Even though it may not have been easy for you to secure the best price and terms for a vehicle you bought in the past, that doesn’t mean that you can’t do it now. You just have to learn the process. You don’t simply have to accept the flow!
The key to smart car shopping is to have all your needs listed before you leave the house. How much can you spend? How many people are you going to be driving around? What mileage are you looking for? Do you want a two-door car or a four-door car? Make a list of your wants, and take it with you when you go shopping.
When shopping for a car, you need to figure out what you’re looking for first. How much money are you have to spend? How many do you need for passengers in the car to seat?What kind of fuel economy are you interested in? Do you want a two-door car or a family vehicle? Make sure to jot down all the things that you want in your car to have.
Take time to research the dealer before you make any offer on a car. You will have a better negotiating advantage if you understand their trade and financing practices. Reading consumer reviews is a good picture of what you may be getting into.
Get a loan for a car online prior to going to a dealership. Part of the reason it takes so long when you buy a car is that they must check your credit score and secure a lender. By securing an auto loan beforehand, you can streamline the process at the dealership.
If your dealer does not allow you to have a mechanic inspect it, leave.
Bring a friend with you to buy your shopping trip. This person can be a friend, spouse or friend.
Make sure you know about the dealer prior to negotiating for a vehicle. You are sure to have more success in your negotiations if you already know how they typically do business. Read up on any customer reviews about your dealer.
Don’t drive your really expensive car to the dealership. Once they see what you are driving, they will not accept any of your offers and try raising prices because they will assume you can afford to spend more on a vehicle.
Shop for a car near the month’s end. Most dealerships try to get to that specific quota for each month.
When negotiating, focus on the price of the car overall, not just the monthly payment. Any dealer can find a way to get you the monthly price you want to pay, but you’ll be paying that price for years because of tons of interest. Then your total car price will be extremely expensive. You should instead focus on negotiating the best deal on the overall price of the car and the financing you get. Use that number, then calculate the optimal monthly payment amount.
You might not get the car you desire. Not opting for frivolous features will not impair your experience.
Bring a friend with you on your car shopping trip who has nothing to gain or lose from your purchase. They ensure you don’t get sucked into a deal which isn’t what you are trying to make. They can even go on the test drive with you any drawbacks they notice.
When shopping for a car, bring someone along. They can help discern the situation, and they can fill in whichever gaps aren’t your strong points. And if you are going to share your car with your spouse, you should definitely go together.
Ask to bring in your mechanic. The mechanic should be fairly trustworthy. Don’t use the mechanic that the dealer mechanic. A good mechanic can help you know what condition the vehicle is priced reasonably and free of defects.
Do not buy used car without doing some research. There are many online sources that will inform you of what your car can be sold for. You could use NADA or Kelly Blue Book to know how much a car’s worth. If there is a dealer selling cars at too high of a price, walk away.
Don’t give your SSN out too early. Dealerships often want this information early on. You should not let multiple dealers run your credit. Therefore, wait until you have negotiated a deal before giving out your Social Security information.
Are you more confident and ready to tackle your next car buying process. You should, and the advice you have read should go a long way. You should not be worried about getting confused or being bullied into a deal. This knowledge empowers you and puts the control back in your hands.