I'm researching the purchase of my first car and the 2009 Civic is my top candidate. I know all the specs I want, but what is a good method on calculating a competitive price? Any tried-and-true methods to negotiating with the dealers? Thanks!!

Doug

 

Watch the newspaper, for specific sale prices on the Civic. Two weeks after I bought mine, the dealership ran an add that would have saved me $1400.00. They probably would have offered me less for my trade, to make up the sale discount.

Dealers use the Black Book (auction) value, to set your trade-in value.

go to www.cudirect.com then look in the right column, as you scroll down. Click on Black Book.

Enter the vin or model and year/miles. Once you establish what you think is exactly fair, subtract $2000.00 and that is where the dealer will make his offer for your car. He will allow you to increase the trade in value of your car by $1000.00, if you argue over the lowball price. Then the Dealer will mark it up $4000.00 and allow a used car buyer to get the marked up amount lowered by $1500.00, if they argue about the price. The Dealer will make between $3500.00 and $6000.00 profit, because you did business with him.

You will get less (for your trade-in) if you are not paying full retail sticker price.

Consider a 1 or 2 year old Civic from a Private Seller. Use the Balck Book site to determine the cost of the used car and notice the Loan Value that is also listed (if you need to get a loan.

Good luck.