Suggestions and opinions needed for buying used Focus.

[Tjen]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting a used Focus LX LS/LT and I will visit few dealerships soon. I have no experience or whatsoever in getting a used car from dealerships. I really need your suggestions and opinions on how to bargain from dealerships.

1. How much can I bargain for Focus LS/LT ? If a dealer puts a price of, let's say $16,990, can I still bargain for $2,000 less (driveaway) ? Do you guys think that it is reasonable / it is UNreasonable / we can bargain for more than $2,000 ?

I'm asking this because my friend once wanted to sell his old Holden Astra to a dealer, but it was only valued at $4,000 and the dealer told him that they were going to resell it again at $14,000 price tag. So I just want to bargain as much as I can within reasonable range.

2. How can you tell that the dealers have already reached their lowest price for a certain car ?

3. What extras or options or other stuffs we can get from the dealers ?

Please help me with any useful information on how to beat a dealer. Thanks in advance !

PS: I looked at Pickles Auction, and they have lots of cars with good prices. Have any of you had experience with Pickles Auction ?

[bingoTE50]

Hello Tjen,
if do not ask you will not receive a discount. If you see something that is 16990.00 and you really like it , give an offer that is a little bit unreasonable,see what happens.
Unfortunately there is no set formula, if they have had the car on the lot for more than thirty days they will need to shift it ,as finance charges kick in.So if it is timed right you can do a good deal.The thing is to remember is, look for the car you want,has good log books,check panel gaps,look along the sides closely for any signs of panel repair( rippled paint or paint not quite matching) ,check the brake pedal for excess wear - if you drive fast you have to break hard),look under the car for damage.
The main thing is set a budget you are happy with and stick to it.

[819_FLY]

I would advise against getting a X-Pack Paint Protection Pack like I did with my car. The extra money certainly isn't worth it plus you can use your favourite product instead. As for other trinkets, if it doesn't cost anything extra why not...

[casabonka]

Yeah, the paint protection packs seem a bit steep for a 2nd hand car. I manged to get 2k off the list price of my car, but it does all come down to salesperson/cost of vehicle/time its been in the lot, but you def gotta haggle on price.
Also, when you take it for a test drive, drive it like you will drive it normally, check the AC, listen out for noises and everything else Bingo said!

Just remember be a hard bastard - its a buyers market at the moment!

[jarradgoodwin91]

when i purchased my car from windsor toyota, they offered me the paint protection. but i refused because of the fact that when my brother got it on his car, he had to go back several times because of the dodgy work they done!

what year focus u after?

[jarradgoodwin91]

p.s
my brother bought his car from a different dealership.

[Fredo]

G'day Tjen,
Mate BingoTE50 is spot on.
1. Find a car you like
- If this deal falls through just look for another. There are plenty.

2. Once you find the car, get rid of all the emotions that draw you to it.
- Geez I really like the sound it makes, geez I really like the feel of it, etc etc.

3. Know your budget and stick to it.
- You have the power to walk away and spend your hard earned elsewhere so if this dealer won't come to the price just say thanks I'll go elsewhere.
- Don't let he Sales person draw you back into the emotions . . . Geez you look good in it, Mate such a nice looking car and you're willing to lose it for a lousy $1,000?

4. Just deal in the facts
- They want too much for it and you want to pay too little.
- At the end of the day you have to be happy with the transaction.

5. Oh yeah and never ever ever feel sorry for the sales person.
- If they don't sell it to you, they'll soon forget about you and sell it to someone else.
- They'll get paid anyway as a lot, if not most, of the car sales people these days are on a Salary + Commission.

Good luck and remember - No emotions when you negotiate price. :

Fredo

[casabonka]

Good way to stop emotions - take your g/f along :P

[jarradgoodwin91]

some points there by Fredo

[Tjen]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Gonna go to a few dealers this friday and I will try my best to cover up my emotions !

Hopefully I can seal a deal on a 2007 Focus LX LT !

[Fredo]

Originally Posted by casabonka

Good way to stop emotions - take your g/f along :P

That is what I do Casa.
But my Wife is a negotiator who is never affraid to walk away.

Just be careful though because if your beloved is the type that says things like . . . "Oh, that one looks way better Hon" . . . a good sales person will quickly sus this and use her to put pressure on you.

Or, if she is the negotiator . . . suck up the Manhood stuff and let her argue the price for you . . . . nah, I can't do that either but it is an option!

Fredo

[casabonka]

Haha, yep - I let my g/f do the negotiating.
Car was listed at 16,990, we said our budget was 15, he came straight down to 15,700, I was ready to say yes but she screwed him down to an even 15 with a tank of fuel!

[Fredo]

Originally Posted by casabonka

Haha, yep - I let my g/f do the negotiating.
Car was listed at 16,990, we said our budget was 15, he came straight down to 15,700, I was ready to say yes but she screwed him down to an even 15 with a tank of fuel!

Girl Power baby!!!!
you know what I'm talkin' 'bout . . .

[casabonka]

Haha