When you walk into a car dealership, the questions you ask can shape the entire buying experience. Salespeople are trained to guide the conversation in ways that benefit them, sometimes by steering you away from certain topics. Knowing which questions to avoid can help you keep control and avoid costly mistakes.

By steering clear of a few key questions, you can protect yourself from tactics that might cost you more money or put you at a disadvantage. Understanding what not to say or ask puts the power back in your hands, making your car purchase smoother and fairer.

How much can you afford monthly?

You need to know your budget before you even talk numbers with a salesperson. Think about all your monthly expenses, not just the car payment.

It’s easy to get stuck focusing only on what fits in your pocket each month, but remember, the total cost matters too.

When you know your limit, you avoid getting stuck with payments that stretch you too thin. Keep that number in mind, and don’t let a dealer shift the focus away from it.

Are you the best price I can get?

When you ask this, salespeople often hesitate. They want you to think it’s the lowest, but chances are it’s just the starting point.

Don’t settle for their first answer. Push back and ask for specifics. Sometimes, “best price” means there’s room to negotiate or hidden incentives you haven’t been told about.

Remember, dealers expect this question. Use it to gauge how flexible they really are before you commit.

Can you do better than the sticker price?

When you ask this, salesmen often hope you don’t. The sticker price is just a starting point, not the final offer.

You can usually negotiate below it, especially if you’re ready to buy today.

Try saying, “I’ll buy at this price,” rather than just asking if they can do better. If they say no, be ready to walk away.

Sometimes patience pays off more than pushing hard right away.

Is this the last one in stock?

Asking if a car is the last one in stock might seem smart, but dealers use this to create urgency. They want you to feel like you have to buy right now or miss out.

Don’t let this pressure push you into a quick decision. There’s usually more inventory, or they could order the exact model you want.

Focus on the deal, not the count. Your goal is getting the best price, not rushing because of limited stock.

Will you let me talk to your manager?

When a salesperson says, “Let me talk to my manager,” they’re often just doing what’s called a “turn over.” It’s a way to see if your offer can get approved or if someone else needs to try closing the deal.

Sometimes, it’s also a tactic to slow things down or make you feel the need to wait. If you ask to speak directly to the manager, it can change the dynamic and speed things up.

Keep in mind, the manager is usually checking if the deal fits into the dealership’s daily sales goals.