How much is reasonable to offer to purchase a car?

M

Marisol L

New member
I want to buy a used car: It is an 2005 Acura TSX; 6 Speed Manual Transmission; 56,000 miles, Leather interior, sunroof etc...Well there was one I was going to buy for $10,000 but it sold. Now the one I just described the dealer is asking for $12,900.00 But the absolute maximum I can afford is $11,500, but I would like to get it for $11,000. Is this too much to ask off? What do I need to do or start to try to get my offer accepted if it is reasonable? Also I would have to drive 4 hours in order to purchase this car and I really want to make sure my offer is accepted before I drive that far. Please help! I'm driving far because in my area it is very hard to find this car with a manual transmission and most are newer models in the $17,000 and up range. So if you have any suggestions on what to do and how I would have to do this by phone, please do!
Sorry, I may add that I'm going to give $4,500 cash for down payment and the rest financed.
 
First, does the dealer have a web site? If so check on there for the price of the vehicle. If the vehicle is on there for more then you can afford, send them a email and make a offer in your email. I would shoot them a offer about a thousand under what you are offering. You will find a email from them with a offer. This is very important in your communications that you have a record so when the price is met, you can print it off and take it with you.

In your email make sure you give them all the information about the car that you can to make sure that they cannot say that they thought you were talking about another vehicle. Include the vin if it is available.

If you are doing this by phone, write down the name of everyone you talk to and keep notes of your conversation. I sell used cars for a living and there are some salespeople that will tell you anything to get you to come in and then they will say well I never told you that. That is why I say use email, you have it in black and white and it does hold up in a court of law.

You can haggle the price of a car and if you have a thousand dollar window to haggle in, you will find that they will come back with a lower offer and then you can offer a couple of hundred more. Go back and forth until you get what you want.

If they don't want to haggle, send them a email and tell thanks but you will keep looking, you will find that they will respond.

You didn't say if you were needing financing or not == this will play a big part in how much they will come down. If you are paying cash, let them know that this is a cash deal if you can come together on the price up front and good luck.
 
Give him a call and tell him you have 11,000 to pay BOTTOM LINE! Make sure he understands that that means including tax, title, etc.

If he says no, you have saved a trip and can keep looking. If he says OK, tell him you are on your way with that much money and no more. Also mention that if he tries to add more after you arrive that you will simply turn around and buy another one you saw. Tell him you didn't like the other one as much as his, but you can buy it for your 11,000. This will let him know that a common ploy used won't work here. The ploy is: Sometimes a dealer will say OK to get you to the lot and then say "we need more for that car, but we have another that you can have for that amount", trying to steer you towards a lesser value car.

Many dealers will FAX (or email) a statement of acceptance of your bid if you ask for one.
 
You have to learn how to negotiate. It can mean the difference between getting hosed or hosing them.

Read this site to learn the art of negotiating: http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Then visit http://www.autotrader.com and search for 2005 TSX in similar condition and mileage. Print out all the lowest prices and take it with you and show it to the dealer to convince them that they are asking too much.
 
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