Dealer Markup Kirby KIA of Ventura - Ventura, California

[Chris from SoCal]

Kirby KIA in Ventura, CA wanted $10k over sticker - I laughed my way out of the dealership. Drove 20 miles south and First KIA in Simi Valley wanted $2500 over sticker. Told them I wanted the car (obviously), but wasn't going to throw away $2500 to get it - that I'd just drive another 15 miles to the next, higher volume dealership.

They also tried to shortchange me for the trade in of my 2012 Kia Optima SX (which was in excellent condition with 72k miles). Told them I'd walk, and suddenly they were willing to take sticker and give me an extra $1k toward my trade in.

THE CAR IS STILL IN DEMAND. People will pay more than it's worth. Get the dealerships to compete with each other and save yourself a few thousand dollars. If they hadn't budged, I'd have walked. Don't be set on driving away in the car they have on the lot, there's always a better one nearby.

Just my 2 cents. The salesman was a young guy, not pushy, super cool - the "sales manager" that signs the paperwork was trying to sneak in all kinds of extra stuff.

I did pay to extend the bumper to bumper warranty to 10yrs/100k miles - it cost me less than $3k. You won't get that deal at anywhere else.

DON'T BE EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED!

But do buy one of these....

 

[mldavis2]

See my "one bid, one chance" philosophy somewhere above in this thread. Works for cash deals.
(Well maybe not. Where did I post that....?)

 

[breid5921]

Kirby KIA in Ventura, CA wanted $10k over sticker - I laughed my way out of the dealership. Drove 20 miles south and First KIA in Simi Valley wanted $2500 over sticker. Told them I wanted the car (obviously), but wasn't going to throw away $2500 to get it - that I'd just drive another 15 miles to the next, higher volume dealership.

They also tried to shortchange me for the trade in of my 2012 Kia Optima SX (which was in excellent condition with 72k miles). Told them I'd walk, and suddenly they were willing to take sticker and give me an extra $1k toward my trade in.

THE CAR IS STILL IN DEMAND. People will pay more than it's worth. Get the dealerships to compete with each other and save yourself a few thousand dollars. If they hadn't budged, I'd have walked. Don't be set on driving away in the car they have on the lot, there's always a better one nearby.

Just my 2 cents. The salesman was a young guy, not pushy, super cool - the "sales manager" that signs the paperwork was trying to sneak in all kinds of extra stuff.

I did pay to extend the bumper to bumper warranty to 10yrs/100k miles - it cost me less than $3k. You won't get that deal at anywhere else.

DON'T BE EMOTIONALLY ATTACHED!

But do buy one of these....

How would you get dealerships to compete ? I may need this when I buy lol.

 

[mldavis2]

I put together a spec'd out car. Type up a sheet with exactly what you want - exactly unless you're willing to compromise which complicates things on price. List your trade-in. Tell them you will not dicker on price, you want their absolute low bid and that you are shopping other dealers for the car. No second chances on the bid. Walk out and tell them to call you tomorrow with the number. See how badly they really want to sell the car. Often, if your specs are tight enough, it will have to be a factory order. If you want one on the floor, you are at their mercy, more or less, unless you want to spend a whole afternoon bluffing and bickering. How I hate car salesmen (most of them.)

 

[Kia Stinger]

How would you get dealerships to compete ? I may need this when I buy lol.

We have a forum here, hidden away in secrecy so nobody can find it, named "How To Buy A Kia Stinger". LOTS of EXCELLENT advice on (shhh) how to buy a Kia Stinger... How to Buy a Kia Stinger