Whenever you are in the market for a new vehicle, it can be a bit daunting going through all the different selections available to you. However, fear not, for this article is here to help you make the right choice. Use these helpful hints and tips to make selecting your next car much easier.
Learn about the true market value of the car before making an offer. Oftentimes, dealers will have the car marked up a certain percent over the value so they have some wiggle room. If you know the market value, you can better haggle with them about the price you will pay out the door.
Know what you want before you step foot in a dealership. You are going to be dealing with professional salespeople, so have your mind made up about what you are willing to pay, what you want and what you are not interested in. That will make it less likely for them to sway you.
When buying a used car, be very careful about how clean the car is. Many car salespeople have professional cleaners who can make a piece of junk look brand new. Always get the car checked by a mechanic. Even if it looks fantastic, a mechanic will be able to spot any major issues.
Never dress up to go to a car dealership. It will be harder to make a deal and convince someone you deserve a better price on a vehicle if you are draped in expensive clothing. While you want to appear neat and clean, do not wear anything that will make you look more well off than you are.
Never discuss down payments, incentives, or trade-ins until you’ve established an actual price on your desired car. Those are things that ought to further reduce the best price obtained. This will ensure you get the best deal.
If the price of a car is non-negotiable, see if you can negotiate on other terms. Some dealerships will agree to provide several months’ worth of free gasoline or a year of free oil changes, for instance. It never hurts to ask if a salesman can sweeten the deal.
When buying a compact or subcompact car, make sure that it has enough room for each person who will drive it. The car may be your daily driver, but it may not have enough leg room for others in your household. If there is a chance that someone else will drive the car occasionally, bring them along while shopping.
Never agree to pay the asking price! There are few cars for sale out there that do not have some room for negotiation in the price. When you have researched the vehicle, inspected it and given it your approval, negotiate the final price based off your findings. Do not settle on a price until you are happy with your investment.
Check a vehicle’s overall consumer rating before you make a purchase. The great thing about consumer reports is that you can save yourself from making a bad purchase very easily. These reports can tell you how much you should expect to spend on repairs and how long the vehicle will last on average.
The car industry makes money on any margin of profit. If you can find out how much the dealership is generally buying their cars for, it will make it much easier to find their bottom line. This means you need to do some research on your local car market.
Consider skipping the dealership entirely. An auto broker will work with multiple dealerships to find you the best deal on the car you want. You can usually find these online, and the dealerships will pay the fees for their use. This is a good way to comparison shop without having to visit multiple dealerships.
If you see two price stickers on a car in a lot, you might want to head to a different location. This is a sign of a high pressure sales force who wants you to buy all the bells and whistles. If you think you can withstand their tactics, you can stay, but you may not get the best deal there.
Prior to the negotiation, get an idea about every potential incentive. You need to figure out what warranties, trade-in values, rebates and anything else that goes along with it. You can haggle much better if you’re aware of what they’re offering before going to the lot.
Never give your trade-in’s keys to the dealer before you’ve come to an agreement. The dealer could take your keys (and thus, your car) hostage and manipulate you into an unfair deal. Always hold on to your keys and if the dealer wants to take a look inside the car, open it up for them while you hold the keys.
Demand that the dealer gets rid of any advertising fees. You should not be responsible for that. If this person says that you must pay it, then do not buy the car. They probably won’t let you go as they don’t want you leaving the lot.
Consider skipping the dealership completely and go with an auto broker. An auto broker usually works with several dealerships and acts as an intermediary to get you the best deal on the car you are looking for. They work on commission, however it can still save you time and money in the long run. Be aware though that a few states have banned auto brokers.
If you are a female shopper and feel as though the dealership is looking down on you, exercise your right to shop elsewhere. Many dealers still have the idea that women are uninformed emotional shoppers. Prove them wrong by informing yourself and dealing only with salesmen who respect you regardless of gender.
As you now know, there are many things to consider when buying a car, whether it is old or new. Just remember to use the information provided int he article above and you are sure to make a wise selection. Before long, you will be driving in the car of your dreams.