Below Invoice - Buying A Car

: Ensure the dealer isn't "buying down" the car price only to hike your interest rate. Get a pre-approved loan from your bank or credit union first to use as a benchmark. If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me: Do you plan to trade in a vehicle?

: This is a percentage of the MSRP (usually 2-3%) that the manufacturer pays back to the dealer once the car is sold. Even if a dealer sells a car at invoice, they are still making this profit. buying a car below invoice

: Aim for the last two days of the month or the end of a fiscal quarter (March, June, September, December). Sales managers are more desperate to hit volume targets during these windows. : Ensure the dealer isn't "buying down" the

: Use tools like Consumer Reports , Edmunds , or TrueCar to find the "Market Average." If the average price paid in your area is near invoice, you can likely push for 1–3% below it. Red Flags to Avoid : This is a percentage of the MSRP

: These are "hidden" rebates used to move specific slow-selling models. Unlike consumer rebates, these aren't always advertised to the public.

: Look for cars that have been sitting on the lot for more than 60–90 days. Dealers pay interest (floorplan fees) on every car they hold; they are often eager to sell these below cost just to stop the "bleeding."