Anyone Ever Try To Negotiate the Price For a New Vehicle Online?

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I've asked for their absolute best drive-off-the-lot price

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Make them an offer instead.

the dealers want you on the lot. the craigslisters want you to pay more than its worth.

What make and where?
In the "old" fax days, I sent the factory code options list, color, etc. to the 3 Chev stealerships in BR and 2 in NOLA and received a reply from all of them.
Three called me and 2 faxed back quotes.

I've bought my last 4 cars online, all out of state. On all 4 I got deals substantially better than what I was getting locally - and I didn't settle for lesser equipment. I find every dealer within 500 miles that has the vehicle I want (model, color, equipment packages, etc.). I ask for their best price then start playing their deals against each other. A few you can instantly weed out who won't deal. But I always end up with 2-3 dealers in different states who keep going lower and lower. I even do my trade in deals online with just photos. Always get great deals, and have never had them back off the trade in price, try to add in extra fees, etc. It has all been surprisingly hassle free.

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I was always under the impression that you want them to throw out the first number.

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Does it not have an online list price? That's your first number.

Texas Direct Auto

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I've asked for their absolute best drive-off-the-lot price

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FYI. That isn't negotiating. No one is going to answer that question.

Call the internet sales manager to introduce yourself, then give him a timeline for when you'll decide. These guys get hundreds of emails, your call will actually let them know you're real and you'll stand out.

Let him know you're reviewing several other models and consulting other dealers and will decide by the end of this month. "I'll call back every dealer who gives me a proposal on July 26 between 2 and 3 pm for their best price and buy from the best offer. I'll pick up the car by 7/31." Don't discuss financing, trade in or anything but the price of the car.

Give them a timeline to follow and you'll be miles ahead of other online buyers.

I have also had success with the website fightingchance.com . Don't believe any invoice price you see online, every site is controlled by auto dealers. You can actually get the guy on the phone who runs the site and he will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about buying a car online and the auto market in general.

FYI, car sales are terrible across the country, the industry is desperate, so you should he able to get a great deal.

Bought my last 2 new cars in TX and saved a couple thousand over the best price LA dealers offered. The last one I bought 2 weeks ago and everything was negotiated via Inet. Even sent pictures of my vehicle and negotiated a trade price. Visiting car dealers and haggling with salesmen is a waste of my time. I suggest you e-mail some of the big dog dealers in TX and ask for their best price.