This will be my first car purchase....please help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sambol9 · 03-27-2012, 08:59 AM

Hello,
I plan on purchasing a new 2012 2ss/rs ls3 in about 8 months or so. This will be my first big purchase as well as my first car purchase. I am a little nervous about it because I make ok money but not great and I would just barely be able to afford it. Because of this I would like to get the car for the ABSOLUTE LOWEST PRICE POSSIBLE. I have never worked on any type of deal with a dealer before or anything. So my question is.....can someone please help me with some advice as how to deal with dealers so I can get the pricing that "I" want. Thank you so much.

880 · 03-27-2012, 01:08 PM

I bought my first car last year, and I know it's a little nerve-wracking.

1. Probably the best advise is to do your research and be prepared. Know the car, know the incentives, know the invoice, know what others are charging, know your credit score, know what kind of rate you can get, etc.

2. Practice your nerves by visiting various dealers. Just interacting and talking to them.

3. Know the dealer tricks.

4. Go to the "good" dealers listed in the sticky.

5. You are in control. You are the one buying. They should be accomodating you.

sambol9 · 03-27-2012, 08:28 PM

Thank you for the advice. Any little bit helps when it comes to this type of thing

BLU DUCE · 03-27-2012, 09:16 PM

Go too some of the car shows and get a little input from some of the owners,don't be afraid to ask them questions. Figure out what comes standard equip. and what the extras will cost. Standard,Auto Leather Sunroff wheels and so on. Check banks on your own for interest rates or credit unions.How long your going to finance it for,How much your going to put down on it.Are there any incentives. And read your contract vert closely. And no hidden charges. Take wour time and look around at other dealers. And are you trading in a vehicle that is all paid off with clear title or one that you still owe money on. Better your credit rateing lower interest rate to finance. And no I'm not a salesman .But I do know how to buy things

affguy · 03-27-2012, 09:48 PM

I absolutely hate being 4-squared. Start off by ignoring the two bottom squares, down payment and monthly payments. You're there to buy a car for some amount of money...that's generally the top left square and the only one that's important at first. Once you've got an agreeable purchase price, then you worry about how to pay for it (the other three squares). Presumably, if this is your first car purchase, you're not trading something in? If you are, try to address this (usually the top right square) next. Be prepared to be low-balled, and be prepared for the salesman to start playing with numbers back & forth between purchase and trade price. This is worth paying attention to if your trade is worth some money and your state exempts sales tax on the value of the trade, but the primary goal here is generally to get the numbers floating around so much that you get confused. If you walk in knowing a fair delta between what you want to buy and what you want to trade, and you always keep that in easy grasp, you'll be a step ahead. If you start to get confused, don't be afraid to walk away and collect your thoughts, get a cup of coffee or pop, smoke a cigarette, whatever...however you calm down.

Note: In my experience, every salesperson will play the good cop/bad cop routine with his sales manager or GM, and they will all try to get you to drive home with the car that day. Don't buy the routine, and be prepared to go home the way you got there if the deal is substantially different than what you expected when you walked in. Last weekend I left my trade at home, specifically so I'd have an excuse to go home, and when they offered me $6k less than NADA trade-in then tried to move up, I had an easy out. They hinted at coming up $5k, but only if I'd promise to do the deal that day. I declined, went home, and remember they were asking $6k more than I'd walked in wanting to spend, albeit for a Synergy, but a year old one at that. At home, without the pressure of a salesman and a shiny car, it was easy to see this was not the deal I wanted.

timmy35 · 03-27-2012, 09:48 PM

also should compare a 1SS vs 2SS. it is a few 1k$ cheaper, and other then cosmetics there isn't much difference. this is the route I went and I am happy with my 1SS. If the 2SS is what you want, then make sure you have a good idea of what they go for in your area. also take a look on GM website for current incentives. there are usually a few different ones you can take advantage of.

best of luck, make sure to post some pics when you get her

Captain_Leo · 03-27-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambol9

Hello,
I plan on purchasing a new 2012 2ss/rs ls3 in about 8 months or so. This will be my first big purchase as well as my first car purchase. I am a little nervous about it because I make ok money but not great and I would just barely be able to afford it. Because of this I would like to get the car for the ABSOLUTE LOWEST PRICE POSSIBLE. I have never worked on any type of deal with a dealer before or anything. So my question is.....can someone please help me with some advice as how to deal with dealers so I can get the pricing that "I" want. Thank you so much.

Read every single article on edmunds.com
Go to multiple dealership, not only chevy, look at cars, talk to salespeople, and negotiate like you'll buy
And take your time

sambol9 · 03-28-2012, 01:04 AM

Wow this site is awesome. All of you bring great things to the table. i really appreciate it. I like the hud and clustered gauges A LOT. That is why I am going for the 2ss. Plus the leather interior and all the other little bells and whistles. But I would be content with a 1ss if needed

sene · 03-28-2012, 01:27 AM

The fact that you can barely afford it scares me. No matter how much you haggle if one hiccup means you can't make the payments what's the point?

sambol9 · 03-28-2012, 01:56 AM

I currently work 2 jobs. One is full time and the other is part time. Both are very flexible and can accomodate a request for more hours if one job is lost or whatever. I would be ok either way but I see what you are saying

montyhp · 03-28-2012, 08:12 AM

In about 8 months you should start to see some used 2012s show up. You can save the initial $3-4k in depreciation if you can find a Certified Preowned that you like. Plus you get a full warranty. Lots of information about CPO vehicles on this forum. I saved about $3000 on my 2LT/RS and the vehicle looked like new.

typhoidfvr · 03-28-2012, 08:23 AM

Get the "drive -out price" (tax, title&license, fees, etc.). Last thing you want is to settle on a price and then they stick you with some extra BS fees!

typhoidfvr · 03-28-2012, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montyhp

In about 8 months you should start to see some used 2012s show up. You can save the initial $3-4k in depreciation if you can find a Certified Preowned that you like. Plus you get a full warranty. Lots of information about CPO vehicles on this forum. I saved about $3000 on my 2LT/RS and the vehicle looked like new.

Very true! I bought my 2010 in 2011 with 5K miles on it and an extended warranty for 36K drive out. And it already had the billet grill, black outs, and ground effects.

Stex · 03-28-2012, 09:09 AM

Find the car you want or the dealer you have heard good things about.

Know what you will pay for the car going in. Like said above do not play the how much do you want your pmts to be game. Just say lets talk about price of the car.

Here is invoice info in this thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=156750&page=7

Invoice is a some what fair price and dealer makes money at invoice. When they state a price and it is too high, just say it is to high. When asked what you will pay offer a $ # that is below invoice. They will come down but you may need to go up to invoice.

Now when they do not come down to your offer, you need to thank them for their time. give them your # and say please call me when you will sell that car for that much. They will call. Do not worry about the car being sold. They make a bunch of these each month and you can get a good deal on an order.

Here is where the offer and walk appears to have worked. And it has worked for me several times.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211722

Have your financing lined up going in. Credit unions usually have the best rates. Join a good one.

Be nice to the sales folks and try not to waste their time by being prepared up front and know what you will pay etc...end of month is a good time to make offers as they are trying to meet sales #s. Some times you can order and get a better deal as the dealer does not have much financing in it.

Like said above drive a few to get the feel of the cars and general pricing. When they pressure you just say let me think about it over night etc...then when you know what you will pay for what you are ready to make your offer/walk deal. Good luck and do not fall in love with a certain car at too high of a price as you can always walk and order one from a more workable dealer...

03-27-2012, 08:59 AM	#1
sambol9 Drives: 2001 Tahoe (Hopefully camaro soon) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 62 View My Garage	This will be my first car purchase....please help Hello, I plan on purchasing a new 2012 2ss/rs ls3 in about 8 months or so. This will be my first big purchase as well as my first car purchase. I am a little nervous about it because I make ok money but not great and I would just barely be able to afford it. Because of this I would like to get the car for the ABSOLUTE LOWEST PRICE POSSIBLE. I have never worked on any type of deal with a dealer before or anything. So my question is.....can someone please help me with some advice as how to deal with dealers so I can get the pricing that "I" want. Thank you so much.

03-27-2012, 09:48 PM	#6
timmy35 Drives: 2010 1SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Portland Posts: 140 View My Garage	also should compare a 1SS vs 2SS. it is a few 1k$ cheaper, and other then cosmetics there isn't much difference. this is the route I went and I am happy with my 1SS. If the 2SS is what you want, then make sure you have a good idea of what they go for in your area. also take a look on GM website for current incentives. there are usually a few different ones you can take advantage of. best of luck, make sure to post some pics when you get her __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A Car Love Affair - My Story	Dr. Love	Member Car Journals	3	01-03-2012 08:04 AM
Gran Turismo 5 November 24th, 2010	Nezacant	Gaming Lounge	562	04-21-2011 10:23 PM
Getting Antsy	Doc	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	26	08-19-2009 12:49 PM
09 Mustang GT and 09 Challenger R/T test drives	CamaroSpike23	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	19	04-10-2009 05:27 PM

03-27-2012, 01:08 PM	#2
880 Drives: 2011 Z06, 2004 Cobra, 1991 MR2Turbo Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Delaware Posts: 469	I bought my first car last year, and I know it's a little nerve-wracking. 1. Probably the best advise is to do your research and be prepared. Know the car, know the incentives, know the invoice, know what others are charging, know your credit score, know what kind of rate you can get, etc. 2. Practice your nerves by visiting various dealers. Just interacting and talking to them. 3. Know the dealer tricks. 4. Go to the "good" dealers listed in the sticky. 5. You are in control. You are the one buying. They should be accomodating you.

03-27-2012, 08:28 PM	#3
sambol9 Drives: 2001 Tahoe (Hopefully camaro soon) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 62 View My Garage	Thank you for the advice. Any little bit helps when it comes to this type of thing

03-27-2012, 09:16 PM	#4
BLU DUCE Drives: 2011 1SS/RS IBM Camaro Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chittenango, NY, USA Posts: 7,219 View My Garage	Go too some of the car shows and get a little input from some of the owners,don't be afraid to ask them questions. Figure out what comes standard equip. and what the extras will cost. Standard,Auto Leather Sunroff wheels and so on. Check banks on your own for interest rates or credit unions.How long your going to finance it for,How much your going to put down on it.Are there any incentives. And read your contract vert closely. And no hidden charges. Take wour time and look around at other dealers. And are you trading in a vehicle that is all paid off with clear title or one that you still owe money on. Better your credit rateing lower interest rate to finance. And no I'm not a salesman .But I do know how to buy things

03-27-2012, 09:48 PM	#5
affguy Drives: 2012 SS/RS silver ice vert LS3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: eastern Washington Posts: 25 View My Garage	I absolutely hate being 4-squared. Start off by ignoring the two bottom squares, down payment and monthly payments. You're there to buy a car for some amount of money...that's generally the top left square and the only one that's important at first. Once you've got an agreeable purchase price, then you worry about how to pay for it (the other three squares). Presumably, if this is your first car purchase, you're not trading something in? If you are, try to address this (usually the top right square) next. Be prepared to be low-balled, and be prepared for the salesman to start playing with numbers back & forth between purchase and trade price. This is worth paying attention to if your trade is worth some money and your state exempts sales tax on the value of the trade, but the primary goal here is generally to get the numbers floating around so much that you get confused. If you walk in knowing a fair delta between what you want to buy and what you want to trade, and you always keep that in easy grasp, you'll be a step ahead. If you start to get confused, don't be afraid to walk away and collect your thoughts, get a cup of coffee or pop, smoke a cigarette, whatever...however you calm down. Note: In my experience, every salesperson will play the good cop/bad cop routine with his sales manager or GM, and they will all try to get you to drive home with the car that day. Don't buy the routine, and be prepared to go home the way you got there if the deal is substantially different than what you expected when you walked in. Last weekend I left my trade at home, specifically so I'd have an excuse to go home, and when they offered me $6k less than NADA trade-in then tried to move up, I had an easy out. They hinted at coming up $5k, but only if I'd promise to do the deal that day. I declined, went home, and remember they were asking $6k more than I'd walked in wanting to spend, albeit for a Synergy, but a year old one at that. At home, without the pressure of a salesman and a shiny car, it was easy to see this was not the deal I wanted.

03-28-2012, 01:04 AM	#8
sambol9 Drives: 2001 Tahoe (Hopefully camaro soon) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 62 View My Garage	Wow this site is awesome. All of you bring great things to the table. i really appreciate it. I like the hud and clustered gauges A LOT. That is why I am going for the 2ss. Plus the leather interior and all the other little bells and whistles. But I would be content with a 1ss if needed

03-28-2012, 01:27 AM	#9
sene Drives: 2011 Summit White 2LS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 918	The fact that you can barely afford it scares me. No matter how much you haggle if one hiccup means you can't make the payments what's the point?

03-28-2012, 01:56 AM	#10
sambol9 Drives: 2001 Tahoe (Hopefully camaro soon) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 62 View My Garage	I currently work 2 jobs. One is full time and the other is part time. Both are very flexible and can accomodate a request for more hours if one job is lost or whatever. I would be ok either way but I see what you are saying

03-28-2012, 08:12 AM	#11
montyhp Drives: 2011 2LT/RS Red Jewel w/Beige Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: East of San Antonio, TX Posts: 148	In about 8 months you should start to see some used 2012s show up. You can save the initial $3-4k in depreciation if you can find a Certified Preowned that you like. Plus you get a full warranty. Lots of information about CPO vehicles on this forum. I saved about $3000 on my 2LT/RS and the vehicle looked like new.

03-28-2012, 08:23 AM	#12
typhoidfvr Drives: 2010 2SS RS package Black on black Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Deer Park, TX. Posts: 161 View My Garage	Get the "drive -out price" (tax, title&license, fees, etc.). Last thing you want is to settle on a price and then they stick you with some extra BS fees!

03-28-2012, 09:09 AM	#14
Stex Drives: 67 goat, 69 goat ram air III Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South texas Posts: 1,443	Find the car you want or the dealer you have heard good things about. Know what you will pay for the car going in. Like said above do not play the how much do you want your pmts to be game. Just say lets talk about price of the car. Here is invoice info in this thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...=156750&page=7 Invoice is a some what fair price and dealer makes money at invoice. When they state a price and it is too high, just say it is to high. When asked what you will pay offer a $ # that is below invoice. They will come down but you may need to go up to invoice. Now when they do not come down to your offer, you need to thank them for their time. give them your # and say please call me when you will sell that car for that much. They will call. Do not worry about the car being sold. They make a bunch of these each month and you can get a good deal on an order. Here is where the offer and walk appears to have worked. And it has worked for me several times. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211722 Have your financing lined up going in. Credit unions usually have the best rates. Join a good one. Be nice to the sales folks and try not to waste their time by being prepared up front and know what you will pay etc...end of month is a good time to make offers as they are trying to meet sales #s. Some times you can order and get a better deal as the dealer does not have much financing in it. Like said above drive a few to get the feel of the cars and general pricing. When they pressure you just say let me think about it over night etc...then when you know what you will pay for what you are ready to make your offer/walk deal. Good luck and do not fall in love with a certain car at too high of a price as you can always walk and order one from a more workable dealer...