I've been keeping a very close eye on 997.1 and 997.2's that are in my area. I've noticed that every one I see listed is at least $5000 over blue book, and most are nearly $10,000 over. I'm not talking about the blue book private sale price. If I punch the specs in to kbb.com and state the exact make, model, options, miles, and that I plan to purchase at a dealer; the price always ends up much less than any car listed.

So the question is, is it possible to negotiate a dealer down to what the blue book price should be? Or are there just enough buyers that the dealers don't have to?

 

Dealers use KBB to set a low ball price for trades and then turn around and use KBB to set a premium price for re-sale. Very seldom is KBB the same as the market - it will give you a range though.

 

Agreed. I like the estimates available on cargurus.com. It's very easy to adjust all the search parameters, including ZIP codes. I found it pretty much in line with what I found in the market when I was looking for my current car. The main benefit, as you said, is getting a range. Exceptional cars from dealers who make a market in certain cars will always command a premium.

The real problem with using any of these sources, IMHO, is grading the cars as clean, good, exception, etc., leaves a lot of grey area. The difference can mean thousands.

 

KBB is just used for dealers to lowball you on a trade, rarely is it used as price to sell. Your best price is searching cargurus, cars.com, and autotrader to see what the current market price is and used that price to negotiate with your dealer.

 

To answer your question...NO if you are looking at a no headache car. Private party knows how much the car is worth and will not sell for less unless they're financially compromised. Highly unlikely from dealership for someone to get a bargain price. They can auction a car and still make money.

If there's carfax/paintwork/title issues possible.

 

Check how the prices compare to NADA values; mine was priced about two thousand below NADA "clean retail" value, and I negotiated an extra thousand off the price. One owner car fully serviced with no accidents or known issues. It'll also give you an idea of what the dealer might have paid for the car by the trade-in values listed.

 

NADA is more closer to market. I think kelly blue book has some problems with their staff and they don't understand market values. Wait isn't that what they do