[:::dub_6:::]

I'm going with my roommate today to shop for a new Golf GLS...I talked him into going for a VW instead of a Subaru.
Anyway, do you guys have any tips in general when buying a new car? What tactics should I expect from the salesman?...How do I talk him down to the MSRP?...etc.
Any help will be appreciated!

 

[landrumdh]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? ::dub_6::

1. Just Browse, purchasing in the future
2. no more than 500 over invoice for any car, walk if they won't do it
3. settle price first, interest rates later
4. try to get them to let you take the car out by yourselves (some will some won't all depends upon whats going on).
5. see if carsdirect.com has a good price in your area if so use it as a barging tool, I did and it worked wonders
6. take your time don't get pressured
7, 8, 9, 10. Walk if they BS you or try to over charge you, and call them on it. Call them back a couple days later and ask if they are ready to deal yet.

 

[:::dub_6:::]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? (landrumdh)

Thanks man, good ideas.
I went to carsdirect.com and looked up their price for a new Golf GLS, and its actually a bit lower than MSRP...I'll print that quote out and bring it with me.
And, about your tip #1...why is it to your advantage to say that you're just browsing?

 

[Eric in DC]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? ::dub_6::

Actually, I think you should let them know you're serious about buying a car TODAY! Unless you're paying cash, I would also find out what their financing plan is (including interest rate) at the same time you discuss purchase price. Dealers make most of their money financing the car, as opposed to getting alot of money from simply selling the car. It's generally more important to get 1% off the interest rate as opposed to $100 off the price of the car.


[Modified by Eric in DC, 1:14 PM 11-28-2001]

 

[landrumdh]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? (Eric in DC)

quote:[HR][/HR]Actually, I think you should let them know you're serious about buying a car TODAY! Unless you're paying cash, I would also find out what their financing plan is (including interest rate) at the same time you discuss purchase price. Dealers make most of their money financing the car, as opposed to getting alot of money from simply selling the car. It's generally more important to get 1% off the interest rate as opposed to $100 off the price of the car.

[Modified by Eric in DC, 1:14 PM 11-28-2001][HR][/HR]​

From what I've seen / heard. If you tell them I want to buy NOW they push ALOT harder on you. Personally I'd like to banish all car sales men until I have a question / ready to sign the paper work. Telling them your just looking for now is a good way to make them go away for a while.
Once your actually ready to buy , aka decided upon car / options / colors then you tell them I'm ready and start talking. But while your looking and deciding tell them you are a couple months off and just trying to figure it out now.

 

[A-Money]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? (landrumdh)

Go over to Chaplins in Bellevue and talk to Andy Nelson. He's very cool and will not pressure you into buying anything. They usually have a real good selection.
That's where I bought my 02 GTI about a month ago and VERY happy with the purchase!
P.S. I've already used the parts dept a couple times and they are awesome! Heard very good things about their service dept as well.

 

[Imola Yellow GTi]

25th Anniversary Edition GTi...
That's all I can say... or a 2002 GTi VR6 w/ 6-spd - wait till spring 2002

 

[nuke]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? (2001Bora)

Tell him to have a look at a TDI model. Great car, great mileage. Like mine a whole lot. I think it is a much better car than a 2.0 Golf.
For financing check out http://www.peoplefirst.com. Low rates and they'll turn you into a cash shopper at the dealership by sending you a blank check for your loan.
One less layer of BS when negotiating. Just arrive at the best possible cash price or walk out the door. It's that simple.


[Modified by nuke, 2:29 AM 11-29-2001]

 

[EDM]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? (nuke)

Yes go right past the VW dealer and get an Audi, Benz, or BMW.

 

[megadome]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? ::dub_6::

dont buy the first one you see

 

[GeoffD]

Re: Shopping for a new Golf...any tips? (megadome)

Some shopping rules to get a good deal:
Buy your car the last few days of the quarter. Christmas week and the end of September are both good times to shop.
Avoid the first 3 months of a new model year when the car is in demand. The time to buy a car is when there are lots of them in inventory. Leftovers are pretty much always the best deal.
Pay attention to dealer incentives on the car and know what the dealer is paying for the car. Edmunds.com is a good resource.
Decide exactly what you want, get pricing from several dealers, and then get some quotes from the online dealers. I've used autobytel.com a couple of times and they beat the best deal I negotiated in person.
At the car dealership, be prepared to walk out if you're not getting the deal you're looking for.
If you're trading in a car, negotiate the trade-in value before you start negotiating the price of the new car. Once again, use a web site like NADA or Edmunds to determine what the dealer will be able to auction your car for.
Refuse to pay any document preparation fees or "dealer prep" fees and make sure they know that up front. If it's not on the sticker, you're being ripped off if they add it to the bill. This is grounds for walking out of the dealership immediately.
Remember that the dealer does need to make something. $500 to $1000 on a $20,000 car that's in good supply is reasonable. $250 to $500 on a $10,000 trade-in is reasonable. If you do your homework, you can walk in and ask them how much profit they want to make on the car.