How do you negotiate a used car with a dealer?

[Anonymous]

Looking for any tips. No trade in, probably not financing. What’s the best way to negotiate down the list price and how much should I expect to be able to lower it by?
Looking for prob a 2022-2024 30,000 miles Volvo xc90. Seeing them now for around $42K-$48K
Is there a time of year where a 2022 becomes even less desirable as newer models come in?

[Anonymous]

I was recently shopping for a used car and was surprised by sales people reluctance to negotiate. A couple of them (from different dealerships) told me they don’t negotiate on used cars at all only on new ones. Not taking their word for that I offered to pay a 10% discounted price or I was going somewhere else. They declined.

[Anonymous]

When we negotiated our last used car, I checked:

KBB value
Carmax sale value (of comparable)
Carvana
Other sale listings on cars, auto trader, etc.

Used cars are tricky as each car is different, even if they’re the same on paper.

If you look a while you’ll learn which models sell slow and fast and how dealers reduce prices as the car sits unsold.

Definitely get a pre-purchase inspection from independent mechanic of your choosing before you buy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was recently shopping for a used car and was surprised by sales people reluctance to negotiate. A couple of them (from different dealerships) told me they don’t negotiate on used cars at all only on new ones. Not taking their word for that I offered to pay a 10% discounted price or I was going somewhere else. They declined.

We were told the same a few years ago and had a similar result. We walked, they never reached out, the car sold the following week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When we negotiated our last used car, I checked:

KBB value
Carmax sale value (of comparable)
Carvana
Other sale listings on cars, auto trader, etc.

Used cars are tricky as each car is different, even if they’re the same on paper.

If you look a while you’ll learn which models sell slow and fast and how dealers reduce prices as the car sits unsold.

Definitely get a pre-purchase inspection from independent mechanic of your choosing before you buy.

How do you get a pre-purchase inspection? Do you test drive it to a mechanic or ask them if you can borrow the car for a while? I’ve never understood how to do this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we negotiated our last used car, I checked:

KBB value
Carmax sale value (of comparable)
Carvana
Other sale listings on cars, auto trader, etc.

Used cars are tricky as each car is different, even if they’re the same on paper.

If you look a while you’ll learn which models sell slow and fast and how dealers reduce prices as the car sits unsold.

Definitely get a pre-purchase inspection from independent mechanic of your choosing before you buy.

How do you get a pre-purchase inspection? Do you test drive it to a mechanic or ask them if you can borrow the car for a while? I’ve never understood how to do this!

Most reputable dealers are ok with you getting one. The last one let me take car for the day. I told them exactly where I was taking it.

The pre-purchase inspection is a deal breaker for me. If they don’t let me do it, or like one place only allowed it from a list of specific shops THEY chose, I walk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we negotiated our last used car, I checked:

KBB value
Carmax sale value (of comparable)
Carvana
Other sale listings on cars, auto trader, etc.

Used cars are tricky as each car is different, even if they’re the same on paper.

If you look a while you’ll learn which models sell slow and fast and how dealers reduce prices as the car sits unsold.

Definitely get a pre-purchase inspection from independent mechanic of your choosing before you buy.

How do you get a pre-purchase inspection? Do you test drive it to a mechanic or ask them if you can borrow the car for a while? I’ve never understood how to do this!

I asked if I can take their car for a PPI. They said it is fine as long as it was not on a weekend so that they can show the car to other customers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was recently shopping for a used car and was surprised by sales people reluctance to negotiate. A couple of them (from different dealerships) told me they don’t negotiate on used cars at all only on new ones. Not taking their word for that I offered to pay a 10% discounted price or I was going somewhere else. They declined.

We were told the same a few years ago and had a similar result. We walked, they never reached out, the car sold the following week.

This might be dealer dependent. Autonation and Fitzgerald (and Carmax) are all no negotiation.

[Anonymous]

I ask if they can do better. Even $500 off. Then ask for floor mats. At least it’s something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was recently shopping for a used car and was surprised by sales people reluctance to negotiate. A couple of them (from different dealerships) told me they don’t negotiate on used cars at all only on new ones. Not taking their word for that I offered to pay a 10% discounted price or I was going somewhere else. They declined.

We were told the same a few years ago and had a similar result. We walked, they never reached out, the car sold the following week.

I think larger dealerships in DMV like Koons or Sheehy get used car prices set by corporate and have little discretion to change them. Probably if you go to a small mom and pop dealership you can still negotiate but i would try to avoid those as they are more likely to have cars with issues in my experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looking for any tips. No trade in, probably not financing. What’s the best way to negotiate down the list price and how much should I expect to be able to lower it by?
Looking for prob a 2022-2024 30,000 miles Volvo xc90. Seeing them now for around $42K-$48K
Is there a time of year where a 2022 becomes even less desirable as newer models come in?

Be prepared to walk away after they get your contact info of course.
Then walk away. If they can still make a profit with your offer, they will call you. But they might not.

If you even hint that you like the vehicle and aren't just buying it cause you have to, then they will notice and you won't get a deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When we negotiated our last used car, I checked:

KBB value
Carmax sale value (of comparable)
Carvana
Other sale listings on cars, auto trader, etc.

Used cars are tricky as each car is different, even if they’re the same on paper.

If you look a while you’ll learn which models sell slow and fast and how dealers reduce prices as the car sits unsold.

Definitely get a pre-purchase inspection from independent mechanic of your choosing before you buy.

How do you get a pre-purchase inspection? Do you test drive it to a mechanic or ask them if you can borrow the car for a while? I’ve never understood how to do this!

Most reputable dealers are ok with you getting one. The last one let me take car for the day. I told them exactly where I was taking it.

The pre-purchase inspection is a deal breaker for me. If they don’t let me do it, or like one place only allowed it from a list of specific shops THEY chose, I walk.

I also agree to a price beforehand. I don’t sign or pay anything though. If the car passes inspection, deal is good to go. If not, I might negotiate depending on what is needed.

[Anonymous]

Right now, the market is tight so there really is limited motivation to negotiate.

If you are willing to wait, stalk the car sites for cars that are a little older on the lot. You will see the pattern for how many days triggers change in asking price.

[Anonymous]

Some dealerships allow you to return the car for any reason within a few days similar to carmax. You can do alter pre purchase inspection during that period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some dealerships allow you to return the car for any reason within a few days similar to carmax. You can do alter pre purchase inspection during that period.

Carmax is good like that. For others, read the fine print.