How to Negotiate a Used Car Price

Shopping for a used car can put a lot of people on edge. Used car shopping has a reputation for being difficult, requiring haggling over price. No one wants that kind of frustration when they’re just trying to get a reliable vehicle near Tifton or Americus. At Five Star Hyundai of Albany, we try to keep the buying process as anxiety-free as possible, with fair pricing on both pre-owned and new cars so that you don’t have to worry about drawn-out haggling. Still, when you know how to negotiate a used car price, you’ll be able to double-check that our prices are fair, and you could save some money, too! Find out more about how to negotiate a used car purchase.

Before You Negotiate a Used Car Sale

When you’re going in to negotiate a used car price, there are some things to always keep in mind that will make the process easier and fairer:

• Facts are your best friend.
• If a salesperson makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, or attempts to pressure you into a deal that doesn’t work with your budget, simply walk away.
• Take your time, especially when talking numbers. Write down the price you’re offering and have your research information on hand.
• Don’t go into a negotiation until you’re sure you’re ready to buy. Wait until you’re equipped with the numbers and facts.
• Don’t hesitate to walk. There are zero obligations at this stage. It’s okay to stop negotiating and leave if you aren’t sure about your purchase for any reason.

How to Negotiate a Used Car Price: Step by Step

Research Car Values

This might seem daunting, but if you can show a salesperson what prices similar cars are bringing in the Camilla area, it can help you get a better price. Use a reputable website, like Cars.com, Edmunds, or Kelley Blue Book. You can search for the make, model, year, and trim of the vehicle you’re interested in buying and find out what price recent buyers have paid for it. Factors like mileage, condition, and features can affect the car’s value. Bring these prices with you to the negotiation.

Know Your Budget

Before you arrive to negotiate, make sure you know your budget and how much is too much for you to pay. Consider the selling price and loan interest, then include the cost of ownership. That includes insurance, maintenance, potential repairs, fuel, and taxes. A budget calculator can help you break down the numbers so you can find out how to get a monthly payment that fits your budget.

Ask for a Lower Price, if You Choose

If our asking price is more than what the same car has recently sold for in the Albany area, you could benefit from knowing how to negotiate a used car sale. When your sales associate tells you the full price of the vehicle, you can tell them that the price is higher than what you’ve seen in your research. Then show them proof of this with printouts of your research and tell them the price you’re willing to pay.

Save on Your Next Pre-Owned Car with Five Star Hyundai of Albany!

We pride ourselves on our fair pricing at Five Star Hyundai of Albany, and we want you to be happy when you leave our dealership, whether it’s in one of our cars or not. You can also shop our used vehicle deals for discounted prices on a rotating selection of our used inventory.