I love negotiating for new vehicles. I may do a few test drives to make sure about the model and features, but I walk away without even making an offer. Then, I do my homework. With a little work on the internet, you can find out what the wholesale price is for your specific vehicle and features. Once you know that, and have some patience with the salesman, you'll get a good deal. One time, a dealer was offering $1,000 off OR 0% financing. I did a little spreadsheet on what my monthly payments (and total cost) would be for various prices. I showed the salesman my printout on interest rates and he got so confused. He couldn't figure out how I knew that. I got him so flustered, I got more than $1,000 off AND I got 0% financing. I think he actually got tired of dealing with me.Oh, if you bring someone with you, avoid talking about the vehicle or price while alone with them in those little cubicles/offices. Many car dealers have those areas bugged (usually the phone/intercom). So when they are going to "talk to their boss", they are usually in a room listening to what you are saying. Hearing you say what you're really willing to pay, or hearing your spouse say they really want that car will hurt your negotiations. However, you can give them false information by talking about you're not crazy about a couple of the features or the color, talk about another dealer, talk about another car manufacturer, etc.The last time we bought cars (Toyota Avalon and Tacoma truck), I got on-line bids from a dealership down on I-45 SW Freeway. The prices were just above wholesale. I called the on-line manager and told him we were coming to buy them. When we got there, he passed me off to another salesman and they tried to sell us something off of the lot. I walked back into the office and demanded to see the manager. When I showed him the offers and explained that I was ready to buy, he said they didn't have the exact models and colors on hand. He asked for a week to get them and that he would stand by the deal. It helped that I mentioned that I could take his dealer's written offer and go to another dealership and get the same or a better deal. He got both vehicles within a week. The car actually came with a few extra features but he threw those in at no charge. We wrote checks for both vehicles.
@Retired_Engineer:
We have a car shopping date next year!!
4951