Making an offer to a dealer ?

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Just wondered on peoples thoughts re: offering £30k on a car marked up at £32k at a dealers ?
Is this below the belt ? For a bit of background there are several cars at this price point and most have seemingly sat there for a good few weeks....i am a cash buyer if it makes a difference. NB: i am well aware of if the car is good enough etc etc, just after a general feeling as to the general thoughts.

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Sorry,should have said, its a used Aston V8 Vantage.Dont get me wrong i have no problem making an offer in fact i have done so, so far to no avail with straight "no's" . Must just be one of those cars that always sells ! I personally dont think its a terrible/hard offer because surely a dealer has a fair bit more in a 32k car than 2k ? Remember i have seen a few sitting at that price as well..

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NickCW said:

Offering on the phone is the worst way to try and get a deal, go down and see the car and test drive it - that way you come across as a serious buyer and once they have invested time in you they will be more likely to do a deal as they will want something from their efforts.

Also remember to go in strong, easiest mistake people make is when they say "no" to 30k is to jump straight up to 31k for instance, best bet is to say ok what will you do - and go from there. Make small increments or none at all, pretty hard to meet in the middle if your first offer is just that...

Play hardball and be prepared to walk, sometimes that pays off if they need it sold.

Edit: Use Webuyanycar to value it, and that will give you the approx price they paid. Its pretty accurate to trade prices.

Interesting,makes sense really. Only snag is that these cars are pretty thin on the ground and can/do involve virtually day trips ! Surely it makes sense to at least mention your budget so as not to waste time all round? Tough one really as many variables involved.
Oh, do you think WBAC values apply to Astons ? If so they have a hell of a mark up !!

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Ray- i wouldnt walk if the car was perfect....but that virtually never the case is it ? Last one i looked at i was told it had Pirellis on the back,travelled, it had Accelleras on instead. I pointed this out only to be told it would cost me extra for them to change them to a premium brand.....
I'm torn between discussing money over the phone when youve not even seen the car, yet to travel the length of the country on an off chance seems equally daft. I would prefer some 'encouragement' to travel and if the car was good then i'm sure a deal could be struck,but to constantly be told "no" when discussing cost seems a bit too one sided.

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Thanks all, really useful all round. On balance i think its best to ask loads of questions, travel,view,drive....then haggle and then pay asking or walk if the deal isnt right. Thinking about it the thrill of the chase is half the 'fun' !

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Very interesting Ray, some real food for thought.

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Tts a fair point as well,i have been watching the market for these for a while now. Prices are pretty stable but they are hardly quick sellers either.
As an aside, a fair few I have enquired after at independent dealers whilst having a fully stamped book have NO supporting paperwork to back up the history....I always considered that a negative but in this case it seems 'normal',any ideas on that ?

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PositronicRay said:

Often people don't handover invoices with the car, for various reasons. If in doubt call the servicing dealers.

Funny enough I called one servicing dealer (Stratstone) who told me its not policy etc etc, then proceeded to try and sell me a £50k Roadster !!
Just seems a shame to have no paperwork with a car such as this.

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Well.....viewed another tonight. Was ok. But no idea/paperwork as to whether car has had a clutch or not and as car has done 69k its something you need to know. The dealer would fit new clutch (which is circa 2.5k ) at asking price or, take as is, but only knock of half of cost of clutch. Prob not for me.
Think i have done a deal on a private sale....all the invoices,history,new clutch,new brakes,just serviced,facelift model etc...refreshing to talk to the owner and get answers to questions ! This in fact......roll on Sunday !

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Cheers , Ray, I've pretty much always bought from the owner (and I've had a fair few cars ! ) only once or twice from trader. Just find it easier chatting,looking,getting a 'feel' for the car etc.Sure probably a slightly more risky way of buying but a bit of due diligence and a common sense approach normally works well.
NB: Please God I haven't just jinxed it saying that ...!!
Just as a final thought one of the dealers I tried to haggle with was adamant that he only had 2k in a car he had marked up at 32k so couldn't do any sort of deal, is that really possible for a trader to be exposed for 30 for only a 2 k return somewhere down the line and still, technically at least, have to stand by the car? Seems an unlikely scenario to me .

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Which is why I didn't ....and bought another !