Used car advice: Internet pricing vs. sticker price?

[sunlover13]

We are in the market for a used car. Actually, a truck. We found a 2007 Honda Pilot w/ low miles and we are going to go take a look at it on Friday.

We were at the dealer a couple of days ago and noticed that the sticker price on one of the trucks was $25,500. However, the truck was listed on cars.com w/ an internet price of $23,995.

Why the difference?

We were planning on bringing this internet pricing with us as a negotiating tool. Also on this listing are trucks at other dealers in the area w/ the lower internet pricing.

Any advice as far as how much lower they will go? I only have experience w/ buying new cars w/ an employee discount / no haggle pricing.

TIA!

 

[clh2]

My experience - only new cars though - is they have different people handling the internet sales. They need a "hook" to get you from your living room to their showroom. Price is a big motivator - they know that if you are looking at their prices...you are looking at other car dealers on line too.

We always look online for the best pricing we can find. Print it all out, and organize it. (Bring what you can find from other dealers too.) Data is your best negotiating tool.

There are many on-line pricing guides - Edmunds Blue Book possibly? Know what the price range is for the vehicle is you are interested in. And - IIRC, the books detail the wholesale and retail pricing is. Use that as a guideline too.

Also - go in with your "target" number in your head. Don't be afraid to walk if you can't get it down to that.

Good luck!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I recently bought a used car (2007) using internet pricing. Print the sheet out with the car info and the price on it and use THAT as your starting price.

My car was about $13k at the dealership, $11650 (I think, somewhere in there) with internet pricing, and I talked him down to $10650, which is what I paid. (I also paid with a check and the car was lavender, not the most popular car color, but I love it.)

They have internet prices lower than what they have at the dealership to try and widen their "net" on getting people to walk into the dealership. Say I'm looking for a car. In person, I'd probably look for a car within 5 miles of my house. Not many choices...I might find what I want. But, if I go on the internet and put in exactly what I want, I'll get a wider range of choices and they'd need to have a good price to get me to drive further than I'd usually go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You have to pay for their overhead and commission. We buy used by private party.

Do not be afraid to look at AutoTrader and Craigslist to see what is out there.

Here are the sites to check price.

NADA.com
AutoTrader
KBB
edmunds

 

[sunlover13]

Thanks for the responses! That helps a lot. We will be bringing the internet pricing with us and plan to have a number in our head. Appreciate the insight.

We do not want to buy from a private party b/c we want to finance the truck and get an extended warranty. Plus, we are going to buy from a certified dealer.

Our plan is to go tomorrow. Wish us luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Thanks for the responses! That helps a lot. We will be bringing the internet pricing with us and plan to have a number in our head. Appreciate the insight.

We do not want to buy from a private party b/c we want to finance the truck and get an extended warranty. Plus, we are going to buy from a certified dealer.

Our plan is to go tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Yes but you need to look at the private party prices because that is what the car is worth.

And the websites I have should have dealers in them. Don't limit yourself to looking at only one site.

 

[AristocatFan]

We just bought a 2005 Toyota Camry last weekend. We traded in a 1999 Chevy S10. Have a set budget amount that you are willing to pay and stick to it. The salesman will always try to talk you into a "few dollars" more. Be prepared to walk away if need be. At one point DH told him it had to be $xxx or he was taking the truck and going elsewhere. The salesman left the office and came back with a higher offer on the trade-in and our payments exactly where we wanted it. If they really want to make a sale, they will work with you. Good luck!