Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. We go in with a number we're willing to pay each month (reasonable to the cost of the car) with no money down and if they want the sale they figure out how to make it work. Somehow they always figure out a way.

The key is to go in before you actually need the car. If they know they have you over a barrel because you need a new car there's no incentive to figure out the deal.

This is a horrible way to think about purchasing a car. This method of car buying is a dealer's dream.

Not PP, but could you explain why?

Because you aren't negotiating the price of the car, you are negotiating the monthly payments.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. We go in with a number we're willing to pay each month (reasonable to the cost of the car) with no money down and if they want the sale they figure out how to make it work. Somehow they always figure out a way.

The key is to go in before you actually need the car. If they know they have you over a barrel because you need a new car there's no incentive to figure out the deal.

This is a horrible way to think about purchasing a car. This method of car buying is a dealer's dream.

Not PP, but could you explain why?

Anonymous wrote:Yes. We go in with a number we're willing to pay each month (reasonable to the cost of the car) with no money down and if they want the sale they figure out how to make it work. Somehow they always figure out a way.

The key is to go in before you actually need the car. If they know they have you over a barrel because you need a new car there's no incentive to figure out the deal.

This is a horrible way to think about purchasing a car. This method of car buying is a dealer's dream.

Zero in on the make/ model/ year/ miles per year, money down etc. that you want. Then go to (or talk to) each dealer in the area and shop it around. Did this with Audi and magically the first dealer we visited was able to drop the MSRP a ton between the first price they offered and what we wound up doing. We basically went around in circles to three dealerships until we reached a price that 2 of 3 said no to, and then stopped there. Kind of felt like a jerk but the system's designed that way...

Leasing is stupid

Yes. We go in with a number we're willing to pay each month (reasonable to the cost of the car) with no money down and if they want the sale they figure out how to make it work. Somehow they always figure out a way.

The key is to go in before you actually need the car. If they know they have you over a barrel because you need a new car there's no incentive to figure out the deal.

If you're in Virginia, the tax rules make leasing particularly disadvantageous.

Anonymous wrote:So is it that they assume that people don't really get leasing (or people who lease are less financially savvy) so they can get away with saying -- sorry lease means MSRP and at least a few people a month will believe it and just go ahead anyway??

Yes, especially if you've never leased before. I've leased several cars and the key is negotiate a good price, know what others pay on average, and pay zero down (only taxes, tags and fees). For example, in ads you see $2000 down and $350/month but there is fine print saying plus tags, tax, title. I've always been able to pay the $350 without the $2000 down and insisted that the advertised deal is not the best deal (again, based on the research you will do on Edmunds message boards and also Truecar). I have done this with VW and Mercedes. Also, a lease is only good if you don't drive that many miles a year. The best lease deals are for 7500 or 10000 miles a year. That amount works for me and reduces wear and tear. Service is always included the first couple of years and by the end of the lease you won't need to replace tires. There is usually a $500 turn in fee unless you lease again. I've always been told that scrapes/dents smaller than the size of a credit card are ignored, but anything beyond that is excessive. Also, if you go over your miles, you pay per mile and that can add up, so again, be sure of your mileage needs.

Anonymous wrote:Of course it is negotiable, but maybe if you're looking at leasing a non lkuxury car they correctly assume youre not financially very savvy.

Not asking for your opinion on my financial saavy-ness or lack there of -- thanks.

Yes and no.

Sure you can up front negotiate the lease price but at the end, you will find you are stuck getting out. You either have to roll over to a new lease, buy, or get stuck paying "wear and tear" that likely equals the amount you negotiated up front. Leasing just never goes well.

Of course it is negotiable, but maybe if you're looking at leasing a non lkuxury car they correctly assume youre not financially very savvy.

So is it that they assume that people don't really get leasing (or people who lease are less financially savvy) so they can get away with saying -- sorry lease means MSRP and at least a few people a month will believe it and just go ahead anyway??

Also, you can email places without going in. Sometimes easier to negotiate. Say can you beat the truecar offer or other dealership's offer...

Last time I leased, I went on TrueCar and brought that info in. Also looked up what others were paying on the edmunds message boards. Both money factor and purchase price are negotiable.

I feel like everything I've read says yes -- they can't negotiate the load/money factor, but they can negotiate the price. Yet the last 2 times I've tried to buy a car (haven't bought one yet - shopping around), I've had huffy managers try to push me towards buying and give me one price to buy and then when I ask - ok what about leasing, they get pissed and say - it's MSRP for leasing, there's nothing I can do.

Is this right? Is there anything I can say or do? Do I not even bring up the fact that I'll consider either option and ONLY say I'm talking lease? Help if you've BTDT or if you're a car dealer/dealer spouse/parent/relative.