Is the manufacturer's suggested retail price the price I will have to pay?

Is the manufacturer's suggested retail price the price I will have to pay?

James Bell (Publisher, Auto Reviewer) gives expert video advice on: How can I figure out an offer on a new car?; What steps should I take before negotiating the purchase price of my new car? and more...

The MSRP, or manufacturer's suggested retail price, is just that; a suggestion. A rough idea for what the market value of that vehicle is. It is the starting point for dealer negotiations, and unless the vehicle is super-hot in the marketplace, in very short demand, and has a lot of interest, MSRP will be far away from your actual purchase price. The only reason you would pay MSRP is if the vehicle was in short supply and had a line of people out the door to buy it as soon as you left. You're always looking to get below that MSRP price for the vehicle. That's the starting point, then you want to take it down to as close as invoice as you can go.