It's okay but he can probably do better. Dealerships are putting out a lot of low-interest financing promos right now. Even if there isn't one available this second, wait for the next holiday sale and there will be. Toyota has done several 0% promotions, though I'm not sure if that is 36 or 60 months.
OT: Buying a Car - Getting Fleeced?
- Thread starter Shikarnov
- Start date
It's okay but he can probably do better. Dealerships are putting out a lot of low-interest financing promos right now. Even if there isn't one available this second, wait for the next holiday sale and there will be. Toyota has done several 0% promotions, though I'm not sure if that is 36 or 60 months.
Keep in mind the invoice price is not lowest price a car will sell for. Dealers get incentives and hold-backs for selling cars. They can sell well below invoice and still make money.
They are most willing to deal on the last days of the month when they are trying to make their numbers.
They are most willing to deal on the last days of the month when they are trying to make their numbers.
Also, at the end of the month, they may throw in some of the dealer installed options or service packages in order to sweeten the deal so they can meet their sales quota for the month.
Another thing you can try is talking to the fleet sales people at the dealer. They may be able to swing you a better deal.
This is definitely true. If you buy at the end of the month (particularly the last day of the month), the dealers will be more likely to bend over backwards to get you to purchase a vehicle to increase their sales figures. If you are haggling on price and they don't want to work with you, walk out the door and they will beg you to come back, then agree to your terms.
The dealer will definitely try to sell you extended warranties and/or service plans. Don't feel that you need to buy them unless you actually think it will be economical and worth paying for. When I bought my last car, I opted not to get an extended warranty. This was the right decision, as I have never had a problem with my car in 6.5 years (and the 5-year extended warranty that I'd considered would have never been used). The dealer also threw in free oil changes for the life of the vehicle. A nice perk.
Next to having kids and buying a house the car is probably the most thought people put into in their lives 
There so much advice out there and things to consider when buying cars it boggles the mind. When i (that is my parents) bought my first car we went to a dealer, looked around and found one that was in our range and that was it.. my father paid the full price, didn't even try to negotiate and me, at 18, fell for the old trick of "Well.. i have another customer interested in it"
I'm with most of the people here who advocate checking prices online and see what dealers are offering in your area.. back during the height of the financial crisis you might have gotten lucky and get the car at cost or slightly above with this method but then it's a big investment and business is business so it's good to play the local dealers and get the most out of your money.
Most people don't realize this but as a customer you actually have the reigns and your strongest argument is to buy elsewhere.. a dealer will go to near blood and bones to make the sale because that's what he lives off. Cars sitting in his shop don't make any money so this is the angle. If you have the feeling you got a sleazy dealer trying to squeeze some extra bucks by addings some mysterious fees previously not mentioned just walk away. I did many times and have never looked back or regretted it.
There so much advice out there and things to consider when buying cars it boggles the mind. When i (that is my parents) bought my first car we went to a dealer, looked around and found one that was in our range and that was it.. my father paid the full price, didn't even try to negotiate and me, at 18, fell for the old trick of "Well.. i have another customer interested in it"
I'm with most of the people here who advocate checking prices online and see what dealers are offering in your area.. back during the height of the financial crisis you might have gotten lucky and get the car at cost or slightly above with this method but then it's a big investment and business is business so it's good to play the local dealers and get the most out of your money.
Most people don't realize this but as a customer you actually have the reigns and your strongest argument is to buy elsewhere.. a dealer will go to near blood and bones to make the sale because that's what he lives off. Cars sitting in his shop don't make any money so this is the angle. If you have the feeling you got a sleazy dealer trying to squeeze some extra bucks by addings some mysterious fees previously not mentioned just walk away. I did many times and have never looked back or regretted it.
Isn't the more common definition of the word fleeced (in this context at least) being 'ripped off'?
