At some point in your life you will probably need to purchase a new or used vehicle, a process you may have come to dread. Sorting through dozens of makes, models, promotions and features can make negotiations a major challenge. This article will go over all of the things you need to know so your car shopping experience goes well.
Never buy a model that is out of your price range. Sports cars look nice and you can be sweet talked into such a purchase. Remember, the more expensive the car, the more commission he or she will make.
Get your financing in order before shopping for autos. This can be achieved at your local credit union or your preferred bank. They often have better interest rates and you can walk into a lot knowing you can pay for the car you want.
Have conversations with those you know about what they might know personally. Are they happy with the car choices they made? Do they wish they’d gotten another one? What are they hearing in terms of cars they’d wish to have? When you are beginning your search for a new vehicle, this is a great way to obtain some initial information.
Do not talk about trade-ins, down payments or incentives until after you have a firm price on the car you want. They should come out of the lowest price available. You are sure to do better if you negotiate the price first, then throw in the other factors.
Don’t just think about getting a car from a dealership. You may find out that the car you like is available on a small lot, or through a private seller. Search through community area classifieds and hunt through social media to focus your search on cars available in your neighborhood.
Most salesmen will have monthly goals or quotas to make. This system works to your advantage at the end of the month. Salesmen who haven’t yet met their quote will be more willing to negotiate. This allows you a little bit more wiggle room in your price negotiations.
If you are interested in a particular car, rent it first. To really get to know a car, you can rent one locally and put it through its paces. Take your family out on a road trip in the car and really see if it is a good fit. It’s a cheap way to make sure that you’re getting the right car before you purchase and make a commitment to it.
Social Security
Be cautious about giving out your social security number. Many dealerships will try to get this information from you early in the game, and they will run your credit. If you don’t want to buy there, having multiple dealers do a credit check can harm your chance to get the best deal. Wait until you have a sure deal before you fill out the part of the application that requires the Social Security number.
You might have the perfect car in mind, but it might not be available to you. Perhaps, the features you desire are not in your price range, or maybe what you see in the car lots do not appeal to you. Missing out on heated seats won’t destroy your driving experience after all.
Ask your dealer to let you take the car to your mechanic. You will want to get someone who you have faith in. Don’t use the mechanic that the dealer suggests. The mechanic will let you know if the car is worth what the dealer is asking and if it’s okay to be driven.
Research is key to a used car purchase. The Internet is replete with useful resources about a car’s value. NADA and Kelly Blue Book are great resources for finding out the value of a car. If the car is priced higher than these sources have them priced, go somewhere else.
If you know the specific model that you want, call the dealership to see if they have it on the lot. If you visit the dealership without doing that, the salesperson will try to sell you any car that is on the lot. But, if your heart is set on a particular car that they do not currently have on-site, you do not need to waste your time. Make a quick call and find out the situation.
Don’t sign the warranty that reads “as-is” when purchasing. You may wind up getting the short end of the stick. At minimum, a dealer should provide you with a warranty of 30-90 days upon purchasing any vehicle. If your transmission goes out, or the engine after driving away, you have to pay for the repairs.
Salespeople are out to generate as much income as possible. Many times a buyer does not realize that a salesperson is interested in not only making a sale, but also in selling high for the most commission. Be on the lookout for any extra costs that could be added onto a sale. Even bargain cars can increase by hundreds or thousands.
If you feel like the salesperson if pressuring or intimidating you, leave. Even if they try to get you to stay, leave. Lie if you must. Move on! There are many more “fish in the sea,” and you need to be happy with the people you are buying from.
Finding that car you desire at a price that works for you isn’t easy. When you know what to do, you’ll have no problems reaching your goals. Use these ideas on your next car shopping adventure. Surprisingly, it is possible to negotiate a reasonable price on your own.