This is similar to other threads y'all have posted. I'm Patriot shopping in the Austin area, and wanted to know if anyone has any tips for a new car buyer. It's been a lot of years since I did that, so it's not like I've mastered a skill through practice.

How much can a buyer realistically expect to get off sticker price? Say, for a car in the $21,000 range? (A 4wd Sport with FDII.) I'll have a trade-in.

I've read your dealer suggestions, and thanks for posting them.

BTW, FDII models appear to be rare as hens' teeth here,* so it's not like I'll be helping them by moving overstock off the lot!

*Like, none.

Yes.

If you get an "internet price" or an "e-price" from a dealer on their website, be especially vigilant when you do your face-to-face work. Those "e-prices" include incentives for which you may not be eligible, such as a military service "discount". It's in the very, very small print at the bottom of the web page, and therefore not technically misrepresentation. But the idea is for the dealer to be "creative" (this is the word that was actually used with me when I called them on trying to add these "incentives" back into my actual price; I call that deception) to get people in the door. DO NOT ACCEPT OR SUCCUMB TO THAT TACTIC. Walk out. Insist that you were engaged in discussion under false pretense, and leave. If you are within about $2000.00 of your target "out the door" price, you will likely get a call back once you get home, or even before. Make them "eat" those "incentives". They can do it.

The consummation of the deal didn't win me any personality points, but I wasn't there to make friends; I got the Jeep I wanted at the price I wanted. I'll take it to a more convenient dealer or a private tech for service anyway, but if a car dealer likes it rough, fine... I'll do them rough. Don't get jammed at the prom and left without a ride home, if you get me. You do the jamming. It's your market right now.

TC

The world of internet car shopping is wholly new to me. I would have missed that one for sure.

My suggestions are:

Get the price of each part of the purchase separate. (1)Trade in value (2)New vehicle price (3)Extended warranty, accessories, etc price.

Dealers will try to lump together all the numbers to make you think you're getting a great deal....

Bring your trade in to the dealer with the best price on the new vehicle, but do not tell them what you are there to buy. Just tell them you want to know how much they will give you for your trade in...GET IT IN WRITING!


Do not tell them you have a trade in! Use kbb.com and be realistic about what your current vehicle is to see what you can expect from a dealer. Be honest with yourself and kbb.com about the condition of your current vehicle so you get an accurate price. Use this price as a gauge. If they offer you 15% less than you got from KBB walk away.

Dealers will manipulate the numbers to make you think you are getting a great deal of money for your trade in and jack up the price on the Jeep to make up the difference. So again, keep the trade in separate. Do not even tell them what you want to buy until you get a written price for your trade in!

If you are looking for a very specific model such as FDII in silver with this, that, or those options...order it. Go to Jeep.com, build it exactly how you want it and print out the sheet. Also, copy all the options and paste them in an email and send it to several dealers. Ask them to give you the best out the door price they can offer.

If you cannot wait the 6-8 weeks for delivery a specially ordered vehicle, the internet is going to make it easier on you compared to driving around all day. Do a search for what you're want, email the dealers individually and ask them for the best possible "out the door price." If/when you get a response ask them to break down or itemize the price for you.

The other thing about ordering a new car is paying "destination/delivery charge" Why would YOU pay for a vehicle you did not specifically order? If you buy off their lot, you will still be subject to paying the destination charge even though they ordered it. Seems silly to me. I would ask them to split the cost if you buy off of the lot.

Getting this done through email is getting it writing. When I got my Patriot I emailed 8 or 9 dealers. 2 responded with a price, everyone else told me to "come in and test drive and we can work out a price in person".... or they would tell me "they cannot give me an accurate price without knowing if I have a trade in or how much I plan to put down"...BULL****! Those things only affect my immediate out of pocket cost...not how much they will sell the car for! So don't fall for that.

At any rate it is in your best interest to get everything via email and order what you really want if you can hold off. Keep each transaction separate. If you do this you will always keep the ball in their court and they will always be forced to work for your business.

Good luck!

If they ask you what you want your payment to be go ahead and tell them but make sure you tell them how many months you want to pay. If you don't, they can give you the payment you want but you might be paying for 72 months or longer.

OR, the best way to get an accurate price is ask them what the "Cash Price" or "Out the Door Price" is... this way they can't manipulate you by increasing the number of months you will pay thus decreasing your monthly payment.

Wow, you guys must be pros. Good suggestions all. At least I'm in no hurry, as the old jeep isn't a smoldering heap of metal by the road just yet.

BTW, would any of you be interested in buying a smoldering heap of metal when the time comes? Take time to think it over....

google this or here's a link: http://beatthecarsalesman.com/school/step5-10.html

Good Luck and hope you get a great deal!

whats the model and some info on your possible trade in, i might be interested, and have some cash.

Thanks for the link. Maybe I should just go in and toss a copy on the salesperson's desk and say "let's just consider we've done all this and cut to the chase." Actually, I'd better memorize it word for word.

whats the model and some info on your possible trade in, I might be interested, and have some cash.

Well, if you can wait a while (I'm quick like continental drift), here's the scoop in the meantime:

2002 SE Wrangler, white with tan hardtop. 168,000 miles. LOTS of highway.

4cyl 2.5L with 5-speed manual transmission. Synthetic oil used since 18,000 miles.

Most stuff is stock, so it hasn't had undue strain on the drivetrain, and no towing. It has done offroad and winched out some cedars.

Upgrades: MetlCloak front bumper / Warn winch / AirAid filter / bored-out throttle body+spacer / Genright hood vents / diff strike plates / modified Garvin roof rack (removable).

Misc: A/C; factory FM & cassette; cruise control; separate Tomken gas tank skid plate.

That's it -- jeep in a nutshell.

You are correct on the rarity of FDII on dealer lots. I had to order mine in 08 to get the FDII. And I'm looking to trade for an 11 model, and they have plenty of FDI's on the lots, but no FDII's. It's a little tougher to deal when you have to order one.

Not many factory rebates or incentives right now, but it is early in the model year.

Not a lot of miles on your Wrangler, I also have a 2003 Tracker, with almost 190,000 miles, mostly highway too. And an 03 Ram with almost 170,000 miles. Patriot is about 63,000 miles.

Yeah Im in the process of acquiring a new patriot and its almost impossible to find a 4x4 in the houston area. I found one on the other side of town listed @22k so i emailed them and they gave me an eprice of 19. So I was under the impression that if I went there with my trade in I could get them to let it go for that price or really really close to it. My trade in is a POS 2000 dakota quad cab with 100k miles, I expect to get 2000 for it. I really just need the monthly price at 300 because thats what i get a month from work.

You are correct on the rarity of FDII on dealer lots. I had to order mine in 08 to get the FDII. And I'm looking to trade for an 11 model, and they have plenty of FDI's on the lots, but no FDII's. It's a little tougher to deal when you have to order one.

Not many factory rebates or incentives right now, but it is early in the model year.

Not a lot of miles on your Wrangler, I also have a 2003 Tracker, with almost 190,000 miles, mostly highway too. And an 03 Ram with almost 170,000 miles. Patriot is about 63,000 miles.

When is auto show season? There are usually some incentives at that time.

That's right. To get a 4x4 with manual transmission, I had to fly to Denver in 2008. It was well worth it. Just about all the Patriots there are 4x4. Southwest had a $69 special from Austin to Denver, and my wife and I had a lot of fun vacationing as we drove home.

thats awesome

One thing i learned approx 2 new car purchases ago is...make yourself aware what the manufacturer purchasing incentives presently are, then insist that the dealer needs to sweeten the pot as well.
Don't think that the manufacturers incentives are as far as it goes.
Also, dont fall for the good-cop, bad-cop routine your salesrep will play with the sales manager during negotions.