Strategy for purchasing new car at the end of the year.... replacing 12 year old car

[Anonymous]

Our car needs about 2K in maintenance. We want to get a new sedan for city driving.

What is the best strategies you have used around year end shopping?

I thought he should go test drive cars now as well as get a Car Max estimate for trading his car in.

Get of sense of 3 cars he wants / would be happy with and see how he could get the best deal at year end. It is my understanding that hitting month end / quarter end sales targets is important and any brand that is having sales issues might be willing to cut a deal.

[Anonymous]

The good news is that you keep a car for a long time. Given that I'd recommend you buy a nice car coming off a three year lease that has less than 25,000 miles on it. Make sure its certified pre-owned by the dealer as that will usually lead to a warranty extension and a car that is in good shape. Last February I bought a Mercedes E 350 sedan with 19,000 miles from an MB dealership for about $35,000. Sold new it was about $55-60,000 and it was in excellent condition and should last for years. Much of a cars depreciation takes place in the first few years so let someone else pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Waiting for someone to chime in and recommend an overpriced used car from Carmax (because it removes the dirty step of negotiating a better price)

[Anonymous]

Negotiate through email - it’s awesome and very empowering. Get the price in writing before you walk in the dealership and do not pay a penny more. I negotiated our car purchase this way and got it way below invoice (below “truecar” pricing also).

[Anonymous]

We did what 15:12 suggested earlier this year but we got a 2016 - we were replacing a 2011 with 100,000 miles and so I didn't want one that was older than last year. Shopped on autotrader and cars.com then negotiated at the dealership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Negotiate through email - it’s awesome and very empowering. Get the price in writing before you walk in the dealership and do not pay a penny more. I negotiated our car purchase this way and got it way below invoice (below “truecar” pricing also).

This is what we do.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for negotiating by email. I bought our last 2 cars this way. Most places have an internet sales department.

I emailed multiple dealerships asking for the "out the door" price (this is important) on the vehicle I wanted. It's been 6 years since I did this, but I think I gave them the model and colors I was interested in. When you get your responses, you email the lowest price to the rest and ask if they can beat it until there's one left. The last time, the second-to-last dealer wanted the one I eventually bought from to fax proof of the price (which they did), then said they couldn't beat it.

I'm in NOVA and the lowest OTD price on both cars were at Maryland dealerships. It does help if you're a bit flexible.

I only did this with Honda so YMMV with other companies.

[Anonymous]

^^^^ I did the same when purchasing my Subaru Outback. I knew which model outback I wanted and which options. I was flexible on 3 colors.

I emailed the local Subaru dealers and asked for the out the door price (sales price, taxes, registration, etc). It came down to Farrish and Stohlman - both were within $500 and Stohlman had the color combo I wanted.

I had my own financing so I showed up, test drive the car again and presented the email offer. All I had to do was write the check and wait on dealer to process the paperwork. Super easy and very non-confrontational. I'm a single mom and this helped minimize, for me, the hassle of negotiating on the spot.

I service my car at another Subaru dealer and they were impressed with my final OTD price.

[Anonymous]

Email strategy worked great for me too. I found a script online and modified it to work for me. The dealer that got my business actually sourced the car from a different dealership I'd asked to bid and who wouldn't come down on the price. Another dealership told me, when I had the best offer, they had no idea how that dealership could go so low and I should buy it from them. I assume they were up for some big quarter or month incentive that made it worth it to sell the car at almost no profit.

I actually emailed 13 dealerships, but it was for a super common car (CRV) and there are just a crazy number of Honda dealers in the metro area where I live. I didn't regret it, the furthest one (about an hour and 15 mins) gave me the best price. I'll drive that far for over $1000 savings. And any dealership will service it, so not missing out on anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for negotiating by email. I bought our last 2 cars this way. Most places have an internet sales department.

I emailed multiple dealerships asking for the "out the door" price (this is important) on the vehicle I wanted. It's been 6 years since I did this, but I think I gave them the model and colors I was interested in. When you get your responses, you email the lowest price to the rest and ask if they can beat it until there's one left. The last time, the second-to-last dealer wanted the one I eventually bought from to fax proof of the price (which they did), then said they couldn't beat it.

I'm in NOVA and the lowest OTD price on both cars were at Maryland dealerships. It does help if you're a bit flexible.

I only did this with Honda so YMMV with other companies.

I’m a new poster, and this is really helpful. Thank you, PP!!

I’ll use this method when it’s my time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Email strategy worked great for me too. I found a script online and modified it to work for me. The dealer that got my business actually sourced the car from a different dealership I'd asked to bid and who wouldn't come down on the price. Another dealership told me, when I had the best offer, they had no idea how that dealership could go so low and I should buy it from them. I assume they were up for some big quarter or month incentive that made it worth it to sell the car at almost no profit.

I actually emailed 13 dealerships, but it was for a super common car (CRV) and there are just a crazy number of Honda dealers in the metro area where I live. I didn't regret it, the furthest one (about an hour and 15 mins) gave me the best price. I'll drive that far for over $1000 savings. And any dealership will service it, so not missing out on anything.

Can you recommend an online script that is similar to the one that worked for you?

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Can you recommend an online script that is similar to the one that worked for you?

Thanks!

Here's the script I used - I talked about it a little more on this thread: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/573459.page#9296256

Here's an article that outlines what you should include: https://www.moneyunder30.com/get-the-best-deal-on-a-new-car

Subject: Quote Needed - 2016 CR-V Touring

We're in the market to purchase a new 2016 CR-V in the next 2 weeks. We've already test-driven and are contacting local dealerships to find the best place to buy.

Below are the specs for the car we are going to purchase. We are not interested in any different trim lines. Could you please let us know if you have this CR-V available and the best out-the-door price you can offer on it? If your offer is the most competitive, we can finalize details and we'll come in to sign paperwork and close the sale.

2016 Honda CR-V
Touring Trim Line
Front-Wheel Drive (not interested in AWD)
Modern Steel Metallic

Please be sure the quote includes any additional fees, licensing, delivery charges, etc. - if it is easy to itemize so we can ensure we're comparing apples-to-apples, that would be great. Otherwise, just let us know it is fully inclusive. If there are any additional benefits your dealership offers (included accessories, service plans, etc), please let about those as well.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope to work with you soon!

Thank you,

(Husband & Wife Name)
(Phone)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Can you recommend an online script that is similar to the one that worked for you?

Thanks!

Here's the script I used - I talked about it a little more on this thread: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/573459.page#9296256

Here's an article that outlines what you should include: https://www.moneyunder30.com/get-the-best-deal-on-a-new-car

Subject: Quote Needed - 2016 CR-V Touring

We're in the market to purchase a new 2016 CR-V in the next 2 weeks. We've already test-driven and are contacting local dealerships to find the best place to buy.

Below are the specs for the car we are going to purchase. We are not interested in any different trim lines. Could you please let us know if you have this CR-V available and the best out-the-door price you can offer on it? If your offer is the most competitive, we can finalize details and we'll come in to sign paperwork and close the sale.

2016 Honda CR-V
Touring Trim Line
Front-Wheel Drive (not interested in AWD)
Modern Steel Metallic

Please be sure the quote includes any additional fees, licensing, delivery charges, etc. - if it is easy to itemize so we can ensure we're comparing apples-to-apples, that would be great. Otherwise, just let us know it is fully inclusive. If there are any additional benefits your dealership offers (included accessories, service plans, etc), please let about those as well.

Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope to work with you soon!

Thank you,

(Husband & Wife Name)
(Phone)

Many thanks!!

[Anonymous]

That’s a good letter, similar to what I used.

I’d change a few things
1- I wouldn’t send 2 weeks out. 3-4 days before the end of the month.

2- instead of saying you are in the market say you will definitely be buying this car in the next 3 days, on or before Dec 31.

3- don’t be so nice asking if for they can itemize. Tell them to itemize.

4- I would never fax or email proof of a price from another dealership. Because the dealership requesting that is saying you are lying and I won’t reward that company or give them my business.

Another thing i thought of to mention is that you will be able to negotiate more if you are choosing a more commonly available trim line and color. Something to be aware of.

I’m 17:01 by the way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s a good letter, similar to what I used.

I’d change a few things
1- I wouldn’t send 2 weeks out. 3-4 days before the end of the month.

2- instead of saying you are in the market say you will definitely be buying this car in the next 3 days, on or before Dec 31.

3- don’t be so nice asking if for they can itemize. Tell them to itemize.

4- I would never fax or email proof of a price from another dealership. Because the dealership requesting that is saying you are lying and I won’t reward that company or give them my business.

Another thing i thought of to mention is that you will be able to negotiate more if you are choosing a more commonly available trim line and color. Something to be aware of.

Don’t forget to create a throwaway email for this transaction!

I’m 17:01 by the way.