Requesting a car quote can put you in the driver's seat when you are negotiating a car sale. By using a variety of new and used car pricing resources available on the Internet, you can feel confident when contacting a dealership to start negotiations. Requesting a new or used car quote via the Internet also lets you negotiate on your own terms and schedule, saving time and preventing hassles at the dealership. Getting quotes is easy and can even be done outside normal business hours.
Research invoice pricing on your vehicles of choice. You can use a resource like the Cars Direct website to get invoice pricing. The invoice price is roughly equivalent to a dealership's cost for a new vehicle. Remember that the invoice price does not include hold back, which is an amount ranging from 2 to 3 percent of the base MSRP that is paid to a dealership to help offset normal costs of doing business. Hold back ultimately lowers the cost below invoice. If you are shopping for a used car, research fair market pricing information by using a service like the Kelley Blue Book website. Researching the dealership's approximate cost will help you make an educated offer.
Determine your offer. The offer should be made relative to the invoice price on a new car or the trade-in value on a used car. While everyone is looking for the best deal possible, make sure your offer is fair. Set a target price you are willing to pay for a car; say, for example, you are willing to go $100 over the invoice price. Keep this amount in mind as you request price quotes.
Choose dealerships to contact. Create a list of dealerships in your area that sell the type of vehicles you are looking for. Most dealership websites include a Quick Quote form that allows you to specify the vehicle you seek. Be specific about the vehicle you are looking for, so that the price quote is accurate. If you know the options and the suggested retail price of your preferred vehicle, put this information in the form.
Review quotes. As price quotes arrive, see if any are at or below your target price. If so, you may proceed with the transaction at the dealership with the lowest price. If no quote is low enough, you may negotiate. Thanks to amounts like dealer hold back, you may be able to get a selling price lower than invoice.
Negotiate with dealerships. By this point, dealerships have probably called and sent you numerous emails, so you should have their contact information. If necessary, you can negotiate with a dealership via phone or email until you get a price that meets your target.
