How do you beat and totally destroy a car salesman at his game?
You just answered your own question. Do your research, figure out what the invoice price (the price the dealer paid more or less), and negotiate from there. NEVER, EVER negotiate a car payment, you’ve just lost. You are almost always better off going to a credit union or bank for an auto loan, pre-approved before you even step onto a lot. Once there, I don’t give ’em any leeway; as soon as I hear, “i’ve got to run this past my sales manager”. I’m getting up and walking. I want to deal with someone empowered to do so, otherwise they’re wasting my time. That usually either gets the sales mgr in there, which can work for you; or I go elsewhere. Another technique is to work totally online, not unlike an autobroker, and email the vehicle, extras, and what you’re willing to pay to several dealerships. Whoever matches, gets the sale. I should’ve added, just because I’m adversarial doesn’t mean I’m anything less than polite and correct. I’ve “won” when I drive off with the vehicle I want with
