Linky Dinky.

This is the car im looking at, they e-mailed me the pictures and its a lovely green with gold crosslace. Only problem is that obviously its too expensive. How am I going to get him to knock off at least $2,000? With cash offer I want to see close to $4,500 but with such a large inital listing price i doubt he will give it to me so low that easily.

Act 'under interested' and concerned about the gas mileage, and find comparable sales with lower prices. They probably only paid the previous owner 3000-3500 for the car (under wholesale).

You can USUALLY buy a car from a dealer at wholesale if you push hard. And they still turn a profit. I paid wholesale or below for my last 5 cars, including both Bonnevilles.

the bluebook on that is 6875 with 81k.


trade in is right at 3000 I'd offer somewhere in the middle.

Edmunds has trade-in at $3000, private-seller $4300, dealer $6000 in the Phila area. That'* average price on completed sales. What I'm finding is that Pontiac dealers are backlotting 95-99s with anythng over 70,000 mi. They get a week or two in the front line. If one of us doesn't drive by, it gets moved to the cars that are going to auction. They don't what them among their prettyperfect used cars. An independent is a different story.

I would pick out a mint SE listing off of cars.com or autotrader.com. Then run on the difference in price and a lack of interest in paying extra for leather and less gas milage of the SSEI.

- The upper and gaskets are going to go. Not if, but when. Remind them of that.
- A '96 is 3 style cycles old of a discontinued car.
- If you want to gamble... wait until they backlot it or the last day of the month. Whichever comes first.

Good Luck!

Well heres something interesting, I proposed a cash offer for 4500 as well as noting that it was old over e-mail and it looks like I may get it. But were a bit pushy:

"If we say yes are you going to do this today?"

I told him no since I didnt have the time but would come instead Saturday. Is this a fair price? Im a shmuck when it comes to debate and negotiations so thats why im kinda having to ask you guys to hold my hand.....

When you go back tell them all the cash you could come up with was $3,800, then tell them you'll buy today, and quickly fan the cash infront of them. Allways show them the cash (not give it to them) just fan it out.

Never forget one dealer trip, guy (customer) at table next to me was negotiating a price on whatever car/truck. This guy was counting his money on the table to himself, good $2-4,000 he would just count it out and when he was done, flip it over and start counting all over again. While he'* counting to himself, He kept saying that'* too much...Yes, I'll buy today.....I'll give you this cash today, but, not at that price......Go back and ask you manager again. Whole time his counting his cash. Was there for more than 30min. and saw this guy count his cash dozens of time.

Have you actually physically checked the car out? Run the Carfax on the car. Their are 9 records on it. These could just be mileage checks or # of owners, or tell you that the car has something wierd about it. Generally, Carfax is just a very minimum requirement and should never be taken as an unqualified endorsement of the vehicle.

There is too much to tell you about the car buying process. Go to Edmunds and read about what to expect. Paramount is to remember that they have been doing this for years and it is a business to them. There is nothing wrong or unusual for you to be tentative about the adversarial situation.

Given that the car is in your standard for acceptable condition, by far your best defense is to know exactly what you will spend.... without exception, under threat of death if you exceed it. That includes tax, title, notary fees, document prep charges. All those but tax and title are basically BS.

Just go to Edmunds and come back and ask questions. The time you spend in preparation will help increase your comfort level immensely. Be prepared and always remember that you have the money. And they want that a lot more than an unsold car in the lot.

Overpriceed, yeah:*

Dealers usually don't like to budge with price.
I have seen some of them sell total junk for too much.

I say it may be best to just shop around a bit more...