I am looking to buy a Chevy Bolt at a local dealership. It is used and the dealer is a Honda dealer. I was in there on 6 days ago and was inquiring about the car. The price was reasonable, but on the high side of reasonable. The typical process went on where the buyer asks to drop the price to X and the sales person goes and talks to the manager and comes back and agrees/denies/compromises. In this case, the sales person informed me there was absolutely no wiggle room and the price was firm, so I walked. not getting the $1500 off I asked for. With telling me 6 day ago the price was firm, 3 days ago they dropped the price by $500.
I was thinking of going back in and bringing a wingman to help seal the deal. I have not purchased an EV before, but I’m not unfamiliar with how a car works. Are there any buzz words I can throw out to convince the sale person to at least meet me in the middle? Mind you, the sales person seemed clueless about the details of an EV as was evident in the test drive. Either that or they were playing dumb, which is not outside the realm of possibility.
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It’s also the end of the month so salespeople are motivated to hit monthly targets. That usually applies to new cars, but there might be some incentive for used as well, so they may be willing to deal a bit the next 2-3 days, but go back to stalling come the 1st.
Just call and ask. Then next week, go in and check. Let them twist for a bit.
How does it compare to a brand new Bolt with a $7500 tax credit and probably more state credits?
A new Bolt is looking to be around $30-31k, with the tax credit you can get that down $22-24k. The used vehicle we’re looking at is about $18k with about 20k miles. They used to only allow the tax credit on new vehicles, but as of 1/1/23 they added a credit for used vehicles (with restrictions) of $4k, and this vehicle meets those restrictions so we would get the car for around $14 if it all works out.
Our state is not very green friendly, so there are no state credits to our knowledge. It’s hard to even find EV’s here and finding someone that knows how to work on them is also a work in progress.
Also take into account new car loans usually finance for a lower rate than used car loans, that might make the monthly payment about the same if not less. The 2024 Ionic 6 financed lower than a used 2021 Tesla 3 did for me so I went with the Ionic.
you’re spending this much effort haggling over a thousand dollars? which one of you is being unreasonable?
There it is, always that one person who has nothing of value to offer but chimes in anyways. Any salesmen you deal with must appreciate your business.
Any salesmen you deal with must appreciate your business.
Golf clap.
your entire post is devoid of value
The best tactics you have are walking out, waiting and seeing them again later, and honestly just buying elsewhere.
I generally talk only to the dealers on the phone when negotiating price as dealers have a slew of tactics if you’re actually there in person. A phone conversation is typically quick, and I can hang up at any moment, and not waste my time going to a dealer for a waste of my time.
If I’m in person at a dealership it’s to sign paperwork and leave with the car, or a test drive and nothing else as online car reviews only go do far (best to sit in the seat and go for a ride to see if you actually like it or not).
Chevy bolt is fairly common, look in a larger search radius and you should find similar vehicles available. I usually call multiple dealers with similar cars, negotiate a price with each, and use the other dealer’s price against the other.
Check the recalls. Check the battery charging limit. Many used Bolts received a software fix that checks for battery issues. Part of that fix is to limit charging to 80% max for the next 6200 miles driven. To compensate owners, GM provided $1400 to owners recently.
If this used Bolt is limited to 80%, I would insist the dealer lower the price by at least the $1400. I’d probably shop elsewhere too. If the price is higher than you think it should be, go elsewhere.
Excellent advice. I was unaware of that recall and the difference between 2017-2019 and 2020-2022 models but I’ve read up on it now.
The price isn’t outside of the realm of reasonable, it’s just on the high side so I’m will to negotiate with them, it just irks me they were 100% firm on their price 6 days ago stating they had no wiggle room only to lower the price 3 days later. If they don’t work with me there other dealerships for sure, I was just hoping to work a deal with a local one rather than hopping an hour away.