“New and Used car deals are getting harder to find,” more women car buyers report, “and the aggressive tactics, high pressure and assumption we are all stupid or need our husbands to make a decision, still prevails.” The reality is most women car buyers have done more research and are less impulsive than men, frustrating salesmen anxious to make a new car deal. Used car deals are a bit easier to negotiate if you have done your homework, because there are less cars to choose from, making the pressure tactics un-necessary, as long as the car buyer, male or female, knows the following:
- What is the market for this car with these features? This means compare judiciously, including certification warranties and special financing options offered by the branded dealership.
- When considering a new or used car with a trade-in, define the value of the trade-in separately from the cost of the vehicle to be sure you are comparing equally. This means the specific value of the trade-in BEFORE SALES TAX CREDIT and rebates. Know what your trade is worth by using my formula: go to kbb.com, figure in the features, miles and then estimate it as GOOD if it’s perfect, FAIR if it’s a 4-5 and anything over 95K or under a 4 in your mind is POOR. Now take 1000.00 off for reconditioning. Only the best of the GOOD are getting close to KBB trade-in.
- BRAND AWARENESS: Know what the inventory situation is when trying to buy. All luxury brand Japanese: LEXUS, ACURA and INFINITI and some Japan made Honda, Toyota and Nissan are in SHORT supply and dealerships are holding close to MSRP or sticker. About the only thing I see in a discount these days is $1000- plus loyalty if you own the brand currently. A good auto broker/buyers agent can find more discounts if they know what they are doing!