Found my truck. Can I do the deal over email and fax??

[Bluto]

I found the truck I want, about 2 hours away. I don't have any urgency to get rid of my car. But the opportunity is there to get the new 4Runner I want.


I would like to have all of the negotiating (trade-in, price, financing) done before I drive down there.

I'll have to un-install my amp, sub, and radar detector. It would take a few hours.

What could I do? Would I want to ask them to fax a contract, with a letter of intent, then fax it back signed?

Then I could drive down, hand over my car keys, and drive out in a new truck?

I don't want to drive there, play games, and have:
my trade-in changed
the truck have problems
purchase price change
extra fees
financing BS (my credit is perfect)

... then leave without the truck AND have to re-install my stuff.

If that happens, I would waste a 1.5 days of my life.

I feel I'm at a disadvantage do to the time and distance. I don't want to lose a 1.5 days because the dealer low-balled me to get me in there. Then changed the deal to their benefit. Hoping I'll bend over because I drove so far. Can I lock the deal, before I go? Any suggestions or experiences would be great. Thanks!

 

[toybox]

I don't see why everything wouldn't work EXCEPT for the trade-in. How can they put a value on your truck without seeing it? I can almost garauntee that they say over the phone more than they will give you in person. Besides this variable all else should be fine as long as it is all in writing.

 

[Bluto]

I don't see why everything wouldn't work EXCEPT for the trade-in. How can they put a value on your truck without seeing it? I can almost garauntee that they say over the phone more than they will give you in person. Besides this variable all else should be fine as long as it is all in writing.

I did not provide enough info.

The trade in value could make or break the deal. It is my downpayment.

Most dealers pay around wholesale for used vehicles. They are offering a lot more.

I need 20% down to get 0% financing.

I have a mortgage and I want to refinance in a few months.

An extra $50 a month in the payment could cause the truck financing to fall through, or affect my mortgage refinancing in the future.

 

[NoDak]

if i remember, any type of new car purchase will affect your house (re)financing irregardless if its $10 or $1000. since they look at what you are on the hook to repay. your best bet would to wait till after you refinance the house.

 

[Good Times]

You can easily lock on a deal via email/fax/phone as it doesn't matter to them.

All they need is a confirmation that you'll be there and they'll be glad to help you out. Whatever you do, do not mention about the trade in. All you gotta do is tell them you want to pay $xx,xxx for the truck and you'll be there in 2hrs to pay for it.

Tell them financing will be discussed w/ the financing manager as the sales guy doesn't need to know that info (like they can do squat anyway).

Once you settle on a firm price, have them email/fax or something so you can proof of the agreement.

Then drive up to the stealer and then say hey, lets deal! At the sametime tell them you want to trade in your current vehicle for $x,xxx and see what they say. Keep in mind that you'll want to give them the benefit of the doubt on teh price so don't expect it to be too high. If they low ball ya (it's prob cuz they gave ya a hella of a deal on the truck). They make the most $$ on trade in vehicles.

Be prepared to walk if the trade in is sour. I'd print out the kbb on the trade in so you have a reference and say "hey, no deal unless you give me atleast this much". Dealers do not like customers to walk so they'll do whatever they can to keep you inside.

A good rule of thumb is tell them you have only 1 hr to settle on this deal. Once the 1 hr is up you're out regardless of where the deal stage is at. I've done it to a few vehicles that I have purchased and it has worked like a charm (they don't like wasting time too btw, unless they know they can milk ya).

Good luck


-EDIT-
I purchased the last 2 cars via email/phone/fax

 

[EXTEX]

Clean Deals

When involving a trade-in, everything changes.

You are far more @ the mercy of the dealer. You just can't put an end to all the games, because the trade-in is a moving part. If you must trade it in, vs selling it outright, you pretty well have to do business locally.

Don't you think a dealer sees weakness in a buyer who has driven xxx number of miles to make a deal? He's got you. The only thing you can do is turn on your heel, & go home. He's on to the next victim before you're even out of sight. he doesn't care.

You said: "Most dealers pay around wholesale for used vehicles. They are offering a lot more." Key word here being 'offering.'
That's 'offering' over the phone. As soon as they see the truck, their tune instantly changes.

 

[Good Times]

do your homework on this website:

http://www.carbuyingtips.com

 

[Bluto]

You guys are right. I just got off the phone. Because of the stellar trade-in estimate, they won't do anything unless I go there with my car.

I was hoping it would be easy to work with an out of town dealer. A good faith contract with letter of intent. They won't fax or quote me ANY numbers other than the trade.


The truck is a Stratosphere Sport V8 4wd, roof, JBL 6 disc, spoiler, anti-theft, rearview. Invoice is 31k. A local Carmax sells 4Runners 800 under invoice. But their trade-in values are pure robbery.

Selling privately is an option. But when my friends have done it, they wasted a lot of time and effort on morons. Plus when I finally sell, I'll still have to find the truck I want on short notice. The Sport V8 is hard to find, even harder with the 6 Disc.

I need to figure out if 4 hours of my Friday evening are worth it.

 

[NoDak]

yeah it might 4hr of your time, but you have to look at the long term. you get what you want with the options and at the price point you are looking for. its better to waste some time (somewhat free) than it is to go local and grumble about it for the rest of the vehicle term.