I know this has been discussed before but I'm planning new car shopping in a couple days. My Honda isn't in too bad of shape for now, but it does need some work done and I'd rather just put the money towards a new car. It has about 190K miles.

Right now, I'm thinking about the Dodge Dart. I haven't read much negative on it - it got a great review in the Dayton Daily News a few weeks back. I was also considering the Charger, but the's looking more like a pipe dream. I'm also considering something Hyundai, but that's pretty far behind the Dart. My first priority is getting to the dealership and test driving them.

So I guess my question is how to deal with car salesmen. It sounds like most importantly, I want to remain in control and not let them sucker me into anything. My main disadvantage is that I want to wrap this up pretty quickly and not waste more than a few days on it. I think the Dart starts out at 15K and tops off around 20K. Truthfully, if I could get it under 20K then I'd be satisfied. So can I negotiate prices, make (counter)offers? I've never done this before so I'm not sure what to expect as far as strategy.

friendfromlowry;1417326 wrote:I know this has been discussed before but I'm planning new car shopping in a couple days. My Honda isn't in too bad of shape for now, but it does need some work done and I'd rather just put the money towards a new car. It has about 190K miles.

Right now, I'm thinking about the Dodge Dart. I haven't read much negative on it - it got a great review in the Dayton Daily News a few weeks back. I was also considering the Charger, but the's looking more like a pipe dream. I'm also considering something Hyundai, but that's pretty far behind the Dart. My first priority is getting to the dealership and test driving them.

So I guess my question is how to deal with car salesmen. It sounds like most importantly, I want to remain in control and not let them sucker me into anything. My main disadvantage is that I want to wrap this up pretty quickly and not waste more than a few days on it. I think the Dart starts out at 15K and tops off around 20K. Truthfully, if I could get it under 20K then I'd be satisfied. So can I negotiate prices, make (counter)offers? I've never done this before so I'm not sure what to expect as far as strategy.

Call a few different places and get a quote. Say dealership B gives you the lowest quote, call dealership A, C, etc and ask them if they can beat it. If one of them can, call dealership B back and ask if they can top it. It can keep going on and on. You arent even really negotiating (so if you arent good or comfortable doing it, its not a problem), you are putting one dealership against the other. Hell, you could even make up quotes if you want, as long as they are somewhat reasonable.

We just bought a vehicle for my company a month ago, and all we did was type a letter showing everything we wanted, sent it to 4 or 5 dealers and listed them on there, faxed them out, and within 2 hours I had a quote from each and 2 of them were ridiculously low. A smart car salesman will know you care about one thing only and that is price, so he knows if he goes low enough he has a sale. We got what we wanted for about $4,000 less than what they were going for. Easily the best way to do it IMO. Fast, effective, and cuts out all the BS.

I looked at the Dart. I was pretty much set on buying one for The Wife to drive. When I saw them at the dealership there was a couple of things I didn't like. Plus I was wanting the Rallye model and they were 5-6 thousand more than what I priced them on the Dodge website. We left the lot thinking we'd save up a little more money and buy a Challenger in a few months...Love those.

The Wife ended up leasing a Scion tC instead that same day.

Curly J;1417358 wrote:I looked at the Dart. I was pretty much set on buying one for The Wife to drive. When I saw them at the dealership there was a couple of things I didn't like. Plus I was wanting the Rallye model and they were 5-6 thousand more than what I priced them on the Dodge website. We left the lot thinking we'd save up a little more money and buy a Challenger in a few months...Love those.

The Wife ended up leasing a Scion tC instead that same day.

What didn't you like?

friendfromlowry;1417363 wrote:What didn't you like?

Mainly the 5 Grand price jump once it was on the lot. Looked at a 4 door and when the seat ware folded down the rear seat belts were still way up in the air. Just started liking it less the more I looked at it...or maybe it was the Challenger was looking much more better for the prices they were asking for the Dart.

Curly J;1417364 wrote:Mainly the 5 Grand price jump once it was on the lot. Looked at a 4 door and when the seat ware folded down the rear seat belts were still way up in the air. Just started liking it less the more I looked at it...or maybe it was the Challenger was looking much more better for the prices they were asking for the Dart.

I noticed the Avenger was pretty similar in pricing, too. But I haven't really compared the two other than that.

At this point, aren't dealers/mfrs usually clearing inventory at the end of May/June to make way for new models?

1. Find what you actually like the most. Can't be understated.

2. Get quotes from a couple dealerships. When you come to a dealership and you tell them the other dealership offered this price, you become in control because they know they can't make any money on you. (Fun Fact: No salesman is going to make more than the minimum commission on a Dodge Dart anyway, since there isn't much mark up on it. If the salesmen sales for full sticker on dart, dealership makes about $1000. All dealerships pay the owner first and he takes at least $1000 on front end gross. So the profit in the eyes of the salesman is usually zero or close to it - so he gets a mini deal or $50-$300).

3. I wouldn't trade your car in if you are expecting much, your not going to get anything for it (Hard cash-wise) - A dealership can't finance a 190k car, so they will view it as a cash car and sell it for about what you could (with knowing that need to make $2,000 so they would HAVE to get it from you on the cheap. If you do let it go, ask to see the appraisal report from the used car manager - this keeps you from letting them discount the Dart to make the trade in look bigger.

4. If your taking a cash rebate, beware of finance rate. They can't increase the "buy rate" up to 2% - So if the bank calls in a 1.5% rate, they can say the "market rate" is 3.5% - they get profit on the back-end from this. The best way to combat this is to say you already have financing at 1.5% or 2% and see if they can "match" it. Of course they can, and if you hold your ground they will.

5. Just know in general a Compact car has about $800-$1200 of markup, A small mid car has about $1200-$1500 in markup. A Midsize car has $1600-$2200 in markup. A Full size car has $2500-$3000 in markup. (Not a whole lot of room for tiny cars - Dealers aren't gettting rich and you aren't getting ripped off, even at sticker price). IF you want to "Cut to the chase" tell them you will "split the hold back with them" - Hold back is usually about $600 off "hold back profit" the dealer has to ensure profit on a deal. IF you split that, you will be about $300 under invoice. Or you can go for all of it..

6. If the salesmen is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, you may want to give him a tip. Unfortunately, "getting the deal" at the dealership, means the guy who just spent 3-4 hours with you cannot feed his family because he made shit that day. Crooks I tell ya.

7. I wouldn't buy any extra warranties. Perhaps GAP insurance (especially for a dodge lol)

8. End of the month does matter. They have HUGE bonuses on new cars for sales quota. (Some months they may have already made the numbers - if they can get someone to "buy now" on the last day of month, they will hook you up. It's a double whammy if you are with a salesman who needs 1 for his quota too.. ANYTHING they possibly could do to get the price where you need it they will, if you keep holding out long enough.

What Hyundai were you considering?

Thanks for the tips, rydawg. I had heard a few of them before. Unfortunately, I'll be setting foot on the lot the very first day of the month.

said_aouita;1417428 wrote:What Hyundai were you considering?

My coworker researched the hell out of cars (like many months) and finally picked the Sonata, and he loves it. DLazz likes his Elantra. From the limited research I have, they sound like practical & economical cars that would work well. But I have my heart set on the Dart, for now.

Daughter Hits has a Veloster and loves it....10 year 100K powertrain warranty.

Just bought this yesterday for the wife to drive. Got a great deal so we went new. Drives great, love the CVT transmission, super comfortable, and handles really well.

friendfromlowry;1417699 wrote:Thanks for the tips, rydawg. I had heard a few of them before. Unfortunately, I'll be setting foot on the lot the very first day of the month.




My coworker researched the hell out of cars (like many months) and finally picked the Sonata, and he loves it. DLazz likes his Elantra. From the limited research I have, they sound like practical & economical cars that would work well. But I have my heart set on the Dart, for now.

We like our Sonata. Got a new one for just under $19k.

Raw Dawgin' it;1417843 wrote:Just bought this yesterday for the wife to drive. Got a great deal so we went new. Drives great, love the CVT transmission, super comfortable, and handles really well.

I had a 2010 rogue until the fiancé totaled it back in December. Ended up getting the murano to replace the rogue. I liked my rogue a lot but the murano drives do much smoother it's crazy. I absolutely love it

Crimson streak;1417895 wrote:I had a 2010 rogue until the fiancé totaled it back in December. Ended up getting the murano to replace the rogue. I liked my rogue a lot but the murano drives do much smoother it's crazy. I absolutely love it

They all have the same transmission so that's impressive it could be anything smoother than it is. The Murano was out of our budget, plus the MPG really turned us off.

Raw Dawgin' it;1417903 wrote:They all have the same transmission so that's impressive it could be anything smoother than it is. The Murano was out of our budget, plus the MPG really turned us off.

I didn't think it would be a big difference in the way it drove either. I was shocked how much better it drove and that's saying something bc the rogue drives pretty damn good. We bought our murano used. It is an '10. And had 42,000 miles on but it was certified used and it is completely fully loaded. Got a great deal on it

Crimson streak;1417907 wrote:I didn't think it would be a big difference in the way it drove either. I was shocked how much better it drove and that's saying something bc the rogue drives pretty damn good. We bought our murano used. It is an '10. And had 42,000 miles on but it was certified used and it is completely fully loaded. Got a great deal on it

One of the benefits to living in PA I suppose. You can pwn the mouthbreathers when working out a deal.

Also lol at "drives pretty damn good". What does that even mean and when did you start talking like belly?

The internet has really changed the negotiating tactics. But when I bought my jetta turbo diesel last year I priced at four different dealers. Told them on Monday that by Friday I was coming into the lowest priced offer. They had five days to give me their best. I wouldn't tell any dealers who or what price the others had. In the end I got the maxed out one for $1,200 less than the mid level one they had on the lot.

Commander of Awesome;1417920 wrote:One of the benefits to living in PA I suppose. You can pwn the mouthbreathers when working out a deal.

Also lol at "drives pretty damn good". What does that even mean and when did you start talking like belly?

Lol. Been a long night/ day leave me alone haha

bases_loaded;1417925 wrote:The internet has really changed the negotiating tactics. But when I bought my jetta turbo diesel last year I priced at four different dealers. Told them on Monday that by Friday I was coming into the lowest priced offer. They had five days to give me their best. I wouldn't tell any dealers who or what price the others had. In the end I got the maxed out one for $1,200 less than the mid level one they had on the lot.

Nice. The dealer we used is a client of my brother in law so they gave us $5,000 below invoice. Only reason we got the top end model, otherwise it would've been way out of our budget.

HitsRus;1417715 wrote:Daughter Hits has a Veloster and loves it....10 year 100K powertrain warranty.

Rented one of these using ZipCar for a wedding last year. I must say, it's a nice little car. The looks are take it or leave it (I'll take it), but the fit and finish was impressive. Especially for a car in that class. Only gripe was that it was underpowered. A feature Hyundai has addressed with the Veloster Turbo. As for the OP. I've only seen the Dodge Dart at autoshows and it seems like a fun little car. My suggestion would be to be sure which make/model/options you desire, and go in with a set price. Stand firm with that price, and be prepared to walk if the dealer won't play ball.

Raw Dawgin' it;1417938 wrote:Nice. The dealer we used is a client of my brother in law so they gave us $5,000 below invoice. Only reason we got the top end model, otherwise it would've been way out of our budget.

Did you get the sl?

I wasn't a big fan of the Veloster on the lot, but I've seen a few of them around town and they've grown on me. Probably the most attractive hatchback out there. Most are ugly as sin.

I thought only hipsters drove hatchbacks?