Usually you just write a check for the total amount and drive away.

If you REALLY want to, I suppose you could bring a suitcase full of cash, but the dealership might not be too happy about that.

Most dealerships, as well as banks, have a set limit on how much money can be charged/withdrawn using a debit or credit card.

 

If you are not a known customer to the dealership, they may ask for a cashier's check, which you can get at your bank using funds from your checking account. Settle on the price including taxes, fees, etc. then go down to the bank and get a check.

brad

 

Settling and keeping the numbers straight is always important in any deal, car or otherwise. Also, have the money sitting in the account you intend to draw the check against.

My Sunday experience. The dealer will take the personal check, but will also usually get a signed credit app from you during the closing process with the financial manager. Of course, this is to cover just in case the check doesn't clear. They were also happy to take a portion of the selling cost out of my credit card that had a miles perk with no added charge to the selling price.

Not with the Porsche closing, but with a cash purchase of an Acura, this is when the dealer tried to jack me with some added fees--they figure you are worn down and have invested so much time, they can get you with your guard down.

As an aside, I would presume they have some way of making sure you are who you say you are.... Or some insurance to that effect...

 

You could probably just write a personal check, and they might let you drive the car off the lot the same day (depending on whether they can confirm that you have the funds, and they trust you enough to do that).

I think it is probably better to bring them a Cashier's Check from your bank, for the amount (or close to it), which will make it more likely that they would let you drive off with your new car.

I doubt they would take a Debit card (is there a transaction fee associated with debit cards like with credit cards?), though I could be wrong. You might just call your local dealership and ask them how they would like to be paid.

 

A debit or credit card can be used, but usually only up to a set limit. When I financed my '09 CS I put down $15k as a down payment, but my dealership would only charge $5k of that on my credit card while I had to write a check for the remaining amount.

 

Unless you look like a criminal, any Porsche dealer will be happy to take your personal check.

 

I've never had a dealer turn down a personal check.

 

Paid cash for mine with a check as I have with many other cars and trucks.
Tried to use AMEX and was turned down since I'd already got the best deal I could and the AMEX fees would have reduced dealer profit.

 

All dealers check you out first to make sure you've enough funds in the acct before accepting your personal check. If you've a credit card that gives points or cash-back, might be worth putting some on credit. The dealers usually have a limit on how much they allow on credit ($5K to $8K is not uncommon).

Woof

 

All dealers check you out first to make sure you've enough funds in the acct before accepting your personal check.
Woof

Not any I've dealt with.

 

Ditto on the check.I just purchased a rubicon Jeep and the dealership was very happy to accept my check.I offered to get a cashiers check and they said that that would not be nescessary...I assumed that wth todays economy that there may be some extra hoop one would have too jump through,not the case......P.S Blue one is right they did not check for funds prior.When i signed the purchase contract there was a space on there with some legaleze about if my check turns out to be rubber that they will be justified in having me Kneecapped and the vehicle returned to them asap.

 

Not sure about other states, but in CA it is pretty common to write an "option contract" which basically covers them if your check doesn't clear. It's effectively a completed loan application for the amount of the car.

I purchased my car out of state and the hiccups I ran into were that a) my bank wouldn't finance it because of their inability to process the title; and b) the dealer wouldn't accept an out of state check of any kind. Ended up paying cash via wire transfer. Everything went smoothly.

 

I wired my transaction as well, from out of country too boot, took the dealer 30-40 mins to confirm the funds were in their account, in the meantime I went for my test drive and chat with the sales guy, by the time we were back the finance guy confirmed the exchange and off I went, simple

 

The dealer I bought from said they get brief cases of money of the time - that surprised me. And they were a Ferrari, Lambo dealer too so that's one large brief case!

 

I believe the maximum actual cash transaction (brief case full of $) is $10,000. Anything more has to be reported to the Feds if I remember correctly.

 

I've done a couple of Porsche deals with a credit card for the down and signing the loan app. Easiest car purchase with the least hassles I've every had...both times but different dealers. You walk out with your new Porsche after simply swiping your CC and singing your name...amazing. The deal is, if you do nothing else you have a loan with the dealers finance bank for almost the full price and not the best interest (=big payment). You have a week to pay it off by either paying the rest cash or through financing it with another source. In my case, I financed it though my Credit Union plus cash a week later. Super smooth transaction all the way around.

 

I haven't met a dealer that didn't like cash, but as others have said 10k is the limit before they have to report.

 

Although justified, but I really think this is ridicoulous. I have paid for my earlier car (a Citroen C4) in cash. That is a suitcase with L.E. 148k inside (~$27k)

 

Dealers get a commission from the banks, they prefer financing over cash.