Alright, so with me not wanting to pay alot for an s2k, being a project car, I look for cheap prices. One of my local smaller dealerships has a MY00 s2k with 175k miles, for 7.9k. Ok, so I consider, then take it for a test drive. I later find out the title is rebuilt, and block is cracked. Imo, the cars only worth 4.5k Am I wasting my time by trying to talk them down to that price? Never delt with dealerships before.
And please dont tell me what a should get as far as condition or title status. I dont wanna spend alot on a project car. Just asking if Im wasting my time, or any tips on negotiating.
Thanks.

 

I'm guessing a lot will depend on how long they've had the car for sale.
Levi

 

I later find out the title is rebuilt, and block is cracked.
title is rebuilt, and block is cracked.
block is cracked.

depeneding on your project I'd generally say pass.

 

Dealers are in business to make a profit - and they are pros at it. If you walk in wanting any car for a $200/month payment, they will make a big profit juggling cars and financing. If you walk in interested in a single car, they will make a big profit because you don't have other options but to pay what they want. If you shop multiple dealers and private parties with multiple cars (even better with multiple brands), you will get the best deal because the dealers and private parties will be motivated to accept less profit to make the sale.

 

How do you know if the block is cracked?

 

Worst you can do is offer and they say no. I would go a little lower though, maybe $4k at the most. Stick to your price and don't accept anything more.
I talked a dealer down on a MY06 with 60k on it. They had their sticker price at $19k, they said they could do $18k and I got them down to $13k. When I signed though I told them it was contingent on the car passing a compression test. It failed so I walked.

As far as I see it there are two important things:
1) Be very nice and logical when you are negotiating. Don't try to piss them off in any way other than asking for a low price.
2) Be ready to walk away if they won't meet your maximum price (say in your case $4k).

If you can't walk away when they offer you even $500 above your price then you've already lost.

 

So if you weren't astute and paying attention they would have given you a $7k "deal" on a $4k(?) car?

nice guys.

 

Good points by all, nd goot story curtis. Gives me hope.
Theyve had the car for sale for about 2 months. Realize this isnt a big dealership either.
I knew the block was cracked, because they straight up told me. They didnt tell me about the rebuilt title untill I asked for a carfax. They even advertized it was clean. I plan on swapping the engine anyway, so it doesnt bother me.

 

Yup. Worst part about it is, if I dont get it cheap, someone who doesnt know about cars will fork up the 7.9k.

 

Edit: the autocheck shows clean, but I believe carfax shows rebuilt. My boy looked it up but I cant get ahold of him now.
Can anyone with carfax PM me and look up this VIN??