Car Talk

If I was going to buy a car, this is the kind of car I would want, except I would want a real one, not a model. Ah well, just as well, probably couldn't afford the model, much less a real one. Found on Strange World Studio, via Concept Vehicles.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my siblings are talking about buying new cars, so I chime in with my priceless pearls of wisdom:

    We bought both of our current cars new. These are the only cars we have bought new. I bought my 99 truck in the summer of 99 when they were closing out the 99's to make room for the new models in the fall. There was an ad in the paper that sounded good. Turns out the only trucks the sale price applied to were the sport models with stick shifts and crank windows. The dealer screwed around for an hour until I got tired of waiting and then they retired for ten minutes and came back with a price about 10% off of list.
    I think we bought the 2006 Mitsubishi in January of 2007. The manufacturer was offering a $5,000 discount (I think), which brought it down to the low 20's, about the same as the truck.
Know what you want and what you want to pay. Find the car and make an offer. Give them no more than five minutes to decide whether they want to sell it for that amount of not. If not, walk away. You don't have to be rude, just smile, say thank you and good bye. If you are feeling obligated, tell them you have an appointment with your shrink.
    The whole ploy of dealers is to wear you down, drag it out, make you suffer. Remember, the salesman's commission is measured in hundred's of dollars, not thousands. If he can squeeze an extra couple hundred bucks out of you by making you sit there all day long, he will, and he won't even be the least bit sorry about it.
    Don't worry about a good price. Whatever deal you get, somebody else will have gotten a better deal and will make a point of telling you all about it. Figure out what you are willing to pay and what you want. If the price you are willing to pay is retail, well, make some salesman a happy guy and pay retail.

Update: Michigan Mike chimes in with his two cents.

I don't think there is appreciable ground to be gained negotiating on terms. I think a better bet is to walk in on the last day of the month at the last hour (monthly numbers), in the dark, in the rain, when even a car salesman has some creeping doubts that he needs new tires for HIS car. Get them when they are weak. Negotiating for terms takes extra time,and the salesman will have to bring donuts for the finance guy next week, because the finance guy is salary and he ain't gonna stay late to do the paperwork for a salesman who will probably snort up the commission anyhow. He's got a decent book to read and some crispy snacks waiting for him at his condo.