How would you make a lowball offer

Out on a bike ride yesterday I went down a street I don't normally use.  As luck would have it, there is a 2001 BMW 740i sitting in a driveway with "for sale" written on the rear window.  Of course I decided that was where I needed to stop and take a rest break.  No plate on it and moldish/dirt so it looks like it hasn't moved in a while.  Tires still have air and it has the rear shade up and a window shade in place so someone was at least trying.  It has M-Parallel wheels without any serious rash and an M steering wheel so maybe a sport package?  No dings but some clearcoat spots gone and some exterior trim missing and rubber weather decayed.  Window art (some fade so I don't think recent) says $4000 which is optimistic even under normal conditions. 

I only want it if I can challenge it, otherwise I don't need another car, especially a V8-automatic BMW.  If he responds to my voice mail and calls back, do I ask casual details and give him my intended use (competition with a $2k cap all-in post-maintenance prep) and make my offer on the phone or do I go there with $1300 in my pocket, look at it and then make the offer?  I don't want him to feel like he wasted his time and be mad at me standing in his driveway, but I also don't know with this much gap from his window asking price if I just save time and cut to the chase on the phone?

I've approached people with the story of the Challenge and when I mention the budget also state that it includes repairs to get it ready so that's why I'm offering X.

I usually say something like "well, its nicer than I thought it was, but here is what I would do with it, so I am interested at X. I think you can sell it for more than that, but if you want it gone I'll take it. If you want to keep trying to sell to someone else, I understand, but here's my number if you change your mind". 

Bring a trailer and cash, and you'll be way more successful. It's usually not about the money, especially with depreciated luxury cars in nice neighborhoods; it's about the hassle, and you'll offer to solve it instantly. It's usually just incidental that you're offering a lower amount as part of solving that problem instantly.

Bring cash and a trailer and say something like "I'll hand you cash and have it loaded up and permanently removed from your life in 5 minutes. I could only offer XXXX since I'm planning to take this car to the Challenge, but I can promise I'll never call you again after I drive away." I've had good luck with this approach.

And yes, I try to always bring a trailer to buy running, driving cars, too. If you say you're trailering the car home, the seller knows you won't call them because it's overheating/wheel fell off/etc. It elevates you vs. the other buyers who will complain if it explodes.

Tom Suddard said:

I can promise I'll never call you again after I drive away.

This is a really good part to add. 

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

Yeah, that line works great. Every single used car has issues, and every single seller is worried the buyer will be back in their driveway the next day complaining about them. Promise not to be that buyer and they'll usually take a lower price.

I just did this with a Scion xB, guy listed it for $1000 I happened to be at the scrap yard nearby so drove over to his house with the trailer still attached; checked it out and said I'd do $500 right now but I think it will sell for $800 easily in time. He declined, but called me the next morning and said his wife said to take the $500. 

the wheels weren't included...

In reply to chandler :

If you want to flip that, send me some details, Indy kid-1 is gonna need a car in the next year......

Since I posted this I've received quite a few texts lol. It had a "locked up" engine but it was just the ground cable on the starter had corroded. I still haven't started it but it turns over fine

Nice pickup.  Unfortunately my guy never did call me back.  I'll make one more attempt at the end of the month.

If he responds, I'd ask if he is flexible on the price.  If he says yes, I'd go meet him, and not take much time before implementing some of the previously mentioned tactics. 
 

hopefully it works out!

maybe take him out to dinner. that way he cant use the ole you should take me out before trying to bend me over line. 

I have had good luck with telling people about the challenge and showing them on my phone so they know im not just making it up to get the car cheap. i have had most people say thats fine. some say no and thats fine too.