buying 2nd hand cars: dealers vs private sellers

[ajdias]

I am searching online for a second hand car, mainly using nettiauto.com, and without having much knowledge of the cars for sale, I get the idea that cars from dealers are more reasonably priced than cars from individual sellers.

I can think of some reasons for this:

• - Deals take cars in exchange and want to get rid of them fast;
  - Dealers know the market best and can set the prices right. Individuals who sell cheap have their cars bough immediately and the others are the ones I find on my searches;
  - Dealers know how to market best

Is this only an impression or has anyone else noticed it as well?

[richard berman]

Just remember the dealers have the price on the window of a car, and then it little letters at the bottom it says 650€ extra for the paper work they have to do

[ajdias]

Thanks, I'll make sure to ask about "toimituskulut" when I call beforehand. Any other tips?

[Amandine.K]

If you go to a dealer try to negotiate the price. We managed to get it down by a few hundreds and get one year free full coverage insurance.

[debonaire]

And if you are paying the whole price of the car at one go and do not have any old car to trade in, then you are one of the golden customers for dealers...so remember to dwell on this point and negotiate hard....

[richard berman]

I had a friend who worked as a car dealer here in Finland, and he did tell me once that the most they can give dicount on a new car is 5%

[ajdias]

Thanks, great advice. I hope others will find it useful, as well!