Haggling and Negotiating prices of New Cars Here

[hychamaz]

Hello everyone, I hope that we could get some advice here as we are getting ready to buy a new car (another baby is on the way!) so we need something with 3 rows of seating. I have read in other posts that Finns in general don't haggle, don't like to haggle and negotiate, look down on this process, and so on. Has anyone here bought a new car, have any stories, reccomendations, etc..
Back in the states haggling with a new car salesman is an art form. With giving offers, receiving counter offers, having the salesman ok things with their manager etc, etc.. So I am just wondering how far I can go here without being totally obnoxious (and getting thrown out of the dealership, just kidding). Do you guys think that the salesman will be taken back by the haggling (keeping in mind that my wife will be there to do any weird translations for me in Finnish). I remember that the last new car that we bought in the states, the salesman and I couldnt come to an agreement so I just left my phone number with my final offer and the next day I received a call that they accepted my offer. Can I go this far here especially with the falling economy?? Thanks in advance for any and all advice, tips, etc...
P.S.-Any reccomendations on family vehicles with 3 row seating would also be appreciated. Hyvää Joulua

[Rick1]

I always bought my car from Jerry :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-8hkD-Q ... re=related

What pricerange are you looking for?

[Sakari]

It's true that the price that finnish businesses give as an offer is usually near the lowest price that they would sell it. Actually some big business contracts between finnish companies and foreign companies have been called off because the price that the finnish have given is so near the lowest price that the foreign companies have been dumbfounded that the finnish company won't lower their price.

Of course you can try to haggle but don't expect anything big.

[annekmc]

Definately haggle, I got a €4000 advertised car for €3000 with brand new winter tyres thrown in, also a friend of ours just bought a Volvo advertised for €5200 for €3800, garages are desperate to get rid of old stock, especially now before the start of the new year. Car prices are coming down here all the time. If you don't have to trade an old car against the new one, you will be able to negotiate a much better deal.
Good Luck

[hychamaz]

Thanks for the feedback everyone so far. We appreciate that. I would really think that negotiating would be big right now in the car industry especially with the falling sales numbers. Don't quote me exactly but I think an article on YLE said that 40000 fewer cars are expected to have not been sold than what was expected in Finalnd this year. More opinions on haggling would greatly be appreciated!!
Also to answer another post our price range is in the 20-35K range. I was also wondering if you guys think that the Finns views on American cars are the same as Americans. No one wants to even touch them. Anyone agree with the rationale that a dealer selling a Chrysler Caravan would go much lower than say a new Citroen or Kia. Thanks

[meplusthree]

If you are buying brand new car the answer is yes about haggling and you probably can get some of the extras thrown in for free but if you trade in your old car you will probably be disappointed with the price you get.

I bought new car 6 months ago and price offered for my old car went from 14000 to 21000 !!! worst price offered by big dealers in Helsinki and best from family firm in kerava who also offered better price on the extras.

The deal I finally went for was with the Kerava firm and the request for offer and offer was all done by email and this seems quite normal here.

So what I suggest is that you pick a few models you're interested in then e-mail the dealers asking for offers with detail of your trade in car including the registration number. Try dealers in other cities as sometimes they will offer better deal.

ps
just read latest post, I would never even think about buying american car with exception of Jeep, also would never buy another Citroen any discount you get soon gets taken back by service charges & repair bills, Citroen service is over 30% more than equivalent Peugeot and they are both made by same company!.
It is worth checking the service costs/intervals as well, one of the Fin car mags did a comparison several months ago and if I remember right Kia was one of the most expensive cars to run over 3 years due to high service price and shorter service interval.

Sorry to pee on your Citroen/Kia dreams. But if it is your money do yourself a favour and stay away from citroen.

[Rick1]

Mazda 5 ready for about 25k 7h, Honda CRV (do not know about 3rd row), Nissan Qashgai,Opel Zafira ,toyota Verso (then you are really integrated in Finland

[hychamaz]

Thanks for teh input everyone. Service Intervals and their costs will definately be taken into account. We were taking theh Kia into mind because of their 7 year warranty. The Mazda 5 and Nissan Qashgai will definately be looked into. I wasnt aware that Citroens service fees were so much higher than Peugeots. I see that the Peugeot 307 SW is slightly different than the Citroens Grand C4 Picasso, that is why we are considering both also.

[meplusthree]

I owned a citroen and then peugeot 407 and I checked the costs before I bought the peugeot . The Kia guarantee is attractive but you pay for it in the shorter service intervals and price of service and spares.
I think the survey of ownership cost was in Tuulilasi magazine from earlier in 2008 - you might be able to find copy in your local library

[raamv]

I ve posted at least twice on this topic on how to methodically haggle on each of the stages in buying a new car ( mostly as compared to old ones but definitely works with new ones)..
If you are considering a Nissan or a Chrysler, or Dodge, do let me know and I will give you the name of one person who can give you some attractive rates ( but only speaks Finnish ) in Autokeskus Olari)

[Pursuivant]

I've been looking to buy a car as well.... which means something with mechanical parts and none of your electric plastic thingamajingies... so far unless I go ransack the Vehoniemi museum the only new car in Finland thats still a car is Lada Niva. they're having some lucrative offers now...

[hychamaz]

I've been looking to buy a car as well.... which means something with mechanical parts and none of your electric plastic thingamajingies... so far unless I go ransack the Vehoniemi museum the only new car in Finland thats still a car is Lada Niva. they're having some lucrative offers now...

That is so funny. We actually saw a new Lada at one dealership. It really still looks like they build them like tanks!

I ve posted at least twice on this topic on how to methodically haggle on each of the stages in buying a new car ( mostly as compared to old ones but definitely works with new ones)..
If you are considering a Nissan or a Chrysler, or Dodge, do let me know and I will give you the name of one person who can give you some attractive rates ( but only speaks Finnish ) in Autokeskus Olari)

Thanks for the info raamv. I found those old posts and they had some useful info. Thanks. I would definately appreciate it if you could give me the name of the salesperson in Autokeskus Olari. The Nissan interests me. I still though am very curious as what kind of offer they would give on a Chrysler given their state....

Also, I am familiar with older diesals being very reliable but havent really kept current with the new cars. Does anyone with experience say that this still holds true. Are todays diesals much more reliable than gasoline models. Thanks