Car Shopping Help!

I think you need to be a mixture of both. I really have a hard time dealing with the whole sales process, yet I know I need to be pleasant with the sales person.
I'm in the market for a truck (I know - how can we afford the gas - but we need it for work!) and I went in to talk to a local dealer earlier this week. The sales girl started in with the "what monthly payments are you looking for" line. I told her I didn't want to do it that way - I offered a price on the truck and asked to work that way. (you get a better deal in the long run not trying for a specific payment. Think bottom line!) She literally didn't know what to do. It was really funny that she had to get her manager to help her out.
I really hate the whole haggling process. It might help if you start with the Internet / Fleet portion of the dealership. Normally they don't haggle too much and are easier to deal with.

Actually neither -

You will feel a lot better if you do some research on some older models, their prices, etc via www.kbb.com (THE Blue Book) and do some comparing using msn auto tools for fuel effeicency, etc...that way you don't get ripped off by the dealerships as they are pretty desperate trying to reel in the dollar signs on SUV since they have lost so much in resale value....

Also I strongly suggest you to get a pre-approved loan with the lowest interest you can get through credit unions....If you can get less than 6% through credit union, then you are on the roll with a killer deal since dealerships charge more interest on used autos (a lot of times up in the 9% or more) than new autos....

Having the knowledge beforehand is empowering...

H~
Mom of 2 Daughters - Kelly (3 yrs) and Skylar (21 mos old)
zoostationu2@hotmail.com

My mom bought a new car a couple of years ago and had the best experience! She went through her credit union, Desert Schools. My mom did a bit of research and had a good idea what she wanted, shared that with the rep from the CU, then the CU did the legwork. They found cars that matched my moms specifications, negotiated the price, etc. It was so much easier for her than walking in to a dealership blind. She felt in control and unhurried. The only time she went to the dealership was to pick up the car she chose.

Good luck!

Beth

I agree with the other posting - sell your vehicle on your own. Only if you can - if its in somewhat working condition. If you do then just post on Craigslist - be honest note what doesnt work. Dealerships give you peanuts when you trade-in. We've sold our vehicles on our own - never through a dealership and we have by far made more on them. If its to much of a hassle then just return it to the dealership (if its just way to costly to fix.) I don't know that I'd go to the same dealership to purchase a vehicle there - especially if it is not brand new (from the factory) and given the problems you've had with your past vehicles.

There are soo many dealerships in town - go between the closest two by your home and see what each dealeship can offer you. They compete with each other - see who has a better deal. I wish you the best - I know its such a pain purchasing a vehicle. Hope all goes well.

LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 9 months and 3 years old.

I treat buying cars like a sport. Everytime I have to buy a car I do my homework. Go to www.Edmunds.com and learn as much as you can about the car you want. If you go in with all the numbers and facts, you can get a car for a fair price for both you and the dealer. I once was congratulated by a car salesman for the deal I got. He told me that after talking with me for 5 mintues, he knew he was beat.

sure, fine, whatever

When it comes to negitations think like a lawyer. Calm, cool and collected, but straight up and clear re: the facts and what you want.

Personally I cannot stand dealerships. I work with a car broker by the name of Tyrone Murdock at Arizona Fleet (http://www.arizonafleet.com).

He is great. He searches the aucitons, car dealers and whereever to find you the car you want. Then he negotiates everything including the trade in if you require.

He can trade car into other dealers, so this is better for you - you get the best trade in credit AND the best purchase price.

And you're not limited to whatever inventory he's pushing on his lot. So he's totally unbiased and looking to get you what you want. It's a really neat way to go. I highly reccomend him!

Here's their contact information:
Arizona Fleet Services
www.arizonafleet.com
10243 N 19th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85021
602.861.2400

I agree with everything here.

What we did when we bought this truck was check out what small pickups seemed to be advertised on the dealers' web sites. Some of those ads are teasers, but you can get a sense that, for example, there are a boatload of a certain kind of vehicle. If there several dozen 2006 Toyota RAV4s sitting on lots around town, dealers are going to be more eager to move them.

We also went to bluebook.com, and checked out the price difference of, say a 1995 Ford Ranger with an extended cab was to a 1995 Ford Ranger without. That gave us credibility with the sales person. When one tried to convince us that it was worth it to spend another $2000 to get a model with a sports package, we could say, "but the $1800 when the thing was new!"

Instead of going in angry, when you start to talk about nuts-and-bolts, just be very upfront: "I have to tell you that I'm disappointed that the last vehicle I bought here only lasted XXX, and I've had to put XXX into it." I want a good deal, but I want a vehicle I can depend on, too.

Tempting to go in as the "don't mess with me mom'' attitude but then you might get a "don't mess with me'' attitude right back.
a friend of mine says that you have to put out into the world what you want to get back...it's taken time, but i'm slowly starting to understand that.
be reasonable, let's make this sale happen mom.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 7 and 3.

Give me a call. 480-324-8834 I work at a car dealership. I can set you up with someone so you don't have to go into the dealership wondering what is going to happen. It goes alot smoother when you know someone there. I have helped alot of family and friends buy vehicles from my work. Let me know if you are interested.

"Friends last longer the less they are used."

Go with the broker if you can.

If you do it on your own and you're looking at second hand the internet is your best friend. Like everyone else said - research to find the car you want based on what's most important to you, how much you should expect to pay for it, etc. Don't forget that the longer a car has been on the lot the better deal you are going to get, you can ask how long it's been on the lot but sometimese they wont tell you. If you can see the car identifier number then the lower the number the longer it's been on the lot. Have a price you are willing to pay for the car you want in mind, offer it and be prepared to walk if you dont get it. There are hundreds and hundreds of places to buy a car so dont feel obligated to stick with the same dealer. Check them all out and dont be afraid to tell them what you've found in another car yard for a similar or better price. Get the car checked by an independant mechanic if you can so you know what will need doing on the car when you buy it and can make an informed decision. You can also use this for bargaining power too.

Good luck. :-)

Thanks for all the great advice. And thanks for talking me down from what could have been a distasrous mistake when I was really ticked off!!!! Here's what we did. After I was calmed down (which took several hours, read all the posts, plus emails on the topic) I called the service center and said in my NICE mom voice, "This is a real blow for us, we just had major repairs to our second vehicle last week. Is there anyway you can take this cost down?" He said, let me call you back. He called back a little while later with a new quote that was $800 less! So we decided to fix the (expletive deleted) Suburban for now, and I'll be taking the bus to work meanwhile to save on gas and pay down the credit cards!
When things are looking rosier in the economy and in our household, we'll revisit the "new car" purchase, and this time it won't be a rush job, which has historically been our huge mistake. Thanks for all the help!

Susan is mom to Alexander, Isabel, David and stepmom to Eric. Make sure your email address is current, we'll be giving out great prizes DAILY in September after our site makeover! Don't miss out!