Hi Ray,

Thanks for the website. I am a first time buyer in Canada looking for a used car. I really want a specific car (Nissan Cube) and have checked autotrader / craiglist etc for prices.

I have narrowed down my search to two dealerships and plan to pay them a visit. From I gathered from your website, buying cars is like playing poker: you make yourself hard to read and be aware of the emotions. I have read your posts and still have a few questions I would like to ask before paying dealers a visit.

1/ Should I pretend that I do not have a specific car in mind? Does being indifferent and unimpressed with the car I am interested give me an edge in negotiation or do salesmen see it through easily?

2/ Similarly, should I offer a price that is below my final number to have an advantage in negotiation or should I provide with my final number to save the time?

3/ The car I am interested in is not a popular model, I wonder if that gives me more bargaining power / more $$ off listed price tag.

4/It is a 2010 car with close to 40,000 km. I don't know if this is considered as too low or too high.

5/Nissan has issued a recall in Canada. Dealers are supposed to replace passenger side airbag and install some parts in the fuel circulation. How can I know that the dealer have completed the work?

That's a lot of questions. Thanks a lot for your time.

Best,

Ed

I appreciate a shopper that have taken the time to explore my non profit site. and hopefully pass it on.

Regarding your questions.

# 1,,, I love this Q,,, and let me answer it this way,,, If a buyer came to me and said I want to look at the Cube Van you got advertised. My thoughts right away,,, this guy is a buyer having only this car in mind ,,, now I got to find the hot button to close this deal,,, like how much study about price and options does he really know ??? time to pick his brains for profit.

# 2,,, Excellent Q,,, The choice is yours.

# 3,,, NO,,, there will be no edge here

# 4,,, That is very low Km,,, and could be a diamond find providing history checks out 100%,,, being in Canada that means a Car Proff should be provided by the dealer

# 5,,, If buying from a Nissan dealer not to worry the mechanics would love to replace every part in the car for their profit,,,lol

Feel free to send me the two links to view your choices to rayraypaulsen@gmail.com and I will view them for red flags.

Hi Ray,

Thanks for your answers. I have sent you the links through email and also want to ask a follow up question. I wonder if you have used/heard of Canadian Black Book, an online valuation site of new/used cars. I am doing my research on that site and would love to ask your opinion on it.

The site is http://www.canadianblackbook.com/

Best,

Ed

Got the links and will check them out as time allows

The Canadian Black that you are linked to is for consumers to get average price for trades allowed and sold units across the country... it is not a dealer Canadian Black Book. but it gives you a fair value on a retail level.

The Green,,, Used Car Managers at dealer auctions study the Dealer Black Book,,,,,,,,,,,,, The Real Pro's study the auction Sheets.....
Sorry this is a subject that would take to long to explain with my 2 finger type.....

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the advice. I am starting to check out Federal/Provincial Auction sites now. I am referring friends who have questions about used cars to your site for the excellent information.

Best,

Charlie