So I'm going to look at an SSEi on friday and need tips on hagging w/ dealers. They're asking $7,997, car has 70k.

What I have so far are:
1) Ask how much they have in it before making an offer. (I assume this means how much they bought it for and how much it cost for them to put it through inspection)
2) Since the car was in a minor fender-bender, use the fact that it'* been in a wreck to my advantage.
3) Say that I have to get it inspected in MD, which is harder than in VA (car is in VA)

I'd like to get the car for less than $7,000. Any more tips? If I really like the car, they give me a decent amount for a trade, and I can get them below $7,000 I'm going to give a deposit of $500 on friday, come back on monday and pay for the rest.

Thanks!

VigCS, I would strike the first item. They more than likely won't be honest about how much they paid for that Bonneville and how much time or money they invested. (probably very little) Items 2 & 3 look legitimate. Establish the buying price on the SSEi. You know what your maximum is, what you are willing to pay. Hit them up with a reasonable offer. Be prepared to walk. Don't let them know that you really want the car as best as you can anyway. If you agree on purchase price, then discuss the trade in value of your SE. They're going to pressure you, no doubt. Don't cave in. You'll do okay.

There'* another thread with the same info..

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...* other thread

Okay, thanks.

Should I start off lowball and offer something like $5,750? Should I at any point tell them the maximum I can spend? The salesman already knows I plan to trade.

EDIT: Bill I started this thread because it would be making the other one off topic.

You've already made your first mistake by telling them you want to trade. It'll be hard to reverse that. If you tell them you don't want to trade, they'll doubt you.

My best advice for ANY negotiating is to always make ONE good offer. Don't start low and end up in the middle. Be the bigger person by making your ONE and ONLY solid offer. Be strong. Trust me, this is how I've done well buying real estate.

Remind them that there are 1,000s of Bonnevilles out there.

What would you suggest as a reasonable offer?

KBB Trade in value for that car is $5,100 in 'excellect' shape.

I'll tell them "maybe" about the trade and still make an offer anyway.

go off what the KBB is.....

and point out EVERYTHING that you see...no matter how small you think that it is

Hit on the price of premium fuel, act somewhat disinterested for that reason.

Also hit on the 'myth' of poorer fuel mileage than your L36.

Under no circumstances would I tell them the maximum I can spend. As long as you know the maximum you can spend, I'd agree with the advice to make one genuine, solid offer. I also recommend getting them to give you a price first, you know, ask them "What'* the best price you can give me if I buy it today?" If they go first, you're always in a better position.

I've always had dealers pitch me their best price when I've been genuinely not interested in a car. We looked at a Grand Prix for my wife, but it was only an SE, cloth interior, and not the 3800 engine. We knew we wanted a GT which comes with leather, and a NA 3800. When I said "no thanks" they just kept offering lower prices. It didn't matter since we didn't want the car, but still, I was surprised how low places would go.

When I got my Bonnie, I made one solid offer, it was around $1200 less than the asking price (it was a used car) and they had advertised that much discount on another used Bonneville right next to it, so I asked for the same deal. They didn't accept it and wanted $500 more than my offer, so I left. I was genuinely going to go buy a different car from a different dealer, because I knew what my money would buy elsewhere. Before I got off the lot they reconsidered and accepted my offer. -Having another car to buy can be a great bargaining chip, so maybe keep looking in your area for other SSEi'*.

My experience'* have always differed between sales people. If the car has been sitting on their lot for a long time and the dealership is having slow business, it'* likely that the sale person will work with you just to get rid of the car. But if it'* a popular item and multiple people are looking into it they'll play everyone against each other to get the best possible deal.
Just approach it the same as you would a private seller. Both a private seller and sales person are looking to get the best deal possible.