Do's Don'ts of Negotiating price

Johnny Bitte

Hey all
Hoping to some pointer s on negotiating the price of a used car?

Will be looking at some this Sat and give my best shot.

mickdw

Dont be afraid to offer a v low price for any car. Nothing is selling well

L-M

And the car is? And ignore the above attitude.

podger456

garage, private?
check out lowest price on autotrader for car you want, then halve it!
seriously, nothing is selling here (well, very little). I have two decent cars for sale for over a year at very good prices, and have had zero phonecalls. offer ridiculuous money would be my tip. likely to be the only offer the person will get. depending on car of course. what is it?

Owen

Best advice I can give is to build rapport with the salesperson and don't be a prick. Once you're on good terms, then do your negotiating.

Big Nasty

I can see this one getting nasty! :rolleyes:

Buying or selling, this is my formula for working out what should be paid for a car: Take the cheapest one you can find in the UK (similar condition and mileage), add a touch of VRT and season with the cost of the flight and ferry, et voila! There's always variables of course but it's a good 'rule of thumb' to start from.

Johnny Bitte

Hey,
Well I'll be looking a 2 Citroen C4 06 both under 10,000 from dealers. Will be trading in a 06 Almera SXE with 77km on the clock.

I ve never gotten the whole negotiating racket so just looking tips in general.

L-M

Is the C4 petrol or diesel? What kinda mileage?

Johnny Bitte

Here yas go
C4 1.4 petrol 18,000Km €9,950
C4 1.4 petrol 49,000Km €8,888

L-M

If the dealer is willing to take the Almera off you, i'd say you could be looking upwards of 2-3k to change, maybe a small bit less.

Johnny Bitte

Limerick man wrote: »

If the dealer is willing to take the Almera off you, i'd say you could be looking upwards of 2-3k to change, maybe a small bit less.

Almera's really that bad?
Saw loads on Carzone same mileage for 11,000

L-M

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Almera's really that bad?
Saw loads on Carzone same mileage for 11,000

Aye, there are alot there for alot cheaper. It might be better to get anothe opinion on it, i personally don't like the Almera, and there are plenty of them about to compete with. Depending on how well we got on and the condition of your own car lol

cgc5483

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Almera's really that bad?
Saw loads on Carzone same mileage for 11,000

That's your problem, there's so many of them. Had a lot of trouble getting rid of a 04 Alerma last year with 28k miles and sold for 6000. Best offer on trade in was 5500.

Tony Broke

Why are you trading a 06 Almera for a 06 C4?

Bit weird imo.

Johnny Bitte

Tony Broke wrote: »

Why are you trading a 06 Almera for a 06 C4?

Bit weird imo.

Just don't like it simple as that.

Tony Broke

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Just don't like it simple as that.

Why dont you like it, if you dont mind me asking?

The 1.4 C4 will be about as much fun to drive as your Almera.

Mazda 3 are suppose to be fantastic little yokes, worth looking at also imo.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1296570

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1311380

cgc5483

Tony Broke wrote: »

Why dont you like it, if you dont mind me asking?

The 1.4 C4 will be about as much fun to drive as your Almera.

Mazda 3 are suppose to be fantastic little yokes, worth looking at also imo.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1296570

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1311380

I was the same OP. Didn't like the Almera and bought a Mazda 3 funnily (1.6 Touring) and it's a way nicer car.

carface

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I can see this one getting nasty! :rolleyes:

Buying or selling, this is my formula for working out what should be paid for a car: Take the cheapest one you can find in the UK (similar condition and mileage), add a touch of VRT and season with the cost of the flight and ferry, et voila! There's always variables of course but it's a good 'rule of thumb' to start from.

would you have a problem with a dealer using the same method to value your tradein.???

Johnny Bitte

Well the look of the car just bugs the hell out of me, its like a big shoe.
Its alright to drive but I driving my gf s parents C4 and its much better.

If the dealer looks for 3000 i'll just leave it but thats why I m asking for help to try and reduce it.

L-M

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Well the look of the car just bugs the hell out of me, its like a big shoe.
Its alright to drive but I driving my gf s parents C4 and its much better.

If the dealer looks for 3000 i'll just leave it but thats why I m asking for help to try and reduce it.

Well the main things to do are to have your car clean. First things first, find out if the salesman will take your car as a trade in against it. Have a good chat with the salesperson about the C4, get a test drive and have a good look around the car. Try get some sort of price on yours. Normally when they first give you a price, they are chancing their arm. There's always likely room to move. If they say 3k, i wouldn't be expecting to change for 1k. Tell them the firgure you had in mind. See how they take it. If they think you are miles out, try and see what figure they will come to. And if they come to a figure your happy with, make sure to get a full tank of fuel, mats etc. with it.

It will vary between every dealer, i personally wouldn't be very keen on taking in an Almera, so i'd would hold a bit tougher. Other salespersons might have more of an interest and could be easier bargain with.

Ring around a few places, try get a few costs to change. Remember, you are not worried at all about the sticker price on the car, all you are worried about is what it will cost you to change to the car, if you understand me. Ring loads of places {of C4's that you don't neccessarily want} and get a good idea of what it'll cost to change. Then, with this in mind, go to the dealer with the C4 you like, having this information as back up.

Johnny Bitte

Thanks for your advice Limerick man, tbh I m a little disappointed with what you've all said considering I bought the Almera last year for 12,500.

I ll go see what prices I can get for the different places.

L-M

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Thanks for your advice Limerick man, tbh I m a little disappointed with what you've all said considering I bought the Almera last year for 12,500.

I ll go see what prices I can get for the different places.

Lol, i don't think you are the only one who is dissappointed with the way things have gone. I know it's none of my business, but if it's the case that you are in negative equity as things are (ie. you owe more than the car is worth), you could be putting yourself in a worse position by topping up the loan for a similarily valued car. Putting yourself deeper in the red. If this is the case, it could make sense to hold onto the Almera for the time been.

If it's not, buy away at your hearts content:D

ssmith6287

similar situation with me. Ive a 02 MG ZR 105+, I want something thats A) more comfortable, more reliable, C) costs less to maintain, and most of all D) doesnt have a boy racer image. (sick of being pulled over).. was looking at a 03 punto, I figure its small, reliable and cheap. it is advertised as 3500€, what shud I offer with my car. Also I'm looking at a 00 focus, 2 years older but comfortable and solid, advertised for 4250€.. same question, what should i offer, wud like to use this garage again after because theyre aftersales is excellent so dont wanna be a gob****e about it

Tony Broke

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Well the look of the car just bugs the hell out of me, its like a big shoe.
Its alright to drive but I driving my gf s parents C4 and its much better.

If the dealer looks for 3000 i'll just leave it but thats why I m asking for help to try and reduce it.

If you like the C4 then go for a diesel, 1.6 or 2.0 in them are suppose to be great, plenty of power, reliable, 50mpg and they will keep there value much better than a 1.4 petrol, which will have to be dogged to get any performance out if it.

No Citreon garage is going to want a Nissan, so expect to pay a bit.I honestly think you should sell your Almera, cheap if you have to ( 6000- 6500e ) and take your time looking at a variety of cars.7-10k would get you a very nice motor in the UK.

Places like cargiant are hassle free and provide a great service.

Tony Broke

ssmith6287 wrote: »

similar situation with me. Ive a 02 MG ZR 105+, I want something thats A) more comfortable, more reliable, C) costs less to maintain, and most of all D) doesnt have a boy racer image. (sick of being pulled over).. was looking at a 03 punto, I figure its small, reliable and cheap. it is advertised as 3500€, what shud I offer with my car. Also I'm looking at a 00 focus, 2 years older but comfortable and solid, advertised for 4250€.. same question, what should i offer, wud like to use this garage again after because theyre aftersales is excellent so dont wanna be a gob****e about it

02 Zr's with average milage are going for around 2200-2500.Popular enough car, if you have it priced right it should be a problem selling it.

That Punto sound like a good deal.

That Focus anyway is way over priced, worth 2k max.

conlonbmw

C4 hdi is a great car, have you seen how many almeras are for sale on car zone. Nissan were giving these away in 05 and 06, 17k brand new in 06, then there was the buy one now get a free upgrade next year.

lifer_sean

Why would dealer (especially a Citreon dealer) trade a 06 Almera high miles for a 06 C4 low miles ? Surely the low miles C4 would be much easier to sell, especially for Citroen dealer (you don't say if you are buying from Citroen garage or not) ? What's in it for the dealer ? Unless they price your Almera low enough to blow it out to the trade immediately, and get enough off you to make up the difference ?

I have 06 Almera 45k for sale at 8500 with serv and warranty ... yours is 77k ? If they allow you 8k for it you would be doing very well.

Unless you sell Almera privately I can't see you getting a different 06 car for small outlay.

lifer_sean

Tony Broke wrote: »

That Focus anyway is way over priced, worth 2k max.

Nonsense. Clean 00 Focus would make more than 2000 in Merlin unless it's a saloon or estate, or has a story behind it.

doolox

I would have thought Nissan more reliable than Citroen. Grant it, Citroen are probably way ahead on ride, comfort cornering etc than stiffly suspended Jap cars.
I have a 1996 Toyota Corolla which is bomb proof, only had to put in one CV joint in it in 10 yrs motoring and usual oil filters etc. and 3 batteries plus tires but no other parts needed to keep it on the road.
I also had a Nissan Sunny which gave good service and because I was much younger and impetious then with the right foot, broke the overhead cam shaft and still got me home 20 miles sounding like a tractor.
Cost me only IR£200.00 to fix at the time cos I knew the mechanic and his dad and my dad were friends.........Oh to be Back in Galway!
I'd stick with the Jap cars but thats me. I'm an automotive utilitarian, not interested in style or fashion etc which the citroen undoubtedly has.
Interestingly enough they are pronounced SIT Row En. To pronounce them Citron is to French ears calling them a lemon...........

Atomic Pineapple

The_Goose135 wrote: »

Thanks for your advice Limerick man, tbh I m a little disappointed with what you've all said considering I bought the Almera last year for 12,500.

I ll go see what prices I can get for the different places.

Its the way the market is, I bought my car just over a year ago and it was valued at €11000 and now I've it up for sale at €6900 and no interest at all

carzone prices are unrealistic prices to go by too

zilog_jones

doolox wrote: »

I would have thought Nissan more reliable than Citroen. Grant it, Citroen are probably way ahead on ride, comfort cornering etc than stiffly suspended Jap cars ... I'm an automotive utilitarian, not interested in style or fashion etc which the citroen undoubtedly has.

Think you've answered your own question there