Experiences buying a vehicle...

[HuskerFever2345]

Would be interested to hear if majority of folks have had good experiences when buying a vehicle from a dealership?

Thought I had purchased a vehicle today after some negotiations , but once financing people learned I wouldn’t buy an additional warranty, they freaking tried to brow beat me into the ground.....worst experience of my life!

 

[Jimmy Frank]

That happened to me once, I got up and walked out.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

I have had both good and bad. It's easy to walk, when they insist on playing games. Places like that have no idea who is in control, and buyers that allow it are what keeps them in business.

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

Were they like the Badger Car salesman?

 

[resdog851_rivals159165]

Would be interested to hear if majority of folks have had good experiences when buying a vehicle from a dealership?

Thought I had purchased a vehicle today after some negotiations , but once financing people learned I wouldn’t buy an additional warranty, they freaking tried to brow beat me into the ground.....worst experience of my life!

My last new vehicle I bought was seven years ago. I read a bunch of tricks online and I think they seemed to work. I sold my previous truck to Carmax due to very little hassle and a week to think it over if I didn't wan't to sell. I was trying to negotiate between several dealerships, and surprisingly I was still getting the huge dealership runaround. I don't think they know any other way than to play their stupid games.

I ultimately went to the Woodhouse site and found the exact truck I was looking for and linked it to a salesman saying how I would buy if he didn't play games. As luck would have it, I was at another large Omaha dealership the next day and was getting ALL the dealership games. I was pissed. As if by divine intervention, Woodhouse called my cell while I was waiting for the young salesman to return for the fifth time to ask his manager if he could swing that deal. Woodhouse offers me my loaded Silverado at six grand cheaper than any of the other dealerships had offered. As if by magic, the guy I was in front of says he would match it. I told him "No you won't" as I walked out the door. I probably could have let him match it and even get some free things thrown in but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.

I never get the extended warranty any more. It may be worth it if you have some really expensive luxury car, but I think vehicle quality is a lot better now and you rarely would ever need the extended.

 

[resdog851_rivals159165]

Were they like the Badger Car salesman?

I had a buddy that sold cars for a while. He thought these commercials were the funniest thing he ever saw. He said they were dead on.

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

If you have your heart set on the Antarctic Blue Super Sports Wagon with the C.B. and optional rally fun pack, order it with lots of time before your trip. If you wait until the last minute you may get stuck with the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in Metallic Pea Green.

I have cash in hand and make an appointment with the fleet manager, go in prepared knowing the options I have to have, what I can live with and without, and what I do not want (e.g. $3000 wheels), and don't need to test drive because I already have as a rental car or earlier at the dealership. The fleet manager will usually deal with you no fuss, no muss if he doesn't have to spend much time with you. He will either tell you they have one on the lot or find one and have it shipped down. Done this three times and bought a car I liked in less than 30 minutes each time at a fair price.

 

[TruHusker]

I had nearly the same experience as resdog. I recently purchased a new Outback and was working with three dealerships - one three hours away in Missouri and one in Wichita and one in my hometown. I had one deal in hand from my local which is where I wanted to be but I also wanted the best deal I could get. The Missouri dealer was looking good and thought he was going to meet my price but at the last second his boss said no. In the meantime the local guy knew I was looking at two other places and came in a couple grand less or right at where I thought it should be.

I dislike very few things in life but going to a dealership is one of them. I tell the salesperson right up front I don't play games and if they give me a line of garbage I walk. In my younger years I worked at a GM dealership and did auto collision work so I know enough to be dangerous. I think having the knowledge is the key.

I did get really ticked and I let Subaru know and the dealer didn't like it but they pulled one I don't like. After we made the deal we go in for "closing": and they start trying to sell the extra warranty, special protective coatings inside and out and I was ticked. First they made it sound like the car would be rolling rubble in a few years. That's why I am buying a Subaru, they are dependable. So one day when they sell it , they are the most dependable cars on the road and then when they want to make an extra buck they tell you that everything breaks down and all of this new electronics is costly to repair. True statements but it ticked me off. I was about ready to walk then. Was told if I didn't buy extended warranty then I could never get it. Turns out I have had several chances through Subaru to buy extended warranty later.

My best advice is to tell the salesperson right up front and be prepared to walk. That is my mindset. There is always someone who wants your business. Do your research on price, incentives and what you have to trade. Clean it up and have your numbers in your head already. Turns out they sold my Honda Pilot the next morning. It was so clean it looked better than their reconditioned used cars. If I get a smart alec young person I stop the deal right away and ask for someone else. I am too old for that kind of nonsense.

Good luck and remember that you are in control - not them, don't let them get in control. When you feel the control going their way, get up and leave.

 

[redfanusa]

Never be afraid to walk out of a dealership. They need you; you don't need them.

You can research the dealer invoice on a car and then do the math to figure the fair price. Of course, TrueCar.com has basically done the same thing for you. Costco also has a service where they get a fair price for you, but in our experience it was almost to the dollar equal to TrueCar pricing.

We had a dealership agree to that price, and when we walked in with our checkbook to sign the deal, they horsed around for two hours, trying to get us to go up on price. We walked out, and a day later the dealership across town sold us a car. Some dealerships just like the runaround. Husker Auto Group in Lincoln was infamous for that for years. They'd walk you through a maze of offices and make you run a gauntlet of assistant managers and managers. Maybe it has changed, but I would never ever buy a car from those crooks.

 

[Husker4real_rivals373787]

Geezus...is it 1975 where you live? Additional warranty - that is dark ages stuff.

 

[Huskerfan2112]

Costco sells cars. Best way to go

 

[HuskerFever2345]

Geezus...is it 1975 where you live? Additional warranty - that is dark ages stuff.

Lincoln, NE was trying to buy a new vehicle....apparently they didn’t make much on the vehicle, so tried to make sure they made it back on something else. Did not go well when I said no. Not my problem.

 

[Husker4real_rivals373787]

Lincoln, NE was trying to buy a new vehicle....apparently they didn’t make much on the vehicle, so tried to make sure they made it back on something else. Did not go well when I said no. Not my problem.

Glad you walked out. I didn't think dealerships even bothered trying to sell extended warranties any more since everyone knows by now they are a racket. I've bought 2 new cars in the past two years - they try to sell accessories, but the extended warranty has gone the way of the dodo.

 

[mwulf]

Costco sells cars. Best way to go

Yeah but you have to buy them in a four pack and also have to buy a drum of ketchup

 

[bmguy88]

Request a price on the dealership website from about 5 dealerships on similar vehicles from each lot. Once you get an actual salesperson from each dealership, include them all in a reply email and layout the "ground rules" that lowest price gets your business. Once you have gathered all the #'s, email back all the "losers" and tell them thanks, but you're going elsewhere. Wait and see if they counter again and make a decision.

If you do your research online and know what you want exactly, you shouldn't even have to leave your house to make a deal.

 

[lightningjack]

An afternoon at the car dealership is fun for me, but I'm in the minority I'm sure. I've brokered a lot of vehicle purchases for people the last several years, gone along with the game they play to being more direct with different degrees of success and how the dealership treated us. Dealers don't make a ton on new car purchases anymore, they try to load up on you in the F&I office. They're making more on the back end of the deal than the front end in a lot of cases.Some of these people have been pretty rude, but it's business right! (Glad I punch a time clock)

Cars cost a $__T ton of money, I'm glad more people are educating themselves with information nowadays about vehicles purchasing. I got burned one time, all it took.
A couple of my favorite links for anybody that's interested about buying a vehicle.

http://oncars.blogspot.com/ Written by a guy who owns a car dealership, scroll to the Jan 29th for his top 10.
https://www.autocheatsheet.com/ One of the better all around websites to help with vehicle purchasing.
http://www.fightingchance.com/ Used his service early on 2x, useful info especially if you want to stay out of the dealership until you go to test drive and buy.

 

[TarheelHuskerFan_rivals]

I love how dealerships advertise "we already have priced as low as possible so theres no need to haggle!

Haha...right

 

[WHCSC]

Would be interested to hear if majority of folks have had good experiences when buying a vehicle from a dealership?

Thought I had purchased a vehicle today after some negotiations , but once financing people learned I wouldn’t buy an additional warranty, they freaking tried to brow beat me into the ground.....worst experience of my life!

Never buy new. Huge waste of money.

 

[RiLLLLLLLLey]

If you have your heart set on the Antarctic Blue Super Sports Wagon with the C.B. and optional rally fun pack, order it with lots of time before your trip. If you wait until the last minute you may get stuck with the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in Metallic Pea Green.

The rally fun pack is never “optional,” to be fair.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan_rivals19671]

If you have your heart set on the Antarctic Blue Super Sports Wagon with the C.B. and optional rally fun pack, order it with lots of time before your trip. If you wait until the last minute you may get stuck with the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in Metallic Pea Green.

One of, if not the best, car buying experience ever made in the movies. Nicely dun....

...and I you think you hate it now, wait till you drive it!

 

[dinglefritz]

Would be interested to hear if majority of folks have had good experiences when buying a vehicle from a dealership?

Thought I had purchased a vehicle today after some negotiations , but once financing people learned I wouldn’t buy an additional warranty, they freaking tried to brow beat me into the ground.....worst experience of my life!

When you go in to buy a vehicle you have to have your Big Boy pants on. IF you're getting pissed at the experience it's because you aren't ready for what you should KNOW is coming your way. I always like to tell them that I have had very good friends and golf buddies who owned dealerships or were sales managers so I know the games and I know how much they can take off of sticker. Smile but be firm when they try the games and just say I'm not going to do that so don't go there. When they give me the old "invoice" line I just say yeah and what's the dealer "hold back". I know they probably call it something else now but it always used to be that the dealer had a kick back off of the invoice of anywhere of a few hundred to a over a thousand. Then there's almost always special incentives to the dealer after that. Remember, they are trying to feed their families too. IF buying new ALWAYS go in a day or two before the last day of any month and get a quote but don't buy. Then the LAST day of the month get your best deal. Sales managers have sales quotas to make and sometimes they get paid in part on the units sold for that month. March 31st may be the single best day of the year to buy a new car. Most dealers can drop the price off of sticker on a new vehicle (not an econobox) by 15-17% if you're paying cash. Second tip. Dealers can make WAY more money selling used cars than they can a new one UNLESS they find suckers willing to pay sticker or buy the aftermarket crap. I feel for the young guy trying to make a living selling cars cuz they just get the hell beat out of them every single day and all they're trying to do is put groceries on the table.

 

[Huskercigar]

When you go in to buy a vehicle you have to have your Big Boy pants on. IF you're getting pissed at the experience it's because you aren't ready for what you should KNOW is coming your way. I always like to tell them that I have had very good friends and golf buddies who owned dealerships or were sales managers so I know the games and I know how much they can take off of sticker. Smile but be firm when they try the games and just say I'm not going to do that so don't go there. When they give me the old "invoice" line I just say yeah and what's the dealer "hold back". I know they probably call it something else now but it always used to be that the dealer had a kick back off of the invoice of anywhere of a few hundred to a over a thousand. Then there's almost always special incentives to the dealer after that. Remember, they are trying to feed their families too. IF buying new ALWAYS go in a day or two before the last day of any month and get a quote but don't buy. Then the LAST day of the month get your best deal. Sales managers have sales quotas to make and sometimes they get paid in part on the units sold for that month. March 31st may be the single best day of the year to buy a new car. Most dealers can drop the price off of sticker on a new vehicle (not an econobox) by 15-17% if you're paying cash. Second tip. Dealers can make WAY more money selling used cars than they can a new one UNLESS they find suckers willing to pay sticker or buy the aftermarket crap. I feel for the young guy trying to make a living selling cars cuz they just get the hell beat out of them every single day and all they're trying to do is put groceries on the table.

Actually you don't get you best deals paying cash. They hate cash. They want financing.

 

[dinglefritz]

Actually you don't get you best deals paying cash. They hate cash. They want financing.

I haven't had that experience. They offer it to me but I only finance if I have to to get a rebate. Then it's just a matter if their interest rate is lower than my LOC's. Try writing a check for the amount you want to pay and then make them turn it down......works virtually every time if you offer a realistic number. One just has to get their first offer. I was ready to do that one time on a low mileage Expedition then their first trade offer came in 3,000 below what I was ready to pay based on wholesale book on theirs and mine and the beat condition of my trade in. Still got the thing for 1500 less than their first offer. Still have that vehicle. Great buy.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan_rivals19671]

Actually you don't get you best deals paying cash. They hate cash. They want financing.

1.5 years ago I bought a high end car at a local "luxury" dealership, I could have financed it anywhere, and I got rate from First National Bank, which is where I bank, and told the salesman as long as the lien holder is local, and can match that rate, I don't care who carries the note, big mistake. I didn't know it for a few weeks, but they shopped my loan to sooo many potential suitors, my credit rating took a hit. I was in the top 97%, my freaking home owners insurance went up next month because my rate had been based in A+, which this dealer took down a notch. Cannot tell you how furious that made me, and will never do that again.

 

[Hard4Corn]

Go to a better dealership. Last car I bought was 5 years ago at DuTeau and it was easily the best buying experience I've had. I haven't bought a car from Honda of Lincoln but have heard good things about them. Worst experience was at Performance Dodge- walked out on them swearing I'd never go back even if they were giving cars away.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Be ready to say no and walk away.
They know when they have someone desperate to buy.
They can smell it.
I bought a vehicle recently and got an amazing deal, people are usually shocked when I tell them.
But it probably had more to do with me and my polite but firm attitude and a little timely luck.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Also, it's best to not have a trade-in as they'll try to use the trade-in value as your markdown, but it's also easier to just have the trade in than hassle of trying to sell yourself at fair market price.
If you do take a trade in, understand they will absolutely low ball the **** out of it. By as much as half of the trade in value depending on the car. Figure a fair trade in price using kelly blue book, then come in with a dollar amount that reflects both your trade in value and the extra thousands you want off as a mark down. Say that's your price and it's up to them to meet it and at a fair interest rate, don't forget interest rate.
If you don't go in with that plan they'll act like it's common for trade ins to just take the trade in value as the only markdown. A lot of people fall for that. There's no reason, the trade in is separate from other negotiation. And again, they will low ball. Act offended. If they don't become truthful immediately, walk out and live your life.

 

[Sinomatic]

Never buy new.

What's the point of buying a truck if you're in the city and are not going to use it for work hauling tools or materials? Trucks are expensive to operate should be low as possible to the ground and have a regular tire size. Anything else is just a flag saying I don't know what a truck is fundamentally supposed to be....a vehicle to make me money.

Use a car to commute.

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

Unless you buy a collector's car that will go up in value, all vehicle purchases are financial drains to pour your money into. Lot's of good advice in this thread. I would try to avoid that financial transaction (purchase) as much as possible. If you have to, try to buy something you can live with for a long time, and drive the heck out of it.

 

[TarheelHuskerFan_rivals]

This website never keeps up with my typing on my phone and my posts never make sense..

 

[saluno22]

Actually you don't get you best deals paying cash. They hate cash. They want financing.

If there are two things Joey Diaz has taught me about cars, this is one of them.

The other is that it doesn't matter if you suck d!ck or eat pu$$y, Subaru makes a great car.

 

[huskerfan1414]

Never buy new.

x1000.
Im glad there are suckers that do for the rest of us
get a vehicle with 20k or more on it. 20-30k is a great wheelhouse for both savings and value/newer models.

 

[Sinomatic]

Unless you buy a collector's car that will go up in value, all vehicle purchases are financial drains to pour your money into. Lot's of good advice in this thread. I would try to avoid that financial transaction (purchase) as much as possible. If you have to, try to buy something you can live with for a long time, and drive the heck out of it.

This is true but when I went from a new '04 Ranger($25,000.00) to a used '96 Civic I paid for that car($2100.00) in 2 years on savings in gasoline alone. Add in insurance and taxes and I probably paid off that Civic in 1 year of the difference in cost to operate. That was about 4 years ago. I've already saved for my next vehicle, and I'm still getting to my destination just fine.

 

[Sinomatic]

x1000.
Im glad there are suckers that do for the rest of us
get a vehicle with 20k or more on it. 20-30k is a great wheelhouse for both savings and value/newer models.

Not saying money is everything by a country mile....but read "The millionaire next door" great book on finances. Puts purchasing vehicles in a more fiscally responsible and sensical perspective....you can still have that nice car.

 

[bbarry464_rivals333810]

Would be interested to hear if majority of folks have had good experiences when buying a vehicle from a dealership?

Thought I had purchased a vehicle today after some negotiations , but once financing people learned I wouldn’t buy an additional warranty, they freaking tried to brow beat me into the ground.....worst experience of my life!

I won't negotiate in a dealership, normally you can't get a good deal. Do it all on email or text. The minute you walk in they start the process of wearing you down. They are pros at it, you can't win.

I make them complete all paperwork before I come in. I walk in and sign. I tell the guy before I come in if the out the door price doesn't match up, I'm walking back out.

If I need to see a vehicle, thats all I do. Then drive home and send an email if I want to bargain. This way you spend 20m on 5 emails instead of 5 hrs with a worse deal and a whole bunch of stress and manipulation.

Dealerships absolutely hate this approach. Wearing you down on site is strategy number 1.

Also, they are not your friend. They do not like you. They would take your kids leukemia savings account if given the chance....lol. Business is business at the car lot. The wolves rise to the top of sales.

 

[Baxter48_rivals204143]

Sometimes small town dealerships are easier to deal with especially if they have what your looking for in stock, none of this running back and fort to the big boss

 

[chrsmneric]

I had nearly the same experience as resdog. I recently purchased a new Outback and was working with three dealerships - one three hours away in Missouri and one in Wichita and one in my hometown. I had one deal in hand from my local which is where I wanted to be but I also wanted the best deal I could get. The Missouri dealer was looking good and thought he was going to meet my price but at the last second his boss said no. In the meantime the local guy knew I was looking at two other places and came in a couple grand less or right at where I thought it should be.

I dislike very few things in life but going to a dealership is one of them. I tell the salesperson right up front I don't play games and if they give me a line of garbage I walk. In my younger years I worked at a GM dealership and did auto collision work so I know enough to be dangerous. I think having the knowledge is the key.

I did get really ticked and I let Subaru know and the dealer didn't like it but they pulled one I don't like. After we made the deal we go in for "closing": and they start trying to sell the extra warranty, special protective coatings inside and out and I was ticked. First they made it sound like the car would be rolling rubble in a few years. That's why I am buying a Subaru, they are dependable. So one day when they sell it , they are the most dependable cars on the road and then when they want to make an extra buck they tell you that everything breaks down and all of this new electronics is costly to repair. True statements but it ticked me off. I was about ready to walk then. Was told if I didn't buy extended warranty then I could never get it. Turns out I have had several chances through Subaru to buy extended warranty later.

My best advice is to tell the salesperson right up front and be prepared to walk. That is my mindset. There is always someone who wants your business. Do your research on price, incentives and what you have to trade. Clean it up and have your numbers in your head already. Turns out they sold my Honda Pilot the next morning. It was so clean it looked better than their reconditioned used cars. If I get a smart alec young person I stop the deal right away and ask for someone else. I am too old for that kind of nonsense.

Good luck and remember that you are in control - not them, don't let them get in control. When you feel the control going their way, get up and leave.

What year and model did you get of the Outback? Have been seriously considering just hate the idea of timing belt & head gasket replacement every 100k

 

[hddude55]

Would be interested to hear if majority of folks have had good experiences when buying a vehicle from a dealership?

Thought I had purchased a vehicle today after some negotiations , but once financing people learned I wouldn’t buy an additional warranty, they freaking tried to brow beat me into the ground.....worst experience of my life!

I have had nothing but good experiences with dealerships. Without their help I would never have known about useful stuff like pinstriping, extra tinting, extra undercoating, nitrogen for my tires, dealer prep, extended warranties etc. I also appreciate their efforts to support the coffee industry when presenting my offers to their supervisors. ( What’s another hour or two?)

I don’t own an internal combustion car anymore — only have two Teslas — and of course states like Nebraska are protecting their citizens against Tesla’s refusal to establish dealerships. I hope they stand firm to protect all of those dealerships and their superior service. (And of course dealerships do a great job of financially supporting needy legislators.)

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

Never buy new. Huge waste of money.

Nothing but used for me anymore, and there are thousands and thousands of them out there. Bought a 2003 Lexus LS430 7 years ago, fabulous car with around 300hp, quiet inside, excellent sound system. Bought a pristine 1992 Infiniti M30 convertible recently, owner absolutely babied it, like new inside and out and fun to drive around in. Nice quirky 90's look but solid and well made.

 

[dinglefritz]

x1000.
Im glad there are suckers that do for the rest of us
get a vehicle with 20k or more on it. 20-30k is a great wheelhouse for both savings and value/newer models.

I can sometimes buy a brand new car for virtually the same money as a low mileage used one depending on the make and model. I did that with one of my last ranch truck purchases. I actually bought a leftover new 2016 for less than they would sell a comparable low mileage used one because of the factory incentives for them to clear out the 16s. There are no hard and fast rules when buying a vehicle. Dealers usually make less money selling a new vehicle than they do on a "program" or auction vehicle.