re: How do y'all negotiate on new cars

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Easy. I don't buy new

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This is the obvious correct answer, yet you have 15 downvotes. The OT never ceases to amaze me.

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Sleep with the salesman’s wife

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That seems a bit drastic.

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Go to Cars.com and sort by lowest price.

Some prices are absolutely unrealistic and are just there to get you to call.

But then you’ll see a baseline trend for the model you want.

Start calling or emailing (I like email or text actually) and ask for the dealer(s) best price that are within striking distance of you. Be upfront. “I have 5 dealers that I want to work with and I’m asking all of y’all for quotes”

You’ll find a local dealer can get pretty close to the Cars.com price

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This is what I do.

We have too much information available to us now to resort to the old school time suck method of calling around, going sit down and jaw about price, walk out, go somewhere else, come back 2 days later, deal with 39356217648 phone calls, etc etc.

Circa 2017 I ended up buying a truck from somewhere in Virginia. Best deal for what I wanted. Paperwork came to my office with a return envelope included, 4 days later the truck got shoved off of a rolloff in my front yard. Easy easy.

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I will never buy a new car. Cheaply made.

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Vehicles last longer these days than they ever have in the past.

Yes it used to be better to buy used, but that depreciation hit is not as bad as it used to be and that’s especially true for trucks.

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Dealer's Name

2025/26 Honda CR-V EX-L Bid Request Sheet
Buyer Name:
Buyer Location:
Purchase Type: Cash (no trade-in, no financing)
Veteran Status: Eligible for Honda Military Appreciation Offer

Vehicle Specifications
Item Cost ($) Dealer Notes / Clarifications
2025 or 2026Honda CR-V EX-L
Destination Fee
Built-In Navigation OEM or aftermarket—please specify
Body Side Molding Dealer-installed accessory
All-Season Floor Mats Dealer-installed accessory
Wireless Phone Charger ? Included OEM accessory

Dealer Fees & Add-Ons
Item Cost ($) Dealer Notes / Clarifications
Dealer Documentation Fee Negotiable—please itemize clearly
Other Dealer Add-Ons List protection packages, tint, etc.
Subtotal Before TTL

Tax, Title & License (TTL)
Item Cost ($) Dealer Notes / Clarifications
Sales Tax Based on Louisiana + local rates
Title Fee Standard Louisiana title fee
License Plate / Registration Approximate or actual quote
Any and all other costs

Final Summary
Item Cost ($) Dealer Notes / Clarifications
Total Out-the-Door Price Includes all taxes, fees, and add-ons


Dealer Instructions
Preferred color: Black or White but is negotiable
Please itemize each cost clearly.
Confirm whether accessories are OEM or aftermarket.
Provide a full Out-the-Door (OTD) price with no hidden fees.
Attach any supplemental quote sheets or disclosures.

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Salesman response: "I'm happy for you or I'm sorry that happened"

We've gone through this twice in the last year. Dealers don't negotiate nearly as much as they used to. They may give you $500-$1000 off on a good day.

And all the guys touting used cars haven't shopped in awhile, I guess.

Outside of EVs, which can be had cheaply, clean, low-mile used stuff is expensive and typically lacks the extensive warranty of a new car, and finance rates are higher.

Ive done the finance and payoff in 30 days deal several times, never had a penalty.

If you're willing to take whatever, you can negotiate.
If you want a specific model/color/options, you are very limited.

Most dealers are fairly legit these days, with the notable exception of BMW in D'Iberville, straight-up trash.

I figure out two to three vehicles that fit my needs, and don't get married to any one of them. I do my research, figure out the models, and how much they should overall cost. I get comfortable with an amount I would spend on each before I test drive. Any vehicle that I favor is going to be the last one I test drive. I make sure to test drive all of them.

When I decide on a vehicle, I go in already having a potential loan in place, and will only use their loan company if they beat the rate or give me a better price that will over time best the rate I have. I do the monthly payment math based on the highest amount I will pay (including TTL), so frankly I don't care about the monthly payments. I don't talk that much, and will walk if the all in price is not at or lower than what I want to pay. I make sure to ask "Is there anything else we can do, I am still looking at some other cars and not necessarily in the biggest hurry to buy" when I think the negotiating has stalled. I also will not buy any additional things that don't make sense. Unlimited window repair on a Jeep Wrangler for 200 dollars, yep. Paying in advance for oil changes, no. Last, once I agree in principle, I take it to a third party mechanic for a last check.

I know I'm going to get slightly worse than someone that's a shrewd negotiator, I'm just not that talented, so I do all the leg work on my end to try to offset that as much as possible.

Buy an Altima before they quit making them!

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The finance dude was so mad about it

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would love to have seen this. One of the worst parts of the experience. This guy sitting there pounding the keyboard, trying to get to "add this it's just $x a month" oh and "add that it's only $x a month". Taking that away from them would be a great feeling.