If you want to drive, then you are going to have to go car shopping at some point. A lot of people don’t really know what they’re getting themselves into when going car shopping. Take the mystery out of looking for a new or used car by following the handy article below.
Never succumb to the salesperson’s tactics by agreeing to purchase a vehicle priced beyond your budget. Many people are smooth-talked into buying sports cars because the salesman says they would look good in it. This dealer is working for a commission, so your money is his or her money. Stick with what you can afford.
If you are in the market for a used car, you should always get a CarFax report. The CarFax report will let you know if the car has been in an accident. If the car has been in an accident, you probably want to keep searching and not buy that car.
Have a clear understanding of what those upgrades will cost you. Purchasing the fancy stereo, leather seats and DVD player might be appealing, but those options can add a significant amount to the price of your car. Take some time to think about how much you really need the upgrades, and only purchase the ones you will use the most.
Ask the car dealer to show you a vehicle history report. This can tell you if the vehicle has been in an accident or if it has been recalled. It can also show you what repairs have been done and when they were done so that you know exactly what you are buying.
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.
Shopping for a new car can seem complicated when it comes to pricing. Take your iPad or phone with you to the dealer. You can search the Internet and find car payment calculators that will let you know what your payment is going to be without having to rely on the dealer.
Watch out for the car salesman who offers you a price on a car before he visits his sales manager. The salesman will tell you anything you want to hear, but only the manager can approve the deal. Ask to speak to the manager face to face and see the deal on paper before committing to purchase the car.
Buy your car at month’s end. Most car dealerships have monthly quotas they must reach. At month’s end, sales staff who need to fulfill a quota may be more likely to give you a better price in order to sell a vehicle.
Get a vehicle history report for any car you are seriously considering. All you need is the vehicle identification number (VIN). This report can tell you about the car’s accident and repair history, as well as whether the car has been in a flood or other disaster. Some sites allow you to pay for a one-month subscription, which is handy if you will be pulling reports on multiple vehicles.
When looking to buy a new or used vehicle, make sure that you never elude to the fact of how much money you have on your person. You only want to talk about what you think you should put down in regards to the terms and price of the vehicle being discussed.
While purchasing a used car often is a great deal, don’t forget that it carries some real risk. While you may be happy with the $5,000, you saved, if you need to buy a new engine in 6 months, you really haven’t saved anything. Always be cautious when buying used.
When you are looking for a used vehicle, you should avoid any cars with high mileage. People will tell you that they drove on the highway or that they drove responsibly, but you really don’t know. Even if you like the car, avoid buying it if the mileage is too high.
If you are planning on using your current car as a trade in, don’t let the dealer know right away. Your first goal is to negotiate down the price of the car you wish to purchase. Information like trade-in value is valuable to the salesman, so keep it to yourself until the right moment!
Think about what you will be using the car for. If you are driving the most on freeways, choose a hybrid or other high-mileage option. By thinking of how you will use your car, you can ensure your new car will fit your driving.
Make sure you inform yourself not only on the car industry, but also the specifics of the car dealer industry. They have some tricks they use to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. Be sure to keep an eye out for things like unneeded warranties, or insurance straight from the dealership.
If you must have that brand-new car as soon as it rolls off the production line, understand you will pay more for it. Cars are always more expensive the second they roll off the line, and it is easier to get a deal on them after they have been in the dealership for a few months.
When shopping for a new car, keep in mind what are your needs. Seeing many new cars can be distracting for a shopping, and you don’t want to walk away with something that isn’t practical. Even though the new sports car may look and drive nicely, it wouldn’t be practical to be used as a family car.
You should now have a lot of your questions answered about shopping for a new or used car. Just take all of the advice that the article above gave to you and use it well. Shopping for a car doesn’t have to be that stressful if you just know what to do first.