Well I decided to start a thread that focuses on USED cars. That way there isnt much confusion with the strategy....
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I still recommend you read the previous threads:
How To Negotiate A Great Deal On A New Car!!!! Reloaded

How To Negotiate A Great Deal On A New Car!!!

How To Negotiate A Great Deal On Car Financing!!!
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>Edmunds.com
Click on the Used Car Aprraiser
Find the Vehicle you are looking to buy.
Write down the trade in price and the dealer retail

>Not go to Black Book Value]
***Dealer use the black book more than the blue book because the trade in value is lower.

****if you dont know your milage factor 15000miles x the how old the car is
(ie...2000 is 5 yrs old so that would be 75000 miles)
****subtract $900 from the Trade in value for every 15000 over the average
****add $900 from the Trade in value for every 15000 under the average

>Provide your zip code

>Have You Seen the vehicle in Person Yet?Yes or No?

>you post should look like this example:

-2000 Mercury Grand Marquis LS
-Alloy Rims
-112996miles
-zip=75215
-color=white
-Edmunds Link

-Optional Equipment Copied from edmunds
Optional Equipment $634 $782 $1,036
Digital Instrument Panel $77 $95 $126
Traction Control $32 $39 $52
Electrochromatic Rear View Mirror $34 $42 $56
Power Front Passenger Seat $65 $80 $106
Automatic Climate Control $32 $39 $52
Leather Seats $133 $164 $217
Alloy Wheels $58 $72 $95
Leather Steering Wheel Trim $17 $21 $28
4-Wheel ABS $123 $152 $201
Compact Disc Changer $63 $78 $103
Color Adjustment
White $-29 $-35 $-41
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 90057 $119 $143 $167
Mileage Adjustment
112,996 miles $-1,498 $-1,498 $-1,498
Condition Adjustment
Outstanding $526 $604 $720
Total $6,286 $7,860 $9,552

-Black Book Report
Condition Trade-In Value Retail Value
Clean $9,230 $11,800 Very low mileage
Average $6,105 $8,075 Mileage less than 15,000 miles per year.
Rough $4,520 $6,750 High mileage
***Notice edmunds list this trade in value @ $6286 while Black Book is $4520 for this same vehicle. $1766 difference!!!

>Tax/Tags
Whatever you percent is(ie...8.25%)+ whatever tags/registration(ie...$49) are
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---------------------What the price I should offer?----------------------------------
So for the example vehicle:
MSRP=$11995
Est Invoice=4520
Dealer Prep=500est(Most dealer dont put this much into a prep a car for sale)
Est Tru invoice=5020
tax/tags=415+49=$464
Low ball offer=$3484 including tax(true invoice + tax/tags - 2K)
Target Price=$5020(MSRP or Sale price - Low ball offer / 2 + low ball offer
(this is basically the formula I use)
Good Price=$5500-6020 OTD(Out The Door=including tax/tags, all in, no hidden fees)
Too High=any thing over $6020 OTD
---------------------What the price I should offer?--------------------------------

Please do not PM me with question that can be posted here
I will not respond to post not formated corecttly(see above example)
Also after you purchase the vehicle, get your oil changed right away. I prefer WalMart...because they do a thorough job of inspecting your car. Also they will not work on your car if something is wrong.
***A Friend of mine followed my advice after she bought a car, and WalMart refused to change the oil. They gave her a print out of everything that was wrong with it. She took it back to the dealer and got her money back with no problem. The dealer tried to get her to go to jiffy lube because they dont inspect the cars very well. Just my 2 cents....

mr black,

i asked you before, but apperantly you didn't have the time to respond.

If you had up to 10-12k to spend, would you buy a used or new car. and what model would buy.

Thanks Alot

ramire said:mr black,

i asked you before, but apperantly you didn't have the time to respond.

If you had up to 10-12k to spend, would you buy a used or new car. and what model would buy.

Thanks Alot

guess you cant read

ramire said:i'm sorry all, but what happened was i subscribed to the topic, and they never emailed me that anybody replied.

I appreciate it Mr. Black

no prob

This is awesome, you finally made a thread for USED cars, sweet.

MrBlackPCS, you asked what used car I'm interested in from the other thread (How to negotiate a great deal on a NEW car). Well, the car I want to get is the 2001 740i sport with 18" sport rims, but now I am considering the 2001 E46 M3, which are now selling for around ~30k, with 40-50k miles.

What are your thoughts?

yesidonoitall said:Go over the used car closely, note if its is good or fair condition, maybe even excellant.
Then check the trade in value at KBB for a like car and don't forget the mileage.
Now we KNOW the dealer did not pay any more than that amount.
Actually he paid less.
Go to trade in a car at a dealer on a new car.
Be ready to faint when you hear their "offer"
They will quickly tell you will all the recent free financing and now suppsed employee pricing of new cars, their is a glut of used, and they are not bringing
"book"

So now you know you can get that used baby for no more the trade in value.

Kelly Blue Book doesnt account for region and is typically 2-4k off in estimates

I have NOT seen the car in person - just excellent pictures.
I am planning on purchasing from an out of state dealer. I told him I had a budget of $16,000 - He was asking 18,100 and says he will "let it go" for 17,400 (not including tax or tag) - is that a good price? What should I offer? THANX!

-2004 Subaru Forester X
-Automatic
-21000miles
-zip=14850-
color=green

-Edmunds.com
Trade In 15041 Dealer 18315

-Black Book Report
Condition Trade-In Value Retail Value
Clean $15180 Very low mileage $17950
Average $14550 Mileage less than 15,000 miles per year. $16875

>Tax/Tags Tax 8% tags $49
What is the price I should offer?----------------------------------

-2002 Silver Honda Civic Ex
-42700 miles
clean history, full title
-zip=19104
-color-silver
-Edumunds Link

-Blue Book Report
Dealer Trade-In - $10,607
Private Party - $11,695
Dealer Retail - $13,557

-Black Book Report
Trade-in Value $11,525
Retail Value $14,025

Asking price - $11595
Auto, 4D sedan, 4 cylinder, ABS, P/window, door and moon-roof, CD player, anti-theft. One owner, full title. No accident. Excellent Carfax history report and full set of maintenance records available. Well-kept and clean, all highway mileage. Price negotiable.

How much should I offer? I have not seen the car in person. Thank you very much.

Well they dropped to 17,200 not including tax and tag but will not budge from there. I think honestly it is in average to clean shape car(except the miles)not rough at all though - the interior is perfect and the outside is near perfect, it is still under the factory warranty. I would do it myself but am not sure what formula you use to come up with the selling price ... so if you wouldn't mind too much to give me a good asking price for an average to clean car. If they don't take it - I will walk away and try with someone else.

Thank you!

Thank you! I will walk.