Buying with "cash": how big required-deposit should I expect?

My dealer asked for $500 deposit.

Edited to add: as per Munpot42 - my deposit was fully refundable.

 

Probably nothing, or perhaps a credit card charge of $50. I imagine that in your area the cars are in some demand, so the dealer won't have trouble selling yours if you back out. If they ask for more than $500, find another dealer. FYI the deposit should be fully refundable, make sure it is before you give one.

 

im going to put down 1000, maybe more if i can. ( depends what i can sell my acura for lol)
general rule i was told, every 1000 you put down will decrease your monthly payment buy about 20 bucks.

 

The OP is paying cash, so there will not be a monthly payment. What you are describing is the amount "down" on the loan, not the order deposit.

When I bought my Prius back in 2006, we also paid cash and left a $500 refundable deposit.

Tom

 

oops, i misread that

I put down a $300 deposit on my car to hold it for me, as they have just ordered it, so they said it will be a month or so more before it arrives.

 

I put down $500 but make sure it is refundable if something comes up..

 

I didn't put down a deposit at all, but I worked through a finder, and not directly with the dealer, so that may be different. Now that I think about it, I'm surprised he didn't require a deposit. Either he trusted I would go through with the deal, or he knew he could sell it either way.

 

Yup, $500 here as well! Still fighting with the other dealer (who took my deposit but couldn't tell me when their black Prius C two was coming in). I decided I liked silver better anyway and THAT dealership also took $500 to hold it for me until the weekend when I came in with the rest of the money.

 

Does the deposit amount correlate at all to buying in cash?

 

I am no expert but I do not think so. It is the amount that the dealer believes means you are serious about buying the car, whether you end up paying cash or financing it.

 

No. The deposit demonstrates that you are serious about buying the (or a) car. A dealer won't hold a car or spend time finding one without some indication you are serious. In 2009 I gave the salesman my credit card number with the understanding that it wouldn't be charged to hold my 2010 for a couple of days so that I would know it will still be on the lot when I get there to look at it. Some dealers will hold a check. Without a deposit the 1st money in takes the car.

 

Our cash purchase deposit was $1000, via credit card.

 

Credit card to secure the deal, $500.00 is plenty.

 

We wrote a deposit check of $500, for them to search or order the car. We just did it Saturday. Can't wait!

 

We ordered a HyCam from Dianne at Carson Toyota, did not have to put down a dime! The wife wrote a check for the total Saturday when we picked it up. Eazy Pezy!!!

Nice car, Thank You Dianne!

 

I didn't pay any deposit on either this car or my 2005.