Van Shopping: Dealership vs Craigslist

[One Awesome Inch]

My first instinct is to avoid the dealership as they are almost always more expensive to increase their profit. However, while looking for a van lately, I have seen a couple vans that are pretty much exactly what I want at dealerships. They are likely overpriced by $500 to $1000 though. I am not having much luck finding either an Ford E150 or Chevy Express 1500 in my area with the kilometres I want at a reasonable price on Craigslist.

The other thing is that the dealership might try to tack on hidden fees, like a "lot fee" etc. Also, I am confident that I can likely buy tax free off CL while there is very likely going to be taxes charged at the dealership. There are a couple of advantages of the dealership though... if you have decent credit you can set up a monthly payment plan, and while I personally would not go that route, others might want to. Also, you might be able to get a 6 month warranty etc. With CL once you bought it... game over.

Question: Are dealerships generally going to consider lowering the price a bit or is it completely out of the question?

I'd love to hear some collective wisdom and experiences from you guys about this.

 

[Almost There]

I won't deal with a large dealership that sells new cars and used. The used stuff is usually being flogged. Head for a used car lot that has been around for a lot of years, they've stayed in business by being fair and having good certified vehicles.

Never seen a dealership charge a 'lot fee' on a used vehicle. Maybe you're thinking of delivery fees that are tacked on on a new car purchase.

I've never paid asking price at the dealership for a used vehicle yet.

But then I've been known to show up with a clipboard and a check list in hand, in old clothes and have a drop sheet with me so I can get down on the ground and check underneath....kinda startling to a used car saleman for an old broad to do that....

Before I hit a dealership I've already checked out what the vehicle is worth based on mileage/year etc. etc.

Once I've examined it, made all my notes (they might be doodling for all the salesman knows...lol), I'll lowball the offer.

Don't be afraid to haggle.

Our local dealers are adamant that you take the Lubrico Warranty program at an additional cost because this relieves them of any liability for a warrantee from the minute you drive off the lot. Both the last two bought from a dealer, I got them to reduce the sticker price to compensate for it.

In respect to taxes, you're going to pay them either at the dealers or at the license office. The dealers collect them because they have tax licenses. If you buy privately you'll pay the tax when anyways when you go to register the vehicle. Taxman is going to get his pound one way or another.

 

[HarmonicaBruce]

I won't deal with a large dealership that sells new cars and used. The used stuff is usually being flogged. Head for a used car lot that has been around for a lot of years, they've stayed in business by being fair and having good certified vehicles.

Ask the guy at that used car lot where they get their cars, and if he's honest, he'll tell you he gets them from the auction. When you, or a new car dealership, has a car to sell that they don't like, they don't want to be connected with it, where do they take it? To the auction. New car dealerships typically keep the good trade-ins they get, and take the lemons to the auction. "Certified" vehicles are vehicles that came off lease, which only new car dealerships have access to.

The best deals will come from individual owners. If the seller doesn't mind you knowing where he lives, he's probably not going to knowingly sell you a lemon. I like to look at the guys house and yard. Does he keep his stuff up, or is he a shady type you wouldn't trust?

We all have our own viewpoints.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

A couple of things...

First of all good point mentioned above re: upkeep. I've seen a great price on a e150 (mentioned in my other thread about the search) but if you look closely at the interior shot, it looks filthy with green gunge and dirt everywhere. If he cares that little to not bother cleaning the dash up before uploading pics to try to *sell* the dang thing, you can bet your donkey's hindquarters he has not done his due dillegence in terms of looking after the vehicles motor etc.

As to taxes, in BC you CAN get around it by having the seller sign a "gift transfer form". If they wont do it, I dont buy... it could save $400 +. It costs them nothing to sign, but yes it is a bit devious. But heck paying tax on something second-hand seems dishonest to me. I mean heck didnt the original buyer pay the tax when he bought it? Sure he did! Taxing the same thing more than once seems dishonest to *me*. YMMV.

Finally, I really have a hard time trusting a used car salesman... no mystery as to why. I think your average joe off CL is likely to be more honest, because lets face it, used car salesmen certainly are not.

 

[offroad]

Make a list of ten vehicles from Craig's list. Ask how long they have been for sale. Run a recall-alert search on that model. (Every vehicle has recalls). Maybe check with carfax about history. Look at receipts from service. Owner or dealership should have them. ---- WALK AWAY after you looked at it. If someone else buys it, no matter, plenty of vans out there.

---

Run the AIRCONDITIONER. It should be ice cold. ---- make arrangement with mechanic to inspect it. Do not second guess your mechanic.

 

[wagoneer]

Many people on this forum have paid ahead when it comes to vehicle knowledge. Pick their brains one constant remains, cars = money pit. Try not to dig a big hole.

 

[Almost There]

As to taxes, in BC you CAN get around it by having the seller sign a "gift transfer form". If they wont do it, I dont buy... it could save $400 +. It costs them nothing to sign, but yes it is a bit devious. But heck paying tax on something second-hand seems dishonest to me. I mean heck didnt the original buyer pay the tax when he bought it? Sure he did! Taxing the same thing more than once seems dishonest to *me*. YMMV.

Ontario closed the loophole on gifting years ago - vehicle can only be gifted to close relative as in parent to child, etc. Even parent to son-in-law won't work IIRC.

They also closed the loophole on low-balling the receipt for presentation for taxes. You now pay either the 'sold' price or their 'average wholesale value' price whichever is more. Their value price is disclosed on the Used Vehicle Information Package which every seller, private or not, has to obtain at a fee ($20.00) from the province. It contains: vehicle details (VIN, make, model, etc.), current registrant, previous owners and lien information.

I quite like the information package. It gives the buyer a registration history AND clear lien information.

The UVIP is quite new. I wouldn't be surprised if BC isn't far behind.

 

[ccbreder]

If you can afford, get a certified vehicle from a National Brand Dealer. Other wise, You can find high mileage vehicles in good cosmetic condition at the used car lots. Some of these lots cater to low income and provide cheap cars. (junk) others pride themselves on integrity. Others just want your money and you off the lot. They all can be right next to each other and been in business the same number of years. I used crags list for my last purchase, I seen the price drop and went 50 miles to see it. Nice window van with no rust and good tires. Started right up and ran well and drove nice. Gave the young airman extra 100 to get it home with me. I'm experienced mechanic, so wasn't worried about the repairs I knew were coming on a used van.
Got to repeat, repairs are needed on a used van.

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NJ registration charges sales tax based on book value. If you claim less than, you get a bill in the mail.

 

[mockturtle]

Keep in mind that, if you aren't trading in, the dealer will take quite a bit off the asking price. They jack up the prices to allow for trade-ins.

 

[akrvbob]

If he cares that little to not bother cleaning the dash up before uploading pics to try to *sell* the dang thing, you can bet your donkey's hindquarters

I am terribly offended by this!!!!

I would never bet my donkey's hindquarters!!!!!!
Bob

 

[akrvbob]

But, to stay on topic, I bought my last two vehicles from dealers. The F150 I put over 100,000 miles on after I bought it and thought it was one of the best trucks I've ever owned. I'd buy from the dealer again in a heartbeat.

I've only put 15,000 on the Chevy Express but so far it's been a good purchase.

On the other hand I've bought some vehicles from private parties that looked me in face and lied their teeth off. One was a guy I met after his church service and he was the biggest liar I ever met. Every word out of his mouth about that car was a lie.

Dealers aren't all bad and private sellers aren't all saints. That kind of black-and-white thinking is a real hindrance.
Bob

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

some people definitely have an 'all is fair' in the car transaction 'war'. just like some believe haggling is part of the game some people thing getting over on the other guy is part of the game. :\

do dealers even take old cars\vans as trade ins?

 

[Almost There]

some people definitely have an 'all is fair' in the car transaction 'war'. just like some believe haggling is part of the game some people thing getting over on the other guy is part of the game. :\

do dealers even take old cars\vans as trade ins?

Mine did, I had a Safari that I knew the transmission was a hair breadth away from failing. I figured I'd be lucky enough to be able to drive it to the wreckers it was that close.

I bought the 2004 Montana from a used car lot that has been around this small town for 30+ years. I'd negotiated the price on it as far down as I figured I was going to get and then let it be known that the Safari was toast, even told him what was wrong with it. Darned it he didn't offer me $500. for it. I could hardly keep the grin off my face as I walked away....woulda taken a $100 for it at the wrecking yard.

Mind you I've since sent him a couple more customers that he wouldn't have had otherwise. Too bad he didn't have what I was looking for when I found the Savana!