Pricing used vehicles

[M.T. Pockets]

I don't really like to shop around for vehicles, I know what I want and have a friend in a dealership looking for a GM program vehicle for me. I think they buy them at the GM dealer auctions I just don't know how to negotiate price when they find it.

What is a fair way to price a vehicle straight out from a franchise dealership ? There will be no trade in.

Kelly Blue Book has prices from Retail, to Private Party to Trade In and there is about $5,000 difference from one end to the other. I'm thinking that somewhere around the Private Party price would be fair for a straight out purchase. I think dealers subscribe to Manheim for pricing their vehicles.

Is it out of line to offer the dealer a set profit margin over his cost price before they find a program vehicle ?

I'm in a small market and don't want to travel all over the country shopping for a vehicle, I like this sales person and the dealership's shop. Any suggestions on how to negotiate price when they find a vehicle I like ?