You have so many choices when you are going to buy a new car. It’s hard to differentiate between what is a needed purchase and what is an expensive add-on. Just follow along with the tips here, and you’ll be a great car shopper.
You do yourself a great disservice if you fail to negotiate a price lower than sticker. There is no reason to pay that much. These prices are high to allow negotiating room for the seller.
Don’t forget to look into the cost of parts for a vehicle before you buy it. Some cars, especially imports, cost significantly more to maintain than others. Investigate the cost of parts that wear out frequently, such as tires, brakes, and windshield wiper blades. Research the cost of alternators, spark plugs, and other engine components, too.
Do not make the mistake of believing that you have to pay the full asking price for a used car. There should always be room for negotiation. if a car has been on the market for a while with no buyers, that will make the seller more likely to accept an offer of less than they are asking for.
Take a look at owner reviews before selecting the car you want to buy. These can be found online, at many different websites. Owner reviews give you a good idea about how much others enjoy the car, and if they would recommend it to friends and family. They offer a different perspective than professional reviews, and they are very informative for anyone who is car shopping.
Make a wish list of cars that you are interested in. You have seen many cars in advertisements and on the road. It should be easy for you to build a solid list of vehicles that would suit your style. You can add a couple of dream cars that seem out of your range; however, be realistic about what you can afford.
Never purchase a car the same day that you find it. A rule of thumb is to sleep on the decision. That way you have time to think about the pros and cons of the car and how much you think the car is for you. Do not worry that the car will be sold in the meantime as there are many more out there.
Before going car shopping, clean all personal items out of your car. Doing this one thing will save you considerable time at the dealership. This will also ensure that you do not leave behind important documents such as insurance papers. Nothing is worse than getting home and realizing the you left something in the car you just traded in.
Keep your trade-in to yourself. You should never tell the dealer about your trade-in without first ensuring you have secured the lowest possible price for your new vehicle. Telling the salesperson too soon that there is a trade-in involved can undermine your negotiations.
No matter how far into the purchase you have gone, remember that you are not tied down into one-car dealership until you sign papers. Even if the salesman is very friendly, it is just business. If you find a better deal elsewhere, you have no obligation to purchase from your first dealer.
Don’t tie yourself into one make or model, but also avoid opening yourself to every single car. You should go into a dealership with a goal-orientated flexibility. This means that you need to research two or three cars beforehand and then be willing to switch between these based on the best negotiation.
Take fuel economy into account when calculating the cost of a vehicle. When you are determining your monthly car payments, figure out how much you’ll end up paying for gas each month based on the fuel economy of the car. A more expensive fuel-efficient car and a less-expensive gas guzzler may end up costing you the same amount out of pocket each month after you’ve figured in the amount you’ll spend on gas.
An excellent time to go car shopping is the last week of the month. Salesmen have monthly quotas that they need to fill. One more sale could be enough for them to fulfill this quota. Begin the process of negotiating on price two or three days before the month ends. This will give you time to make a wise decision and get a great deal.
Take extra care when car shopping if you are a female. The sad fact is that some salespeople believe that women are uninformed buyers and will try to take advantage. Arm yourself with research on prices ahead of time, and don’t be afraid to walk away if your salesperson seems condescending.
If you are considering purchasing a used car, you might want to buy a membership to AAA. There is a little bit of unknown when buying a used vehicle. If you have the AAA membership, they will come and help you if you have trouble. They will even tow your car for free to have it fixed.
Never buy a car without test driving it first. That even includes brand new cars and trucks. Not only do you want to make sure the car is mechanically sound, you also want to see how the car fits you. Decide if the car “feels” right. Some cars are not designed for taller people, for instance.
Picture yourself in a car before you make the final purchase. If you do a lot of highway driving, consider a vehicle that is known for great gas mileage. You do not want to buy a vehicle just for looks, what you intend to use the vehicle for is far more important.
When you are using things like rebates, low interest or cash back, you have to keep in mind the source of these incentives. They are exclusively offered by the manufacturer, so don’t let the dealer tell you he is unable to fulfill it. If he says the, simply take your business, and rebate, elsewhere.
Now you know what to look for in a car. You just have to get busy and do your homework. Keep in mind that you should never agree to a deal in which you are not confident.