If the thought of haggling over the price ofa new car makes you blanche, think about the figures involved. Just a smallpercentage reduction could save you thousands of pounds.
Know your stuff
To haggle successfully, you need to bewell-informed, so before you arrive at a dealership, do your research. Find outthe size of discounts that other companies are offering. Brokers, internetcompanies and even car supermarkets have information online, and the What Car?Target Price (www.whatcar.co.uk) will give you the average price that you canexpect to pay for a car if you haggle.
Start with a low opening price, but berealistic. The seller will know how low he can afford to go, so sit tight foras long as you can before accepting a price you're happy with.
Show that you are committed to making apurchase. If you play it too cool and the seller doesn't think you are serious,he may not bother to negotiate.
Don't fall for dealer tricks, such asoffering you a good deal only if you buy today. The deal may be even bettertomorrow, so don't be rushed.
Hold out for what you want
Also, don't accept a car that isn't thecolour and exact specification you want. Dealers may simply be trying to shifttheir existing stock and you can use this to your advantage by pressing for afurther saving.
And if the seller won't come down, don't beafraid to walk away. There is always another day, another car and another deal.
