Quote from max401:
Try that on a new Bimmer or Benz. What do you mean by "Bluebook?" That usually relates to used cars.
There is a "blue book" for new cars. But you are right. It is pretty meaningless. It gives "invoice" prices, which don't really mean much. It takes a lot more homework to find out about current factory to dealer incentives and stuff like that.
But Longshot is right in theory. If you know the cost of the car to the dealership, you are in a strong position (only if they are not moving inventory quickly). It costs a dealership money to keep a new car on the lot (they have to pay interest, and other costs on unsold inventory). So if you offer them $X dollars above their cost, you should be able to pull off a good deal (a purchase is a lot simpler than a lease).
The only thing is, in Longshot's example, $100 will not usually do the trick.
The dealership does have to make a profit. They are not in business to break even or lose money. They need to pay the sales person something (sometimes it can be as little as $50 or $100). They need to pay rent, and other overhead.
So while $100 over "dead cost" is not a sure deal by any means, $500 should do it about every time.
If you have a decent trade in, that is the very best way to work a deal on a new car. Because the trade in is virtually always going to give the dealership a chance for a bigger profit than they can make on almost any new car (certainly Mercedes and BMW's are usually an exception. Supply and demand give the dealerships an edge). But most new cars do not have a lot of profit in them for the dealers. But a used car (that is kept and sold....not wholesaled out), will almost always be more profitable for the dealership than any new car.
Go find Kelly Blue Book on Google. You can see the spread between "invoice" and "list" on new cars. You can also see the spread between "wholesale" and "retail" on used cars. The spreads are HUGE on used cars, and pretty tight on new cars.
Peace,
RS
