Car shopping should be an enjoyable experience. Driving your new car is going to be fun, and the process of attaining it should be as well. Most people will say that car buying is quite stressful, but you can easily change that. Use the tips that follow to make your car shopping stress free.
Prior to even stepping foot in a dealership, you need to know what kind of car you want. If you have kids, maybe you should be looking for a van or large SUV. If it is just you, maybe you want something more sportier. Either way, knowing what you want will make the whole process of shopping for a car easier.
Research your dealer as much as you do the models you’re interested in. Knowing their financing arrangements and trade in policies will help you to negotiate on a stronger footing. Keep in mind that you can also protect yourself by reviewing previous customer reviews.
When you are shopping for cars, you should take a friend with you. Your person will be your second set of eyes and ears. This can be anyone you trust like a parent, spouse or friend.
Before signing any contract take the time to read every line, including the fine print. If there is anything listed that you do not understand, do not sign until you get an answer that you understand. Unsavory salesmen can use a contract to insert many fees that were not discussed.
Do not pay for lots of extras when you are buying a car. Sure, it would be nice to have a lot of fun features in your new car, but do you really need them? Every toy or gadget you add jacks up the price of the car considerably. Figure out what you really need, and just stick to that.
Be aggressive and assertive. You will inevitably end up negotiating the price of your vehicle, so don’t be afraid to push a little. Be prepared to walk away from the dealership if you aren’t making progress. Leave the offer alone for a day or two, and then contact the salesman again. If they know that you are willing to walk away, they will be more likely to accept your offer or to counter-offer with a more reasonable price.
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.
When you are considering buying a used car, always have your mechanic check it out first. You are not a qualified mechanic trained to spot problems or repairs, so you need to take it to a professional. Be prepared to pay $100 or so for this service, but it may end up saving you thousands.
Look online for incentives on the car you want. Many automotive manufacturers offer cash back or special financing on their vehicles. The dealership will not always tell you about these things up front. Take some time to educate yourself first so you can get the best deal once you are in the showroom.
When heading to a car dealership, get prepared for your bargaining side to come out. While there many be some dealers who have your best interest at heart, most just want to get as much money out of you as they can. This is why you have to be strict and never settle on a deal you are uncomfortable with.
Before you start shopping for a car, you should decide how much you want to pay. Base this number on your budget and the research you have done about what a car should be worth.
Understand the financing office. Most dealerships make the bulk of their money in the financing office. Your interest rate, extended warranties and other add ons are all sold at a premium once you are in there. Understand this, and select any of those options carefully. Most are not necessary for the average car owner.
Check out how much repairs on a car would cost before buying it. You should be able to get a fair idea of what kinds of costs you will have to pay for repairs. And that’s not just for when it is under warranty. What happens when you have to pay full price for an ignition coil? Different cars cost different amounts, so find out.
Be on the lookout for year end specials. These specials generally start in the fourth quarter of each year and feature manufacturer set deals that remain unrivaled when compared to other deals in the year. These deals exist due to the new year and new model year, which means newer cars taking the place of older ones.
Offer to purchase a car on the spot if the dealer will meet your price requirements. Offer a price that is reasonable, usually at or slightly above invoice. Come armed with information about how you came to this price, and ask for a commitment in writing that they agree to it.
When purchasing a car, you don’t want to tie yourself down to one specific model. Give yourself some flexibility in color and even in the car itself. If you do this, you will be able to pick up a great deal, even if it was not the first car you considered.
If you are considering purchasing a car from a private seller rather than from a car dealership, make certain that the person selling the car has the authority to transfer ownership. While there are methods of transferring ownership if a car is financed by a third party, this process will frequently add steps to your purchasing of the car.
You might not want to car shop, but you do not have to stress out about it either. There are a lot of things you’re able to do when you want to make this experience more pleasant. Use the advice here to get your dream car without any added stress.