Buying a new car, paranoid about being ripped off

[wingandprayer]

Given that people keep saying the car industry is on it's arse I thought it might be good time to trade in my car. I went to see them and they have offered me phenomenal part ex price for my current car.

I'm interested in two cars. They seem keen to sell me cheaper one interestingly. They are not offering discount on book price, but they are offering this great part ex price, but it's all the same IYSWIM - I'll still be financing the same lower amount. It seems all too easy.

I just cant get it out of my head that I am missing a trick somewhere and should be negotiating further? They are a reputable dealership who have looked after me well for nearly 3 years already, but that doesn't mean I want to pay over the odds.

What else should I be asking to get a better deal? What great techniques have you used to negiotiate a great price on a car?

It isn't what you get for your car or what the other one costs, it is the cost to change that you need to be looking at, ie how much money you will have to stump up. I tried to do a p/ex for my mum on a one year old car but in the end the cost to change was cheaper for a brand new (and higher spec) model. Difference being one garage wanted to do a deal and the other (where she had always had her car serviced) weren't interested.

Try another dealer and see what they offer. As you say it doesn't matter that they are not offering a discount on the book price - it's the final price payable that matters. If they are keen to sell you the cheaper car, then it probably means they stand to make a bigger profit on it, so more room for a deal for you.

Once they have offered you a price it's still worth looking unconvinced and saying you need a bit more to seal the deal. Always be prepared to walk away - it's a good way to see how keen they are to get the sale. You can always go back the next day and say you've decided to go for it.

Thanks for replies.

I'm going to the main dealership for that brand of car round here. The only other dealership nearby is also owned by them! I would ahve thought discount on book price too, but by doing it this way he gets max commission against sales price and keeps me happy thinking my car worth more?

Good point about check px price though. Will check Glass's Guide for value as well as I believe that's independent.

Good point about cost of change too. The finance on current car will be paid off by them so no penalty there, and the servicing money I pay every month will be carried over to new vehicle so no loss there. have checked the insurance for both new cars, minor increase, and the road tax, which would be decrease from current. Anything I've missed??

When I did the deal I had two branches of the same dealership competing against each other! Both wanted the business and offered better and better deals. Different profit centres I assume.

Just checked Glass guide and they offering me £1000 more than excellent trade in value and what I would get for private sale, so I guess that is good!

I am too soft for my own good. I worry that if I went to their other dealership the guy I am dealing with would find out and somehow reek revenge! I think I need to grown a pair and get down to another dealership like you say - it's the only way I will ever know for sure. Just found one within an hour so might try and drop in next week.