Buying from Dealer Advice needed

[Wacky]

Hi Guys,

My wife pulled the plug on me getting a nice VZ or VE Calais for a while, so we're looking at a VZ Exec most likely under $20k.

What i want to know is, how much can you haggle with Used car dealers these days? is there a general rule of thumb that they might knock $1000 off fairly easily, or are their advertised prices already quite low on used cars?

Will they throw in any useful extras, like with new cars? I think it'd be kind of hard unless they were attached to a new car dealership of the same make (ie, it'd be hard for a Holden Used car dealer to throw in extras for a Toyota Landcruiser that they have 2nd hand).

Also, are the Holden Certified Used Car Warranties worth the paper they are written on? I want one for piece of mind, but just want to know.

Any other advice you have will be good, as I'm sure there is alot that I haven't thought of - I've never bought a vehicle from a dealer, and never bought one for over $8000 (and I've had quite a few cars in my time and I'm 32), so it's a big deal from my point of view.

[CSP]

If you want an exec, go to an ex-govt. auction.

[Wacky]

I considered that, and I know how good some deals through there can be, however the logistics are too hard due to locations of the auctions and when they are held.

[andyman]

if there is a car there you like check it out etc,say something like: if you take 2k(or watever) off and chuck in genuine bonnet protector ill give cash for it today etc etc, if they say no, give them a card with your number and walk away, give them a day or two and they'll most likely say ok,

[Wacky]

So 2k off, on a used car is reasonable for a discount? Certainly if they ask how serious I am at buying it, I'll ask how seriously they want to sell it.

[andyman]

dunno, go by if anything needs to be replaced, ie brake pads, broken interior parts, umm how much rego it has, how the tyres are, if its due for a service, use all the negative things with the car against the dealer to push the price down

[Wacky]

Great advice...I'll write this down and check the list when I'm there !

[CSP]

Just work out how much YOU think the car is worth and what the driveaway change over price should be based on that (assuming you're trading in a car).

Offer that and be prepared to walk away. Make sure they have your number because they will call you back to make the sale.

[Wacky]

No, no trade in on this one, but I will take all the advice on board, plus some I read on CHOICE website and other searches. Fingers Crossed !

[vicarious]

certified warranties are only usefull, if you continue to have that car only serviced from the dealer that you bought it off

[jules]

I considered that, and I know how good some deals through there can be, however the logistics are too hard due to locations of the auctions and when they are held.

with the money you'd save at auction, i'd be making the time.

used car warranties are nice to have, but it's always hard to tell whether the dealer would honour it or squeal his way out of it. if it's the latter, you're screwed just the same as having bought a dud auction car, except you've paid a lot more for it.