Wow - I need to buy a car quick - and I hate quick decisions!

[Macaela25]

This just got dropped in my lap a few minutes ago...

We were intending to sell DH's '00 Honda Civic and buy a used Odyssey sometime in the next year. A friend just called, and one of his friends has offered $2000 for it sight unseen (our friend is a mechanic and vouched for how great the car runs). It's a deal for a car with 205K on it, so of course we said yes. Problem is, I now need a van! Our credit is excellent, so a loan with our credit union with the $2000 as a down payment is no issue.

I've been looking at cars online in our area. We will essentially need to go buy a car on Saturday, as I asked the guy to give us at least a week to get something. We can't do anything before then, and I haven't bought a car in 10 years.

Any tips? I saw one with low mileage and a good price, and I was hoping to get the dealership to knock the price down a bit. I know better than to pay list price, and I know to carefully watch all the add-ons at signing and act indifferent/not tell them I need a car that day! What's a reasonable amount to expect to haggle down? The car I'm looking at is an '07 Honda EX-L with 11K and list price is $23,300. I just don't want to be laughed at if my counter offer (I'd hope for $20-$21K) is too low.

Help! I promise reps!!

[My3sons]

Hi Macaela25,

That sounds like a great counter offer to me, 10% off is a great place to start. Don't worry about them laughing at you. They are just people trying to make a sale and should be willing to work that price.

Did you find the price in the paper or online? Sometimes the price is listed cheaper online than in print or in person. Look on the dealers website if you havent already.

You mentioned your credit union, my credit union works with local dealers and uses a service called "auto advisors". Auto Advisors - Low Price New Cars and Used Cars

They can help negotiate the price for you. Check with your CU to see if they offer such a service. My CU wont finance a car unless it is at or below their agreed price point for the specific car.

Good luck!
My3sons

[Macaela25]

I have been looking online, which is where I found that price. Thanks so much for the info and site!

[jen276here]

Go to Edmunds.com and read the "confessions car salesman" (bottom right corner of the home page) it will give you great insight into what to expect. We also bought the book which is more in depth, then we went to Mazda and tested the theories - WOW it was spot on!!! When we bought our Subaru last year it made a world of difference.


There is also a section where you can put the info from the car in and it will tell you what the average selling price is in your area. Knowing the highs, lows, and averages allowed us to save about $3k on our car (we went low - lol)


Good Luck!

[Dengineer]

My only advice is--don't be in a hurry. That's the first step to making a big costly mistake. Take your time. And I hope you find a great deal on what you want!