Car Negotiation FAQ — All Your Questions Answered

2 Dudes Auto Negotiators is a professional vehicle negotiation service. We work on your behalf to negotiate the best possible price on any new or used vehicle purchase, lease, or fleet deal — so you never have to step foot in a dealership unprepared.

Simple: you tell us what vehicle you want, we research the market, contact dealers on your behalf, and negotiate aggressively to get you the lowest price. We handle all the back-and-forth so you skip the stress and save money.

Our fee is a fraction of what you'll save. Most clients save far more than they pay us. Schedule a free consultation and we'll give you a clear picture of our fees and expected savings before you commit.

Yes. We negotiate new cars, used cars, trucks, SUVs, luxury vehicles, electric vehicles, leases, and commercial/fleet vehicles. If it has a price tag, we can negotiate it.

Yes — we work remotely with clients across the entire United States. We contact dealers on your behalf via phone and email regardless of your location or the dealer's location.

Book a free consultation on our website. We'll learn about the vehicle you want, discuss your budget, and outline exactly how we'll get you the best deal possible.

We need the year, make, model, and trim level you want, your preferred color and features, your approximate budget, and whether you plan to finance, pay cash, or lease. That's it — we handle the rest.

Absolutely. If you've already been talking to a dealer and feel like you're not getting the best deal, we can step in and take over the negotiation at any stage.

Clients typically save $1,500–$5,000+ on new vehicles and $500–$3,000+ on used vehicles. The exact savings depend on the vehicle, market conditions, and dealer. We'll give you a realistic estimate during your consultation.

In most cases, yes — significantly. Dealers are trained sales professionals who negotiate vehicles every day. A professional negotiator levels the playing field and typically saves you far more than the service costs.

We shop multiple dealers simultaneously. If one dealer won't move, we use competing offers to pressure all of them. Competition is the most powerful negotiating tool available.

Inventory shortages make dealer markups common, but we can still often find MSRP or below-MSRP deals by locating inventory at other dealers, incoming units, or dealer trades. We'll be honest if a particular vehicle has very limited room to negotiate.

We can't guarantee a specific dollar amount because market conditions vary, but we guarantee we'll work hard to get you the best possible deal — and we'll be transparent throughout the process.

Yes. Doc fees, dealer prep fees, and other add-ons are often negotiable or removable. We review every line item of the deal to eliminate unnecessary charges.

A good price on a new car is typically at or below invoice price. In normal market conditions, paying invoice or 1–3% below MSRP is a solid deal. We aim for the best the market will bear.

The most common dealer tactics include focusing on monthly payment instead of total price, inflating trade-in appraisals with higher purchase prices, adding unwanted add-ons (paint protection, gap insurance, etc.), four-square worksheets designed to confuse, and artificial urgency ("this deal expires today").

The four-square method is a sales tactic where dealers present four numbers simultaneously — price, trade-in value, monthly payment, and down payment — and move money between boxes to make each deal look better than it is. Never negotiate using the four-square method.

Counterintuitively, no — not at first. Dealers make money on financing. If they know you're paying cash early, they have less incentive to lower the price. Negotiate the vehicle price first, then reveal your payment method.

Yes, absolutely. Always negotiate the new car price completely before discussing your trade-in. Dealers will mix the two to obscure what you're actually getting for your old vehicle.

Invoice price is what the dealer paid the manufacturer for the vehicle. It's a useful benchmark for negotiation. However, dealers also receive manufacturer incentives and holdback money, so they can often sell below invoice and still profit.

Doc fees, registration, and taxes are legitimate. Paint protection, fabric protection, nitrogen tire fills, VIN etching, and dealer-added accessories are typically unnecessary and overpriced. We fight to remove or reduce junk fees.

A market adjustment (also called ADM — additional dealer markup) is a fee dealers add above MSRP on hot vehicles. It can sometimes be negotiated down or removed, especially if you have competing offers from other dealers.

Often yes — dealers have monthly sales quotas and may be more flexible at month end. End of quarter and end of year are also historically strong times to buy. That said, a skilled negotiator can get great deals any time of the month.

Yes — and leases are often even more negotiable than purchases. We negotiate the capitalized cost (selling price), money factor (interest rate), residual value, and fees to minimize your monthly payment and total cost.

Money factor is the interest rate on a lease, expressed as a small decimal (e.g., 0.00125). Multiply by 2,400 to convert to an approximate APR. Money factor is negotiable with some lenders and can significantly affect your monthly payment.

Buying out your lease at lease-end is possible, but the residual price is usually set by the finance company — not the dealer — making it less negotiable. However, we can help you evaluate whether the buyout price is fair and explore alternatives.

It depends on your driving habits, financial goals, and preference for keeping vehicles. Leasing makes sense if you want a new car every 2–3 years and drive moderate miles. Buying is better if you drive a lot or plan to keep the vehicle long-term. We can help you evaluate both options.

Cap cost reduction is essentially a down payment on a lease that lowers your capitalized cost and monthly payment. Generally, we advise against large down payments on leases — if the vehicle is totaled, you typically lose that money.

Yes. EV leases often have favorable residuals and manufacturer incentives. The federal EV tax credit can be applied to leases (through the lessor), making EVs excellent lease candidates. We'll identify the best EV lease deals available.

Absolutely — used car prices are highly negotiable. Unlike new cars with MSRP as a benchmark, used car pricing varies widely. We use market data, comparable listings, and vehicle history to justify a lower price.

We analyze comparable vehicles using tools like Carfax, AutoTrader, CarGurus, and NADA/Kelley Blue Book, factoring in mileage, condition, options, and local market data to determine what the vehicle is truly worth.

Yes — always. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic typically costs $100–$150 and can reveal issues that give you strong negotiating leverage or save you from buying a problematic vehicle.

CPO vehicles are used cars that have been inspected and certified by the manufacturer, often with extended warranty coverage. They typically cost more than non-certified used vehicles but offer greater peace of mind.

Yes. CPO pricing is still negotiable. While dealers may be less flexible on CPO vehicles than on standard used cars, there is usually room to move, especially if you have competing listings.

Always get a Carfax or AutoCheck report, have an independent mechanic inspect it, check for consistent panel gaps and paint (signs of prior accidents), test all electronics, and verify service records. We walk clients through this entire process.

We advise clients to get pre-approved financing from their bank or credit union before going to the dealer. This gives you a baseline rate that dealers must beat. We help you understand whether the dealer's financing offer is genuinely competitive.

Dealer reserve is the markup a dealer adds to your interest rate and keeps as profit. For example, if the lender approves you at 4%, the dealer might charge you 5.5% and pocket the difference. We help clients recognize and minimize dealer reserve.

Yes — always. Pre-approval from a bank or credit union gives you negotiating power, sets a rate benchmark, and prevents you from being dependent on dealer financing.

We help you understand your trade-in's true market value using KBB, Carmax, Carvana, and dealer offers. We advise whether to trade in at the dealer or sell privately for maximum return.

Private sales almost always net more money, but require more time and effort. If convenience is important, trading in is acceptable — just make sure you know your vehicle's market value so you're not taken advantage of.

Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a vehicle loan and its actual cash value if it's totaled. It can be valuable on financed vehicles, but dealer-sold gap is typically overpriced. We recommend buying it through your own insurance company instead.

Extended warranties (vehicle service contracts) can provide peace of mind, but the dealer's F&I office typically marks them up substantially. If you want one, negotiate the price down or purchase one from a reputable third-party provider after the sale.

Yes — though Tesla and some other EV makers have fixed pricing. For most EV brands (Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Rivian, etc.) selling through traditional dealers, prices are negotiable. We know which EVs have the most room to move.

The federal tax credit itself isn't negotiable — but we can help you structure deals that maximize your credit eligibility and apply it as a point-of-sale discount on eligible vehicles through the Inflation Reduction Act provisions.

Tesla uses a direct-sales, no-haggle model with fixed pricing — so traditional negotiation isn't applicable. However, we can advise on timing purchases to maximize federal credits, end-of-quarter incentives, and referral programs.

EVs with the most negotiating room tend to be those with slower sales velocity or larger inventory. Models like the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and certain Hyundai/Kia EVs have historically had dealer incentive programs with room to negotiate.

Absolutely. Trucks are high-margin vehicles with significant dealer markup. We routinely negotiate $3,000–$7,000+ below MSRP on popular trucks depending on market conditions and inventory.

Yes. Fleet and commercial vehicle purchases have their own pricing structures and incentive programs. We help business owners understand fleet pricing, qualify for fleet discounts, and negotiate the best possible terms.

Yes — we handle commercial vans (Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter, etc.) and can negotiate both individual and fleet quantities.

Yes — this is one of our most popular services. We handle all negotiations remotely via phone and email on your behalf. You only visit the dealership to sign paperwork and pick up your vehicle.

Yes. We regularly negotiate deals at dealerships outside our clients' home states. This is especially useful for rare vehicles, limited inventory, or when a better deal exists in another market.

Yes, with proper precautions. We advise clients to get a pre-purchase inspection, review all documentation carefully, and understand the shipping or delivery logistics. Out-of-state purchases can save significant money on the right vehicle.

Many dealers now offer fully online purchase processes. We can guide you through online negotiations and review all online documents before you sign anything.

Yes — luxury vehicles often have more margin than mainstream vehicles. Brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, and Genesis typically have significant room to negotiate, especially on non-allocated or slower-selling models.

Luxury dealerships often present a more polished, less aggressive sales environment — but they're still businesses trying to maximize profit. We know the tactics luxury dealers use and negotiate just as effectively in premium environments.

Yes — factory orders (ordering a vehicle to your exact specifications) can sometimes be negotiated at a lower price since the dealer knows you're committed and they don't need to floor-plan the vehicle. We negotiate factory orders regularly.

Yes — Utah is our home state. We have deep knowledge of Utah dealerships, market conditions, and local pricing. We serve clients throughout the Salt Lake City metro area, Utah County, and all of Utah.

Yes — we work with dealers nationwide. We can negotiate on vehicles at any dealership in the United States, regardless of your location or the dealer's location.

We're a real business with real clients and verifiable results. We invite you to read our reviews, check our credentials, and have a no-obligation consultation to determine if our service is right for you.

Most negotiations are completed within 24–72 hours once we have your vehicle details and begin contacting dealers. More complex negotiations or rare vehicles may take longer.

Once we've secured your deal, we walk you through exactly what to expect at the dealership — including which add-ons to decline, how to handle the F&I office, and what to verify in the paperwork before signing.

Currently we provide remote guidance and preparation before your dealership visit. We brief you on every aspect of the deal and what to watch for in the finance office so you're fully prepared.

Yes — we handle single purchases and multiple-vehicle fleet deals. Contact us to discuss the scope of your needs.

You're never obligated to accept any deal. We present you with the best offer we can obtain, and the final purchase decision is always yours.

We communicate by phone, email, and text — whatever is most convenient for you. We keep you updated throughout the negotiation process.