Purchasing Strategies - Questions & Success Stories

mako1a

Here’s how to buy a new car with X amount of cash and not get bumped or used as a payment buyer.

Say you have $19k or $9k or $40k saved up. Or say your Uncle Mako from Bowling Green left it to you. Since smart people don’t finance cars your due diligence will pay off. Remember, you can’t have a trade because it will depreciate just as fast as their new car and you never raise the ante because it took years to save it and that’s all there is. TMV is usually the point where they’ll let you walk because there is not enough profit. Stick with that or below as your amount and let them come to you. There will be waiting. Don’t bump yourself. Remember your amount is all the money.

Remember this is a new car we’re talking about. Here’s what happens. Your money stays the same, but the car of your dreams depreciates. Right there on the lot with the passage of time followed by dealer incentives, rebates and their desire to sell it. If your desired car sells just wait for another equally above your amount that you really like and want to own.

Your credit is OK (or not) since you flip burgers or have a mortgage and kids or are retired on fixed income, but your ability to pay off a loan is just not there. You spend almost what you make. Not so much left over. No way to finance. This makes you a lump sum non-payment buyer who wants a car just out of reach. You go in to dealer A and B and C so they all know you. You’re pleasant, but not foolish. You just want that new car of your dreams. But, alas all you have is that lump of money and nothing more. After a few visits the salesman will not even see your smiling face. He’ll just see that dollar amount and even he will begin to see you wheeling off the lot in your brand new car.

You want his product, he wants to sell it to you. You have just under his amount, but he has a depreciating asset. You saved well and have a non-depreciating asset… Cash.
You visit them once a week or twice a month to see if the stock changes. Maybe you’ll change your mind about color or even make/model as long as what you want exceeds what you can afford. You’re established. They can’t bump you or finance you. All they can do is wait until the GM says we need one more sale right now. Put him in that new car he wants. Bingo. Patience pays off. You had fun looking at the new cars come and go. Maybe even drove 1 or 2. The deal is they begin to want you in a new car as much as you do. They actually make it happen. You become the sale they need without the hassle you don’t need.

driveright

Your money stays the same, but the car of your dreams depreciates. Right there on the lot with the passage of time followed by dealer incentives, rebates and their desire to sell it.

Nice insight.

nortsr1

Nice insight if you can wait weeks or even months (and then it still might not be realistic)!

micosilver

...And in the end the car you end up with will be a Red manual with green interior, ex manager's sun's demo...

asafonov

One must have a lot of spare time for the multiple visits to the dealership(s).

Sometimes (rarely, I admit), the change in the market makes new cars more expensive during their run year - loss of incentives, a spike in gas prices, change of seasons for convertibles/4x4, etc.

I would not buy a car for cash if it reduced my liquid assets to below acceptable limits. I also would not buy for cash if super-cheap financing (NOT in lieu of rebates!) was available. 3.9% in 2003 was cheap, 6-7% today not so much.
TMV is usually the point where they’ll let you walk because there is not enough profit.

TMV is usually the point where they’ll let you walk because there is not enough profit.

TMV is the average... sometimes you can do better, sometimes much better. Certainly one should strive to beat it?

lrguy44

Usually, the low interest rate works out to be better than the rebate. TMV and all the other ways does not accurately reflect real world on a specific car in a specific market at a specific dealer. It is only a decent guide.

padduk

Hello,
I am planning to bug a 2005 Honda Civic EX. It has run for 53000 miles in 2 years 11 months. The asking price is slightly less than KBB fair price for this car.
Is there any risk in buying a car which has run a lot in these 2 years? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Padduk

isellhondas

In the life of a Honda, 53,000 miles is nothing.

verdugo

But 53k miles in less than 3 years and they are asking slightly less than good KBB? i say go lower. Surely the higher number of miles (honda or no honda) have to reduce the price a bit.

lrguy44

A Civic is a class 1 in NADA so the mile hit is not much. Put it on a MB or LR (class 5 or 6) and watch the hit.

isellhondas

Well, I was assuming the book number was adjusted for the miles.

Yes, Hondas are Class One cars and high miles don't hurt much and low miles don't add much value.

verdugo

Ohhh. And that's why you guys are the prefessionals. :-)

oldfarmer50

I was looking at a few new cars listed at the Fitzmall web site and I was surprised at the prices. Their "Internet" price is substantially lower than the TMV listed on Edmunds (in one case about $1000 less than TMV for the same car, same options).

Is there a catch here that I'm missing? Some hidden fee perhaps?

Has anyone ever used the Fitzmall price as a lever with a dealer? Better yet has anyone ever traveled a few hundred miles out of your area to shop there?

kiawah

Yes they are for real, I have a business location just right down the road from them, and have stopped there to check them out. Have a number of business associates who have bought there, as well as a brother in that area that has bought from them as well....excellent reputation.

We're 4 hours away, but I have used their prices as leverage with local dealership. Given that I travel up to G'burg quite a bit, even though they weren't really 'local', it would be no big deal for me to buy there. The local salesman didn't believe my quoted prices, so we pulled up their website right at the salesmans desk. They matched Fitz's price. In my case with the Toyota purchase, we are in the SET area and the local dealerships have an additional 600 surcharge. Buying in DC area is out of the SET area, so that's a 600 savings right off the bat.

A number of posters have flown into DC, bought the car, and driven home. Really a no hassle dealership, all up front and excellent reputation. I personally hold them up as the model that others should strive for.

Inventory is easily searchable, all details of the vehicles very understandable, terms and conditions up front, reputable, easy to do business with, and great prices because they are sitting in a very competitive area in DC. Really can't ask for much more, in my opinion.

I am in no way related with, or have anything to do with them. Just have some personal experience because I researched them out, and came within a nats eyelash of buying from them. Had the local dealer flinched, I would have been driving one of their cars.

exb0

Yes, they are real. I did drive 20 mi to their Toyota store, and what you see on their site is what you get. Even the salesmen use their public site for inventory search and pricing. They don’t screw you over on the trade either. Very pleasant experience. Never had to use them in negotiations. In the DC area when I email dealers for quotes, I usually get prices in the same ballpark or lower. Fitz is selling cars at what Isell refers to as the “market value”.

oldfarmer50

"...Yes they are real..."

Do you know if there are similar savings on cars that are ordered or do they only give a good deal on in-stock units?

exb0

That I don’t know. You can call them and ask.

kiawah

Do you know if there are similar savings on cars that are ordered or do they only give a good deal on in-stock units?

Yes, I believe so. I was looking for a Camry when they were just starting to ship, and had a call with one of the sales reps. He indicated that if I didn't see what I wanted in stock, just let him know and he'll check the inventory that is on it's way in as well for me. They were really great to work with. Give them a call, if you have any questions.

cccompson

A local import dealer took in an '00 Buick Park Avenue on trade in October. They've had it priced at $8000 in person ($7000 as an "internet special"). Now, two months later, they've got it "sale" priced at $4800, an asking price that seems a bit low for any dealer much less a new car store.

Such a dramatic price reduction raises a question in my mind whether they've discovered some sort of serious problem with it.

Any thoughts?

micosilver

Such a dramatic price reduction raises a question in my mind whether they've discovered some sort of serious problem with it.

They did discover a serious problem - it sat aon the lot for 2 months and didn't sell, Some store have a 90 days polisy - if it doesn't sell within 90 days - the car goes to an auction.

cccompson

LOL, yeah, I meant beside THAT serious problem!

Seriously, this thing is now priced below any book's dealer number and is more in line with an actual private party purchase price.

kiawah

I think they're intending to move it off the lot, and if doesn't go quickly they'll dump it at auction.

oldfarmer50

Unfortunately yes. As suggested, I called one of the Fitzmall stores where they had cars similar to what I wanted for about $800 under invoice (not counting rebates).
I was told that basicly the good prices were for lot queens that had been sitting around for a long time and that if they dealer trade or factory order the price would be several hundred above invoice ( $1000 more). They also said that there "might" be an ad fee on the invoice that would raise the price another $300.

This puts their price into what I can get locally, maybe higher. So I guess I'd have to say that for anything other than what they have listed on their website, Fitzmall is no bargain.

kiawah

Well that is certainly different than what I've experienced. I was dealing with the Toyota dealership, actually I had talked to both the one in G'burg and the Chambersburg dealership. Both had indicated that all of their cars are listing on the website, including the incoming cars. And actually if you go look at the Toyota's, you'll see incoming vehicles flagged indicating that haven't arrived yet. The other thing that is inconsistent, is that the optional 99 admin fee I was told would not be charged on out of state internet sales.....and you are indicating that they might have a 300 advertising fee.

My other reference point was when I recently bought a Suburban, I checked their inventory and also called them (twice, ended up talking with a sales mgr), and they only had 2 leftover models. They didn't have color/features that I wanted, so found one about 45 minutes from me.

Which manufacturer/model are you looking at?....perhaps that has something to do with it. Otherwise, I'd call them back and dig a little deeper...maybe you got a newbie rep.

oldfarmer50

"...certainly different than what I experienced....Which manufacturer/model are you looking at?..."

Yea, I was disappointed based on what you and other had said. I was looking at coupes from Nissan and Mitsubishi. I called the Mitsu place because they had more cars listed. The price the salesman estimated was close to TMV but about $1000 higher than I would have expected. I could have got a greenpea or maybe he was trying for a home run. I thought they were a no-haggle store?

I tried looking up incoming unit as you suggested and there were 0 hits for my models. However, I found a listing for the Fitzmall Hyundai store which gave the same discounts for "coming soon" cars as for in-stock cars. So now I'm just confused.

Maybe salesmen just don't like ordering cars. :confuse:

isellhondas

Yes, it has a serious problem.

It's a Buick. A car few people want.

We have an "extra" car that we bought new. A 1989 Buick Le Sabre T-Type..it's kind of a cool car and unusual.

That Park Avenue has the 3800 engine which is one of the best engines ever built.

That would be a lot of car for that money!

snakeweasel

It's a Buick. A car few people want.

That would depend on where you are at. In some areas Buicks are sought after by those who really would rather have a Caddy. Mostly people in urban areas.

cccompson

I finally saw in the daylight, drove it, and rejected it. It really was in good shape (especially the interior) but had a fluctuating fuel gauge, a vibration emanating from one of the rear wheel/tires, and a chipped windshield. Probably worth the money but not to me.

Another thing, after driving an Ody for the last three years, even with the Gran Touring suspension that Park was a soft riding car.

imidazol97

The Park Avenue may be a lot queen and the new asking price is close to what they paid just to move it. There isn't much that could be wrong. The rear tire might be showing wear patterns or aged, hardened rubber. I had X-Ones that did that. Could be a wheel bearing.

Have a mechanic check it that knows H and G bodies. In this area that car at 4800 would be gone and owned quickly.

isellhondas

It sounds like you made up your mind before you drove it that you didn't want it.

The petty problems you noticed are nothing. All cars that age will have "something".

And, of course it's a soft riding car! For crying out loud, it's a BUICK!

This will make a great car for someone!

cccompson

Actually, before I drove it I was of a mind to buy it. And, yes, they were petty issues. There were others (also petty) but they add up after awhile.

My point about the ride stiffness had more to do with Hondas but, then again, maybe it's just my age starting to show!

roadburner

In some areas Buicks are sought after by those who really would rather have a Caddy. Mostly people in urban areas.

Or, those who no longer have all their own teeth. There's a reason Buick dealerships are known as "God's Waiting Rooms"
:P

snakeweasel

I am thinking about gansta rapper wannabes.

There's a reason Buick dealerships are known as "God's Waiting Rooms"

Buick dealerships are known as Florida?

lrguy44

And they have the "Last Time Buyers Program"

roadburner

I am thinking about gansta rapper wannabes.

I think that those guys are starting to migrate over to the Charger and 300C.

imidazol97

>the ride stiffness

Sorry. I misunderstood your point on the ride stiffness.

imidazol97

>Or, those who no longer have all their own teeth. There's a reason Buick dealerships are known as "God's Waiting Rooms"

I have all my teeth. I own two Buicks. I've owned seven in a row. I believe that's an offensive comment.

I also find stereotyping dealerships as God's waiting rooms is offensive.

paisan

I also find stereotyping dealerships as God's waiting rooms is offensive.

Oh c'mon, do you really find it that offensive? I mean this is the internet and just about anything anyone says could be considered "offensive". I never heard it used for a Buick showroom, but have heard it applied to the whole state of Florida!

-mike

jipster

Oh c'mon, do you really find it that offensive

You've been around long enough to know people don't like their vehicles or themselves stereotyped, or made fun of, even in jest. It doesn't bother me, but I think if it bothers someone else... then you shouldn't write it.

roadburner

I have all my teeth. I own two Buicks. I've owned seven in a row. I believe that's an offensive comment.

I also find stereotyping dealerships as God's waiting rooms is offensive.

I apologize. Can I buy you a case of Geritol to make it up to you?
:P

lrguy44

I'm 63 and found it humorous. If we can't find fun in this life or in our situations, what fun is it?

roadburner

I'm 63 and found it humorous. If we can't find fun in this life or in our situations, what fun is it?

I'm 50 and I get stereotyped by each and every vehicle that I drive. You simply have to learn to laugh at yourself rather than take offense at each and every real or imagined insult.

paisan

You've been around long enough to know people don't like their vehicles or themselves stereotyped, or made fun of, even in jest. It doesn't bother me, but I think if it bothers someone else... then you shouldn't write it.

Then we would not be writing anything here on the internet because EVERYTHING we write will bother SOMEONE out there. Heck just me posting this very message is probably offending someone, somewhere! Lighten up folks.

-mike

Kirstie_H

We can't and don't even want to delete every post that could possibly offend someone. I'm afraid that this isn't "PC Central," and the comment was very obviously made in good humor, and was not personally-directed at any particular member.

If you don't like someone's post, the best policy for your mental health and time management is to simply skip it or ignore it.

Heck, I find bad spelling and grammar to be offensive, but have a look around at all the posts I leave up anyway

jipster

Heck, I find bad spelling and grammar to be offensive, but have a look around at all the post I learve up anyway

You didn't put a period at the end of your sentence. Emotorcons don't count as periods neither. :P

I'm so offended I can't see straight. :P

stickguy

is just touchy from years of Hyundai cracks (he's the one with a couple of Hyundais, right?)

Not that there is anything wrong with that!

tidester

You didn't put a period at the end of your sentence.

That wasn't Kirstie's fault. It was a server glitch. I just picked the period up off the floor and, for the record, here it is.

[ . ]

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

imidazol97

>[ . ]

That was my period you found on the floor. :sick:

pat

That same server glitch must have thrown the "n" in front of the word "either" creating a double-negative in jipster's sentence "Emotorcons don't count as periods neither." :-P

tidester

Thanks, Pat! Neither way we have put that issue to rest! :shades:

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper