How much to offer dealer for 2nd hand car

levi

Bit of advice would be great. I test drove a car a couple of weeks ago, really liked it but out of our budget based on the trade in offered. We had a chat with the dealer after the test drive, he gave me an offer for our car and basically said, take it or leave it. Said he wouldn't have trouble selling such a nicely specced car. Now he's phoned me back today to see if I'm still interested. So the car still isn't sold and he's obviously keen to shift it.

Wondering the best way to approach it - lowball with a view to meeting somewhere in the middle or decide on what I can afford and go in with that and say to him to take it or leave it?

Also, once the haggling is done and presuming I can afford it - he shouldn't have any problem with the offer being subject to an inspection by a mechanic? If he does, walk away?

Grueller

Chat away without offering anything. Leave the ball in his court. He will ask are you interested in the car. Answer along the lines of yes but not at the money you are talking about. He will always ask what would you be willing to spend. Tell him you have been looking around, tell him anything but make no offer until he makes one first. Then go in lower. Indecision is often the best tactic in a situation like this.

lyoness

Back in April I offered 10% less asking for a car and was told no. Walked away a week later he rang me back looking to do deal but couldn't give me the 10%. Agreed verbally on 6% off then I was told I would have to take our extra dent insurance or extended warranty to get that price. This is a large main dealer! I told him to forget it. Car was still on done deal last week down by 2k, €500 less than what we agreed on. It sold since. So glad I walked away I got the car I wanted at a good price elsewhere. So play the long game if you can.

colm_mcm

It all depends on whether it's good value relative to similar cars.

horse7

lyoness wrote: »

Back in April I offered 10% less asking for a car and was told no. Walked away a week later he rang me back looking to do deal but couldn't give me the 10%. Agreed verbally on 6% off then I was told I would have to take our extra dent insurance or extended warranty to get that price. This is a large main dealer! I told him to forget it. Car was still on done deal last week down by 2k, €500 less than what we agreed on. It sold since. So glad I walked away I got the car I wanted at a good price elsewhere. So play the long game if you can.

What's extra dent insurance?

Toyotafanboi

Something along the lines of SMART insurance, useful in a useless kind of way but most likely a commission item for a salesman.
https://www.windsor.ie/special_offer_details.aspx?so=173

lyoness

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Something along the lines of SMART insurance, useful in a useless kind of way but most likely a commission item for a salesman.
https://www.windsor.ie/special_offer_details.aspx?so=173

Exactly. Load of sH1te!

Cee-Jay-Cee

If it were me I'd ring him back and tell him straight that you were interested in the car but had disregarded it as you simply couldn't meet his price point and that your maximum budget is €X (but less than what you are prepared to pay) and then tell him take it or leave it but that you have sourced another similar car that is within your budget and you are going to see it this weekend and if he wants a sale to get back to you before then. Make them do the work.