It seems like, no matter what kind of car you're looking for, you either have to deal with Uftring's or Leman's. There aren't many exceptions.

I know of a few people in Peoria that bought new cars over the last few years. Not one of them bought it in Peoria. In fact, hardly any even looked in Peoria. Lots of negative word of mouth experiences. In one case, someone did look in Peoria first but too many cell phone calls from salesman's girlfriend caused customer to walk out.

@Mahkno : Eh, they ran over their own foot. Back in the day, the MSRP was intentionally high just for that debate so you thought you were getting a good deal when you talked the salesperson down and they had to "go check with their manager". Then they started giving you more for your trade-in, but were unwilling to come down much on the price of the car. That tactic didn't last long because people realized that now that the price of the car was higher, so was the tax they were paying. I think the MSRP is more realistic now than it was even 20 years ago. There was no way in hell the brand new, fully optioned, 1996 Monte Carlo Z34 I bought was worth the $27500 MSRP price tag compared to what my almost fully optioned Malibu LTZ1 at $30500 today.

@billybob : Yeah, my last three have come out of Peoria. I love my small town Chevy dealer.

As for new cars, the dealer cost is usually just a couple thousand less than that sticker price. Where the dealer makes the money is with those maintenance agreements and extended warranties.

I went to a used car dealer here, and they have a very strict "what price you see is what you pay"... zero haggling.This one guy came in, hell-bent on haggling. they kept insisting and insisting... then the guy said "$1? how about $1?? [off the sticker price]" and she relented.really.

@AverageJoe : I like used car lots that are embracing this practice. I don't like bargaining and I don't do it for anything else I own so why the car? I bought my used car in Missouri, looked it up on Blue Book, it was fair, drove down with a check for the full amount. I don't want to leave feeling taken advantage of on my second most expensive possession.

My last five vehicles (one used, four new), have come from Mike Miller Mitsubishi/Hundai/Kia. I think because of my repeat business, they treat me pretty well. I usually don't keep a vehicle much over 3 years.

Anybody remember Paul Beard? "Stop in after church with your wife and we'll dicker".

I know I am going to sound disagreeable and negative, but here goes. Why be concerned about a few hundred dollars when it comes time to haggle on the price of a new car, but then not be concerned about how it depreciates thousands of dollars the second you drive it off the lot?Best solution if you want a new car, buy a 2-3 year old car from a private owner.

Well, if they're going to keep the "S" in "MSRP", tell them to their face "Uh huh. That's the SUGGESTED price now, isn't it."

Well, now that my husband works for GM, I leased a brand new GM car least year. I never put 1,000 miles on it here in Podunkville. Pull out of the driveway and you're there. (JUST KIDDING! 😆) The miles come from road tripping.I had been driving "Ye Olde Tin Can" for 14 years. 2003 Honda Pilot. We're getting ready to sell it, and I don't want to depart from it. (**sniffle**) Such a reliable vehicle to haul stuff. Third seat kept the spawn from fighting.Hard for me to part with a reliable vehicle!!! Seriously, the thing almost NEVER broke down.But paying plates, taxes, and insurance on it every year is too much.

And I agree with @Tazewell.

I have noticed today in this world many are buying this insurance that when your car breaks down your covered. I have seen some of these policy's and the cost is not that bad.