I have bought and traded in five new cars since 2011. I never went to the dealer without first checking with
Kelly Blue Book first. I want to know what my car is worth on a trade in and what I should pay for the new car I'll be buying. So far, by using those numbers every dealer has worked the deal.
I remember the first time using it was in 2012 I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo with a window sticker price of $23,925. At Jenkins in Ocala they wanted almost $26,000 for a non-turbo model (138hp vs 201hp). On the Hyundai Veloster message board I found that most dealers were charging full sticker price plus an extra $1,000 sort of the way the Mazda Miata was in the beginning. Buyers couldn't get the car so the dealers jacked up the price.
To find the car I went on
Autotrader website and clicked on 'advanced search'. I was willing to drive 75 miles, so I set the distance at that. Then selected the brand, model, and extras I wanted. After two weeks I found the car with no dealer fees or added on fees and the color and options at Red Hoagland Hyundai in Winter Haven. I called and spoke with the online salesman. He actually walked out to the car and answered any questions I had. I then told him I would be in about 2 hours or less, please hold the car.
I drove down, test drove the car, told the sales I would pay $21,600 for the car because KBB said that's what I should pay, and I wanted $16,600 for my trade because that's what KBB said I should receive. Within 5 minutes I had a deal.
It was a great little car, I drove it for four years. If you ever buy a Veloster, please get the Turbo engine, I see so many regular versions I don't believe a lot of customers know that there are two engines available. A case of not doing your research and the dealer not providing better service.
