Visiting a car dealership with the intent to purchase can be a stressful experience. How will you know if you’re getting a good deal? What price should you really be aiming for? You have a lot of questions, and your salesperson will also have questions for you. Get prepped for these potential dealer questions, and your salesperson will know that they are dealing with an informed buyer.
Most car salespeople are actually honest professionals who genuinely want to help you, the customer, through the car buying process. However, there are a few unscrupulous individuals out there. Knowing what to expect on the car lot will guard you against the occasional underhanded tactic.
Car Dealer Questions, Your Answers
There is no way to predict every question that you might be asked at a dealership. Every dealer is different, so even an experienced car buyer may get a curveball query from time to time. However, there are some basic car dealer questions that salespeople tend to ask prospective buyers.
“What kind of monthly payment are you looking for?”
Yes, what you will end up paying every month for your car has a direct impact on your budget, and it is important to know what these payments will be before signing anything. However, you never want to negotiate a car price from the monthly payment level. This makes it too easy for a salesperson or finance manager to slip in add-ons that you actually have no intention of buying. So, start with the total price of the car. This way, you will have a better understanding of what you are actually paying for.Short Response: “Let’s negotiate a price first, and then we’ll figure out the monthly payments.”- “What do you think your trade in is worth?”
This question is tough because if you aim too low, the dealer may take you up on your offer, and you could lose out on a couple thousand dollars in trade in value. It’s a good idea to look up the Kelly Blue Book value of your car before visiting the dealership. And you have to keep in mind that the dealer will have to clean/refurbish your car and still make a profit when it is sold. Have a number in your head, but let the salesperson give you a quote before offering a price.Short Response: “Make me an offer.” - “What can I do to get you to buy this car today?”
You need to be careful in how you respond to this question because you don’t want to narrow your focus to one part of the deal and forget about the other aspects. For example, if you concentrate on your trade in or on your monthly payment, you may forget that you are supposed to be establishing the total cost of the vehicle first.Short response: “I may buy this car today if you give me a fair price and a fair offer for my trade in.”
With enough information and planning, anyone can negotiate an advantageous car deal. And if at any point during your visit to the dealership, you feel that there is even the slightest chance that you could be taken advantage of, you always have the option of taking your business elsewhere.
When Financing is Your Top Concern
If you know that it is time to buy a car, but you’re worried that your credit issues will make it next to impossible to get financing approval, Suburban Auto Finance can help. Regardless of what your credit looks like, we can find a new or used car deal that fits your budget and situation. Just fill out our fast and secure online application to get started today.