Buying used car from dealer and need to know...

[OCMD]

Basically, I never buy new. Boats? Bought 2 off the forums. Cars in the past? When a great deal floated by from my buddy who details the cars of the wealthy who just trade 'em in when sick of 'em or would sell them for trade in price, and I was in the market, I bought one. Used, under 50k miles vehicles, drove 'em a few years and sold 'em....But the car I want is relatively rare, model year ended in 2013. A 2013 Infiniti G37 convertible. Hate going to a dealer, but have no choice as the other markets don't have much, if anything (Craigslist etc). I should have jumped on one I saw last week at 24K, with 25000 miles on it. Been watching 2 more at another dealer, watched 'em lower in price to an area which I believed to be fair. Was going to pull the trigger on one of the 2. 1) 2013 with 13000 miles, 28500 or 2) 2013 with 31000 miles for 27500. Lo and behold, I get a call from the salesman this a.m. out of the blue (I was there 10 days ago, 40 miles away) "Tom did you buy a car yet?" I deflected and said I was about to close on a BMW convertible for $28 with 20K miles on it, blah blah blah, why? He said he just got in a 2013 with 4000 miles on it for 30,500. I said nope, too much (plus it was manual which I am too lazy for these days). Anything else? (knowing he had 2 others on the website) He said the charcoal one I saw sold earlier this week (the 28,500 one) but he had a white one for 27 or 28 he had to check. The website has it for 26500 now. He gets back to me and says they just reduced it to 26500 (which they did, yesterday because 2 days ago it was 27500.) I said maybe I can get my old lady to come look at it, but she wants the BMW because it reminds here of her 535i from a few years ago.

For the experts... I think the 26,500 is a fair price, according to my research and what is available in the area. It really is. KBB says fair market range is 24,276-29,421; NADA says 27, 250 clean retail. I know, I know, book prices are a guide only. But per the local market at factory dealers (and otherwise i.e. low life no name dealerships on side of road as well as CarMaxes) were the following samples on 2013s: 44k miles/$28K; 23K miles/$31K; 3K miles/30,500; 40K miles/$28K; 44Kmiles/$28K; 24K miles/27K at sketchy place I wont buy from; then a 2011 45Kmiles/ $22K ans a 2010 30K miles/$22K.

So the price is pretty damn good. Original warranty until next July; powertrain for 6 years. Warranty doesn't concern me as these are basically Nissans which are trouble free.

I don't need a car, but I am sick of driving my pick up all the time. I retired a year ago from the PD so for 30 years I drove a take home "company" vehicle not my pick up, which is an 02 with about 50000 miles on it. I don't want an Accord (I have an Odyssey and a Civic); I want a nice luxury, sporty car. I have been looking for awhile.

The question - how much wiggle room do you think a dealer will have at the end of the month, at the end of the year in a cold climate on an already priced pretty well car? A buddy who knows a used car salesman at an Infiniti dealer told me he thought the margins were tight and there was not much wiggle room. Advice? I was thinking of going in, with a check for 25K made out, a 2d check for 6% tax made out, and cash for the tags (about 200 bucks) and saying "Here is my first and final offer, and I'm not paying your $595 prep charge which is on the sticker of the used car."

Thanks, experts! (Yep, I don't pay full price for anything and there is a reason, but with used cars from dealers? I have no idea how to proceed.)

 

[Julian]

Used car pricing is hard to work out because it all depends on how much they raped the person trading it in. Your approach at 25K sounds reasonable. I tend to haggle my way there rather than the firm walk in bottom line....gives me a much better idea of how much they are willing to negotiate. As you know, you have to be prepared to leave and say...."if the boss wants to do 25k before the end of the year, call me". It is always best to have a comp (anywhere within 1000 miles) to use to bring them down. I like to use the "well there is one in <Name city> that is only 25k and my son/uncle etc lives there and tells me it is in primo condition. I was planning on flying to visit him...I could fly southwest and just drive the car back" approach.....this levels the playing field to half the country!

 

[dan144k]

I have always searched on a website called
cargurus.com

 

[veedubtek]

Hadn't used/heard of cargurus until a few months ago, but after searching 6 months on the usual sites for a Cummins, one day on cargurus and I found and sealed a deal on mine. Definitely worth checking out.

And your offer should be accepted no question, especially at month/year end. A pre-written check in hand is a super easy sale for a dealer. It's a good approach. I mean, I wouldn't buy an Infinity, but if that's what your heart is set on, I'd say your plan is a good one.

They'll tell you the doc fee is non-negotiable. Well, the price of the car is, they can knock it down another $600 if they want the sale. I buy alot of cars, and refuse to pay a doc fee, and they always knock it off the price. Until this latest Ram, that is. It was $75! I was so amazed at a "legitimate" fee being charged, I actually commended them on it and paid it no question.

 

[OCMD]

Cargurus simply tracks cars.com and the other sale sites, but has a feature that tells how long the car has been on the market, and what the starting price is. I used it. We'll see what happens...Thanks. Vee why no Infiniti? I guess for the same reason I'd never own a Ford product.....we all have our likes and dislikes!

 

[Big Shasta]

Basically, I never buy new. Boats? Bought 2 off the forums. Cars in the past? When a great deal floated by from my buddy who details the cars of the wealthy who just trade 'em in when sick of 'em or would sell them for trade in price, and I was in the market, I bought one. Used, under 50k miles vehicles, drove 'em a few years and sold 'em....But the car I want is relatively rare, model year ended in 2013. A 2013 Infiniti G37 convertible. Hate going to a dealer, but have no choice as the other markets don't have much, if anything (Craigslist etc). I should have jumped on one I saw last week at 24K, with 25000 miles on it. Been watching 2 more at another dealer, watched 'em lower in price to an area which I believed to be fair. Was going to pull the trigger on one of the 2. 1) 2013 with 13000 miles, 28500 or 2) 2013 with 31000 miles for 27500. Lo and behold, I get a call from the salesman this a.m. out of the blue (I was there 10 days ago, 40 miles away) "Tom did you buy a car yet?" I deflected and said I was about to close on a BMW convertible for $28 with 20K miles on it, blah blah blah, why? He said he just got in a 2013 with 4000 miles on it for 30,500. I said nope, too much (plus it was manual which I am too lazy for these days). Anything else? (knowing he had 2 others on the website) He said the charcoal one I saw sold earlier this week (the 28,500 one) but he had a white one for 27 or 28 he had to check. The website has it for 26500 now. He gets back to me and says they just reduced it to 26500 (which they did, yesterday because 2 days ago it was 27500.) I said maybe I can get my old lady to come look at it, but she wants the BMW because it reminds here of her 535i from a few years ago.

For the experts... I think the 26,500 is a fair price, according to my research and what is available in the area. It really is. KBB says fair market range is 24,276-29,421; NADA says 27, 250 clean retail. I know, I know, book prices are a guide only. But per the local market at factory dealers (and otherwise i.e. low life no name dealerships on side of road as well as CarMaxes) were the following samples on 2013s: 44k miles/$28K; 23K miles/$31K; 3K miles/30,500; 40K miles/$28K; 44Kmiles/$28K; 24K miles/27K at sketchy place I wont buy from; then a 2011 45Kmiles/ $22K ans a 2010 30K miles/$22K.

So the price is pretty damn good. Original warranty until next July; powertrain for 6 years. Warranty doesn't concern me as these are basically Nissans which are trouble free.

I don't need a car, but I am sick of driving my pick up all the time. I retired a year ago from the PD so for 30 years I drove a take home "company" vehicle not my pick up, which is an 02 with about 50000 miles on it. I don't want an Accord (I have an Odyssey and a Civic); I want a nice luxury, sporty car. I have been looking for awhile.

The question - how much wiggle room do you think a dealer will have at the end of the month, at the end of the year in a cold climate on an already priced pretty well car? A buddy who knows a used car salesman at an Infiniti dealer told me he thought the margins were tight and there was not much wiggle room. Advice? I was thinking of going in, with a check for 25K made out, a 2d check for 6% tax made out, and cash for the tags (about 200 bucks) and saying "Here is my first and final offer, and I'm not paying your $595 prep charge which is on the sticker of the used car."

Thanks, experts! (Yep, I don't pay full price for anything and there is a reason, but with used cars from dealers? I have no idea how to proceed.)

I Love this site...great condition off lease cars. If nothing else, it's a bargaining tool.

http://www.offleaseonly.com/used-ca...lando/location_palm-beach/location_value-lot/

Here's another one...NON-"sport"
Looks like a great deal. http://www.offleaseonly.com/used-ca...lando/location_palm-beach/location_value-lot/

I love saying, I can get the one way flight for under 500.00 so come within 500 or I'll just fly and drive home.

 

[PEARCE]

I think your plan of a 25k check in hand is a far offer and a good plan. If they want the sale they will certainly take your done deal offer. No worry of your deal falling through at financing. There's not many of those cars around in the Dallas area and Infiniti is a popular brand around here. If it were me I'd try and keep an extended warranty just for the hardtop convertible hardware. The rest of the car is Nissan and it shouldn't give you much trouble if any. We own two 4 door Nissans both with over 160k on there clocks and still going strong. Post some pics when you get it!