Q I am getting ready to buy a new car, but I am pretty inexperienced in the process. How much should I offer the dealer below the sticker price in order to get a fair deal?
Becky, Anoka
Buying a car is stressful for many people. One of the most stressful parts of the process is negotiating the price of the auto.
The final price of a car can be above or below the sticker price -- also called the manufacturer's suggested retail price or MSRP -- depending on the demand for that particular make and model of car.
Very popular cars in high demand may sell at or even above the sticker price. The most important thing you can do before buying a car is to do some research. The more prepared you are when you walk into a dealership, the more likely it is that you will come away with a fair deal.
Check out a website such as Smartcarguide.com for some good information and an outline of the car-buying process. Here are some helpful tips:
Consider shopping online at websites such as Carsdirect.com or Autos.com. These sites can be very helpful in researching, comparing and even buying cars online.
Find out the invoice price (cost to the dealer) and MSRP for the type of car you are interested in. This will give you starting points for the negotiation. These can be found on the Internet at sites such as Edmunds.com.
