About 20 years ago, a buddy decided to buy a new truck. He decided on a Dodge Dakota 4X4 regular cab. Did some research and specced out his truck. He then emailed 5 different dealerships, telling them he was also sending it to the others, and asked for a quote in 24 hours. Lowest quote would get his business. He didn't get a bargain, just a good price, but having 1/2 the usual BS being already done meant time at the dealership was minimal. He seemed happy with the experience.

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The best I can with what I got

Subaru outback ... 5.9

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it just needs more voltage

Again, thank you for supporting my position. You were not willing to wait and compromised, because I imagine it wasn’t the truck you originally wanted.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

My process was similar to @lihpster. I wanted a new Toyota truck and knew no one locally had one that I wanted. (You can usually see inventory online.). I went to Edmunds and KBB to gather as much “dealer invoice” information I could get and then worked up what I was willing to pay over invoice. (3%). I visited local dealer on a Saturday, ate their free popcorn and Cokes for a few hours, talked to three “ Salesmen” before getting to a “manager” who told me my invoice data was wrong, but, he would give me his best price, which was 6% over my target. I told him thanks, but I’ll think about it. They had to unlock the doors to let me out, it was that late.

The next day, I scanned their document and sent it to the next closest 5 dealers with a note saying beat this price by enough to make it worth my while to drive to you.

A guy 2 hours away sent me a note back saying he could beat it, 2.5%, better than my target. He could order it from out of state and have it the next week.

Took him cashiers check and drove out in 30 minutes.

The actual point of the article is that special orders rarely work out and can cost more. It’s a seller’s market, so custom ordering makes little sense for the majority of buyers.

Unless you mean Car X, with Option package Y, and add-on Z, when you “build” on their website. That’s something you can patiently wait for, but may still never find. Is that special accessory really all that important? It’s just a car, after all, not a wife.

^^^^^^^^ yes this. I bought out of town and got much better deal.

No it’s the opposite. The guy who ordered it didn’t want to or couldn’t wait. As I said, it’s exactly how I’d have ordered it. But I didn’t have to. I know a guy who did order a 2022 F350 and they told him 6 months. He got it in 4 months. He’s had it 2 yrs and they are offering him crazy money for it.

EXACTLY! They stay 2 steps ahead!

My two most recent vehicle purchases were painless. Deals made over email. All papers signed online. Good price, and the vehicle delivered to my driveway.

The ones before that were basically all day ordeals. Never again.

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Or something like that . . .

You are right - thanks!

Well Onomea said it best - "let it go"! I'm trying and I will be a busy beaver tomorrow programing all the buttons, options and this and that. Customizing all the settings, doors, locks and radio stations will be "fun".

Everybody has a car purchase/lease horror story or two. Just went through one with the wife's new Ford Bronco. I washed my hands of it, and said "Your car, you handle it!"

Chief, if the wife is happy, that's what matters. Nine years from now, you'll be looking back on how little you paid for a car in 2024! Enjoy the new ride!

You either have a very comfy couch or a large doghouse.

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Release the Kraken

Discovered something odd and annoying when researching vehicles on places like Motortrend or Car and Driver these days. It's easier to hack the nuclear launch codes than find the size of the fuel tank. Why is that? Sure you can eventually find it on a manufacturer's website, usually behind a virtual door marked "Beware of the Leopard." When was gas/diesel capacity declared a national secret.

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Release the Kraken

Checked three yesterday
2016 Dodge Grand Caravan 20 gallon
2011 Buick Regal 18 gallon
2007 Silverado Classic 26 gallon

YMMV

Bekeart

1997 Tahoe: 30 gallons
1998 Corvette: 19 gallons
2015 Mercedes GLK: 17 gallons

Quiz: which has the best range?

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Common sense isn't so common.

With all due respect to those who dread the experience, buying a car doesn’t have to be all that stressful.

Use the common internet tools (Kelley Blue Book, NADA, manufacturers’ websites) to figure out what you want and (this is key) determine what you want to pay for it. Decide whether you want to order a car to your exact specs, or buy one that’s already available. Make a reasonable offer to the dealer, and if he doesn’t go for it, thank him for his time and move on.

If you’re “trading in” a car, be mindful that you’re selling that car to the dealer for its wholesale value, which is lower than “what they’re going for” on internet ads. And remember that the dealer has to make something on the deal, so don’t calculate the dealer cost, add ten bucks to that, and complain when the dealer balks at your offer.

You, not the dealer, are in control of how you spend your money; buying a car doesn’t have to be a bad experience if you don’t want it to be.

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Where Law Ends, Tyranny Begins

Had one. (98 Vette convertible 6 Spd manual!) On a long trip got over 25 MPG at speeds in the 55-65 speed range!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Well being a Luddite and hating to play with electronics I make it known that someone from the dealership will work with me and get most of the setup done as part of the deal. Normally that is the salesperson and until I'm happy I do not sign the final paperwork or give them money.


Guess I'm spoiled as I got a 2005 Vette at the National Corvette Museum and they made it a point to work with you, no matter how long it took to get you comfortable with all the things the car could do or need personalization. (That Museum was the one years later that had the sinkhole open under it)

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

My younger son recently bought a used car from Echo Park. He said it was actually a pleasant experience. I bought my Nissan Titan from a large dealer group (Larry H Miller) 4 years ago and it was also a good experience. I’m posting from the waiting room while getting a routine oil service lol.

My sister however bought a Honda CRV 5 years ago and is now upset the salesperson didn’t push the powered liftgate and a few other convenience features haha! She’s a piece of work!

My 2016 CX5 didn’t have a powered liftgate, it was not an option, but I wanted the car anyway. Bugged me for 5 years.

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Sure you did

Why do I have to Google it? Surely it is something in the spec that any motoring website worth the name should include?

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Release the Kraken

I am allowed to sponsor my family and friends with a fixed price deal on Ford products. I get 8 a year and have never used that allowance. If a member is interested in buying a Ford, private message me and I’ll try to help you out with an invoice price deal. Not all dealers are excited to sell this way, so it’s likely an order.
Tom H.

My last car purchase was not that bad. First day I played with the car, and arranged to met sales rent next morning. I did have a firm (?) offer on Camry trade in. Still not knowing the final sales price would be. Showed up next morning with all the proper paper work to complete the sale, a shoulder bag holding $35,000.00 in "C" notes, and a hidden pistol. Common now who is going to carry that amount of money with out the ability to stop someone from trying to take it from you?
Dumped the money on the sales rat's desk. As I remember I said "do it now, or don't ever do it." But don't touch the money, if you do, you will lose a sale and end up with a broken hand in the process. About two hours later I drove off the lot in my new ride, as well as a small amount of cash back.
Perhaps this is not the best way to start a nice friendship with a dealer, but it got me my car. But when I show up there I get the attention I want.
Have a great weekend all.

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Always Stay Strong!

When I bought Batmobile #2, I went down to the dealer with a bank bag containing the cashier's check, $1400 in $20 bills and several hundred dollars worth of Golden Dollars in wrapped rolls. When the cashier saw all of the rolls of Golden Dollars she about had a cow. I asked her what the problem since the Golden Dollars were all nicely wrapped and could go right to the bank that way. She said she would have to unwrap and count all of the coins, so I could just write a check. I still ended up leaving 80 Golden Dollars to help pay for the car. I wonder if they still remember me at that dealership.

Contrast that with the local dealership that I have bought cars from and spent many dollars for maintenance and repairs with over the last 18 years. The manager made sure to say to me, "You can spend your Golden Dollars here any time you want."

I learned a long time ago that when getting a new vehicle that we intend to own at least 10 years, get the options and creature comforts we really want. The extra coin over that time period doesn't mean all that much.

We bought a 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan last week.

Owners Manual has everything we need, just like Walmart.
Having it and finding it are in two different universes.

Googled for the Owners Manual - GOT IT ONLINE!

Using word search in the online manual was much easier to FIND information.

Still working to figure out some stuff.

YMMV

UPDATE SWMBO pointed out how we can ZOOM the online for easier reading.

They’d much rather you finance the car. Their kickback is a big part of their profit. That’s why they always ask if you already have financing. I always say I’m not sure how I’m paying. Let’s work on price first.

My late father was in the auto business from the time he came back from the Korean War until retirement in 1992.Everyone in the extended family bought from him. For about 10 years after I dealt with salesmen that had worked under him. All gone now. Fortunately he taught me a lot about the business and I am better than most at the dealerships. No bull. Just bought a new Toyota Highlander AWD with the 4 cylinder turbo. (Wanted a V-6 but they stopped putting them in Highlander in 2022.) We keep our vehicles a long time then pass on to family members. First time I ever bought the extended warranty🥴 due to the turbo and AWD. Still thinking about the deal since last Tuesday. Wife says to move on!

Tom, I also wanted my wife to be worry free with the extended warranty. This definitely takes away from whatever deal you struck for your vehicle but they usually pay for themselves down the road. Our Highlanders will still be on the road driven by family members long after the warranties run out. Don't second guess yourself, you did the right thing.

Never bought an extended warranty in more than fifty years of new car buying and never regretted my decision to avoid such a shakedown. I've saved many thousands of dollars. Same for appliances, etc.

The best weapon in a buyer's arsenal is the ability to say no.

The boss knocked $100 off it...

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Plastic has no soul

My primary vehicle is in the shop, so I'm stuck driving my Corvette (I guess that would be considered a 1st world problem). It is nice having a car with the correct number of cylinders.

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Common sense isn't so common.

In late October 2011, I went to the dealer for my 2nd vehicle from them. Ordered an extended-cab truck with full size spare, positraction rear axle, slider rear window, and factory frame-mounted trailer hitch. I will take delivery / buy truck after GM credit card rebates are announced late January. Here is a $200 non-refundable down payment.

When the truck showed up late January, I got extended cab discount, repeat GM buyer discount, $3k GM credit card "buyer's cash" down payment, and 1% over dealer invoice price with 0.9 % interest for 4 years thru GM Credit. Truck was paid off in 2-1/2 years.

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S&WHF 366