A DRIVER was able to get a good deal on a four-year-old Acura – thanks to the art of negotiation.
TikTok user George Saliba recently revealed an interaction he had with a gearhead looking to buy a car, and how he was able to strike a deal that left both parties satisfied.
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In the video, which has hit over 1.4 million views, George reveals the back-and-forth he recently had with a customer on a 2021 Acura RDX listed at $39,999.
However, the buyer was looking to cut down on that price significantly, first making an offer of $28,500, including taxes and fees, claiming he’d be “out the door” with the deal done.
The term “out the door” refers to the final price a buyer pays, including the car’s cost, taxes, registration, and any additional fees.
Savvy buyers tend to focus on this number rather than the car’s advertised price – to avoid surprises later.
But Saliba pushes back, explaining that he bought the car himself for $27,500 and would barely make a profit at that price.
The buyer persists, claiming he’s a “good returning customer price”, with an offer of $29,500 with a focus on the price of the car online – which Saliba again turns down.
Remaining firm, the buyer makes a final total—including taxes and fees— with a proposition of $31,000 “out the door,” framing it as a fair compromise.
Saliba pushes for $31,500 but ultimately agrees to $31,400 – followed by a handshake.
Many social media users in the comments section were stunned by the interaction.
One commented said: “$31,000 for a four-year-old Acura RDX?”
Another said: “How did they go from $39,999 to $31,400?”
And a third called out a part in the video when the buyer’s wife chimed inm writing: “As soon as his wife said it was a good price, bro was cooked.”
Car experts generally agree that buyers should arm themselves with knowledge before setting foot in a dealership.
This includes researching the make and model of the car you’re interested in, and knowing its market value.
It’s also suggested to arrange financing before visiting the dealership.
This comes as a car pro recently revealed five used vehicles he recommends to potential buyers including a “reliability king.”
And his warning comes at a good time as buyers face tough decisions this year with fewer used cars available and rising maintenance costs.
Affordability remains a major challenge for motorists heading into 2025, especially with the high cost of financing a car.
YouTuber Mark Holubetz talked up the evergreen Toyota Camry.
He said buyers get plenty of space and tech features on a modest budget as a used Camry comes with extras like a sunroof and heated steering wheel.
“You’re going to get hundreds of thousands of miles out of that vehicle,” Holubetz said.
“I would stand on just about every drivetrain of late-model Camrys.
“Any [model] within the last 10 or 15 years is guaranteed to be a reliability king.”