CarEdge Insights
Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest car-buying moments of the year. But are you actually getting a good deal? While the ads shout “limited-time savings,” not every offer is as great as it looks. The truth is, some deals are just inflated MSRPs dressed up with a cash rebate.
So how can you tell what’s a smart buy, and what’s just dealership smoke and mirrors?
Start with this: the dealer invoice price. Here’s how to tell if you’re getting a good deal on a car this Memorial Day.
Why Memorial Day Deals Deserve a Closer Look
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of holiday sales. Dealerships know this, and that’s exactly why they flood the airwaves with “must-act-now” offers. But behind the scenes, there’s often a big gap between what they’re showing you and what they actually paid for the car.
That’s where many car buyers fall into the trap of overpaying.
It doesn’t help that Ford and Stellantis (Jeep, Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler, among others) are touting employee pricing specials, which are not as good as they seem.
The truth is, knowing what’s a good deal and what’s merely a mirage of a good deal is tougher than it should be in 2025.
What Is the Dealer Invoice Price, and Why Does It Matter?
The dealer invoice price is the amount a dealership pays the manufacturer for a vehicle. It’s lower than the MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) you see on the window sticker. But here’s the key: manufacturers often provide hidden incentives, kickbacks, or volume bonuses that drop the dealer’s real cost even further.
Knowing the invoice price puts you in control:
- You’ll see through inflated pricing tricks
- You’ll know what’s a fair starting point for negotiations
- You’ll have a clear path to avoid overpaying for a car
Even better? With the right leverage, you can often negotiate below the invoice price.
How Our Free Dealer Invoice Pricing Tool Works
Instead of guessing what’s a good deal, we built a tool that shows you what dealers don’t want you to see. Just select the vehicle you’re considering, and we’ll give you:
✅ Dealer Invoice Price – Know what the dealer paid
✅ Target Discount Guidance – Understand what you should be paying
✅ Cost-to-Own Data – Factor in depreciation, fuel costs, and more
✅ Negotiation Tips – Learn what to say (and when to walk away)
✅ Inventory Insights – See which cars are likely negotiable
And the best part? It’s 100% free. No hidden fees, no catch. See for yourself →
Pro Tips for Memorial Day Car Shopping
To make the most of your Memorial Day weekend shopping, keep these tips in mind:
- Compare invoice price vs. sale price – If a “deal” is only $500 below MSRP, it’s likely not a great one.
- Look for cars with high inventory or long time-on-lot – These are your best shots at negotiating down to the invoice price, or even lower. CarEdge Insights is your DIY toolkit to find the most negotiable cars.
- Don’t rush into a sale – Sales pressure ramps up during holidays, but the best buyers know to take their time.
- Leverage the end-of-month timing – Memorial Day falls right as dealerships are trying to hit their May sales targets. Make it clear that you’re aware it’s a buyer’s market.
Don’t Shop Blind This Memorial Day
With car prices still hovering near record highs and inventory tightening in many areas, you can’t afford to go into Memorial Day shopping unprepared. But with the right tools, you can make smart decisions, skip the stress, and walk away with a truly great deal. Your car deal starts with the facts—CarEdge is here to give them to you.
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