The process of buying cars sucks, and you know what? When you are buying a car you better clench your cheeks real tight or you are going for the ride of your tender life. Ever see the movie "Suckers"? Good stuff for those in the market, but I am sure most automobile sales staff members get a bigger chuckle from it.

Yes, Audi buyers are strange. Anyone who has been to multiple Audi events knows that. WE ARE NOT NORMAL. Nevertheless, I personally believe that Audi's products offer more bang for the buck than BMW's or MB's, and this leads me to believe Audi buyers are also wiser.

So, maybe Audi buyers are less likely to be taken for the ride at the dealer than the average MB driver is? How many times have you heard wonderful things about BMWs from people who have never owned one? Anyway, back to the thread.... Negotiating a price takes time, but economic rationality dictates that you should negotiate the price down until which point that any increased savings is outweighed by the loss in the value of your time, accounting for wages, aggrevation, value of leisure, etc. If you really believe your salesperson is your friend, and you want to give him or her a nice kiss on the cheek for the effort, then why not negotiate a few grand under sticker and give your "friend" the difference in a tip? I am sure he or she would be a lot happier with a $3000 tip than $1000 commission. My guess is that you might feel a hell of a lot better after giving such a nice generous gift, especially as compared to those who simply relax and take it as offered.

I for one prefer to choose my own charities.