Buying a Used Car

Kobi-wan-kenobi · Starting Rotation Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 561

Im looking at a 2003 Maxima with 70k miles at a dealer..

Dealers asking price - $15k

Kbb's retail price - $13,140

Kbb's private party price - $10,065

Basically what Im wondering is what my starting offer should be... $9500?

And do you ever want to pay retail price at a dealership for a used car?

oldschool32 · Franchise Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 20032

Check the NADA price quotes as well. Seems like most dealers try to steer away from KBB and find the highest quotes possible. There was actually a 3rd book they use now, but I can't seem to remember it at the moment.

Never pay the sticker price on a used car.

Looking at the #'s you put abover I'd assume one would pay between $13,500-$14,500. Depending on your negotiating skills, dealer's greed, and market conditions on the car(lot of interest, or has it been on the lot for a while?).

I'd also suggest getting a carfax report unless the dealer provides you with one
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Surfitall · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:43 am Post subject:

You should check out CarFaire. I've sold a couple of my cars there, it's a pretty cool thing. www.carfaire.com/

oldschool32 · Franchise Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 20032

Just doing a quick check on autotrader it seems like that dealer is definately at the high end of the spectrum. Make sure you do yourself justice and always, always, always shop around.
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"It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."-The Greatest

Socks · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:57 am Post subject:

Dealerships generally rip off people who sell them their used cars. That means they make large profit margins when they sell those used cars. You've got a lot of room to work with in negotiating down.

Without knowing the condition of the car, I'm guessing if the dealership bought that car from an individual, they probably did so for at least a grand less than the blue book value. I'd start by offering somewhere below that at least.

TooCool · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:10 am Post subject:

How badly do you need a used car? With that kind of price, I might as well get a new car if I were you.
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Greg-Dawg® · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

Go to CarMax.
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Kobi-wan-kenobi · Starting Rotation Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 561

I think Im gonna start out with an offer of about $9500...

Theres no way Im going anywhere near retail value, and honestly I dont want to pay much more than private party value either. Cause if I were to buy that same car from some random guy, I could easily get it for about $9500... So why should I pay much more just cause Im getting it at a dealer?

The dealer may have the car in nicer shape than a private owner, and may offer a warranty, but at the same time Im going to have to pay all their stupid hidden fees and tax.. So its going to be about $1500 more anyway.

Maybe I'll just stay away from buying a car at a dealer... I hate their fee's and having to pay tax.

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:49 am Post subject:

I'm telling my friends to buy SUVs right now. People are hurting to sell them and are willing to take 1/2 of what is reasonable.
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Heyvoon24 · Star Player Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3933

Surfitall · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:05 pm Post subject:

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:09 pm Post subject:

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:14 pm Post subject:

2004 Expedition: $14,000 with 44k miles. FROM A DEALER.

You find a privte seller in a bad financial situation who can't afford gas, you can get that for under 10 grand IMO. People are desparate right now. Take advantage.

http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/vehicle_detail/ul83943516/FORD/EXPEDITION%20EDDIE%20BAUER
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Surfitall · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

You know what chef, that's a really good point. If you don't drive much, definitely go pick up a used Escalade or an H2, or some other tank that is being sold at fire-sale prices. I will say that my grandmother basically missed the entier gas crisis in the 1970's because she didn't fill up her tank once during those years. I sold her car for her a few years ago by the way...a 1964 Impala with less than 60k original miles on it!!! I'm sure it's a low rider crusing around L.A. somewhere now.

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

why dont you take that money and buy a hyundai or a kia

brand new car, great gas mileage and 100,000 mile warranty... that would be a smarter choice... buying used style right now when you dont have enough funds is just not thinking correctly

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject:

ArrOhBee · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject:

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

you can get a kia rio brand new for about 11 grand great mileage AC power steering auto power everything and CD player with sirius sat.

or a sonata for 16, 505 out the door with alot of bells and whistles... hyundai accents are also a good buy as well.....

if you are still worried about staus and looks and want to go flashy when you dont have the money then try looking at a dealer that is selling a demo vehicles or rental car overstock.... they ususallly come with warranty after 1 year ownership and use.... i think enterprise has those deals

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:39 pm Post subject:

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

999 · Franchise Player Joined: 19 Oct 2006 Posts: 20267

chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

haha.....rental cars suck. I had one just totally drop part of the undercarriage when I drove it to vegas. We had to tie it up with string.
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chef · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Look for "Fleet" cars. Probably better than rental cars. Can get a 2-3 year old car for about 5 grand.
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Got money? And you know it! Take it out your pocket and show it then throw it!!!!