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Avoiding cluttering up the other car thread. I've taken a steady year to consider the car options suggested in my previous car thread.
Just need some tips on car dealerships, since I've bought one car in twenty years (I miss the tube....)
If I'm buying with essentially cash, is there usually a discount involved? What's the usual procedure with trade ins, is it worth it?
Any other tips to get a good price?
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There isn't really a generic answers, as most dealerships these days have a huge amount of room on what they can do - depending on their recent sales, financing etc. The key thing to remember, 100% of the time, is that the person you are speaking to is 100% in it for their own well being - not the company, brand, or even the branch, only themselves. So if they are pushing something, it's because it's better for them - nothing else.
Cash vs Finance depends on what you are buying - the more you spend, they more they will push finance for sure.
Trade-ins is all about the be-arsed factor. You won't get a good price in a trade-in, but you'll cut out so much time which you would have had to do to sell the car yourself. Does the ellerslie car fair still exist (if you are in Auckland)? Thats a good way to sell a car. And whatever you do, DON'T get sucked in by the minimum trade in lots. They are full of shit.
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Timely thread! we are also hunting for new wheels and are leaning toward a dealership purchase rather than private sale. If you've got cash then you are in a strong position. But I'm never sure on how hard to push or what margins they dealerships are actually working with.
Good tip though MR - focus on the person in front of you!
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Having intended never to buy a new car (ever!), we wound up buying two new cars in the last 6 years. Things I learned
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If you aren't in a hurry, there are often fat discounts to be had. Keep an eye out for deals that they run, particuarly during quiet periods.
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Financing is often a way they make money, so they often seem to want you do go down this route. Personally, i'm careful about that as I don't trust car salesmen, but you may have a different view
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Do go and do your due diligence looking at cars you may not otherwise consider. We wound up with a car that we just went to look at to rule out, and found it was the best fit for our needs. More than a year on and we're still delighted with it - a great balance and a great deal on it
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Never ever be afraid of walking out. They try and tie you down, go to a back room to 'talk to their manager' and generally will try and push you around. If the deal doesn't work for you, don't go for it
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Trademe (and Autotrader) mean that you can be 100% informed of the price and depreciation of cars. Use it, and know your stuff.
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Remember that to keep the warranty, you have to get it serviced through the dealer. This can add $$ to the price compared to used
otherwise, good luck! Modern cars just don't seem to depreciate as much as they used to, so hope it goes well
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Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. I learned my lesson about getting finance through a car dealership and will never do it again. I have a budget to stick to, and the cash to cover it.
And definitely aren't in a hurry, although the wife wants it wrapped up in the next five weeks
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@Kirwan said in Car Advice - Dealerships:
Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. I learned my lesson about getting finance through a car dealership and will never do it again. I have a budget to stick to, and the cash to cover it.
And definitely aren't in a hurry, although the wife wants it wrapped up in the next five weeks
@Kirwan said in Car Advice - Dealerships:
Thanks guys, appreciate the advice. I learned my lesson about getting finance through a car dealership and will never do it again. I have a budget to stick to, and the cash to cover it.
And definitely aren't in a hurry, although the wife wants it wrapped up in the next five weeks
Big thing would be all the extras, free servicing, upgrades. Maybe play particular car dealers off each other too
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Oh yes, one tip I forgot which others have alluded too.
It's much much easier for dealers to throw in extras (servicing, warranty - or additional kit if buying brand new) than it for them to offer discounts. I.e - it's easier to get 33k worth car for 30k, than it is to pay 28k for a car with an ask of 30k.
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@Tim said in Car Advice - Dealerships:
@Kirwan Are you offering a prize for best response?
Three year free warranty on TSF membership....
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@nzzp said in Car Advice - Dealerships:
Remember that to keep the warranty, you have to get it serviced through the dealer. This can add $$ to the price compared to used
Is that still a thing over there?
Here, there are groups like UltraTune, NRMA (who started out like the AA NZ but are now more than that) who warranty servicing. They're backed by consumer affairs for the very reason that the dealers often price gouge like shunts.
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let your fingers do the walking.Work out which car you want and ring every dealership.I have had mates ring all dealerships in the south island. Cardealers work on quoters . End of month is best time if they have say five to sell and have only sold four they will lose one for there next selling period. I did this had two fighting for the sale.(was a run out model).I didnt even visit dealership which was 3 hours away. Find out which dealers want to do a deal then it comes down to your negotiation skills.
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we bought a car last year, knew what we wanted, was between 2 makes, looked at 7 seater option, but the price vs the '2 seats' was astronomical and TBH my 8 year old daughter would struggle in these seats now.
Were lucky we got a demo model, although only had 43km on the clock but a big discount off the 'normal retail' and gave us what we expected for our trade in.
Once you settle on a car, have a look on trade me, I was amazed that dealers in Auckland were selling the same vehicle cheaper than up here, so I mentioned it and they said they'd match any other price I found.
You don't have to have vehicles serviced through the dealer, unless they state this explicity at time of sale...it is more about what you get done is the important thing to maintain the vehicles warranty.
Agree with above, end of month being a good time to buy...I know a couple of people that work at a dealership here, and they get commission for each vehicle, but get a bigger chunk for their 10th vehicle in a month, so will be keener to do a deal.
Car Advice - Dealerships
