What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

I know it depends on the maker, since some cars have more proft built in than others.. but still.

ETA: $X under MSRP, $X over /under invoice...

Message edited 4/2/2008 11:39:49 AM.

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

I like the car
it's fits my budget
and I don't overpay for the car or the financing.

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

FREE

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Posted by PrincessP

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Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Posted by JenniferEver

Posted by PrincessP

FREE

I need a free car right now!

My 00 is the moneypit and you can only imagine my mom's '93

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

you should be prepared walking into a dealership. Know the invoice of the vehicle you are looking to purchase. The internet is a great source. Yahoo autos or Edmunds.com.

You can really excpet a dealer to sell the car under invoice because they are not making any money but close to that # is a decent deal.

Also , knowing how much you can afford

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Depends on a lot of things. My truck I got a really good deal on, because it was last year's model. Still brand new, with no mileage, but they had to move it to get it off the lot. My PT I couldn't get as good a deal because they were still a hot commodity, and they could always sell it for more to the next person in line. I still got what I considered a good deal at the time. As long as you know how much you *should* pay, within reason, you'll wind up getting a good deal.

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

One my FIL foots the bill for

In all seriousness, depending on the make, model and year of the car, anything about $300 to $1000 over invoice would be a good deal.

Message edited 4/2/2008 2:18:09 PM.

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Posted by PrincessP

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Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

I think if you buy the end of year model- say a 2005 when the 2006 come out like I did, you can get a very good deal. I think we paid $200 over invoice just for them to get it off the lot. It was also fully loaded since it was their test drive car.

Paying cash doesn't hurt

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

It depends on if you are leasing or buying. When you lease...put nothing down, and you are buying a "payment" that you can afford. If you are buying...put something down, and you are buying the "price of the car" with payments you can afford.

Lots of people get themselves into the game of how much is my payment...but if you are buying a car, you don't want to have a 6/7 year payment plan, just to make the payments lower. If you are planning on leasing...you really only care how much the payments are, because you are no planning on keeping the car. KNIM?

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

this is what I did:

first try to find out the invoice price. you'll have to expect to pay at least 200-400 over that.... more if the car is in high demand

then, research your finance options. go to several banks/credit unions and know the best deal for your situation prior to going to the dealership.

buy at the end of the month.... there are sales goals every month, and the dealership frequently gets more generous as the end of the month approaches.

discuss price, and agree upon it. Avoid the 'deals' that man in the back room offers you.... he's often the slippery guy selling you stuff you don't need.

THEN discuss financing. see if they can beat your best deal from the banks (likely not). Then contact your bank and get the ball rolling

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

I got my car for a certain percentage (I forgot what it was, maybe 2%?) below invoice due to a discount through my company. I thought it was a great deal based on the prices I saw advertised in the newspaper and even prices for older (used) models of the same car by private sellers.

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

a few dealers we went to only knocked off $1500 off sticker. we were not impressed. we've been working with a dealer for a whole different car now b/c 1. we love it and 2. they came down $3K from sticker just like that.

do your homework and see what the invoice price is. there are also a lot of people who believe that buying a car at the end of the month is better since dealerships have quotas to meet and they're more likely to give a better deal on the last day or weekend of the month.

Re: What do you consider a "good deal" on a car?

Thanks!

I wasn't necessarily looking for advice, just what the genral opinion is.

I got FH's car for $300 over, I thought that was pretty good.

I'm in thoughts about a new car.

i don't need the stimulus package for a downpayment. I'm hoping I could get a decent amount for my car when the time comes but 2 things are holding me back

1) I really REALLY don't want a car payment again.

2) I'm torn. I love VWs, and I was looking at the EOS, or maybe another Jetta or Bug (We have one of each right now), but they don't have a hybrid yet. I'm hoping they come out with one. I don't love the look/features of a Prius. I spend enough time in my car that it helps to really love the car, but I also spend enough time in my car that gas mileage is a factor.