There are some people that absolutely love shopping for vehicles, yet others find it full of stress and rather unpleasant. If you are one of these people, you should learn as much as you can beforehand. Look at the advice shared here and you can find your car purchasing experience a positive one.
Do not buy a car just because it is a good deal. You have to live with this car after you take it home, so it needs to be something that you really like and that works for you and your family. You also need to make sure you can really afford it.
Before you set foot into a dealership, do some research online. Check nearby dealership’s websites and record their listed price on the vehicle you want, as well as any special deals they might be offering. Having this information at your disposal will be a valuable asset when it comes time to negotiate with a salesman.
Check out the maker’s site if you want to customize your car. While the cars on the dealership lot may be the kind of car, you want, a number of car manufacturers give you the opportunity to customize the car a bit with color and features. You may have to wait a few weeks more to get your car, but it might be worth it.
Don’t forget to calculate ownership costs when selecting a new vehicle. That bargain priced SUV might not be such a good deal if it means you will be spending twice the amount you used to on gasoline to drive it. The same goes for sporty racing style cars or models favored by car thieves that both can come with increased insurance rates.
Take an extended test drive. Don’t just take it for a quick spin through the neighborhood by yourself. Instead, enlist everyone who will be regularly riding in the car to share their opinions. Ask the dealer for a full afternoon test drive so that you have the chance to take it on the freeway to check things like the pickup and the blind spots, and spend some time really feeling the comfort of the interior.
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.
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.
Consider renting a car just to test drive them. Look for a rental service that offers the kind of vehicle you are most interested in, then use it as a sort of prolonged test drive. Bring the whole family along for a test drive. This is an effective way to get acquainted with that type of car before you make the commitment to purchase.
A good way to figure out what kind of car is ideal for you is by attending an auto show. Auto shows are a unique opportunity to compare many different makes side-by-side under one roof. You will also be able to ask questions of people that know about these cars. It should be possible for you to leave an auto show knowing which cars you want to investigate further.
Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.
Whenever buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, try and find out what the return policy is, or even if one exists. If one does, make sure you understand how long it is and whether or not you will get registration and licence fees refunded along with sales tax for the vehicle.
Don’t sign the warranty that reads “as-is” when purchasing. Doing so is a recipe for disaster. You should have at least a 60 day warranty in place upon purchase. If your engine or transmission is destroyed on the day that you buy the vehicle, then you are going to be the one responsible for fixing the repair.
Ask the salesperson tough, detailed questions about the car. Make a list before you go based on internet research so that you know the answers. If they get any wrong, you know you’re dealing with an inexperienced, knowledge lacking sales force, which shows a low-quality dealership is in place.
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!
Check your credit score before you head to the dealership to make a car purchase. Even if you are doing well financially at this time, you may not be able to afford the high finance charges that are associated with less than stellar credit. It would be difficult to go to a dealer, fall in love with a car and then fond out you cannot afford the finance charges.
For people who are looking for a new car, try to think about how much it is going to cost you to own the car. That new sports car may look nice, but it could end up costing you three times the amount in gas as a nice economical sedan.
Some people love buying new cars, while others dread it. When you have the right knowledge, car shopping is a breeze. Keep the above tips handy, and you are sure to feel confident about your ability to get the best deal.