Making an offer online for a car?

[Tuckerman]

Im looking at two foresters 1 is 2007 Subaru Forester Sports 2.5 X for 15k w/ 27000 miles and is at a dealership about 45 miles away. The other is 2009 Subaru Forester X L.L. Bean Ed for 18,997 w/ 45000 miles its at a dealership about 8 miles away. The 09 has a "fleet" designation it looks like it was a leased car to the state of VT. It was then sold at auction with 44000 miles. It appears to me that the dealership got the 09 at auction. Would a 14K offer for the 09 be way out of line?

We would be paying cash

[AlpiNord]

Check out Kelly Blue Book & NadaGuides to get a sense of the market price for the vehicles. Autotrader is also a good place to check comparables in your area. We recently purchased a used vehicle from a local lot which buys from auction at 10% less than Blue Book using NadaGuide value. Get the cars inspected prior to closing the deal.

[Benny Profane]

Yes, check the KBB price and offer about ten percent below that. Cash is king.
Are these Certified Pre Owned?

[Tuckerman]

Are these Certified Pre Owned?

Only the 07

[Benny Profane]

Only the 07

That only gets you maybe a year of warranty. Not great. But, better than nothing.

[haydukelives]

Its only an offer.They just want to get you in the door.You want the lowest price.So go low.NADA is usually lower than KBB.Autotrader Instant offer can be very low and is useful starting point.
Or,ask them how much they need to make on the car.When they give you some low number,work backwards

[Bobcat Sig]

Edmunds.com is another excellent valuation source.

[jeffyg]

If your that close go in a take up a bunch of their time... Then make the offer? More likely they will take longer to consider if if they have some time invested?

[Tuckerman]

They said no with no counter offer. Oh well tomorrow Subaru start a 0% finance deal guess I'll just go that route with a base model.

[MontuckyFried]

They said no with no counter offer. Oh well tomorrow Subaru start a 0% finance deal guess I'll just go that route with a base model.

Maybe check into the whole Costco buying program. I've heard it's a pretty painless way of getting a better deal. If the dealer's not going to work with you, then it might just be a good way to go.

[Aldo]

I would never buy a subaru that started it's life in Vt. salty dog.

[Tuckerman]

I would never buy a subaru that started it's life in Vt. salty dog.

lol I live in NH.

Looks like some good deals here.

They may be a bit damp inside I think.

[Benny Profane]

I would never buy a subaru that started it's life in Vt. salty dog.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe shop down in the NY area over the internet.

[BackCountryNC]

They said no with no counter offer.

Pretty poor on their part. Guess they don't want to sell a car? No matter how "bad" the offer may be, they should always come back and at least try to negotiate with you.

[Cabinfever]

Why buy a vt car? Find one from a salt free state if you want it to last.

[MontuckyFried]

Pretty poor on their part. Guess they don't want to sell a car? No matter how "bad" the offer may be, they should always come back and at least try to negotiate with you.

Sounds like where OP's from is a lot like here, where people act like Subarus are made of solid gold and will make all your dreams come true! It's ridiculous how much they want for used Subarus, and how little they're willing to wheel and deal, or how they have banker's hours.

I know they're killer in snow and all, but to me they still seem like a very expensive piece of plastic, interior-wise. I'm actually going to check out a couple Subarus this weekend, but not expecting to find a deal. Might go with an Audi A3 or a slightly used Cadillac CTS4 wagon instead for a similar amount of money. We shall see what's out there.

If a dealer's not willing to work with you though, just walk away. There are MANY other options. Hell, we're probably going to have end up going several states over to get our next vehicle. Not fun, but if that's how the local dealers want to play, then screw 'em. Just because we're up north doesn't mean we should pay MORE than a premium for a car that is so incredibly common.

[Tuckerman]

Im picking up a '13 base model forester in about an hour form a different dealer 0% financing starts today. Yes the interiors are not going to win any beauty pageants but I need a functional not nice looking whip. I'll just mess it up anyway with ski boots, skies, trash bags etc... I did look at a caddy it was nice and maybe easy to work on. The price was right and look like it had been well cared for opposed to most of the used Subarus I looked at. I think they have different demographics.

[MontuckyFried]

I did look at a caddy it was nice and maybe easy to work on. The price was right and look like it had been well cared for opposed to most of the used Subarus I looked at. I think they have different demographics.

That's what I've learned, as I've owned 2 pre-owned Cadillacs. One was a '97 that looked like it rolled off the showroom floor. Amazingly good car. My other is an '05 that I bought 3 years old. Also looked brand spanking new. Probably because they're driven by like 90% old people who absolutely baby their cars and take them to the dealers for everything, used Cadillacs IME are in absolutely incredible shape. Actually the same seems to go for most luxury brands I've ran across. Doesn't hurt that they also lose value REALLY bad the first few years. I'm looking at '12 CTS-4's that cost LESS than a new Outback, and are way more pimped out. That's as opposed to many of the used Subarus I looked at in my price range last year, which had tons of miles, rips in the seats, and all beat to hell...all for not THAT much less than a new one. Of course, Subaru's as you pointed out, have a more active demographic. That's also what appeals to me about them. I can take them everywhere, toss the dogs in the back without having to worry, and basically beat it up. Subaru's one of the few brands I'd think about going new for that very reason.

[systemoverblow'd]

interstate auto auction in Salem NH always has a bunch of Subarus for dirt cheap.

[Shredhead]

That's what I've learned, as I've owned 2 pre-owned Cadillacs. One was a '97 that looked like it rolled off the showroom floor. Amazingly good car. My other is an '05 that I bought 3 years old. Also looked brand spanking new. Probably because they're driven by like 90% old people who absolutely baby their cars and take them to the dealers for everything, used Cadillacs IME are in absolutely incredible shape.

I know a guy that takes a trip to Florida every year. Buys a one way ticket. Buys older dark colors Caddies from retirees that move to FL and decide they don't want hot cars.
Drives them for a year, sells them for double what he paid and does it again.

[MontuckyFried]

I know a guy that takes a trip to Florida every year. Buys a one way ticket. Buys older dark colors Caddies from retirees that move to FL and decide they don't want hot cars.
Drives them for a year, sells them for double what he paid and does it again.

That's a great idea! In fact my last one originated from FL. Some of the best deals I'm seeing online for my next prospect are there, too. I might just have to buy a plane ticket for my next car if these dealerships in MT don't come back down to earth on their prices.

[Bobcat Sig]

That's a great idea! In fact my last one originated from FL. Some of the best deals I'm seeing online for my next prospect are there, too. I might just have to buy a plane ticket for my next car if these dealerships in MT don't come back down to earth on their prices.

I'm in the same boat, currently. Fly to Portland or Seattle where dealerships actually want to sell you a car and drive it back. Short of my current rig, that's what I've done.

[Bite Me]

That's what I've learned, as I've owned 2 pre-owned Cadillacs. One was a '97 that looked like it rolled off the showroom floor. Amazingly good car. My other is an '05 that I bought 3 years old. Also looked brand spanking new. Probably because they're driven by like 90% old people who absolutely baby their cars and take them to the dealers for everything, used Cadillacs IME are in absolutely incredible shape. Actually the same seems to go for most luxury brands I've ran across. Doesn't hurt that they also lose value REALLY bad the first few years. I'm looking at '12 CTS-4's that cost LESS than a new Outback, and are way more pimped out. That's as opposed to many of the used Subarus I looked at in my price range last year, which had tons of miles, rips in the seats, and all beat to hell...all for not THAT much less than a new one. Of course, Subaru's as you pointed out, have a more active demographic. That's also what appeals to me about them. I can take them everywhere, toss the dogs in the back without having to worry, and basically beat it up. Subaru's one of the few brands I'd think about going new for that very reason.

Just FYI - had a 09 CTS 4 Premium edition. Worst POS I even owned. Nicely outfitted and screwed together pretty well, but EVERYTHING went wrong with that car, and I'm not alone (cadillacowners.com). Maybe GM's finally figured them out after screwing them together for 5 years, but they make my late 80's Buicks look reliable. And even in the south with good roads the thing was a rattle-trap.

Worst POS EVAH!

[Benny Profane]

Im picking up a '13 base model forester in about an hour form a different dealer 0% financing starts today. Yes the interiors are not going to win any beauty pageants but I need a functional not nice looking whip. I'll just mess it up anyway with ski boots, skies, trash bags etc... I did look at a caddy it was nice and maybe easy to work on. The price was right and look like it had been well cared for opposed to most of the used Subarus I looked at. I think they have different demographics.

Seriously consider having a remote starter installed on that thing by a dealer. 500 bucks, but, well worth it, unless you have a heated attached garage. Best winter option I have ever spent money on.

[Obstruction]

Im picking up a '13 base model forester in about an hour form a different dealer 0% financing starts today. Yes the interiors are not going to win any beauty pageants but I need a functional not nice looking whip. I'll just mess it up anyway with ski boots, skies, trash bags etc... I did look at a caddy it was nice and maybe easy to work on. The price was right and look like it had been well cared for opposed to most of the used Subarus I looked at. I think they have different demographics.

Did pretty much the same thing at the end of 07. Bought a base 07 outback for less than a lot of used 05 outbacks with 25k miles were going for at the time. Makes good economic sense if you don't care about the bells and whistles. Been very happy with the car since.