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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » Purchasing vehicle using online quotes

Jan. 16, 2012 2:34 p.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

I've read where some of you have gotten quotes for new car purchases. The idea being to get quotes from more than one dealership to get them to compete against each other for best price. Exactly how did you contact the dealerships? Through their web-site contact us link? Via a salesperson? To whom did you address your communication? What specifically did you state you were looking for? Obviously make, model, and year. Options, etc. Do you tell them the price you are looking for?

I would like SWMBO to trade in her 08 smart fortwo on a 2012 as they are offering 0% financing that she would be eligible for. She has about $4000 in equity in the current car. Do I let them know that we are interested in trade up front? She should be eligible for $1000 smart owner rebate for current owners.

A friend suggested telling them that as long as they can get the financed amount to a figure we want (around $8000) then leave it up to them to figure it out.

And before you all ask why on Earth we'd get another-- she wants to. And it's been a good little car for us regularly getting 40-50 mpg including when I hammer on it at 80 mph. Also, I am interested in the new car because of the new longer warranty term (4 years/ 50000 miles).

She's got 65k on the current car and I am not interested in doing a clutch job when the time comes.

Thanks,

George
Jan. 16, 2012 3:27 p.m. Woody SuperDork

I just used a generic email address, told them the exact model, color and options that I was looking for and asked for a price. Don't mention he trade until you get there, because then you can determine exactly what the numbers are.
Jan. 16, 2012 3:36 p.m. tuna55 SuperDork

I am doing the same deal with used cars right now. I have not followed through yet, but the internet sales guys are pretty good at giving you a quick bottom line price that makes comparing way easier.
Jan. 16, 2012 3:38 p.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

Do I tell them I am shopping other dealerships?
Jan. 16, 2012 3:54 p.m. tuna55 SuperDork

vwcorvette wrote:

Do I tell them I am shopping other dealerships?

It's just E-mailing a dude at a dealership. Try half yes and half no and see what you get. I would also try carsdirect and purecars, as they seem to have slammin deals listed for new stuff.
Jan. 16, 2012 3:58 p.m. Hal Dork

vwcorvette wrote:

Do I tell them I am shopping other dealerships?

I would think that the fact that you are dealing over the internet would make the dealer assume you were shopping other places.

Not sure about with the Smart, dealers seem to be few and far between. I wouldn't mention thetrade-in and "loyalty" rebate until after you got some numbers.
Jan. 16, 2012 5:08 p.m. Woody SuperDork

vwcorvette wrote:

Do I tell them I am shopping other dealerships?

They know that you are.
Jan. 16, 2012 7:26 p.m. vwcorvette HalfDork

Contacted two dealerships. One has responded. Wants me to come in for a drive and to talk on the phone. Also had incorrect information considering the warranty. Perhaps he should check his website and warranty information?
Jan. 16, 2012 7:28 p.m. BoneYard_Racing Reader

BE UP FRONT tell them what you want and how you qualify for it. Chances are they will ask to see your trade before committing on a figure anyway. One of the reasons new car buying is so miserable is because everyone dealers and customers alike think too much. Regardless of how you feel the people staffing the dealership are there to work for you make it easy on both parties. Oh and be nice you'll get a better deal.

Usually rate specials are exclusive of rebates so you may get 0% or the $1000 but not both. If you can have them together more win for you!

The same thing can be accomplished with a 2 minute phone call to the sales manager as well. Just be politely instant that you are not coming in until the vehicle you want is found and the numbers are agreeable, if the management wont be helpful you dont want to buy there.
Jan. 16, 2012 7:41 p.m. pete240z SuperDork

I found the first thing these Internet Guys ask is "How soon can you stop in?"

Be sure you understand all the rebates. One guy gave me a smoking Internet price on a Spec V Sentra to find out I didn't qualify for the $1000 dealer only military discount and the $1000 recent college grad discount AND the smoking price didn't include freight charges.

They just stated price includes all rebates. Nothing like having $2750 added to your "great" price.
Jan. 16, 2012 8:33 p.m. integraguy SuperDork

A Smart can do 80 MPH? Wow!
Jan. 16, 2012 8:51 p.m. JThw8 SuperDork

integraguy wrote:

A Smart can do 80 MPH? Wow!

Computer limited to 91....hit it many times. Cruising at 80-85 was my daily routine.
Jan. 16, 2012 10:30 p.m. Brett_Murphy Dork

If they want you to stop by before they give you a price, ask them if they want to sell a car or not?

You're the customer, make sure you control the transaction.
Jan. 16, 2012 10:47 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

There will be three transactions here.
1.) Price of the new car
Also be sure to ask right up front what they plan to hit you with for "Doc Fee." As stated here, http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/what-fees-should-you-pay.html , in VT this fee is not limited and is often just a stereotypical "padding of the bill" or pure profit. If the retailer tells you they "have to" charge this, just be sure you understand that the only one telling them they "have to" is their own management. They may imply that they are required by the State Attorney General (or similar) so then ask them to write on the purchase agreement that it is required by the State Attorney General. They will not write it and if they do write it the Att. Gen would certainly like to know that.

2.) Price of the trade in
Better off selling yourself if you want all the money. If you have them sell it plan to pay a minimum of $1k for this service. That is, they will give you at least $1k less than you could sell it for yourself. Of course, as a service, it may be worth paying it to you to see the car go quickly/immediately.

3.) Price of financing
Shop options with your local Credit Union first and know your credit score. A dealership is not required to present you the lowest interest rate you qualify for, just the lowest rate you will accept.

Do your best to keep these three transactions separate.
Jan. 16, 2012 10:55 p.m. novaderrik Dork

BoneYard_Racing wrote:

BE UP FRONT tell them what you want and how you qualify for it. Chances are they will ask to see your trade before committing on a figure anyway. One of the reasons new car buying is so miserable is because everyone dealers and customers alike think too much. Regardless of how you feel the people staffing the dealership are there to work for you make it easy on both parties. Oh and be nice you'll get a better deal.

Usually rate specials are exclusive of rebates so you may get 0% or the $1000 but not both. If you can have them together more win for you!

The same thing can be accomplished with a 2 minute phone call to the sales manager as well. Just be politely instant that you are not coming in until the vehicle you want is found and the numbers are agreeable, if the management wont be helpful you dont want to buy there.

you either work as a car salesman/sales manager or you always get the "Hank Hill" deal..
Jan. 16, 2012 11:17 p.m. rotard HalfDork

novaderrik wrote:

BoneYard_Racing wrote:

BE UP FRONT tell them what you want and how you qualify for it. Chances are they will ask to see your trade before committing on a figure anyway. One of the reasons new car buying is so miserable is because everyone dealers and customers alike think too much. Regardless of how you feel the people staffing the dealership are there to work for you make it easy on both parties. Oh and be nice you'll get a better deal.

Usually rate specials are exclusive of rebates so you may get 0% or the $1000 but not both. If you can have them together more win for you!

The same thing can be accomplished with a 2 minute phone call to the sales manager as well. Just be politely instant that you are not coming in until the vehicle you want is found and the numbers are agreeable, if the management wont be helpful you dont want to buy there.

you either work as a car salesman/sales manager or you always get the "Hank Hill" deal..

Haha.

I've never had a good experience trying the Internet thing with dealerships. I wanted to buy a Sentra SE-R Spec V, several years ago, that people were getting really cheap online. I tried the same thing, and was told that there was no way in hell they would sell one for that price.

About the trade: if you're upside down on your trade, you should probably tell them about it upfront. They're not going to lose money on the deal.
Jan. 17, 2012 8:48 a.m. rob_lewis Dork

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/carintro.html

I'm not affiliated or anything, just stumbled upon it years ago. The guy definitely takes the attitude that every dealer is shady, but his methods and instructions are pretty darn good.

That's where I learned about the email blast. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of SMART dealers (as opposed to Chevy dealers) around, so haggling might be a bit more difficult.

Yes, they ALL want you to come in, that way, they can sell you on the spot and not worry about competing offers.

Here's what I would do:

1) Take your current car to CarMax and just get a price quote. That will give you a idea of trade-in without being bullied into buying a car right then.
2) Email blast as many SMART dealers as you're willing to travel to. For example, would you drive 100 miles if you saved $1000? Or if the deal was easy, with little pressure? It would expand the number of dealers you would get quotes from.
3) Use email or online web forms to get an initial offer. You don't have to mention a trade in (since you have an idea of what it's worth already from CarMax). Don't include a phone number, just email address. The dealers that want the business will respond with a price.
4) When submitting, be VERY specific on what you want. If you don't, you're guaranteed the dealer with either respond with the most loaded or the most stripped model on the lot.
5) The quotes you get back will give you an idea on price and which dealer you'll want to work with. No price and a "call us we'll talk" isn't worth your time.

Good Luck.

-Rob

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