How to get the best price for a new car

I think I am going to get rid of my minivan

We were going to wait till the fall but I was thinking now may be a better time to buy. Perhaps we can get a better deal on a 2015

Any tips?

We will be trading in my van. Do I wait till the last minute to tell them that?

We are specifically looking at the Explorer right now they have 0% financing.

Thanks! Ill take any tips

When I bought my mini van I was 9 month pregnant, didn't want a mini van at all and told the guy flat out that I didn't want the car at all so he had better give a good price

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

Ask for quotes on line.

How to get the best price for a new car

Truecar.com

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

Do your research so when you walk into the dealer you know what a reasonable price is for the car you want. Check out Consumer Report, Kelly's Blue Book, and Edmunds to get an idea of the fair value of a car. Print out that info and take it with you when you start to negotiate the price of the car with the dealer.

How to get the best price for a new car

holidays usually bring good sales... but once the 2016 models start coming out is the best time to buy a 2015. I "think" the new models come out after the summer... dont quote me on that tho

How to get the best price for a new car

True car is good. Costco has a car buying service if you are a member. It's worth joining Costco actually just for that. Check invoice price. A good price wilol be the dealers invoice or lower. I'd keep the trade in separate. Focus on the car deal

How to get the best price for a new car

I had a friend that brought on New Years Eve or New Years Day. She said she was able to haggle because that time they want all the 2015's gone. Not sure how true it is or not, but definitely once the 2016's start coming out. Maybe make like you're interested in a 16 and find out when they expect them.
I believe dealers pay to have cars on their lots and the more older models they have the less newer models they can take on.

How to get the best price for a new car

DH did a ridiculous amount of online research when we got my car. He compared prices and models and years at all different places.

It also helps that my brother and uncle both works for dealerships.

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

How to get the best price for a new car

Start with the lowest price on truecar and then call around to dealerships - each one will undercut the quote you give them.

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

I've posted the paragraphs before for other posts about people wanting car advice. It's my sure fire way to get a good price on a new car.

One thing I would add is not to discuss financing/trade in, etc, etc until you settle on a price. Often if there's a 0% apr there's also a cash back option. Depending on the amount of money you can get on a private loan (or if you have the cash on hand) it's financially better to take the cash back.


Here's my step by step guide to buying ANY car (with the exception of hot commodity rare cars like high end porsches, etc).

Step 1: find the car you like (sounds like you've done that).

Step 2 (optional): if you find a salesperson you like at a dealer get their best price.


Step 3 If that's the car you want go to truecar.com and plug in the options and see what comes up for price. You'll get dealer offers based on the truecar price.

Step 4 Call the dealers and get the best price from the "internet guy" (every dealer has an internet guy who usually gives the best prices). True car will reach out to the dealers for you.

Step 5 (optional): if you really like the initial sales person go back to the sales person in step 2. I usually say something like, "listen man, I got price x on the internet. However, you took the time to show me the car and I want you to have the sale. What can you do for me".

Step 6: buy the car with whomever gives you the best price.

I've negotiated 4 new cars this way (2 Hondas, a BMW, and GMC) The first time I did this true car didn't exist and I used kbb.com and EVERY TIME have gotten well below invoice.

Other keys: buy in the fall/winter for the outgoing year models since they want to unload these cars. Also, NEVER discuss "payments", trade ins, etc, etc. Since they can use this to confuse you. First focus on the price of the car and then work on those issues once you get the price firmed up.

Note that truecar.com is not as good as it used to be but it's still pretty good (probably like a few hundred above the BEST POSSIBLE price. Our last car, GMC acadia I got a few hundred below truecar.com.

Good luck. Buying a car is a war. Take no prisoners....

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

Thanks for all the input!

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

FYI, it used to be true that all makes had their new model years come out in the fall, but like everything else, companies want to be "first", so some 2016 cars come out in the fall, some in the summer, and some in the spring. You really need to check each model and see when they are coming out.

The 2016 Ford Explorer is out already. The 2016 Explorer has a new exterior design, which makes the 2015s very obvious in the lots, so when the exterior changes a lot, the dealers are even more anxious to get rid of them.

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

Re: How to get the best price for a new car

I never go into a dealership. I do my negotiating on the phone. When I get the price I want (I know exactly what I'm willing to pay over invoice), I have them fax it to me. I bought my last 2 cars this way and did it for a few relatives as well.