How to Negotiate a Used Car Price

If you’re looking for a high-quality ride in Meridian without breaking the bank, you’ve come to the right place! At Peterson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of used and certified pre-owned vehicles from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, RAM, and more. If you’ve never bought a used car before, you might be a bit intimidated by the buying process, but the truth is there’s nothing to be anxious about. We’ll always offer a fair price for our pre-owned vehicles, but we’re also open to negotiation if you want to try and bring the initial price down a bit. Our team has put together a quick guide detailing how to negotiate a used car price, so you can be as informed as possible as you search for your next ride.

Research Car Values 

The first step to negotiating the price of a used car is to conduct some third-party research. There are plenty of reliable sources on the Internet—such as Cars.com, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book—that will estimate the current value of a used car, as well as what other shoppers in the Boise area have paid for similar models. As you conduct your research, be sure to plug in relevant information about the vehicle like mileage, condition, features, age, and trim level to get the most accurate estimate. 

You’ll also want to know the full price of the car right off the bat, rather than just the monthly payments. It’s important to get a sense of the car’s full price so you can start to build a realistic monthly budget. If you’re not happy with the full price that the dealership has quoted you, then you can use what you’ve learned in your research to try and bring the price down to a number that fits better into your budget. 

Ask for a Lower Price (If You Choose) 

If you’re unhappy with the initial asking price of a vehicle, the next step is to ask for something lower. This can sound a bit nerve-wracking, but if you stick to the facts and numbers that you’ve researched, it’s easy! Once the sales associate has quoted you the price of the car, just say that you’ve conducted some outside research into the vehicle’s market value, and you’d be interested in buying the car straight away if the dealership can match that value. If you can have the research printed out on hand that would be best, since it shows you’ve done your homework and you have the hard evidence with you.

Explore Our Specials 

If you can’t get a lower initial price on the vehicle you want, you may be able to get a lower price through our used vehicle specials. We update these specials all the time, so even if you don’t see the deal you want at first, you might be able to find one further down the road. Check out our current specials and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

More Tips on How to Negotiate a Used Car Price

As we discussed above, the best way to walk into a used car negotiation is to be armed with as many facts, figures, and research as possible. Whether you’re a people person or an introvert, you’ll be able to skillfully negotiate if you have evidence on hand to show the dealership. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Keep the conversation light but be direct.
• If a salesperson ever tries to strong-arm or bully you into a deal you’re not comfortable with, the best thing to do is simply walk away.
• Wait to start negotiating until you’re as informed as possible—don’t go in if you don’t feel ready!
• Take your time when talking numbers—again, don’t rush into any concrete decisions until you’ve had some time to think everything over.
• Don’t be afraid to walk away if you feel you aren’t making any progress with the dealership.

Find Your Next Used Ride at Peterson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 

At Peterson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our team is committed to making the process of finding and buying a used car as seamless and stress-free as possible. If you have any questions about the buying process, don’t hesitate to contact our office! You can also stop by our dealership near Caldwell to talk to a member of our team in person, and we’ll be happy to help you out.