Recent dealership negotiation outcomes for new vehicles?

[GenXguy]

In the last 10 to 12 years I've owned 3 (or was it 4?) new Toyota's. I know I've bought 2 new Sequoia's and 1 (or was it 2) Tundra's. They were all 4 wheel drive and loaded. Zero issues. Still, I doubt I'll buy another Toyota, but that's another story.

My Toyota Camry had a lot of different problems within the first 60,000 miles, and I babied this thing. Quite a few recalls and service bullitons on it as well, such as burning oil.

 

[rembrandt]

On my old Corolla, I had to slam on the dashboard to turn the radio on!

 

[NXR7]

Are you a Costco member? If so, go here and enter your car to see if they have a local dealer handling what you want: Costco Auto Program │ Car buying made easy │ New vehicles & more!

When I bought my Sonata it was through Costco and their price was well below what any site said I should expect.

 

[Artiscara]

I worked for ADP (now CDK) who makes the ERP software suite dealers use to sell cars. There is a lot of play built into the invoice and finance screens that is completely hidden from the buyer. Just know you are at a disadvantage, for example a car that's been on the lot for a long time has depreciation credits (that lower the cost). It's very complex.

I always start with Consumer Reports - they rate invoice cost, repairs and maint. and other factors that influence the actual price of the car. I negotiate for a living and for a time bought cars for everyone in the office on weekends - a way to practice my kraft that was fun for me. This advertised "one price" so you don't have to negotiate is only good for the dealer - don't think you're off the hook or getting the same price as everyone else. I generally go Consumer's price plus a 5% profit for the dealer - it has worked out well. Don't EVER pay for dealer add ons. My last car was wrapped (to prevent scratches). I never would have paid 1500 for that. They couldn't take it off, so I negotiated all maintenance and oil changes free for 3 years.

You've heard of ABS (Always be selling) for car buyers its ABW (always be walking). Buying a car has a weird dynamic for most. They can spend 3 Saturdays car shopping for the one they want - once they decide on the car they want, they are so motivated and excited to take it home that day. ABW - don't get too attached to being done.

 

[flyoverstate]

It is unfortunate, but true, that new AND used cars are never going to be more affordable than they are right now. In the "before times", you could always save a lot of money by buying a car a couple of years old, and that could be used as leverage when buying a new car. From 2015-2019 there were about 17 million new cars sold every year, so about 85 Million. 2020-2024 those numbers dropped dramatically. The result is that there 15-18 million used cars missing from the market today, compared to pre-pandemic. Add to that the fact that some new cars(mostly electric ones) are simply not repairable even after relatively minor accidents, and the result is very low used car supply and ridiculous used car prices.

Lower-income folks used to rely on used cars, one reason is that they were unable to finance new cars, while used car dealers were more lenient, but of course, charge higher interest. We actually have situations now where some people are unable to qualify for a new car that would cost $800/mo, so they have to go to a used car ripoff dealer and are handed a USED car with even higher payments.

I won't names names, but one of the local new car dealers sells many more used cars than new these days. They prices they get for their used cars, and especially pickup trucks, are absolutely incredible. I frequently laugh out loud when I see their ads, but they move the cars, because they can arrange financing for people with bad credit. Also, the prices of new pickups have skyrocketed since 2020.

I see ads for six year old Ford F150 pickup trucks with 75,000 miles where the dealer is asking for (and getting) the same price the vehicle stickered for new. It is insanity.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I see ads for six year old Ford F150 pickup trucks with 75,000 miles where the dealer is asking for (and getting) the same price the vehicle stickered for new. It is insanity.

Yep. My seven year old 2018 Ram 1500 supposedly can fetch over $30K on Carvana. I paid $24,029 for it when I bought out the lease in spring 2021.