could offer me some advice. I have seen a used BMW on a large franchised website the screen price is £15995, I don't want to pay this!!! I saw a couple on the same web site a couple of months ago, same model, same year £500 quid cheaper. How do I go about haggling them down in price. I've currently got a 2003 Vx Vectra but don't need to sell this to buy the new car and I've already got a loan in place so in effect its just a cash sale does this hold any weight these days? Any advice is welcome I'm a complete novice at this car buying malarkey and usually just go and pay the screen price cos I'm too scared to haggle.:o

Iamthesmartestmanalive

dixie06 wrote: »

Hi, I wonder if someone could offer me some advice. I have seen a used BMW on a large franchised website the screen price is £15995, I don't want to pay this!!! I saw a couple on the same web site a couple of months ago, same model, same year £500 quid cheaper. How do I go about haggling them down in price. I've currently got a 2003 Vx Vectra but don't need to sell this to buy the new car and I've already got a loan in place so in effect its just a cash sale does this hold any weight these days? Any advice is welcome I'm a complete novice at this car buying malarkey and usually just go and pay the screen price cos I'm too scared to haggle.:o

Cash sale holds no bargaining power from a dealer, in fact its the opposite as they dont get finance company commision

As for your post, what kind of car is it? what model ? what mileage?

There could be a number of reasons for the price difference, in BMWS a lot have high mileage, high wear etc as being fleet cars, it will also depend on the extras, and other things such as service packs

As for negotiating,£500 isnt too much so they would probably drop that off for a guarenteed sale

you would actually better off negotiating for extras as opposed to a discount as you will get your moneys worth i.e asking for a longer warranty or service plan for your 15995 as opposed to the car for 15495

joshm_2

£500 discount isn't much and they would probably knock that off without too much trouble, but if you wanted to be sneaky, here's how you do it:

When you go in to look at the car, don't go all gooey eyed at it. When the salesman comes at you, ask about what finance deals they have for the car. He/she will explain, and also be thinking that they'll be earing a nice commission. Sound interested with the finance deals but don't commit. Then, once that conversation's finished, say that the price is a little high for you etc etc etc and that a discount of £500 may change your mind. The salesman will be thinking finance and is likely to accept this. Finalise the sale price,and then once you've shaken on that pull out the cash!

This worked for a mate of mine with a far greater sum than £500.

dixie06

Well I did it!! I got £700 off the screen price and mats chucked in! Was just really brazen about it "I want that car will put a deposit down today but don't want to pay £15995 for it" he asked what I would go to so I said £15,000 he came back 5 mins later with £15300 and I said deal if you chuck mats in as well so he said yes. It was all a bit too easy perhaps I should have been cheekier!!

By the way anyone want to buy a Vectra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Iamthesmartestmanalive

dixie06 wrote: »

Well I did it!! I got £700 off the screen price and mats chucked in! Was just really brazen about it "I want that car will put a deposit down today but don't want to pay £15995 for it" he asked what I would go to so I said £15,000 he came back 5 mins later with £15300 and I said deal if you chuck mats in as well so he said yes. It was all a bit too easy perhaps I should have been cheekier!!

By the way anyone want to buy a Vectra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You could have done far better I reckon

Mats!!!

Id have traded in the vectra then negotiated on the trade in value and tried to get an extended warranty/service plan thrown in

Wig

You should have stuck to your offer of 15K and said "last chance for a quick sale" then walked out.

tomstickland

There comes a point when you are happy with the price and it looks the OP thought £15,300 was fair enough. £700 better off is a result.

dixie06

Having checked round other dealers/garages previously I am pleased that I got £700 plus mats......yes MATS!! chucked in. This was the first time i've negotiated with anyone for anything and was fully expecting only to get a couple of hundred quid off so I think £700 was excellent. Its got 2yrs warrantly, 2 years roadside assistance and 6 months free insurance wot else did you want me to ask for, his kidneys!!!!!!! Besides i'll get more selling my car privately than I would on P/ex.

FannyHill

As I wasn't trading in I'd have said £15,000 and kept quiet.If they had said no but we can do £15,300 I'd have said OK thank you for you're time goodbye and headed for the door.
If I wasn't stopped once I got outside and I really wanted the car I'd go straight back in and said how about (extra item) if I go for £15,300 and see what they said.
If you are willing to walk I think it comes across when talking to the guy.


Nevertheless you did score so all I can say is well done.

It's like when people phone Sky and say they are cancelling their sub often they can get a good deal from Sky to stay with them but they have to make it clear not ooh and aah that they are going to cancel.

mr_accountant

you can buy good quality mats from tesco for £15! of course the dealer mats will be the cheapest they can get away with.

i think you could have stuck to £15k easily, and maybe more

dixie06

mr_accountant wrote: »

you can buy good quality mats from tesco for £15! of course the dealer mats will be the cheapest they can get away with.

i think you could have stuck to £15k easily, and maybe more

As I've said before I was hoping to get £500 quid off the car and got £700 so thats already a result for me. In hindsight I probably could have got more off but you live and learn and as I also said before this is my first time ever negotiating for anything (apart from my house and thats the norm).

Do I really want £15 tesco mats in my brand spanking (almost) new beamer.....no I want ones that say BMW on them!!!! Materialistic....yes I know but I've been saving and waiting ages to get this car I even went out and bought a BMW keyring