Usually when buying a new vehicle, dealers seem more willing to negotiate price with cars they already have on the lot, ready to go.

For the people who have trucks on order, did you get the same degree of a price break that you think you would have if you took one off the lot instead?

I went down to the dealer today and didn't find one SRW 3500 on the lot, but many 2500's, which means I'll end up haveing to order the 3500 SRW.

Thanks!

DT.

 

I think you'll probably have better luck price wise ordering. Unless you find a dealer looking to get rid of something that's been around awhile, or an oddly equipped vehicle. I got mine for 3% under invoice ordering in December.

 

I also think you can get a better deal on a vehicle you order rather than on one that is currently sitting on the lot. .... Unless there is a valid reason to dump it.

That being said, I went in to order a vehicle - but the truck I bought was already sitting there, and the dealer gave me the same deal on it as one that I would have ordered.

 

I was told by the salesman that he could give me a better deal on an order as opposed to one off the lot, too.

 

I got an excellent deal off the lot. Knocked 12K off the sticker and paid off the Voyager. Couldn't say no to that!

 

I learned some interesting things from a negotiations seminar I went to last week. The guy who taught it has several dealerships as clients, and he told us how to negotiate a deal;

March 31 is the best day to buy. Dealers get preference for summer inventory based on the number of units they move in the quarter ending March 31. Go late in the day, say 1-2 hours before they close. If it's raining, even better. This requires the salesman, sales manager, finance guy, lot guy, and maybe even the service manager/advisor to stay there until the deal's done. Every 20 minutes or so the owner will call to find out if the deal is closed.

Compare prices between dealers- the invoice they show you is typically the gross invoice, not the net invoice. Try using the internet to find the net invoice. Dealers don't make much money on the sale of the individual unit, they make money (from the manufacturer) based on the number of units they move. Kind of a bonus deal.

Discount should be 18-27% off of the MSRP. The higher priced the vehicle, the higher the percentage. There is typically a lot of room for negotiation on trucks.

Don't test drive, know what you want before you go in. If you must test drive, drive one that someone else has purchased or test somewhere you don't intend to buy.

Walk out three times. The salesman WILL come after you. When the salesman goes back to see the sales manager wih your offer, it only takes about two minutes to get an answer. The rest of the time the salesman is sitting with his feet up letting you stew.

Ask for more until they say now three times. Extra options. Free oil changes. Tank of fuel, whatever. Once they say no three times, you are probably at bottom dollar.

Set your goals before you go in, the most you're willing to pay, and what you really want to pay.

Don't buy on payments, i.e., the salesman says you can have it for $XXX a month. Agree on a final price, then divide the payments.

The answer to everything the finance guy asks you is NO. Extended warraties, underbody protection, paint sealer, etc. is available elsewhere for much less money.

0% or cash back? The answer is BOTH. They can do it. Again, they are more concerned with moving units and getting that incentive money from the manufacturer than making a little money off of one unit.

Last, they are keenly interested in your response on the satisfaction survey. You can use this leverage for sales or service to get a free tank of fuel or an oil change.......if you want to see a look of abject horror on the finance or service manager's face, just tell him you hate those survey forms and you always answer them negatively in hope that you won't get another one.

Finally, be prepared to walk if the deal isn't to your liking. There's another 5 Star dealer down the street who might want your business a little more.....

 

Wow!

Thanks for all the info!

I figured 20% off would be all I'd get, now I'll try for 27!

I'm booking this thread.

Great post!

Thanks again!

DT.

 

Cowhand

Excellent advice. Especially about the finance guy "add-ons".

Great Info! Great Post!

 

if i could have found one optioned how i wanted it on the lot, i would have purchased that. now there were many that were close, and one exactally what i wanted except for one problem, it was a slushbox. i wanted me a 6 speed, so i had to order...

 

The best buying advice I ahve ever read. Look out Dodge dealer!

 

I have always ordered my vehicles new that way they come will window sticker that says (This vehicle was built especially for Jeff Lupi). That makes me feel special, just like my wife says "hey ******** don't you know how special you are for getting to marry me?"

 

Dieselnewbie....I just happen to know where there is a 2004 3500 SRW 600 engine, sitting on a dealers lot. I don't know where you are located so this may be no good for you, but It is in Hutchinson, MN. Dealer phone number is 1-320-587-4748. I drove this truck and it is sweeeeeet. sticker price is close to $45,000. Has an automatic, push button 4wd, and grey cloth interior. Oh...the truck is black.

 

Thanks Diesel but I'm not yet ready to buy.

Next Sept. I'll be ready.

Thanks for the info though. I'm planning on leather interior and probably gun metal grey.

I'm in the Boston area but I'd fly out there and drive it home.

I could pick it up and visit my friends in Eden Prairie before the ride home.

 

Cowhand great post, thanks for the tips.
Could you please go into more detail about how to get up to 27% off MRSP. I figuared 10.5% off the top as the difference between MSRP and dealer invoice. An additional 3% off as a few dealers are offering up there holdback. Then minus any additional rebates you can quaify for. That all totals to right at about 20 % off for the truck i am ordering.
Am I missing something here or leaving a nice chunck of change on the table?

Thanks
Jesse

 

Yeah, I ordered my current truck, but they misspelled my name on the window sticker! What a bummer.

Rusty