Does AutoNation Negotiate?

The short answer is: no, officially you cannot negotiate with AutoNation due to their “One Price – No Haggle” policy. 

Usually, when it comes to car prices, negotiation is still a common practice, no matter if the dealership is a large company or a local mom-and-pop shop. In the latter situation, people are still trying to haggle, or at the very least, are trying to make an effort to do so. Taking that into consideration, a closer look on the AutoNation website under the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) category highlights that the “AutoNation Price on Used Vehicles is a no-haggle, one price approach.”

Most car dealerships that are advertising a no-haggle policy, especially the larger ones such as AutoNation, have ingrained this into their business model. Therefore, you're often unable to negotiate the price of a no-haggle car. 

Despite the fact that AutoNation advertises a “no haggle” policy, it is always worth trying to negotiate certain fees\line items on the quotes, or even the actual price of the car itself. In the best-case scenario, they might offer you a discount; in the worst-case scenario, they might decline your request, leaving you with the original price. Nonetheless, at least asking and trying to negotiate is half the battle won.

Since AutoNation has a “no-haggle” policy, you won't be able to negotiate your fees. 

Keep in mind that the projected price on the website is not the price you will pay at the end. If you want to buy a new or used car online, in addition to the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), the most common fees you will have to pay are:

• Sales Tax
• Dealership/documentary fee
• Plate/License fee

Other fees that you may find in a quote from AutoNation are:

• Appearance Protection (usually 3 years)
• Tint/Weather Mats/DEG/Wh Locks
• Dent Protection (usually 3 years)

Each one of these fees may vary depending on the location of your dealership and your preferred car. The price on your quote does not include additional government fees. 

Haggling, or negotiation, became a lost art in today's economy. For most people, haggling over the price at the grocery market or furniture store is obviously uncommon, especially in Western countries, except when it comes to yard sales or farmer's markets. 

If you’re new to haggling car prices, then this might be an intimidating thought and process to you. We’ll guide you through a few steps on how to negotiate for a lower price:

1. Research

Before visiting your local car dealership, take the time to prepare yourself. AutoNation already provides you with the MSRP, and this is the price they recommend for selling the vehicle. Your research can help you gauge the potential price difference between purchasing from a dealership and buying from a private seller.

Take your time and explore multiple dealerships in your area to discover any unique incentives that might lower the overall cost. Look out for cashback promotions, specific model discounts, zero percent financing options, or attractive leasing deals.

2. Know your budget

One of the main reasons to conduct thorough research beforehand is, so you can better calculate your financial limits. For example, if you're planning to pay in cash, the available amount will set the boundaries for your negotiation. If you opt for an auto loan, you may have a bigger budget, more car choices, and increased negotiation flexibility.

Know that even with an auto loan, you might still need or prefer to provide a down payment to decrease your closing expenses or minimize the total loan sum. 

3. Use the dealer's cost to your advantage

If you're looking online for a new car, then it will tell you the dealer’s cost – or the invoice price  – for your preferred choice. If it is a pre-owned car, then research the car’s book value, which is the original cost minus depreciation. You should use this information as the foundation for your next negotiation.

Instead of basing your negotiation on the MSRP, focus on the dealer's invoice cost (or the car's book value). The scope for your negotiation usually lies between the amount the dealer paid the manufacturer (or previous owner) for the vehicle and the price displayed on the dealership lot. 

4. Know the value of your trade-in (if you have one)

If you plan to trade in your current car, then you should research the current value. A well-maintained, sought-after model can be a bargaining chip during your negotiations. Dealers may be tempted by the prospect of profiting from your used car. If the trade-in offer is appealing, go for it. Otherwise, consider selling the car independently or getting quotes from used car dealerships for comparison.

5. Don’t be shy to walk away

Be ready that you may not drive home with your dream car on the same day. Keeping this in mind will help you stay calm and protect your finances by avoiding any hasty decisions.

Having a list of alternative dealers, or private sellers for used cars, can make it simpler to walk away from a deal that isn't right for you.

AutoNation has a “no haggle” policy, and they will, most likely, say no to every car price negotiation. That being said, this shouldn’t stop you in trying but be prepared for a no as an answer.

If you don't want to go through all the research and feel generally uncomfortable about the idea of haggling, consider a FINN car subscription, designed to simplify car ownership and eliminate the hassle of trade-ins and price negotiations. With a FINN car subscription, you can choose a car that suits your lifestyle, your budget and have it delivered straight to your doorstep.