Extra9/14/2010 6:45 PM ET

7 ways to get a deal on a 2010 car

With many automakers coming off a terrible month, now is a great time for buyers to look for bargains.

[Related content: savings, cars, cheap cars, car shopping, car loans]

If you're in the market for a new vehicle, bad news for car dealers can mean good news for you.

Videos: 2011 car previews

Last month was the worst August for U.S. auto sales since 1983, prompting dealers to offer bigger incentives for new-car sales.

Granted, the Cash for Clunkers program had fueled sales a year ago, making last month a tough one for comparison purposes. And sales were not uniformly bad. Chrysler reported that sales rose 7% last month, compared with the year before. But GM sales fell 11%.

Buying a new car? Get one that's cheaper to insure

Your best bet: If you don't have fierce brand loyalty, seek out highly rated 2010 models that are having slow sales.

For example, GM's Chevrolet division saw sales drop 22% and now offers deep discounts on the Malibu, which has received good reviews. Ditto with many Toyota models: Sales were down a whopping 34% from the previous August. Obviously, that's due to the numerous recalls as well as the economy, but even well-reviewed Toyota models that haven't faced recalls have been tainted by the headlines.

In short, dealers aren't doing well, so deals abound.

Where the deals are

Here are some of the promotions now being offered, according to U.S. News & World Report:

Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Chevrolet: 0% financing available on many models; rebates of up to $3,000 on some. Expire Nov. 1.

Ford, Lincoln, Mercury: 0% financing on most models; rebates of up to $2,500 on some. Expire Oct. 4.

Honda: 0.9% to 2.9% financing on some models. Expires Nov. 1.

Nissan, Infiniti: 0% financing on many models. Expires Sept. 30.

Toyota: Deals vary in different areas, but 0% financing is common on some models. Expires Oct. 4.

Consumer Reports also lists the best deals on 2010 models. To get complete information, however -- such as the bottom-line prices -- you'll have to subscribe.

Here are quick tips to get you started driving that hard bargain:

1. Get your financing first

Whether you're shopping for houses, cars or anything that's going to require borrowing money, always get approved for financing before you start. That enables you to pounce on a great deal if you see one.

Money Talks News has a car-loan search tool to help you find the best rates where you live. Also, check with local banks and credit unions to see what they're offering.

2. Join the club

Membership has its privileges. If you signed up for AAA because you wanted roadside protection, you also get access to vehicle research and member pricing. Same thing if you have an American Express card or belong to certain labor unions or trade organizations.

Many community banks and credit unions can also hook you up with new- and used-car buying services, research and special pricing.

Read reviews of new cars on MSN Autos

3. Bypass the salespeople

Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, MSN Autos and Consumer Reports are all great sites to get information, reviews, financing tips and pricing on new cars. But you can use the Web for more than just finding a car. You can use it to buy one as well by pitting local dealers against one another.

Once you decide exactly which car and options you want, here's what to do: Go to a website called Zag and pick one of the sites affiliated with this buying service, such as Consumer Reports, Overstock.com, USAA and American Express. You'll be able to see real prices on real cars from real dealers in your area -- before you provide your contact information. That means you'll be able to pick which dealers you'd like to work with before the bidding process begins.

Once you've decided which dealers you'd like to compete for your business, you simply tell them what you're looking for, then see who comes back with the best price -- no salespeople, no high-pressure tactics, no worries. Once you've gotten the best possible price, go to the dealership and pick up your car.

Continued: Beware of hidden fees

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36Comments

Newest

9/29/2010 10:58 AM

This article also did not inform the consumer as to how there is not a lot of gross profit margin in these vehicles. You also will never avoid that "evil" salesman by researching the internet first and picking up your vehicle. THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!! It's the Sales Professional that will spend 2-5 hrs with you teaching, showing and selecting that vehicle that of your dreams. It's that Sales Professional that has to endure all of your lying, by telling him that the dealer down the road is giving you 2k more for that 5 year trade with worn out tires!

All dealers use the same used car guides and they also have to take into consideration the costs that it will take to put your trade out in the lot to try to re sell it. I have had customers come in with those Edmunds.com pricing guides and we have never sold a vehicle at that Edmunds price. But my customers have left happy knowing that their Sales Professional will take care of them in the future when ever a question arises on their vehicle or if they need help when their car comes in for service. The internet cant provide that! Unless you just want to avoid everyone at the dealership.

1 3

truthbetold33

9/22/2010 10:27 AM

Everyone deserves to make a living. When it finally comes down to honesty, trust, and a relationship instead of the bottom line both companies and consumers will make it just fine. Find a dealership you trust and give them your loyalty...works every time.

2 2

ChicagoGuy

9/22/2010 6:34 AM

I have been pushing my 1997 Cavalier for a few years and thought It was time to buy. I am a big guy not only around but very tall. Even with the seat all the way back and with a seat belt extender I felt cramped in the 1997 Cavalier. When I went out searching for something affordable I found out many of the mid-sized / mid-priced (relatively speaking their opinion not mine) would not fit me. I sat in some and could not get my head under the top of the door way (aerodynamically design the salesman called it. I call it reducing the steel needed to make more profit) The cars I could get in the seat would not go back far enough, there was a raised floor block cramping my left foot (foot rest), and the door cup holder or center console crept in to make the foot area of the drivers side very narrow and restrictive. After going to a few car dealers and asking for their best price. I found out I kept getting the 5 card Monty. One spent 4 hours or more at each one negotiating to me that is not giving their best price. I went back home frustrated. I decided to really work the internet and see what dealers had as the best ratings (Google – dealer ratings) I then went to those dealers who had both satisfactory sales and service. After more searching and especially the ability to fit in a car comfortably I came down to 2 choices a 2011 Ford Fusion or a 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Enough Americans are out of jobs so I kept leaning to the Ford since it was an American company though it was more expensive. But further investigation surprised me. The following is a summary of what I discovered:

- Ford an American Company makes cars in Mexico (Fusion) vs. Hyundai which is a Korean Company making cars in Alabama (Sonata)

- Initial MSRP Fusion $24,165 vs. Sonata $21,995 a difference of $2,170 even with the Ford rebate of $1,500 can’t make up the difference

- Customer satisfaction and Edmunds ratings rate the Fusion just slightly higher than the Sonata but so close the difference is negligible.

- The percentage discount from MSRP for the Sonata (7.26%) was almost 2 times greater that the Fusion (3.99%)

- Interest rate for the Sonata (3.9%) was 1% lower than that of the Fusion (4.9%)

- The Sonata had better HP (198 hp vs. 175 hp), Fuel economy (combined 26 MPG vs. 24 MPG), and warranty than the Fusion

- The cost for insuring the Sonata was $27.15 cheaper for six months that the Fusion ($311.76 vs. $338.91)

- Lastly even with a $1,000 less down payment the total monthly payments were $22.23 per month cheaper over the life of the 72 month loan.

I wound up buying the 2011 Hyundai Sonata

5 4

Manixx827

9/21/2010 3:31 PM

Yeah, here's what gets me about car dealers and manufactures of cars and trucks. They spend millions and millions on TV adds and newspaper adds tooting their own horns over and over 24/7. Then when you go to a dealer the vehicles in the adds are already sold, or will be coming in in a few days, Yeah right. Dealers, put the price on the vehicle that makes you a profit to run your business. Tell your customers that this is your BEST PRICE period. End of story.

8 1

Aguirreder Zorn Gottes

9/20/2010 8:56 PM

I found this very informative.
s/Werner Herzog

1 0

salesman1

9/20/2010 2:40 PM

Sounds to me like most people here have had a bad car buying experience. I work for a very reputable local dealer, and can attest that most people do their research before buying a new car. Lets start here with your trade in... First, while you may have payed 20k for it 10yrs ago, and now it has 130k or more on it does that mean that you should get 10k in trade? No you get what its worth. What is the biggest depreciation: CONDITION, MILLAGE!!! If your car is 10yrs old it is not in CLEAN condition, it may be average or fair. Lastly Drive a new car, drive your old car, which one has less miles better condition, no service to be done...btw if you haven't done your 30-60-90k that costs us money to do just like you have to pay to get it done so do we!!!

7 2

Dadadmn1

9/20/2010 11:49 AM

These articles crack me up, And to read the comments can be even more amusing. I too have been in the auto industry in one way or another for twenty eight years, and yes it has reinvented itself many times in that period. It is true there have been and still are some scumbags out there... but for every one of those, I'll show you 100 hardworking, genuine, honest people just trying to support there families, they are Moms and Dads, civic leaders, Sunday school teachers, little league coaches, they are supporters of cancer walks and local food shelves. In other words they are just like you and your neighbors. They are not out there trying to screw the world! It's been said but is worth repeating, PROFIT is not a four letter word, we live in a capitalist society (if you don't like that , move to Russia, then tell me what kind of car you can afford) Yes the internet is a wonderful tool to buy a car, but for every internet purchase, there is still a live human being answering the e-mail/ request/sales lead !

And to those of you with the Wal-Mart buying mentality, remember you get what you deserve, low or no service, and last time I looked, Wal-Mart loves to invade small towns, destroy there local economies, then has everyone in town working for them at minimum wage. Is that what you really want?

12 2

GetReal1220

9/20/2010 11:36 AM

I find it hard to believe that intelligent people buy into this non sense. So because car sales are down (meaning dealers are selling less cars) you honestly think they are going to sell those vehicles at a loss?

I can not even begin to tell you how comical it is to have people tell me they know there is a different price or a different invoice. I also find it funny when I have someone else tell me that foreign vehicles are American built because they have a final assembly point here in the US, I wonder if it is cheaper to send parts from Japan or WHOLE CARS from Japan.

Why can't I use my credit card to buy that car??? well thank the credit card company's for 1 allowing you to dispute charges. How awful would it be if you sold your car to someone gave them the keys and title to the vehicle then come to find out the credit card is stolen!

The funny thing about common sense is it is not so common

8 6

carman2011

9/20/2010 11:33 AM

To the customers who "EMPLOY" a buying service through their Credit Union or other so called helpers. YES, I did say "EMPLOY" because these car buying advisors and the companies they work for charge the dealer $300.00-$500.00

per car sold to their client. Who do you think is paying that fee. THE CONSUMER that's who. I can't prove it but I suspect that whoever referred you to this Auto Advisor Service is also getting a piece of the action.

Customers do yourself a favor, do your research pick the vehicle that you want to buy, research the price, research the value of your trade, research the reputation of local dealers, pick one or two and go in and make a fair and honest deal. Go to the dealer that you think you really want to do business with LAST. Be honest with your sales person. The best deals for the customers are made when the customer is ready to buy. No matter what anyone say's it is still a people to people face to face business. Yes, we do have in internet department manned by salespeople. The cost of procuring leads from customers adds to the price of the cars. Other than leads from the manufactures, we pay for your lead.

7 3

Edmundsux

9/20/2010 10:57 AM

I was just wondering if MSN emailed thirty different internet programmers and writers to make sure they got the best deal on this story? Who is watching Edmunds? Go to the dealer, they are not playing games, their price is right on the car. YOU play the game when you want a discount, remember that. Why on Earth would you want to have zero service accompany your second biggest purchase? Here is my advise, find someone you TRUST, and buy every car from them, period. It's about relationships, not impulse.

7 5

People make it harder than it needs to be

9/20/2010 10:44 AM

I get so tired of this. Someone here posted something about consumers, in the past, not knowing what we pay for our cars. What does a dealers cost have anything to do with a purchase? Best Buy has tv's that are marked up 100 to 50% do you go in there and tell them you want to pay invoice? WHen you buy a shirt or pants at a store do you tell the sales person that you want to know how much they own the clothes for and that "invoice" is a good place to start? Now, with the Internet, anyone can go look at the invoice of a car in less than 2 minutes. YEs, it is true that we get some dealer incentives and that even if we sell a car at invoice we can still make a couple hundred bucks. Do we not deserve to make that? Do we not deserve to make that considering we have to pay all of our staff, pay for the lease of our buildings and the utilities. We had people service and clean the cars, do they not deserve to make money? If you want to buy a new car. just look up the invoice price, tell a couple dealers you'll buy if they'll do that price and at least one will take you up on your offer, just to move a unit. What do you care if we still make a couple hundred dollars? If we didn't make any money, you wouldn't have been able to buy a car from us. ALso, someone posted on here that the business is dying and that sales people will become obsolete. I disagree, would you want to buy a $30,000 car without driving it? Would you feel comfortable making the second biggest purchase, that most people make, without trying it out first? If you say yes to this question, then you need some serious help.

15 4

Sedgwick

9/20/2010 10:17 AM

It's all about money! I have friends who sell cars. Occasionally they get "sticker" price and drinks are on the house! For example, my girlfriend bought a new Chevy a couple of years ago and the salesman sold the car to her for full sticker price. The dealership took care of the car the original purchase price not being an issue.

However, had she not been "sold" by the salesman she could have kept some of the "upside" in her pocket which would have helped pay a couple years insurance premium and everyone could have been happy! The salesman could have made a "decent" commission.

If the offering price is too low the dealer won't sell the car. The deal is only made when both the buyer and seller agree.

6 9

warhater

9/20/2010 9:49 AM

Yea, I guess it's a rough day on the news front! THis does get humorous after a while. Let's have a conversation about how we can abuse someone trying to make a living, and do our best to ensure thay DON'T. On top of buying the car, (one of your most prized posessions) for no profit, you expect a warrranty that covers EVERYTHING at no cost, loaner cars when you need it, and never have to maintain the purchase. PAY THE PRICE ON THE STICKER and you will have the best experience EVER! To MS Georgia Peach, Lost FL, and the genius Whatdisplaynameitnottaken: You are not intelligent enough to "negotiate" therefore you hide your dumbness with insults behind a computer screen. You will pay Consumers $200.00 to get the "best price" on a car???? Morons!!!

As with ANYTHING in life, If you remain polite, and FAIR you should always have a good experience. If you don't, find a local dealer that does and support them.

P.S. $100.00 profit IS NOT FAIR on a $30.000 investment!

17 12

steveyacht

9/20/2010 9:29 AM

I have been directly or indirectly involved with big ticket retail since 1981, the vast majority of which has been in the automobile business. I have seen good times and bad times, but I have made a living at it, no matter what the time. I have paid my taxes, bought and sold real estate, used local merchants, been a member of local service and charity organizations plus much more. As a Business we have donated to the local community, given to school scholarship programs, volunteer fire/rescue companies, little league teams, etc, etc, etc.... not to mention have hired many people over the years providing them with incomes, careers and more.

Now I see here where many of you would just as soon see dealerships and ALL those that earn a living that way disappear. Thanks, I hope all of you lose your jobs also.

21 7

diamondand pearls

9/20/2010 8:59 AM

good deals on car cant email to no friends

2 2

Ms. Georgia Peach

9/16/2010 2:07 PM

Car dealers don't want the average person to use something like American Express to buy automobiles. They want to get the people in there and drag it out and make a bundle.

Like it or not, car salesmen will be extinct in 10 years. Everyone will be buying over the web. Nothing worse than a car salesman with his wad of gold jewelry.

21 34

fpcenterprises1

9/16/2010 9:07 AM

@haharofl:

There is a price tag on every new vehicle. You want to do away with "name a price?" Start it by paying what the vehicle is priced at.

26 15

HahaROFL

9/15/2010 6:43 PM

The used/new car salesmen... they must really missed the "good old" days where they can wear people out mentally during so called "negotiation" sessions and charged whatever price they can because no one know how much they paid for the car. No one suggest that you should not earn a living but the practice of "name a price" needs to stop. No other merchandise is sold that way why do cars?

Remind me of the movie Repo Men...

14 18

Whatdisplaynameisnottaken

9/15/2010 5:40 PM

fpcenter:

sounds like all car salesman are on this particular article trying to convince one another of something. The truth must of struck a nerve. Lol. So I won't even entertain a debate. I will tell you I am 100% out of debt (including home paid for), plenty of savings in the bank, in my early 30s and just paid CASH for a GMC Terrain fully loaded-wrote a check for $28k . I did negotiate my TV by going in and 3 mths later they called me and said "okay, okay how about this price?".

But you are welcome to your opinion bc you are nothing. Now go peddle another car.

12 30

CarTruck

9/15/2010 3:51 PM

It's too bad that Wall-Mart doesn't sell cars, then when you had an issue with the car you bought, you could just box it back up and send it back to the manufacturer and wait for a response. Car dealers are in a business to make a profit but if the don't, this will be your future. Take your pick!!

15 9

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