Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

The prices being asked for by the retailers are a lot higher than just 30 days ago.

If you notice the advertisements that were out 30-45 days ago, many gave $3000.00-$5000.00 and low 1.9% financing.  These can be found online just search for the PDF version it is easy to print that way.
There was also cash from the dealership to get you in the door.
What has changed?  Why are the dealerships now giving less of a discount than in November and December 2009?
There is still the $200.00 to $1000.00 hold back. (depending on the cars Price)

The simple reason is ..... greed.

And the simple solution is.. tell the dealership,
You don't have to have the vehicle right now.

Tell them the offer is "not good enough and walk away.

They will sharpen their pencil and get back to you if they want the business and now is no time to walk business

  If you look at past advertising, you will see when added up, that most dealerships were giving about a 21% discount from MSRP and 1.9% financing on 48-60 months.
REMEBER MSRP is just that..... A manufactur's SUGGESTED Retail Price
 Look at the  CAR.... Really "LOOK" at the car.

 Look at what you are purchasing. The cars today, weigh nothing close to what were built just 2 years ago. ( manufacturer's have added plastic to save money)
Look at how thin the Hyundai Elantra bodies are in comparison with the Toyota, Ford or V.W. Sure there should be a difference in price.

Be sure and get the internet price before you visit the dealership.
We shopped a Hyundai dealership in Peoria AZ. and were told that the internet price listed was to get people to come into the dealership.
"WE NEVER SELL CARS AT THOSE PRICES"  .... Ya Right!  Show me the 20 Elantra's you have listed on your Internet Web site at $14995.00.
Because if you don't... It's Bait and switch.

And yes, we attempted to purchase, and no they refused to write the deal AS AGREED.
YES, we did walk out. yes we did file with the BBB and the attorney generals office.

So know your product, know your pricing and get pre approved prior to going into the dealership.
Also make print copies of the web site, and ask to see the internet priced cars.
If they advertise it, they can show it.
If you have a chat with an internet salesperon, be sure and copy what is said, or take a screen shot.
With this Hyundai dealer, we did. The offer was for a tint and desert paint package which was part of the OTD (out the Door)price. I had it in writing in the online conversation and presented this to my salesperson on the retail side who agreed to meet the price OTD.  
Then at the last minute said, "We can't give you that price with Tint and desert package.

 Just be aware that they are out to get every dime they can from you at the dealership.
We are now in negotiations with 2 Ford dealerships on Ford Focus SE.
The MSRP is $18600.00 on both cars. One has stated that they will meet me at $15089.00 Invoice, the other is at $13580.00 over in Phoenix.  
Ford Motor Credit is offering 5.9 on 60 months  and 7.9 on 72 months.... way to much interest when the overnight rate is 0.0%

So we may go to B of A 3.9  or a Credit Union 4.5%

Come on... Manufacturer's  lets get real.

Automobile Prices need to come back down to REALITY. Until then.....
We ain't buying.  
Won't get fooled again in 2010!

This a informative post.I work for a car dealer as a sales manager. My post is not to dispute the info but to hopefully add to it.I can tell you at this time if someone is shopping for a new car and the dealership lets you walk out the door,your offer was not reasonable. As for the discounts-in most cases the dealer does not control this,the manufacturer does,and these change monthly. All of the car manufacturers have scaled back production and offer less rebate/discounts etc. As for the bait-switch dealer,they give the industry a bad name. I have been in the auto industry 21 years and have never worked for a dishonest dealer and refuse to work at one.Good luck to anyone car shopping!  

Just a short reply, The Ford dealership let me walk and had given me a price of 15058.00 for a 2010 Ford Focus SE. They claimed this to be the INVOICE pricing.This was as low as they ever went.
That same ARIZONA Ford dealer called on the same Vehicle and said that I could buy the car for 14388.00. The car is now listed at their internet site at that price.

I don't buy the answer that my price was too low or that the manufacturer can tell a dealership what to sell a model for..That my friend is illegal, It is called price fixing.

I guess the dealerships sole purpose is to try to confuse and frustrate the buyer.

We were at an AVONDALE Nissan Dealership today, to purchase a 2010 Sentra 2.0S.
We went into see if the COSTCO Member price would work, as we are members.
Test drove the SENTRA and a VERSA. And were offered a purchase price of 7% off sticker.

"oh there's not much mark up in a Nissan Sentra...." We were told. And of course the 0% offered by NISSAN Motor credit for 60 Months.

Their ad was playing on the overhead sound system. We will beat any advertised price.

We already saw that their competitor in PHOENIX was offering $3177.00 off MSRP on EVERY SENTRA.  (Sunday edition, AZ Republic.)

All dealers pay the same price for their stock...... Moral of story... Take the advertisements, keep your ears open, and BUYER BEWARE... Get the price first, before you tell them you want to finance.  Check the finance and make sure that they offer the finance with no restrictions on price....GET your best Price first IN Writing!
 
Won't get fooled again in 2010!

 It is still amazing how the retail salesman attempts to hide the internet prices from customers.
These people do everything in there power to persuade you to buy at a higher retail price than what is offered.
I went to the Scottsdale side of the valley and they are just as snakey as the salespeople on the West side. Deliberate and attempting to mis inform and drive a higher price than what their internet site offers.....

The best thing you can do, when you start negotiating is have screen shots of what the dealership is offering, lay them down on the desk and say, "I want to test drive this car at this price."
Then watch these idgits scramble to get more money out of you.....
It's simply amazing.    
Won't get fooled again in 2010!