how to talk to dealers?

I've got a few questions before I go to a couple more dealers to talk. When you test drive a truck in my experience the salesman always rides is this the same for everybody?

Do you look at the truck yourself or do you take it to a reputable mechanic and let them check it out?

Also how do you talk them down or how much should you ask off of the asking price? For a starting negotiation point.

What else do you look at or ask the dealer? One Tacoma I'm looking at is at a Chevrolet dealer that's been for sale since September 29th which makes me wonder if anything is wrong with it besides a cracked windshield that I've seen.

Haven't found many used ones at Toyota dealers around me.

 

First ask for a CarFax, if that checks out clean I'd personally, have them bring it to an independent mechanic. If you have a guy you use that reasonably close, so much the better. This is something you are going to have to pay for so do the negotiations before hand. No sense paying to have the truck looked at and then not agreeing on the price, have them put it in writing..

If the dealer doesn't want to do any of this just walk away.

 

The salesman went on the initial test drive but then let me take it for about an hour and a half so I could have my father in law take a look at it.

 

You've got a bit of preparation to do before you walk into the dealership.... here's a helpful vid for an appetizer.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rLdM509LcY

 

Eat and bathroom break. Then go in. Be prepaired to sit there for hours. If you found truck online. Go through internet sales. Check truecar.com and get a carfax. Good luck.

 

Is FIL a mechanic? Did he see anything you should worry about?
Have you asked about seeing a CarFax?

If you go to a mechanic he will give you a written evaluation of the truck, it will have the name of the shop an address and phone number on it.

Any thing he finds wrong he can give you an estimate for the repair cost.

YOU can use that to your advantage to further negotiate the price,
Or at a minimum they will fix it for you.

 

He is, and he was a huge fan of the Tacoma, which surprised me because he is a huge Ford guy and as soon as I told him I was in the market he kept sending me listings of F-150's.

I asked the dealership for a CarFax and they provided one. I told them I was having a third party inspect the vehicle and he didn't really care, just told me to be back before the dealership closed.

 

I'm confused as why you where asking about having the truck inspected if you already had it covered---never-mind.

What does the CarFax say it's valued at?
That would be the place to start.

 

I like to test drive first, then do my on line price comparison with www.KBB.com and vehicle selection on www.autotrader.com . I call my credit union and get pre approved. Then i go and give the salesman hell. If your credit score is above average, you can pretty much get what you want. Of course, check the carfax if the rig is used.

 

Like others have said, do your homework first. Bring some print outs of comparable trucks that you're looking at. If you plan on paying with cash, DO NOT TELL THEM UNTIL AFTER YOU'VE SETTLED ON THE PRICE. Stand your ground but don't be a dick about it. I almost bought a truck but before i signed the papers my dad wanted to talk outside first. He said if i wasn't 100%, dont do it. I'm glad he said that, you dont want to be kicking yourself later because you got talked into something.

 

Does your name mean mountain biker Jim or masturbator Jim?

I'm sorry I had to...

To OP good luck in your negotiations man. If I have any advice, be a dick. I'm usually a pretty nice guy but the minute I feel any pressure from a car salesman I do a complete turn around.

 

x2 to a point. If the sales guy gets pushy, be a dick. It's only a couple hundred bucks comission to him but a decision for you that will last years..

 

Would you be iffy about a truck thats been on the lot for 2 full months? They've dropped the price by $1,000 so they are asking $23,995.

 

What are the specs on the truck in question? What year is it, is it 4x4 or pre-runner? Where I live Tacoma's are priced insanely high used.

 

great advice guys telling him to be a dick @ the dealership. That's a good way to get the best deal on the vehicle. If that's how you guys buy cars you have no idea how many times you left money on the table. Now if you really want some good advise on buying this truck here it is: First off, I wouldn't necessarily be turned off by a truck that has been on a lot for around 60 days. sometimes vehicles will last that long in a dealer's inventory for several reasons. probably the biggest one is it being a toyota on a chevy lot. The first red flag that I noticed is that you stated that the truck has a cracked windshield. This right here tells me that this dealership does not service or inspect the pre-owned vehicles very well. if they're not willing to pay $250 to have a windshield replaced then what else did they skimp on. take it to get inspected by a third party. Preferably a toyota dealer or someone who specializes in toyotas. That way they know what the hell they're looking at. You can also have them check for any type of body work repair. Feel the edges of the doors and the edges of the door jambs and the edges of the hood for over spray or tape lines. This is a sign of body work. Don't rely on a carfax. They're good guides but if there was an accident and there was not a police report filed then it won't be on there. Do your research ahead of time when it comes to price. With this truck sitting there for so long they are going to want to move it. It's getting up there to the it's gotta go age in inventory. You should be able to get it for a decent price below book value especially if it needs reconditioning. Whether you pay cash or not has zero effect on what you can get the truck for. Dealers would rather you finance as they can make up profit there that you won't ever know about. Check with your credit union. They should be able to beat any rate the dealer has to offer. Use these steps and you should be able to get a decent deal. Obviously, if the truck doesn't check out walk away. they're other ones out there. Before anyone asks yes I've sold cars for almost 15 years. Hopefully this helps you with your purchase! Good luck!!

 

Its a 2008 DCSB 4x4 TRD off road with 67,591 miles on it. The other weekend when I looked at it I tried to crank it but the battery was dead, so they had to jump it off. My wife was sitting in the car and she said after it cranked it smoked a little. A friend of mine that works on his on cars said that since I tried to crank it, it sent fuel to the injuectors so when they jumped it it was burning off the excess gas so thats why it smoked. Its got a few nicks in the paint and its got chrome side steps.

 

Hi,


Unrepaired broken windshield sets off the alarm for me!

So without knowing anything other than its a Tacoma isn't 24K getting up close to new price? You paying cash? Financing on new is cheaper, better warranty, longer time before the need for tires, brakes and other costly repairs, sure you take a depreciation hit greater than used.

Just some thoughts to help add another layer of complexity.

 

average auction price for that truck is 19800-20200. i would look for a 2009 for that price. 2009's have some upgrades as well over the 2005-2008's.

 

Most States have a requirement in their Vehicle Code that basically states that a new or used dealer can't sell any vehicle that does not meet the vehicle code requirements. For example, the cracked windshield. That would need to be replaced before they could sell the truck so I wouldn't let them use it as a negotiating tool.

Ray

 

Thats what I thought that before they could sell it or for someone to buy it needed to be up to inspection.,