1st Trimester

NBR: Buying a Car

So FI and I are going to look at a getting a new (used) car tomorrow (we've been looking around for a while and know exactly what we want but haven't physically gone to the dealer yet) and we can't agree on when to go during the day.

He wants to go as soon as they open at 9:00am. I say that makes us look too eager, and I also feel like a salesman would be more willing to negotiate on price & terms toward the end of the day, especially if he hasn't closed a deal all day (or week, or whatever length of time) - just so that he can sell something.

Anyone have any experience with or opinions on this situation? Thanks!

Re: NBR: Buying a Car

  • I really don't think it matters. Salesmen are Salesmen regardless of what time of day. Just do your research to know EXACTLY what the car should be worth so you know you're not getting screwed. Don't be afraid to say "No, we can't do that price" and walk away. They'll call you back if your offer is reasonable...especially now!
  • Everyone is saying that if you have cash/credit, you can get a serious deal on a car right now. I don't think the time matters either. You could always go in the morning and say you will think about it and come back later...?
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  • My DH actually is the finance manager at a dealership & just from hearing him talk about his days it is better to go in, in the morning.  The banks (he has to call for the financing) are in better moods :)
  • I read an article once that salesmen believe it is bad luck to lose the first sale of the day, so they are much more willing to negotiate a good deal if you are their first customer.  not sure how much truth there is to it, but why not give it a try.
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  • I use to work at a dealership in the when I started college and the best time to buy a car is at the end of the month, the reason being is that a salesman is going to do anything to get you to buy a car. They have to sell a certian amount per month or they get fired. Ive seen salesman come on go. Good Luck.
  • I use to work at a dealership in the when I started college and the best time to buy a car is at the end of the month, the reason being is that a salesman is going to do anything to get you to buy a car. They have to sell a certian amount per month or they get fired. Ive seen salesman come and go. Good Luck.
  • So it sounds like maybe we should go in the morning after all... but perhaps let them wait a week or two (until the end of the month) with our offer.

    Car shopping with FI is so frustrating, he doesn't seem to have a lot of patience (he keeps talking about "So if we get the car Saturday then next week we can [whatever]"... umm, I do not plan on signing the first day I go to the dealership, hon), and on top of that he doesn't seem like he knows a ton about negotiating and financing and all (even though he likes to act like he does). I was actually halfway excited about going tomorrow until today (we both have cars that run, I don't really see the dire need to get a new one right now but he's been looking around and talking about it for months and I caved). Now I'm kinda dreading it.

  • My DH wants us to get a new car - and ESPECIALLY now that we are pg.  Mine is a 2002 Hyundai Elantra - so not exactly an old car - but he doesn't feel safe in it.  It is very "small on him".  Back in October we were in a car accident with a 2009 Sonata - and he still says if we had been in my car, they'd still be peeling him out of it.  Just a few years, and one size up, sure can make a HUGE difference in safety.

    However, we are still paying off his SUV - and probably will be for a bout another 1 1/2 years.  I was hoping to only have one car payment at a time...but wonder if we should just bite the bullet and get a new one now a) before baby comes, and b) while there are such good deals.  *hmmmm*
  • imagejkipp82:
    My DH wants us to get a new car - and ESPECIALLY now that we are pg.  Mine is a 2002 Hyundai Elantra - so not exactly an old car - but he doesn't feel safe in it.  It is very "small on him".  Back in October we were in a car accident with a 2009 Sonata - and he still says if we had been in my car, they'd still be peeling him out of it.  Just a few years, and one size up, sure can make a HUGE difference in safety.

    However, we are still paying off his SUV - and probably will be for a bout another 1 1/2 years.  I was hoping to only have one car payment at a time...but wonder if we should just bite the bullet and get a new one now a) before baby comes, and b) while there are such good deals.  *hmmmm*

    That's pretty much where we're at. I have a 2003 Suzuki and he has a 2004 or 2005 Jeep Cherokee. He always says he thinks his Jeep is a "deathtrap" and that we neeeeed a new car because of the baby. But, he still has about 1-2 years left to pay off his Jeep, and I really don't want to have 2 payments, nor am I hot on the idea of rolling that payment into the new loan. My dad sided with FI, though, saying that if we can afford it now, we should do it now. So I gave in and now it's stressing me out.

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