Advice needed for used car buying!!!
SaveMeSomeMoney
01-27-2006, 10:56 PM
Hi, I wanted to know how much I could expect to negotiate off the asking price for a used car. I plan on buying a 2005 Chrysler 300. If I'm looking at one in good condition and the asking price is $18,000-20,000 at a used car lot what can I expect to pay if I tell them I'm willing to pay cash right now? Is offering $16,000 insulting to them? I plan on spending more than that but I gotta low-ball them, right? I figure if Im willing to pay cash in full they should be able to cut me a good deal, right? Also any negotiating advice(or really any advice) would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance to those who reply!!!
Thanks in advance to those who reply!!!
MagicRat
01-28-2006, 03:59 AM
Look in this sub forum, there are some older threads with some good used-car buying advice.
As for offering $16 k, that sounds like a good starting point for a V6, but try starting a bit lower.
. I seem to recall the V8 Hemi-engined 300's would retail for 10-12 k more than a V6 model, so 16k may be a bit cheap for the V8.
As for insulting them, do not be afraid to low-ball it.
Of course they will complain that the offer is too cheap, and they will pretend to get upset that you are wasting their time etc.
It's all an act. They will say or do anything to get your money. If they feel you are vulnerable or can be swayed by their disapproval, they will try to do so!
So be firm on your low ball offer! They will reject your offer for sure, and give you a counter-offer.
Say no to their offer, and maybe talk a bit more then you should leave the used car lot. It's fine to be pleasant to them, but just go. Even if you are prepared to spend more money right there, leave anyways.
Dealers HATE buyers who leave! nothing focuses their mind more than a potential customer who walks out the door because it means they have lost control of the selling process, and it means they cannot control/influence you.
Call them up the next day and ask if they have reconsidered your offer. They will probably complain about your cheapness some more. Don't let it get to you. It may take a few days of calls and negotiations to cut a good deal for the car.
If they sell the car to someone else, don't worry. There are lots of slightly used 300's that are on the market; and the V6 models are not very popular, used, because everyone wants the V8.
BTW avoid the 2.7 liter V6. It has serious problems.
The 3.5 liter V6 is a much better engine.
As for offering $16 k, that sounds like a good starting point for a V6, but try starting a bit lower.
. I seem to recall the V8 Hemi-engined 300's would retail for 10-12 k more than a V6 model, so 16k may be a bit cheap for the V8.
As for insulting them, do not be afraid to low-ball it.
Of course they will complain that the offer is too cheap, and they will pretend to get upset that you are wasting their time etc.
It's all an act. They will say or do anything to get your money. If they feel you are vulnerable or can be swayed by their disapproval, they will try to do so!
So be firm on your low ball offer! They will reject your offer for sure, and give you a counter-offer.
Say no to their offer, and maybe talk a bit more then you should leave the used car lot. It's fine to be pleasant to them, but just go. Even if you are prepared to spend more money right there, leave anyways.
Dealers HATE buyers who leave! nothing focuses their mind more than a potential customer who walks out the door because it means they have lost control of the selling process, and it means they cannot control/influence you.
Call them up the next day and ask if they have reconsidered your offer. They will probably complain about your cheapness some more. Don't let it get to you. It may take a few days of calls and negotiations to cut a good deal for the car.
If they sell the car to someone else, don't worry. There are lots of slightly used 300's that are on the market; and the V6 models are not very popular, used, because everyone wants the V8.
BTW avoid the 2.7 liter V6. It has serious problems.
The 3.5 liter V6 is a much better engine.
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