When it comes to negotiating the best deal for a new car, most people immediately cringe. Everyone has had that one experience where you spend all day at the dealership, only to leave feeling like you didn’t get anywhere near the best possible deal. Most people blame it on the sales people – even the nicest of salespeople can make the negotiating process very frustrating. However, you’ve got to realize that that’s their goal – to make you so frustrated that you’ll give in and accept the next deal offered. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure you get the best deal on your next purchase.
Stay Calm and Be Nice
The first step in getting a great deal on your car is to stay calm. Once you’ve reached the point of frustration and are willing to give up, car dealers know they can offer whatever they want and you’ll accept. Therefore, you’ve got to stay calm and politely decline any offer you don’t like. Some sales people will resort to shady tactics, such as humiliation or insults to get you mad. However, if you stay calm, the sales person is likely to get frustrated first and you’ll come out ahead. 
Don’t Fall for the Sticker Price
The sticker price listed on the car is what the manufacturer suggests the car should be sold for. However, this number is much higher than what the dealership paid for the vehicle. The amount in between is where negotiations can and should take place. While the dealership needs to make some money on the transaction to stay in business, there are usually thousands of dollars that can be played with. Don’t believe them when they say that the first offer is the lowest price they can take.
Shop Around Before You Purchase
As with any purchase, you should always shop around before making your final decision. Even if one lot wants a certain amount for the car of your dreams, the car lot down the road may be charging significantly less. Many lots run regular sales or special offers, so shopping around can really help you out. You may find that one lot is offering a rebate and another is not. In addition, some lots offer special deals for returning customers, so you may find a better deal if you’ve bought with the lot before. Just remember that each lot is different – if sales are down at one car lot, they’ll be much more inclined to drop prices than a car lot that’s doing well.
As you can see, buying your car for a great price comes down to a combination of negotiation and timing. Don’t buy the first car you find and assume you’re getting the best deal possible. You can likely find a better price at another car lot if the one you’re visiting isn’t willing to lower the price. Financing can also be an issue to think about – a car lot that offers a low sale price and a high finance rate is no better than a car lot with higher prices and a low rate. Make sure you look at the bottom line before making your choice.
