Providers and Administrators in blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Edmunds: Car Shoppers Don’t Focus on Rock-Bottom Price

May 21, 2014
2 min to read


SANTA MONICA, Calif. — About 20% of car shoppers consider themselves “extreme price grinders” who will take as much time as they can to get the lowest possible price on a new or used car, according to a new report released by Edmunds.com.


In fact, according to Edmunds.com officials said, a clear majority of car shoppers (64%) value the importance of saving both money and time in the shopping process.

Ad Loading...


“These findings dispel the myth that car shoppers will do whatever it takes to pay a rock-bottom price,” said Edmunds.com President Seth Berkowitz. “The feedback we’ve received from shoppers is clear: They’re more than willing to limit their efforts to haggle if they can get a fair deal without the difficulty and stress of long negotiations.”


The balance of time vs. money is just one of the interesting findings of the 2014 Car Shopping Trends Report, which was released this week by Edmunds.com. The report is based on a survey of 500 in-market and recent new- and used-car shoppers from across the United States.


According to the study, 66% of shoppers said that they are likely to request guaranteed upfront pricing on a new car, and 82%of shoppers said they prefer to have a price guarantee on a VIN-specific new car as opposed to a vehicle configuration that may or may not be on the dealer’s lot.


When it comes to mobile, 100% of smartphone owners surveyed say they used their device to perform some sort of car-shopping activity, typically for vehicle and pricing info. During the shopping process, shoppers will, on average, visit two dealers and take two test drives — although only 58% of respondents said they test-drove a vehicle before they made their most recent purchase. Additionally, 83% of car shoppers said that they come away very or somewhat satisfied with their dealership experience.


To view the full study, click here.

More Industry

Line graphic showing week-over-week wholesale auto price changes
Industryby StaffApril 22, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Wholesale auto conversion rates dropped slightly as auction buyers proved picky last week, analysts observed.

Read More →
pavement with car and charger wrapped around it painted on
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 16, 2026

EV Battery Cycle Life at Risk

Fast charging of electric vehicles provides a solution for range anxiety, but it also poses a risk to battery cycle life due to increased temperatures, according to an EV supply chain data provider.

Read More →
Photo of exterior facade of Beardmore Chevrolet store
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 14, 2026

Founding Family Sells Nebraska Dealerships

Expanding Midwest automotive group picks up three stores as part of the robust transaction activity early this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Up-close photo of car battery
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Automaker Increases Parts Recycling

Stellantis is adding a third end-of-life vehicle dismantling facility to feed its growing reuse business sparked in large part by autos’ growing lifespans.

Read More →
Photo of white 2026 Ford Bronco on a sandy beach
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

March New-Vehicle Sales Don’t Reflect War

Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.

Read More →
Photo from the rear of the XC60 SUV
IndustryApril 8, 2026

Volvo to Shift Some EV Production to U.S.

The automaker says its movement of some electric-vehicle work to the S.C. factory is part of a more tailored product focus. It also plans to add a new hybrid model to the plant’s itinerary.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bar graphic depicting week-over-week change across the various vehicle segments
Industryby StaffApril 7, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Last week's wholesale automotive auction activity continued in a healthy mode, though buyers practiced selectivity.

Read More →
red car at a gas station being filled with gas. Efficiency Drives Demand. Providers and Administrators logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 7, 2026

Gas Prices Driving Consumer Interest

CarGurus’ first quarterly review of 2026 shows that affordability concerns are continuing to drive consumer purchases with a shift to more fuel-efficient options.

Read More →
Blurred photo of red car moving down a road
Industryby Hannah MitchellMarch 31, 2026

Automakers Have More Tricks Up Their Sleeves

JD Power analysts see auto retail faring this year’s storms well through various means, though it acknowledges conditions are challenging to accurately predict.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
background view of Washington D.C. with the capitol building and cherry trees. Text says 'What's the Cost?' with two diverging arrows and the Providers and Administrator's logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 31, 2026

Insurance Rates Continue to Fall

Car insurance premiums have continued to decline so far this year, the overall national average settling at $138 per month in March, according to Insurify data.

Read More →