Which website to start $$ negotiations with?

[SR2000]

Hey all - we're ready to buy probably within about a month, so I would like to start the online negotiations as early as possible w/the dealers. I know there's carsdirect, edmunds, autobytel, and many others who will send out your info to dealers and then dealers then contact you w/prices. I'm just wondering which is the best site to start with. I don't want to start w/one site, only to have the price start $500 higher than another site would if I was to use them instead. Any suggestions or does it really not matter in the end after the negotiations process??

[smroycro]

I used carsdirect with zero problems or hassles. At the time I made my deal (mid Feb), it was the best I was hearing. Good luck!

[vanbo]

I concur on Carsdirect... I've purchased 2 vehicles with this method (same dealer), and the price was great (RTL w/ s/r for $27,122 about 3 weeks ago).

[SR2000]

I've heard good things about carsdirect - but I also heard that the deals offered through dealers using that website can be $500-$1000 higher than what it can actually be bought for. I'm thinking the difference may be just going back and forth w/the dealer until a good price is agreed upon? Having never done this before - I'm trying to do all my research ahead of time. BTW - sounds like a great deal on the RTL - that's good to hear!

[Hooha12]

I used most of the ones mentioned and also sent e-mails directly to surrounding dealers. I specified e-mail contact only. The best deal offered was through a dealer connected to CarsDirect.

[klundy]

I recommend using the approach of fightingchance.com In theory you should get close to the same price as carsdirect - but without the service fee. The difference is you are doing all the work.

Kevin

[ShootinDownTheStars]

invoicedealers.com is another one.

California does not have the best relationship with Carsdirect for some reason. I go in there as a pretend customer all the time, and I hardly ever get responses.

You can also just go directly to the dealers websites........they usualy have "quick quotes" available.

Any of them work........they are all just lead sources to us dealers and usually the price quotes are the same no matter which source you use to get to them.

[SR2000]

That's cool - thanks for all the tips everyone - I may just try the e-mail-them-directly approach