1st time car buyer | BMW News & FAQs

"Lamb to slaughter?"

Well.. I am off to buy my first ever car at the grand old age of 37 . I've been advised to go to a dealer as I know nothing about cars.

I have checked the prices at online for the model I like and the dealer website cars seem to be about 500 quid more than they should be.....

Now I don't mind paying a bit more - but have no idea of the average discount. If a car is priced at 5k - should I pay 4.5 or 4.8 etc......?

So a few questions:

1. What sort of rough discount should I be looking for at a 5-6k car...
2. In todays credit crunch is by ability to pay cash looked upon fondly? I am very tempted to just send the dealer an email saying - "Ok I can spend this.... this is roughly what I want - let me know your best price - and we can wrap it up quickly. "
3. Also - when the say £500 off etc are they telling the truth - there is one priced at that - but have no idea if it is a con or not

Please help me, I have never felt so vulnerable in my life! The site advice is great - but I need some facts and figure as ammo!

Hi

A main dealer will not usually have more than £600 profit in a car like this. So if you get more than half that you are doing well.

Visit the car first, find what you like and leave with a saleman's business card.

Email later and say you have thought about it and would be interested if they could knock £300 off.

Make sure you get full warranty cover, that the car has been taxed and serviced. Get it all agreed in writing.

Expect a call back - and be ready to haggle. Just stick to your guns and say you simply can't afford to pay more. And thn wait! If the first one doesn't give you a deal you can always try another garage.

For more negotiation tips, click here.