Buying a car is not for the faint of heart – it can cause you to break out in a sweat at the salesman runs his pitch on you. Don’t worry! The tips in this article will ensure you’re prepared for the battle which lies ahead, allowing you to get the bargain you deserve.
Never, ever skip the test drive when you are car shopping. You have to get behind the wheel of that car and see how it feels before committing to a buying it. Make sure you try a variety of driving conditions, including surface streets and interstate driving. Do not forget to try pulling it into a parking space in a shopping center.
Do not wait until you go car shopping to think about how you are going to finance your car. You need to arrive at the dealership with your car loan pre-qualified at a decent interest rate. You are almost always going to be able to get a better deal than the dealership would provide for you.
Establish a car buying budget before you go to the dealership. Don’t ever go above that limit, even if the dealer pressures you to. The dealer is not the one who will be paying for the car for 6 years, you are.
Have a budget in mind before you go car shopping. This involves assessing your monthly income and bills, and having a clear understanding of how much you can really afford to add to those. Doing this will help you to stay in budget when you make your new car purchase.
Before buying a car, consider the cost of insurance. If you are financing the car, you will probably need comprehensive coverage, in addition to liability protection. Some cars cost significantly more to insure than others. Avoid any surprises by asking your insurance company for a quote before you sign any paperwork.
Shop for a car towards the end of a month. There is usually a quota in place at dealerships which the sales people strive to reach. As month’s end approaches, salespeople who have not yet met their quotas may be more amenable to giving you a better deal in order to increase their numbers.
Use caution when it comes to providing your personal information, like a social security number. Dealerships often want this information early on. You should not let multiple dealers run your credit. First have an ironclad deal before giving your SS number.
If you plan to trade in your old car, find out how much it’s worth and factor that into your budget. If you think, your car is worth a lot, and it’s not, you may be in for a shock when you reach the lot. Knowing as much as possible before you leave your house is the key.
Do not get all the extras offered during the negotiation. These things include extended warranties, clear coat and fabric care options. You can generally purchase these features after you have bought the car for a fraction of the price. Also, do yo really want to be paying for these few features over the length of the loan.
Don’t hand over the keys to your trade in until the deal is signed. If they have your car “hostage,” they can use it to pressure you to buy the new car. Wait until the deal is done to ensure you keep control of the situation at all times during the transaction.
When purchasing a car, be wary of the age and mileage warranty of the vehicle. In most cases, you are likely to hit the mileage first so make sure you understand exactly how long you are likely to be covered before making a decision on what vehicle you will purchase.
Always be leery of any used car dealers on the side of the road. These dealers almost always have a less than reputable reputation. The cars they sell could have flood damage, need major repairs, and are sold without warranty. Once you drive that car off the lot, any problems the car has are now your problem.
Don’t just scribble down your signature, read the fine print. Read the contract before you sign it. Whenever you sign a contract, then legally, you are bound to it. If you do not want to read it when you’re in the dealership, ask them if you can bring it home to read it. If this is not possible, get a copy or purchase agreement to look over.
Financing is often more affordable when you get it from an institution other than the dealership themselves. The rates they offer aren’t great, but they’re sometimes open to lending you money when your credit is bad, unlike a bank. Check out all of your financing options and find out how much you’ll be approved for before you approach the lot.
When looking at specific used cars, know about the blue book values. If you have to, leave and come back, having researched the resale value, life, and blue book value of the car you’re interested in purchasing. This will help guide you towards what you know that you should be paying.
Although you want to look nice when you head out to buy a car, make sure you don’t put on too many valuables. It won’t be easy convincing a dealer to provide you wish a good rate if you have tons of diamonds and pricey furs on.
Always test drive a vehicle before you purchase it. Maneuver, test the brakes, drive on the highway and get a general feeling for the vehicle. Try to test as much about the vehicle as possible so that you do not encounter any surprises after you have signed the contract.
These simple tips will allow you to change your car shopping habits for the better, helping you pay less, get a better car and ensuring you don’t walk out with a lemon. Follow each carefully to ensure you get the optimum results once you are handed the keys to your new car. Good luck!