How to obtain the best deal on a new truck

fireant911 · 08-15-2005, 01:17 PM

I am looking to purchase a new truck and have decided on the Nissan Frontier. I spent quite a bit of time examining the Chevrolet Colorado and the Ford Ranger but have come back to the Frontier. The particular model I am interested in is the SE King Cab with the V-6 and the manual six-speed transmission. The color is secondary though I do like the storm gray color. Currently Nissan has $1,000 cash back on this model but I want to see if there are additional strategies that will enable me to save more money other than simply haggling with the salesperson. I have researched this vehicle on Edmund's and the TMV (true market value) of my geographical location is $19,651 after taking into consideration the $1,000 cash back. Waiting until the end of the month is one method since these salespersons are trying to meet any quotas but I am interested in any guidance that some seasoned souls here can add to my equation. I doubt that I will be trading anything in (my current truck is a 1985 Mazda B2000 with about 180,000 miles that really isn't worth anything). I will be paying cash although I know better than stating this during the time in which we are arriving at the price. Any logical strategies and realistic help would be greatly appreciated.

Seahawk · 08-15-2005, 03:24 PM

Daryl,

Good advice below...a little strident, but practical.

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/

Vipergrün · 08-15-2005, 03:48 PM

carsdirect.com

I recently purchased a 2005 Honda Pilot, loaded and saved 5K off the MSRP, actually paid 1K less than they did.

-B

likemystoppie? · 08-15-2005, 06:10 PM

Be prepared to haggle. If you have a target, then be prepared to go the distance. I managed a Mercedes Benz dealership in Boston for 2 years. I can tell you that even on the latest greatest benzito, you can grab a smoking deal. IF you're dealing with the right dealer. I worked for one of the largest in the country (herb chambers) and he HATED to be 2nd. So find the biggest dealer possible. Infact, find the 2 largest. You can pin them against themselve. 2nd, work the deal but don't sign anything until the near end or end of the month. 3rd, when working with the sales guy-remember, it's his/her job, so repsect that, and remember it's not personal. If you don't like your sales person, GET A NEW ONE. 4th, be prepared to HAGGLE (getting familiar?) Good things come to those who WAIT AND WORK. Don't expect just b/c you're there in the flesh. 5th, when you think things are starting to progress, throw him/her your CREDIT card, tell them "look, go tell your sales manager i'm serious about doing a deal, and doing it TODAY". YOU'VE GOT TO SELL THEM AS MUCH AS THEY SELL YOU. 6) And this should be first....research all new cars/trucks on EDMUNDS.com. Not KBB. And check the 'forums' within edmunds.com. You'll read pesonal stories on horror and victorys. 7) The best deal is one that you precieve as such.8) there will ALWAYS be someone who's gotten a better deal than you. why? because people are inheirent liars and need their ego's filled. It burns people up when they feel that YOU might have gotten a great deal, or better then them. 9) Do not go to far if you plan on servicing your car/truck there. If you do, remember that THEY will REMEMBER you if you are an ass or not. No matter how hard the transaction, keep smiling. You'll get much farther if the sales manager thinks your a great guy, EVEN if you're feeding him his commission, or there lack of, on a plastic platter.

Hope this helps, and I'll be glad to elaborate for anyone.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

i bought the subie all electronic...email with a local dealer. Price and everything. Most painless purchase I've ever done. I have a different take on car buying though...i decide on my price (by doing a lot of research, and coming up with one that is reasonable), and then present it. It the answer is no, I walk. I do not haggle. Some dealerships will work with you this way, but most won't. But I don't have time to spend all day pissing and moaning in a sales guy office, only to be shuttled to the sales manager, then the finance manager, etc. My last deal I was out of the building in about 45 mintues. And that included test drive.

likemystoppie? · 08-15-2005, 06:52 PM

^^^^^^^^^^or you can try this guys method. I like that too. But again, it's funny how people just don't take you seroiusly sometimes isn't it?

Oh and I forgot, CASH doesn't talk like it used to. A dealer has (usually) no incentive to blow the car out for you to pay cash for it. Say you're going to finance, like, 2,3 or 4 years, make sure it doesn't have a prepayment penalty on it, and pay it off in like 3 months. ......or..........not. just more fyi.

LeeH · 08-15-2005, 10:45 PM

Read this article very carefully:
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html
It's very long, but will give you a good idea of what you're up against when buying a car.

My advice: If you don't have a lot of experience buying cars, find someone who is and take them along.

David · David's Garage

I've heard buying on a rainy day helps, since few people want to go out in the rain.

likemystoppie? · 08-16-2005, 05:55 AM

^^^^That doesn't really work. But go during a snow storm, adn you'll get the best deal ever!! LOL

id10t · 08-16-2005, 08:17 AM

Call AAA and see what price they claim you can get it for. Got my '99 Altima that way in Aug '98. $17.2k.

Jims5543 · 08-16-2005, 09:04 AM

Wait until the next model year is on the lot and go buy the '05.

Also read the articles posted here. They are very good. I never trade in a car I sell it fist and use the money for a downpayment. Offering a trade is opening the door for them to rip you a good one.

deanp · 08-17-2005, 12:32 PM

I don't have much to offer in the how to buy above and beyond what is already listed.

All I can offer is that I have a '01 Frontier Crew Cab with 127,000+ trouble-free miles on it. Normal maintanence and nothing more.They say the new ones are larger but after sitting in an '05 extended cab it felt like the passenger cabin was narrower than the older body style with less headroom and leg room. The 240hp motor is definitely a step up from the old 3.3L.

To top it off, I was rear-ended with the truck last October by a Neon, estimate they hit me (stopped at a stop sign) at about 30mph. The Neon was trashed in the front, they bent my trailer hitch and bumper. No other damage and the bumper didn't even bend enough to make contact with the bed.

If I buy another truck it will definitely be another Nissan.

fireant911 · 08-17-2005, 01:09 PM

deanp,
Thanks for the feedback regarding Nissan's. I am in no hurry to complete this transaction so I very well may follow Jim Cesiro's recommendation about waiting for the new models to arrive. I have read all the articles and links that the great folks here have recommended. I have received several quotes on line which are considerably less than the quotes I received face-to-face (and I am talking about from the same dealerships!!!)
Ironically, some folks are good at haggling while other detest this act. During the time I was searching for my 911 I had arranged a meeting with the owner for the coming weekend, driven the car and loved it, asked about the bottom dollar. Upon hearing his answer, I immediately shook his hand and then hugged him, yes, I hugged the guy. After I broke this 'embrace' I looked at my wife and asked if it was okay that I bought the car - both the owner and my wife laughed at what they had both witnessed. After 20 years of wishing and dreaming I was about to become a proud new owner of a 911SC and I was simply overcome...

deanp · 08-17-2005, 04:31 PM

Daryl,

This is one of those cases where you simply may not get much of a deal by waiting for the '06's. Remember the complete redesign was introduced for '05. I doubt you'll see many improvements for '06, which really should be on the lots in the next month or so anyway. I am not sure how motivated dealers become when the models will be so similar.

I had started looking at Titans when they first came out and started the process with carsdirect.com. If you know what you want and how it needs to be spec's then you may want to try that as well.

The glowing review is well earned... this is my second one. The first was a '92 regular cab 4wd. That one saw 97,000 miles over three years before I traded it for a
Jeep. again, regular maintanence, brakes and tires, nothing more. The dealer, a local dealer / aquaintance of the family, thought for sure they'd give it to a wholesaler due to the milage. The girlfriend of one of the mechanics bought it within days of me trading it, drove it for another four years, then traded it in at the same place. It then sold a third time within days of being traded in.

I really think they are a better value than Toyota's and I think the build quality is much higher than the domestics. They also hold their resale value really well. If your experience holds true to what I've experienced, you won't be disappointed.

Steve Carlton · 08-17-2005, 07:42 PM

Daryl,

You can avoid a lot of haggling by calling a few dealers and asking for the fleet manager. Here in CA, they deal with the general public all the time. Tell them what you're looking for, and ask how much above/below invoice they will charge, not including rebate. Ask them to fax you the invoice- a straight player will do that, no problem. (I'd suggest giving them the wrong color if they ask in case he's the color you want, but not the best price. He won't trade it away once he knows someone wants it). If there's anything else you want, like accessories, warranties, or financing, ask about it upfront. Loose ends after the fact have a way of becoming retail.

Carsdirect.com should get you a feel for the bottom-line neighborhood.

Hetmann · 08-18-2005, 07:41 AM

I enjoy the haggling as much as anyone does. Nothing personal just business. Anyway on my last purchase I was getting nowhere. The sales guy just would not budge. So I walked. My wife says "Let's check Costco". Ok. I log on to the site, enter my info and get a number from them. They send me back to the same dealership and tell me to deal with the fleet manager. When I get there, he tells me "You've in here haven't you?" Yes. He sends me back to the same sales guy. Now the price is $4,000 less then we were talking the day before. May be worth a try for you.

Rob Channell · 08-18-2005, 06:39 PM

IMHO
The best way to get a good deal on a new truck is to be the one selling it for top dollar to some poor smuck that will end up taking the loss in resale value starting when he drives it off the lot.

Buy used and save more money for Porsche parts.

Eagle Keeper · Eagle Keeper's Garage

Look for 2005's the 06's are starting to come out and it helps a LOT! I just picked upa 05 F250 for 34500 out the door. The sticker was 46900. I just did a blue book on it and it came back at 39500. It took me a week of phone calls and offers back and forth but I got it for the price I wanted! Just play hardball. And remember there are other dealers out there. So try to get 2 bidding against each other!!

onewhippedpuppy · 08-19-2005, 03:53 AM

If they don't like your price, walk. 90% of the time, they'll stop you and work with you. Salesmen must be trained not to let a potential customer leave. Remember these words of wisdom my grandfather told me, "If they don't say no at least once, you paid too much". He is a cheap old man, but loaded, and the best salesman I have ever met. Start too low, and work up from there.