Posted on 05/06/2021 6:05:29 PM PDT by NewJerseyJoe
Hello FReepers. Looking for any advice on negotiating the best price for a new car. (I'm getting a 2021 Honda CRV-EX, no options). I've put together an email (see following) that I will send to the local Honda dealers. Asking for any suggestions or wording to make it the most effective. Thanks in advance.
Hello. I am looking to purchase a new CRV-EX, modern steel metallic (dark gray) finish, gray (preferred) or black interior, and no options. I am very familiar with the specs and features of this model, so you don't need to do a sales pitch for me, which would waste both your time and mine. (Though I will want to do a test drive at the dealer I choose.)
I want a fair deal. If you send me your out-the-door pricing, a copy of the Monroney label, and the invoice you paid from the factory, that will go a long way toward helping me choose the best dealer.
Honda's website has the MSRP for the CRV-EX at 27,860 -- your dealership's website has the MSRP listed at ____.
I would like to know your best price -- based on DEALER price plus your markup, not MSRP -- for a 2021 CRV-EX in the standard factory configuration (i.e., I'm not looking for any options). I would like your best TOTAL price, including all fees and taxes, and broken down by line items. Your offer will be competing against a number of other Honda dealers, so please give me your best honest offer.
I am looking to make a purchase toward the end of May and plan to bring my own financing. If there are any end-of-month or Memorial Day specials/incentives, you can inform me of those too.
If Honda offers any corporate incentives, please note that I am a college graduate and a military veteran.
I really do look forward to a reply from you with your best firm offer for the vehicle I've described above. Thank you
Whatever you do, don’t tell them you’re paying cash.
They don’t make any money on the vehicle.
The financing is where they gig you.
Right now is a bad time to be shopping for a vehicle... shortage of computer chips causing supply to be low and demand to be high.
If you are a Costco member, go through their car buying website and see what you get.
your problem is that you do not know how much the car should cost.
there are a bunch of websites that will tell you what people purchased the exact car have paid.
since it will be a bell curve pick a price in the lowest 25% as a fair price.
Then send a letter to the dealers with what you will pay them for the car.
also if you let them put together financing they may give you a better deal because they get kickbacks. (you can pay off the loan any time with your own financing)
Buy a Toyota/Lexus. My niece owns what you’re purchasing a couple of years older. Already had a recall and it’s been in the shop several times for problems and she’s had it. Trading in on a Toyota minivan instead.
I assume by your name that you live in New Jersey, the worse market for buying a car right now. New cars, used cars, junk up heaps of crap are all in high demand right now. NJ is worse because of the high population density. Right now, you will be lucky if you can that thing for $500 below sticker.
Cause if you don’t buy, the next guy that day will.
NJ car dealers don’t even have try to sell, they are pretty much ready to write you up and get you on your way.
I was at a toyota dealer on a main highway last week, the place was nearly empty, giant lot and hardly any cars on it. I asked the sales guy if they were going out of business, he said, no, we sell them as fast as they come in, and that is if they come in. They are having problems getting new cars, used cars, anything to sell.
At this point, just be lucky you have an opportunity to buy a new CRV....
Put yourself in their shoes: how do you think they'll react to your email? With enthusiasm to give a prospect the best experience ever, with a hope of return business?
Or "I'll let someone else deal with this guy"?
Honest people are trying to make a living. Companies love customers. Your email creates an adversarial situation off the bat.
Honey, not vinegar, always wins.
Whatever you do, don’t tell them you’re paying cash.
That doesn’t matter these days, the dealers just don’t care. They don’t need to sell you that car if another person is going to buy it within hours of you leaving.
Unless you special order, you are very unlikely to get the vehicle equipped the way you want. Dealers pre-order and equip vehicles with option packages that aid in the bottom line. They consider it to be their job to convince you what they want is what you want
Buy one a year or 2 old instead.
Dunno but I’ve really enjoyed my Hondas since the gas crunches in the ‘80’s. Every one has gone well over 200,000 miles. I highly recommend them. Great cars. I did have a 20 year career in automotive and am familiar with 6-sigma. Korean (South) were also very high sigma in QUALITY. German technology also terrific.
Buy one a year or 2 old instead.
Great advice BUMP
Why would they be upset with cash though? It’s entirely paid off in one shot.
Unless you come in with George Washington’s talking head in a jar, nothing is going to impress a car salesman these days.
They get a kickback from financing so they will give you a better price if you finance. Make sure the financing has no penalty for early payoff and pay it off when the first payment is due.
In your situation, a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) vehicle would be your best bet. Like another poster said, finding a stripped-down bare-bones vehicle will be a major issue. Rarely do dealers order such cars for their lots.
You can search Autotrader for low mileage CPO’s in your area and use their Good Deal and Great Deal selections to see what’s available. You can also adjust the search area to expand beyond your city/town to see what’s available.
I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Five out of 10 dealers will not respond at all. The other dealers will have some salesman call you and tell you to come in. You’re not going to get the best price via email.
Cargurus. This is where you want to go find the Honda that you’re looking for. All the dealers have their Inventory online and car gurus mines that data and puts it on this website.
That stuff doesn’t matter these days
Cash
Credit/finance
It doesn’t matter
The dealer is selling that car for sticker to whomever walks through that door.
If you are trying to “deal” they will just push you aside and help the guy behind you who has a pocket of stimulus money and good credit who is going to pay sticker for the car you are looking at.
I love all my options.
If you’re just looking for a no options transportation vehicle, go used. They have terrible resale value.
Bad advice. Right now the used car market is in worse shape for buyers than new cars.
In most cases buyers are always better off buying new rather than used. And the way things are today that is especially true.
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