I found some online advice (risky, I know, but you're doing the same :) ) around an easy negotiating tactic to get the best price. I'll be going through this process in two weeks for a 2017 Forester and can check back in here if you're still considering options at that point.
First find the make and model you want, any options that are non-negotiable, and if you have a color preference. Then look up invoice for the vehicle and the options, won't take that long but you get a baseline of what your goal will be. Finally, the last legwork is to round up dealers in your area within an X mile radius; the suggestion is 100 miles, which seems reasonable.
The last step: e-mail all the dealers with a stock form: "I will be purchasing a YEAR MAKE MODEL + OPTIONS + COLOR in three days and would like your lowest out-the-door price". If you want to go through the process of finding the head salesman's name at each place include it in the e-mail. Keep it short but include all the details for the car you want. If you plan on financing through the dealer (0% APR deals available now for new models), include that info as salesmen get a bonus for in-house financing and give them your credit score (don't lie, no reason to because it could sabotage the deal). If you're paying cash (or financing through a third party) mention that as well.
Then see what offers roll in. End of the month is great, end of a quarter is better, end of the year is the best. They're hitting targets and sometimes need to get cars off their lot, if you have enough dealerships in your distribution you should get 2-3 serious offers. If the lowest is at/below invoice then jump all over it. If not then respond to the second-lowest bid, see if they'd chop X dollars to get the deal done.
Then make sure you're getting an official offer, that you intend to come in today/tomorrow to sign the paperwork. When you're in there you can negotiate a trade-in (if necessary) and any financing (if necessary) but you'll have a locked-in price, and it should be about as good as you'll get negotiating on your own.
That's what I'm hoping, anyway :) I'm doing this on the 27th, purchasing on the 30th as long as everything goes well.
First find the make and model you want, any options that are non-negotiable, and if you have a color preference. Then look up invoice for the vehicle and the options, won't take that long but you get a baseline of what your goal will be. Finally, the last legwork is to round up dealers in your area within an X mile radius; the suggestion is 100 miles, which seems reasonable.
The last step: e-mail all the dealers with a stock form: "I will be purchasing a YEAR MAKE MODEL + OPTIONS + COLOR in three days and would like your lowest out-the-door price". If you want to go through the process of finding the head salesman's name at each place include it in the e-mail. Keep it short but include all the details for the car you want. If you plan on financing through the dealer (0% APR deals available now for new models), include that info as salesmen get a bonus for in-house financing and give them your credit score (don't lie, no reason to because it could sabotage the deal). If you're paying cash (or financing through a third party) mention that as well.
Then see what offers roll in. End of the month is great, end of a quarter is better, end of the year is the best. They're hitting targets and sometimes need to get cars off their lot, if you have enough dealerships in your distribution you should get 2-3 serious offers. If the lowest is at/below invoice then jump all over it. If not then respond to the second-lowest bid, see if they'd chop X dollars to get the deal done.
Then make sure you're getting an official offer, that you intend to come in today/tomorrow to sign the paperwork. When you're in there you can negotiate a trade-in (if necessary) and any financing (if necessary) but you'll have a locked-in price, and it should be about as good as you'll get negotiating on your own.
That's what I'm hoping, anyway :) I'm doing this on the 27th, purchasing on the 30th as long as everything goes well.