Are you at the point of purchasing a car? Are you worried about undertaking the process? Just read the following piece and use these tips to ensure the car shopping process is a cinch.
If you fail to negotiate a price, you are wasting money. It is never smart to pay sticker price on a car. Sticker prices are marked intentionally marked up so that the dealer has room to negotiate.
Get your loan lined up before visiting the dealership. One of the reasons it takes the dealer so long is that they have to check your credit and find a lender. If you have a loan in-hand when you visit the dealership, the purchasing process will be streamlined.
Have your loan financing already arranged prior to shopping for a car. This can be done at your credit union or bank. This can often result in better interest rates. This can allow you to visit a dealership with the knowledge of knowing the amount of money you can afford on a vehicle.
If you’re purchasing your next vehicle via private party, make sure to bring a mechanic to examine the car. If the owners deny this, it should be a red flag. You never know what horrors lie beneath the hood. Do not purchase a car without knowing about possible mechanical problems.
Have conversations with those you know about what they might know personally. Do they like their cars? Do they regret purchasing it? Do they know something you do not know about a particular car? When you would like to purchase a vehicle, this is one method of getting some important information to get you started.
Think about both fuel economy, and how much money you have to spend, when you are out looking at cars. You might, for example, be considering a V-8 model that features towing capacity. However, you should think about whether you will really be taking full advantage of these features.
A dealership is not the only place to buy a car. You can also shop at small lots or buy from private owners. Take advantage of classified ads and websites intended to help you identify sources for the car you want.
When you want to shop for cars, you need to have a friend with you that has little interest in your car purchase. Your friend will be your voice of reason, helping you avoid costly mistakes. Have them come with you as you test drive the car. Ask them to let you know if they see any red flags.
Do your homework. It is not hard to find out what the model you want is worth. Use NADA or Kelly Blue Book to find out what the vehicle 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.
Check the car that you purchase for any imperfections before buying. Scan the exterior of the car for dings, scratches and chipped paint. Inspect the interior to find rips, stains or other flaws. Keep in mind that it’s yours when you buy it. This means to look for any and all damage
If you are purchasing a used car, steer clear of warranties that force you to accept the current condition of the car. Signing this warranty is always a bad idea. Never agree to purchase a used vehicle unless you are assured at least a 30 day warranty. If you have issues a month after the car is yours, you have to fix them.
Do not stay if you feel as though you’re being bullied. There is no embarrassment in walking away. Don’t be afraid to lie your way out the door. Get away from there as fast as possible. Many more options await you, so staying there isn’t going to do you any good.
An excellent time to go car shopping is the last week of the month. Salesman need to make monthly goals which means you can help them get to that goal. You can generally get the best deals near the end of a month.
Look for an advertising fee included in the price of your car, and if you find one, have it removed. You should never pay that fee. If the dealer refuses to remove it, walk away. I guarantee they won’t let you step off the lot.
Know that the initial counteroffer presented to you isn’t the lowest available price. Counter with another offer, and the next offer they bring back will be the lowest. They want to sell you the car, so they won’t keep you waiting any longer.
Make sure you have discovered any rebates ahead of time. Many dealerships want a sale badly so they may offer a rebate. Other unscrupulous dealers may not even tell you there is a rebate, rather keeping the incentive cash for themselves.
Test Drive
Before you buy any car, you must take it for a test drive. You can’t get a feel for the car if you don’t drive it. Make sure you test drive as much as you can so that you won’t experience any problems after the contract has been signed.
Do you know what you need to know now? This advice truly is priceless, and it will make your car shopping experience a good one. Share the tips with those you love, and everyone can have a positive, satisfying car shopping experience.