Some of you have bought a new car online. I was looking for some tips. I want to haggle as little as possible and get everything done quickly.

What I plan to do is e-mail several dealers, within the range of how far I'm willing to drive it back. May end up flying out to buy it if the deal is worth it.

From what I've heard and read, it's best to list all the options and packages you're looking for in a car. For better pricing, I plan to buy it before the end of the year, preferably at end of a month.

While my credit is solid and I plan to put down a decent down payment, I have another car financed in my name. Will this hurt me in any way? Or will it depend on my income?

For the curious... I've narrowed it down to a single car. I need something practical, fuel efficient, yet fun to drive. 2014 Mazda6 checks most of my boxes, and I love the way it looks. The other requirement is that it will be a manual... no other transmission choice exists for me.

Thanks

 

Same as buying any other car off a lot. Current auto loan payment history is important. Unless you bought you kid an Audi S5 recently, you should be fine. Why worry?

 

Be careful when buying from out of town dealers. I had a dealer in Berkeley do a complete 180 on the deal that we negotiated online. I had another in Dublin sell the car while I made the three hour drive there when I called and said I was on the way.

Basically tell them what you want. Use your distance travelled as a negociation factor. You can always go somewhere else.

When I bought my Speed3, I told them, this is what I want, this is what I want to pay, and this is what I want on my trade. Paperwork took literally 30minutes. The detail is what took forever.


New is pretty easy to get a deal on. Find a "volume" dealer, and tell them you want it at cost.

 

I'd go through Eddie (Shoofin)

 

The loan amount will depend on your income vs your loans (credit, house, etc.) The credit will depend on your score, which sounds like you should be looking at 3-4% depending on any specials.

Good luck.

 

If you're within a practical range of Shoof, I would definitely go through him. I traded my Audi to him. Great guy.

 

Seems like he ships everywhere. May be tricky with a trade-in... but if it's a straight purchase... seems like you can be anywhere in the US and buy from him...

 

Don't email dealers that are significantly far away from where you are.
You don't want to get into a run-around situation.

Email somewhat "local" dealers, and pit them against each other to get the best deal.

It really is that simple.

 

I agree with Moog. If a local dealer can't get exactly what you want, they can always do a dealer trade. When I bought used, I had to go out of town to get exactly what I wanted. When I bought new, I just had to go pick one off the lot.

 

Where are you located, Costco?

In all honesty, The MZ6's are HOT right now. You would have to shop the crap out of it before you get someone willing to whore away the car, which is not as likely right now.

 

Whatever you do get it in writing.

 

If I didn't have to deal with a trade any time I wanted a new car. I would just give Eddie my business despite him being across the country.

Reason being, Eddie can ascertain any make or model, you're not restricted by a dealer. Another thing is he handles the negotiation process and financing. Takes the headache of going back and forth.

 

Hence why you negotiate by email, then print the email and show up to the dealer with your coin.

 

Jesus you are right.

In manual, they are even more rare. Some guy who picked one up a few months ago said it spent 2 hours on the lot before he went and bought it.

It is everything I'm looking for in a daily right now. Too bad Mazda is as small as it is... can't keep up with the demand.

 

Have you tried a buying service through a credit union? I don't know if every car is eligible but if you go through Pentagon Federal's buying service they'll basically give you a 1% loan.