Buying A New Truck

rcbgn00 · March 13, 2008

First and foremost with the axle strike are orders actually going to get filled??

Next, I have seen reference to certificates the dealer has that you can recieve up to 4 of. How do I go about bringing this up? Do I just ask if they have any left?

I have seen some guys get part upfited to their trucks to have them buy from one dealer to the next. Do I try to get dealers to compete for the sale or is it still the same as it was years ago and they let you walk?

Last question is I see guys getting trucks well below invoice price. I know some are getting some huge discounts but some aren't listing any. I know I am getting $750 for being a farm bureau member and then taking advantage of the gm business choice. I am looking for other things to get less than invoice though. Is gm hurting bad enough to let these trucks go for less than invoice?

It has been a few years since I have bought a new car but it seems things have changes with today's economy. Looking for advice to get the best price possible so I can order a better/more equipt truck for the same money.

I know I posted some of these questions in other threads but I figured I would get more response in my own instead of hijacking someone elses. Also, this could be a source for other guys looking for tips as well.

Nods Dad · March 13, 2008

How I do it...

First research the truck you want. In other words know the color, options everything your looking for. Just like building it for your self. I used Edmunds dot com. Then get a fair price of what people are paying where you are. Then send out the e-mails to the dealers...the GM website does it for you as well as Edmunds and other car buying sites. Be serious though. Dont just jerk them around make sure your ready to buy. I did this and basically had 3 of my local dealers compete against each other for the deal and they all were on the same exact truck. Verified through the VIN.. When we came to an agreement I went in did the paperwork and drove off. I was out of there in less then 2 hours and the only reason it took that long was they had to dealer trade and go get it and clean it up. Ive bought 2 vehicles using this method and my Bro in law bought his Armada the same way. Its painless and fun. No stress, no hagling (sp) no "this is my manager bla bla bla" no sales guy walking to the big desk, no 4 square....EZ...go for it!!!

2004GMC1500CC · March 13, 2008

First and foremost with the axle strike are orders actually going to get filled??

Next, I have seen reference to certificates the dealer has that you can recieve up to 4 of. How do I go about bringing this up? Do I just ask if they have any left?

I have seen some guys get part upfited to their trucks to have them buy from one dealer to the next. Do I try to get dealers to compete for the sale or is it still the same as it was years ago and they let you walk?

Last question is I see guys getting trucks well below invoice price. I know some are getting some huge discounts but some aren't listing any. I know I am getting $750 for being a farm bureau member and then taking advantage of the gm business choice. I am looking for other things to get less than invoice though. Is gm hurting bad enough to let these trucks go for less than invoice?

It has been a few years since I have bought a new car but it seems things have changes with today's economy. Looking for advice to get the best price possible so I can order a better/more equipt truck for the same money.

I know I posted some of these questions in other threads but I figured I would get more response in my own instead of hijacking someone elses. Also, this could be a source for other guys looking for tips as well.

Don't worry about the certificates. When I bought my truck they gave me 2 dealer certificates, they had to in order to beat my best price.

What I did was go to two different dealers, drive their trucks, asked for their lowest price, left and called them back. Had them fax me the write up sheet with every charge on it (the same on you sign), and called the 2nd dealer. Told them what my price was and asked if they could beat it. Continued this until the last guy cried uncle. Went and bought no problems.

By actually going there and letting them see I was interested, I think this helped speed up the process, maybe not though.

dannynoonan · March 13, 2008

I went the Edmunds.com route too. Ignore the Fair Market Value that it spits out. You can do better. I e-mailed them from the edmunds site. I did ten dealers and three agressively pursued me. Deal with Internet sales. They cut to the chase much faster. I asked the most up front salesman "how much over invoice is that?" she said "$300, but I'm not going to lose a deal over 300" Now that she is at invoice call the other two and say "can you beat this price." My 2008 Sierra. Sticker 35,755. Invoice (w/ GM rebates) 29,800. My price 28,500 Including doc fee plus tax. Out the door 30,400. Chevy dealership was willing to go lower but I wanted a GMC.

gvbhunt · March 13, 2008

Or if someone in your family works for GM, just walk in and say "I want this truck. What is the GMS price?" No haggling that way either...

jnbkosmo · March 13, 2008

Or if someone in your family works for GM, just walk in and say "I want this truck. What is the GMS price?" No haggling that way either...

GMS is not bottom line,I know from experience.It's close but not quite.

rcbgn00 · March 13, 2008

Thanks for some of the tips guys. If you have any more feel free to let me know.

I am not going to use the edmunds advice though since their price is way off on the truck I want. When I was in the dealer a few weeks ago and built one it came out to sticker of 34,500 with an disclosed invoice of 31,800. When I build that exact truck on edmunds it tells me sticker is close to 38,000 with an invoice of 34,000. So something is messed up with their system and pricing. Unless I am doing something wrong