How much to NEGOTIATE buying Private?

[Parky]

How much of a percentage of the asking price should one try to discount when buying a car privately ?

For example a 2008 GTI is listed for $34500, can it be taken down to say $30500 ?

[team_v]

I doubt you would be able to knock off 4k from the asking price.
Most of the car prices are only inflated by about 1k max.

The most annoying thing about selling a car is people wanting rediculous discounts of over 10%.

[sa-r32]

It shuoldn't be about what discount, it should be about what are you prepared to pay.

You assess the features, the k's, the availbility, overall condition, how long have you been looking, is it exactly what you want.

This then helps you decide what are you willing to pay, and then that's what you offer. If they accept it's win win, you get the car you want at the price you want to pay.

But I understand people like the thought of geting a bargain.

[Scourge]

I've always hated it when people choose the best car on the market with the lowest mileage, most recent build and then expect to buy it at the same price as much poorer examples. I figure 'if thats all you have then why don't you ring the ones in your price range'. But having said that I think its reasonable to expect at least a grand off at that price.

However at the moment there is no way some of these cars are worth what people are asking - especially when you consider the free onroads that VW is currently offering. You could pick up some models brand new for only around 5k more. I can also tell you that as my mk5 is on the market in Melbourne that there are simply NO buyers out there for these cars at the moment. The market is in a bad way so you can afford to be ruthless with your offers.