Negotiating for a used car

	How to Buy a Used Car

	Negotiating for a used car...

	Step Five Negotiating for a used car... OK, you've found a used car you like, and you want to buy it. But first make sure you adopt that attitude that you will only buy it if — and this is a big if — you can reach an agreement on the price. You might think we're splitting hairs here, but this is an important point. If you retain the mindset that you will buy the car once the price is settled, this will preserve your ability to walk away from the deal if it goes sour. Walking away, being indecisive, appearing uninterested in the car are all signals that will soften up the seller to give you a better deal. On the other hand, if you are too casual, and seem uninterested, someone might buy the car out from under you. Clearly, you are walking a fine line here. You need to let them know you're a "for real" buyer without seeming too eager. How can you do this? It's very simple. Your Opening Move Whether you are buying a used car from a dealer or a private party, let them know you have the cash in hand (or financing arranged) to make a deal on the spot. Preface your offer with a statement like, "I'm ready to make a deal now. I can give you cash (or a cashier's check) now. But the price seems high." At this point, you need to have a persuasive argument about why the price is too high. You can pick one from the list below: You checked Edmunds.com True Market Value^® pricing, and the adjusted figure is lower than their asking price. You had the used car inspected, and it needs some work. The condition of the vehicle's body or the paint job doesn't justify the price. You have checked the market yourself and found lower prices elsewhere (this approach requires some creativity about why you want their car and not other lower priced cars). You might take a different approach if you like the car and just want to test their price. Instead, try one of the reasons from the list below: This wasn't exactly the car you were looking for (or the color, or pick some other feature of the car) but you like it well enough to buy it anyway if the price is reduced. Their car might be worth the price they are asking, but you can only afford a lower price. You weren't really serious about buying the car, but it has caught your interest anyway. If they drop the price, you could justify this purchase. You will have to adopt these "reasons" to suit your personal situation. However, by having reasons, rather than just attacking their price, it supports your lower offer. And it helps them save face when they come down on the price. How to Price Used Cars The foundation of successful negotiation is information. This is particularly true when buying a used car. And yet, the condition of used cars means prices will vary widely. Edmunds.com has removed much of the guesswork in used car pricing by developing True Market Value pricing. After you have gathered information about a car you are considering, look it up on the Edmunds.com used car pages. Make sure you click on the "Customized Appraisal" bar and respond to the prompts. When you're finished, copy down the three TMV^® prices: Trade-In, Private Party and Dealer Retail. There are situations that aren't covered by TMV. The car may be too old and is not listed by Edmunds. There might be body damage or added aftermarket accessories. In these cases, you have to use your own common sense about arriving at the right prices. Certainly, it will depend largely on how much you want the car, what you are willing to pay and how motivated the seller is. Negotiating with Dealers Dealers have lots of experience negotiating. Most private parties do not. Therefore, buying a used car from a dealer or a private party will be two very different experiences. But there is one overriding similarity -- they both want to sell the car. In fact, the incentive to sell the car might be greater to the dealer than to the private party owner. Why? Many used cars on new car lots come from vehicles that were traded in. In order to sell someone a new car, the dealer gave them credit for their used car as a trade-in. In other words, the dealer has advanced money to make this transaction happen. They will not reap the benefit of this arrangement until they turn the used car into cash. This is where you come along. If you walk into the used car department of a new car lot and let the salesman know that you have cash (or prearranged financing) and you make a reasonable offer on a used car, you just might get a bargain. You should, however, follow these guidelines: Only enter into negotiations with a salesperson you feel comfortable with Make an opening offer that is low, but in the ballpark Decide ahead of time how high you will go and walk out when you reach this price Be prepared to spend an hour or more negotiating Leave the dealership if you get tired or hungry -- don't be hurried into a decision Don't be distracted by pitches for related items such as extended warranties or anti-theft devices Expect a closer to try to improve the deal before you reach a final price Protect your good deal in the Finance and Insurance room by refusing low-value/high-priced items Negotiating with a Private Party Buying from a private party is usually a more relaxed situation. Still, it is often assumed that the "asking price" is not firm. This means you should try to negotiate. However, this process will not be as extended as it would in the dealership. It might be as simple as this: Buyer: You're asking $3,600 for this car. I want to buy the car, but that price seems too high. What's your best price? Seller: How does $3,300 sound? Buyer: Well, I'll give you $3,100 — cash. Seller: You've got a deal. There are, of course, many variations of this scenario. For example, some private parties might hold firm on their first price if they are in love with their car and really don't want to sell it. If you desperately want the car, you should either pay their price or come back a week later. Once you have a deal, you need to make sure that the transaction is completed properly. The next section, which is the final step, will tell you what to expect and what you need to do.			1.Choosing the right car 2.Financing the used car 3.Shopping for a used car 4.Test-Driving a used car 5.Negotiating for a used car 6.Closing the deal