What Not to Say When Buying a Car (and What to Say Instead)

When you walk into a dealership, everything you say sends a message—about your budget, your confidence, and how quickly a salesperson thinks they can close the deal.

The problem? Many smart, well-meaning shoppers give away their negotiating power without even realizing it.

Whether this is your first car or your fifth, here’s a guide for what not to say when buying a car—and what to say instead—so you stay in the driver’s seat, both literally and financially.

Woman with short blonde hair smiling in a parked car, sunlight streaming through window. Relaxed and content mood.

What Not to Say When Buying a Car: “I Love This Car!”

I get it—when you find the one, it’s exciting. But telling a salesperson how much you love a car makes it harder to negotiate. You’ve just shown your hand, and that makes it easier for the dealership to hold firm on price or upsell extras.

Instead, say:“It checks a lot of boxes so far. I’m still deciding between a few options.”

This keeps you in a position of power. You’re interested, but not sold—yet.

What Not to Say When Buying a Car: “I’m Paying Cash”

It might seem like paying in full shows you're a serious buyer (and you are!), but dealers often make more profit on financing. If they know you’re paying cash too early, they might be less willing to offer discounts.

Instead, say:“I’m open to different payment options—depends on the total deal.”

This gives you room to negotiate and keeps all your leverage on the table until you’ve locked in the best price.

What Not to Say When Buying a Car: “I Have a Trade-In”

Mentioning your trade-in too early lets the dealership blend numbers, making it harder to know what you’re really paying or what they’re truly offering for your car.

Instead, say:“Let’s talk about the price of the car first. We can talk trade-in after that.”

This separates the two transactions, so you can see exactly what you’re getting for each.

What Not to Say When Buying a Car: “My Credit Isn’t Great”

Being honest is a good thing, but there’s no need to lead with this info. If your credit score isn’t perfect, that’s okay—but bringing it up early may shift the conversation away from getting the best price and into upsells and high-interest financing.

Instead, say: “I'm reviewing numbers with my financial advisor first—I’ll handle financing after we’ve agreed on the deal.”

This ensures you’re negotiating the vehicle price, not the financing terms.

What Not to Say When Buying a Car: “I Need a Car Today”

Even if your old car just gave out, try to avoid sounding rushed. When dealers know you’re in a time crunch, they’re less likely to negotiate because they know you’re not shopping around.

Instead, say:“I’m aiming to make a decision soon, but I want to be sure I get the right car and the right deal.”

This shows you’re serious without giving away urgency. You’re thoughtful, not desperate.

What Not to Say When Buying a Car: “I Can Afford 'x' per month”

This is one of the most common — and costly — car-buying mistakes. Focusing on monthly payments gives the dealership room to manipulate the loan term, interest rate, and total cost.

Instead, say:“I’m comparing out-the-door offers from different dealers. Let's discuss the selling price and your fees first.”

Do your own math to know your monthly payment in advance (and while there) using an online payment calculator. Then stay focused on the full cost of the car, not just the monthly number.

Stay Empowered—Your Words Matter

Car salespeople are trained to listen closely for clues about your urgency, budget, and mindset. Knowing what to say and not to say when buying a car can be a real game-changer. These six swaps can help you stay calm, collected, and in control of the conversation — without ever sounding defensive or difficult.

Ready to Buy Like a Boss?

If you found these tips helpful, there’s so much more where that came from. Sign up for early access to The Smart Woman’s Guide to Buying a Car—our empowering, no-fluff course designed to save you money, time, and stress at the dealership.