How I Save $600 on My New (used) Car

I returned from traveling out of the country and needed a replacement car. I spent some time online looking at cars in my price range and for sale in Milwaukee, where I was flying into. I narrowed the list down to two choices, and when I could I called to see if both cars were still available. They were, but one, from a private seller, was unavailable for a week. So I made arrangements to go and look at the other.

I spent time researching the car, actually a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer listed for $1995, finding common problems, fuel costs and other things owners have discovered wrong with the truck over the years. Next, I arrived on a holiday, New Year's Eve, and close to closing time. In fact, most of the sales staff, and the dealership owner were already gone and I spent most of the time talking with the head mechanic.

I spent a lot of time looking over the truck, finding problems and asking the sales person (the mechanic) what he thought the cost to repair would be. There wasn't anything major, the truck was in distressingly good space for something I was hoping to get for $1500. New tires, little rust and none on the underbody. Clean engine. No signs of leaks. One of the doors wouldn't open from the inside, the driver's door wouldn't lock with the powerlocks, and the rear lock wouldn't work with the key. I made sure to ask about how much each would cost to have repaired at their shop, as if I might bring the truck back there for the work.

On the test drive I found it was hard to shift, and added this to my list of problems. I got back and pointed out the problem, saying it might be a deal breaker for me, since I didn't want to have transmission issues right away, then offered $1400 cash. The mechanic called the owner, who apparently wanted more, but the mechanic (who I think wanted to go home at this point), hung up, explained the owner wanted more, and could I go any higher. I could, but wasn't going to tell him that,

We talked about other things. Cars were supposed to come with a full tank of gas, but I agreed to drop that if he also dropped the $175 dealer fee. He agreed, called the owner back, (not mentioning the dealer fee) and got the okay. I handed over the cash, got the keys, did some paperwork, and was out the door.

Things I learned - Go when the seller would rather just be leaving. Any random night won't work as well as a holiday, but it's better than the afternoon when he can wait all day. Bring cash, I know I would not have gotten the same deal without it. Don't be afraid to walk away, I would have left if they didn't come down. There are other cars for sale.