Prices all over the map!
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Grab a brew. Don't cost nothin'.
Everyone who is in the market to buy a car be it new or used needs to read the book Don't Get Taken Every Time by Remar Sutton. The basic lesson is do your homework. Know what your trade is worth, what you're willing to pay for the car you want and if you don't get your price, walk out of the dealership. One big piece of advice is don't let them have the keys to the car you're trading in. It's a ploy to keep you in the store and talking. It's almost like keeping you hostage. 
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
The most important revelation to me in car buying / leasing is when I realized that they need to sell to me, more than I need to buy from them. A 997 is a ubiquitous, mass produced car. There are tons of them. If they are on a dealer lot, they are costing them money. So long as you are willing to put in a reasonable amount of time, there is no reason to let anyone pressure you into anything. But, yeah, I agree it is a ridiculous process.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
On options -- my research showed that they depreciate significantly faster than the car. It does depend on the option, but in general you should get options bc you want them, not bc you expect to recoup a lot of value when you unload the car.
Addict
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Venice, FL
Everyone who is in the market to buy a car be it new or used needs to read the book Don't Get Taken Every Time by Remar Sutton. The basic lesson is do your homework. Know what your trade is worth, what you're willing to pay for the car you want and if you don't get your price, walk out of the dealership. One big piece of advice is don't let them have the keys to the car you're trading in. It's a ploy to keep you in the store and talking. It's almost like keeping you hostage.
Having bought and sold 50+ cars/SUVs over the years the best advice I would give is to:
It's pretty much common sense approach.
- Most important: Be an informed buyer! ...or seller!
- Be willing to walk out (as you state above). Once you're emotionally involved/attached you give up your negotiating strength.
- Get the wizard from behind the curtain and deal directly with him/her!
- Deal with the "internet sales manager" if you can. In most cases their incentives are different and they just want to move the unit!
Be reasonable. Low balling somebody usually puts them in a "screw you" mind set so unless you've found someone who is in dire straights it's not likely to work. When selling, I just tell the lowballers to pound sand....
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Venice, FL
True statement and why I always look for the most highly optioned vehicle when buyinig used b/c they are not significantly more valuable than the lessor spec'd cars.