Some people have a knack for vehicle information and can tell you anything and everything about each car on the market. Some people don’t know anything, especially about prices. If you are one of the people in the second category, then this is the perfect article for you!
Be sure that you know what type of car you’re looking for and some specifics, such as price, before you leave to go car shopping. How much can you afford to spend? How many passengers do you need to drive around? What mileage are you looking for? Do you want a four door vehicle or something a bit smaller? Make a list of everything you want, and take it with you so nothing is forgotten.
When negotiating, overall price should be more important than monthly price. A dealer can make any desired monthly price possible, but you’ll end up paying that monthly price for years and years, making the final cost of the car outrageous. Rather, concentrate on getting the lowest overall cost for the car. From there, look into the monthly cost.
Don’t pay full price! The dealer does not expect anyone to pay the sticker price. If negotiating is not your strong suit, take a skilled negotiator with you. You need to know what a decent price is going to be before you go so that you have a good idea of what you should pay.
Don’t drive an expensive car to the dealership. This type of car will cause the dealership to ignore any low offers you make, unless of course the car is one you are planning on trading.
Shop online. You will be able to view a wider selection on the Internet. Get all the information you can regarding the vehicles you’re thinking about purchasing before you visit the car lot. It is possible to learn about each model’s fuel efficiency, safety ratings, resale values and other relevant factors online.
Keep the trade in you’re doing to yourself. Wait to discuss your trade-in until after you have negotiated the sales price of your new car. If you reveal this information right away, the salesperson will use the trade-in as a discount on the final price instead of actually giving you an interesting deal.
There are many valuable resources available online. You do not have to go to a dealership. Search sites such as eBay and Craigslist for the best selection. You can save some money this way.
Research properly when you want to buy a car that is used. You can find a lot of information on the Internet. You can use Kelly Blue Book or NADA to determine what a car is worth. If the dealership is trying to sell the car for a higher price than what it is worth, look for a different dealer.
Call the dealership to find out if they have the model you want in stock. If you just drive there, the salesman’s job is to just get you to buy a car. Make sure, though, that the car is there for you. Calling ahead can save you time.
Try not to purchase a car when it is brand new to the market. If you wait for awhile for that brand new car, you can save some money. Allow some time to pass to let the excitement wane.
The service department needs to be researched before your purchase. Ask around to see what current customers think of the service. You may even choose to call the department yourself and ask questions to see how they respond. Select a dealer that has a competent staff so that you have a good source to turn to when the need arises.
If the salesperson takes your offer to their manager, they won’t come back with the lowest offer just yet. Provide another counter-offer and when that is given to their manager, you’ll know what the lowest is. They want a reasonably quick deal, so that should be their lowest price.
You can benefit from buying a car at month end. All dealerships have to meet monthly quotas. If you purchase your car during the last week of the month, salespeople will try generating more sales so they can meet their quotas. The salesperson may be more than willing to offer a great deal if it means making that monthly quota.
When you have your desired offer, mention the trade-in. You’re probably not going to get a fantastic deal for an old car, but try to be flexible so you can get a great deal on the car you’re interested in. Now, you must make the sale.
Review the car’s “hidden” costs. This includes insurance, gas, maintenance and more. Find out what octane of gas, variety of oil, and expensive parts are associated with your car. The hidden costs can make a huge difference in the cost of a car.
If you have proper credit, use it towards buying a car. You’ll keep your costs down when purchasing a car this way. The bank will make you pay minimum interest in comparison to them.
If you are thinking of buying a used car and it needs cosmetic fixes or minor repairs, estimate how much that will cost you before you make an offer on the car. Even though repairs might not be cosmetically required, they might cost more than you think, so you might have to drive without those until you have the money.
You can find great deals setting up custom cars if you’re familiar with what to do. Make the dealerships give you extras to keep you there. You aren’t tied to one particular dealership; you have the flexibility to go to another if you don’t get what you want. You can have custom if you persevere.
Do not feel overwhelmed any longer. You’ve got the intelligence, and you can now make smart decisions about car buying. When you know you got a good deal on you car, driving it around can be even more fun. Go out and have a blast!