Car buying advice
 

It's been a while since I have bought a car, But I'm about to buy a slightly used Denali or Tahoe. I'm trying to decide how much i can get off the sticker price. For example, if they are asking $42,000 how much can I reasonably expect to pay? I'm hoping to find a 2007 or newer with most options and low miles (under 35,000) for $30-$35,000 before tax and licensing.

Any dealers or recent buyers out there that can help me out?

Thanks!

Define "Slightly used." 200 miles on the vehicle, a year old, two years old???

I bought the wife a 06 Escalade last year,they were asking $45,000.I got them down to $43,500,but it wasnt easy.I think they almost told me to go to hell but we got it for $1,500 less than they wanted so I felt ok about it.

under 35,000 is fine.

What shoul I be able to get out the door with on this one?

http://tinyurl.com/lv7eke

Its gonna depend on the salesman,as much as what they are asking for it.Ive had guys tell me they are firm(not backing off) on the sticker and then Ive had guys come way down as well.

Find out what trade in value is and work from there. I did that when I bought my caddy about 5-6 years ago. They wanted $14k, trade in was $11,400. I told him if he could do trade in value price I would buy it right then and there. He said he couldn't do that and showed me a sheet that allegedly had the price they gave the original owner on it which was $11,400 and then countered with $12500 which I accepted as it was 10% off what they were asking for it.

Also alot of times they will say some shit about the Kelly Blue Book price of the trade in,but when it comes to the vehicle you are tryoing to buy they use the NADA book.

A good way to do it would be to find out what options it has go to N.A.D.A's website and print off the trade in values.

http://www.nadaguides.com/home.aspx?...=28&p=0&f=5000

This, NADA is what they use.

The used car calculator on edmunds.com is pretty accurate. It gives the private party, trade-in and dealer price on used cars, depending on options, color, location, miles, etc. If you are buying from a dealer, plan on roughly wholesale + $1000. If you find a vehicle you like, offer that. If they turn you down, walk out. If they don't chase you to your car, it may have been too low. More than likely they will come back with something higher, but stick to your guns until they are willing to let you walk. Their price at that point is probably as low as they'll go.

If you have a trade-in, it becomes much, much more complicated.

I hear what you are saying.I had a dealer try to give me the KBB price of my truck I tried to trade 2 years ago but then when I was talking to him about the truck I got he used the NADA.

Yea, they will only use KBB when it's to their advantage. Most dealers won't use it for trade in bc the values are higher than NADA most of the time.

Both of those are considered "gas hogs" and it's a buyers market. They can't give them away right now. You should be able to get a fantastic deal.

In reality, what they go by is auction price. That is their bottom line. Add in any reconditioning costs, detailing, and profit and you have the take it or leave it price, unless they have a dog they are trying to get rid of and are willing to take a loss.

Better hurry, I heard the used car market has been "annihilated".