There is a 2018 Grand Touring with ~7,000 miles near me at a dealership. Asking $34.5k. Looking at NADA and Black Book, trade-in is about $31k to $32k for this model & mileage, so they're looking to make a couple thousand on the car. They've had it for over three months so I'm thinking they should be willing to negotiate a little. What's fair for this car? Think I can walk out with making an offer of $33k? Thanks.

 

Go for it!

 

It is difficult to estimate the value of a used vehicle with so many variables, make an offer. If they don't except it they will likely counter offer.

 

Buying a car is the only big purchase a consumer makes against a professional negotiator. The internet to the rescue:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/h...art-three.html
https://www.carfax.ca/resource-centr...hicle-purchase
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Savings/c...ry?id=11846091
https://blog.autotempest.com/advice-...ar-purchase/5/

Beware of the 4-square worksheet. That is designed by pros to get your head spinning:

--There is a lot of profit in used cars. You know this, so you can be willing to knock the posted price down.
--Buy nothing extra. Nothing. It is all overpriced. Much is useless.
--Time is your friend. The only friend you have in the showroom. Take all the time you can. Think long and hard about each offer. Call someone to discuss it with them. Burn time. Get close to closing time. Act like a real buyer, but one with money problems (that won't be hard, will it?).
--Get every detail written on the contract...inspect the car carefully. Any repairs, any thing that's not right (no owner's manual, no spare, no tool kit, no second key fob) get the correction written in exact detail on the contract. If the item is important, delay signing until you see that the item has been correctly covered.
--Line up good financing in advance. If the dealer offers you a better deal, great. If not, you're ready to go on your financing. Don't buy gap insurance from the dealer. Buy it from your car insurer. You'll save money if in fact you need gap insurance. (Covers the gap between what the car is worth and what you owe in case you total it early in the ownership. If you no long need the gap insurance, cancel it. If your down payment is sufficient, you don't need gap insurance.)
--Pick an unusual number for your offer. Pick one down the the $50 dollar level or even an odd number of dollars. Earn your Oscar by making them believe that is your absolute limit. Not $33,000. Maybe $32,350. Or $31, 457. It doesn't have to make sense. It does need to seem real to them. Stick with it.
--You want to buy the car. They NEED to sell cars. Their need is stronger than your want. Let them come down to you. Never offer to split the difference. If they make the offer, consider it for so long that they offer to split it again.
--Know what charges are optional according to your state law. In my state a documentation fee up to $150 is optional by law. If there is anything you don't have to pay, don't pay it...but wait until they've printed the first copy of the contract to tell them. Again, time is your friend. Don't drop these things on them until they've agreed to your price.
--Examine every line on the contract. Get explanations for every line. I had one dealer try to sneak in 3 different bogus charges on the contract. One by one I had each removed and the contract reprinted.
--Know your walk-out price.
--BE WILLING TO WALK OUT and be sure they understand that. That is the only leverage you have. Give them your phone number---you'll return when they meet your price.