Like anything else, a car deal can be found if you look for it.
There are many venues for the smart buyer, and sometimes you just get lucky. Yes, it may take a while, but buying a car is like buying a pet... It has to feel right, it has to "fit" you, it has to be a part of your family. And yes I am a disciple of John Muir (The volksie guy , NOT the naturalist).
Check the want adds, look on Craig's list, or just ask around for the cat who wants to get rid of his ride to "move up" with a newer car.
What ever you go with, be it a dealership, or that guy down the street who is selling his ride, get it checked out by someone who knows cars, rooftop to wheels, bumper to bumper, even if you have to spend a few bucks with a local mechanic to check it out. Money well spent! And for gosh sakes stay away from the "salvage titled" cars. Read the fine print! Used Car dealers MUST divulge this if there is a salvage title on the car. This is usually the car you want that is literally "Too good to be true". Nothing but a headache!
When you find a car, and go thru all the steps, but be prepared to DEAL. That's the part that is the most fun. I get quotes from Kelly's blue book, and all sorts of info available on the internet, and I make it a point to have everything on a nice fat clipboard when I look at the car. Makes dealers nervous. Make it a process! Make it your search!
Remember, as a buyer, YOU have the power (and the bread man!)
Good luck!
Depends on the damage that caused the salvage title. My dad purchased three different salvage-titled vehicles from a guy who specializes in them. He buys them and repairs the work. He won't buy anything with frame/sub-frame damage or anything newer than a 2011 (too many computers). All the vehicles served their purposes. All are still running.
A couple stories along the lines you write about.
A friend of mine was deaf but could read lips like a pro. She offered a ridiculously low price. When the salesman went to “consult” the manger. She read their lips. “Don’t take less than $so&so.” She added a hundred or so. Then dickered up to that price. “I’ll write the check right now; I’ve other things I need to do.” The car was hers.
My barber’s daughter worked as a receptionist at a car dealership. Part of her work had to do with the price codes on invoices. So she was looking at cars at another lot. “I want that car.” “Why don’t we save both your time and mine; show me the invoice.” She decoded the price. “If you want to deal I will pay you $so&so.” Three hundred added on. “Oh! and by the way, when you talk to you manager, tell him that if he does not like the deal, his phone will ring within minutes. It’ll be (my former car dealer boss) saying ‘I want that car.’ Then he’ll get the $300 and you won’t.” The car was hers.
Had a dealer that always sold at the invoice price back when the invoice price was believable. Sold boatloads of cars because people understood they were getting a good deal. Then at year’s end, Chevrolet wrote a huge check for the (hidden cost that was the bonus on the sale or whatever) and the salesmen would get huge checks. Merry Christmas!
I have a question: What is the deal with the ads that promise $15,000 of sticker price? I would like to know the inside stuff on that racket.