“Car buying is, or should be, a calculated decision,”says John Mondin, an auto travel counselor with AAA. The complex and sometimes frightening process of car buying is demystified in a comprehensive guide that covers: How to choose the right car, new/used car-buying strategies, getting a used car bargain,avoiding the pitfalls of leasing, how to shop for insurance.
In addition, Strategies for Smart Car Buyers includes several appendices and a variety of new material to complete the buyer’s research process, including: The acclaimed investigative series, “Confessions of a Car Salesman,” relating insider secrets in an entertaining account of two car dealerships, monthly payment charts and monthly leasing payments, expanded financing section detailing crucial contract dos and don’ts, plus additional commentary throughout text from undercover car salesman Chandler Phillips.
Online new car buying is a quick and easy way to look for a car in the privacy of one’s own home without the pressure of rash buying. Online car buying is a reality now because of the many excellent sites where you can find the car you’ve been looking for. See all the buying and selling articles you can find on avoiding scams and post-sale problems. As most of us know, used-car buying is a business wrought with scams. One of the best innovations in used car buying is the CARFAX website.
Tips
Educate yourself before buying a car, no negotiating prices without going for a test drive! Do you buy nice clothes without trying them on. Arm yourself with knowledge,with these tips, you can confidently walk into a car dealership, ready to be confronted by eager salesmen. More dealers are better: The more dealers you have in your area, the more competition for your business, the higher your odds of getting a good deal. Some helpful guidelines and car buying tips can be found at the Federal Information Center, as well as a wealth of other money related issues.
Information
The good news is that with the advent of the Internet, a world of information — never available to our parents and grandparents — is just a click away. Walking onto a dealer’s lot with no information is like walking into the lion’s den. And relying on a dealer for information is just slightly better. It levels the playing field by giving accurate information to the consumer.
You can also read up on the latest car reviews by browsing the Web as there is literally a wealth of pertinent information available online. Never discuss in a dealership what you can afford on a monthly basis; dealers can use that information to structure a car loan to meet or slightly beat your monthly-payment requirements, without addressing the more important issues: the total price of the car and the terms of the loan. To negotiate on price, you must be armed with information about the true value of the car you want with all the options you demand.
A variety of Web sites now offer detailed consumer information comparing the dealer’s invoice cost, what the dealer paid the manufacturer, against the MSRP printed on the window sticker. Important information about automobiles and fuel economy should always be considered. Some helpful guidelines and car buying tips can be found at the Federal Information Center, as well as a wealth of other money related issues. Check it out, you’ll be surprised at the valuable information you’ll find there. They combine extensive industry knowledge, dealership experience, and the power of the Internet to empower the consumer with the information they need to negotiate the best deal. They offer valuable research and information about used cars. You can find out about rebates online whereas before, unless you ask the car salesman, he wouldn’t volunteer the information to you.
Loan
You will get greater flexibility and savings by getting pre-approved for a car loan before shopping for a new or used car. And,if you decide to finance the car, find out what your monthly payment should be by shopping for a car loan before going to the dealership. You may discover that getting a loan will cost less than financing directly. If you do find a loan that you like, it’s recommended that you get approved for it before buying the car. The question you really must ask yourself at this point isn’t how much car you can afford but how much car loan you can afford. That determines how much car loan you’ll be able to cover comfortably every month for the next three to four years. The next step is to talk to your bank or credit union to find out what rates they’re currently charging on new-car loans for 36 and 48 months. There are many ways to find the best loan for you regardless of your credit standing. The prospective car buyer can also look into current interest rates on car loans ahead of time and determine which way they should proceed with regard to financing the vehicle. So be sure to follow these steps; do your research on the car, research available loan rates and programs online, check your impact on your insurance, and then reach a dealer about the car you want.
Final Thoughts
The world of car buying is changing rapidly. Online new car buying is a quick and easy way to look for a car in the privacy of one’s own home without the pressure of sales people pushing you into rash buying. The key to successful car buying is to meet your wants and needs within your budget.
Tags: Aaa, Appendices, Auto Travel, Avoiding Scams, Car Buying Tips, Car Dealership, Car Dealerships, Comprehensive Guide, Confessions Of A Car Salesman, Federal Information Center, Insider Secrets, Investigative Series, New Car Buying, Payment Charts, Pitfalls, Right Car, Salesmen, Smart Car Buyers, Strategies For Smart Car Buyers, Travel CounselorRelated posts
There are a few things that you should always look for if you are buying a used car. Here are the tips that you will need not to get a lemon.
1. Warranty Facts
You can sometimes get a car that is still under warranty. If this is the case, check with the warranty (perhaps call the number in the warranty book) to ask if there is anything that you need to do to keep the warranty when you buy the car. This often just involves sending out a letter with the purchase information to the dealership.
If you buy from a car dealership, you can often get warranties on used cars. If you want peace of mind when purchasing, consider this option for sure.
2. Warning Signs
If the odometer reading doesnt match the wear and tear of the car, then you should definitely ask for some records.
If there is any vagueness about getting the service records for the car, you might want to walk away.
3. Getting a Good Price
Because the cost of new cars is going up, there is more of a demand for used cars. This means that some dealerships believe that they can take more money than the car is worth. There are a few things that you need to do to get a good price.
Do your research; check online and in used car guides (often available at the local library) to find out what the prices of cars listed online to sell are. If you are uncertain about buying a car online, then dont. Often purchasing a car online means that it will come from a long distance, and as such, you will have to pay exorbitant shipping or delivery costs, which will not be worth the money that you are saving off the sticker price.
4. Making the Payments
Instead of getting a car loan from the dealership and paying the dealer or the seller monthly payments, consider taking out a loan from the bank. You will often get better interest (or financing, as it is called with cars) rates. Go to a bank or credit union before you go shopping for your car. Salespeople will try to talk you into going with the dealerships rates; you will be better off if you already have your financing set up. Credit unions can sometimes offer even better rates than banks on loans and are an often-overlooked choice.
5. The Information to Get
In Ontario, and in some states, you can ask to get the used vehicle information package. This will have the details of the previous maintenance and ownership history of the car.
Always do a complete visual inspection of a car. Even if you are buying a car from the internet, buy one from your province or state so that you can go and check it out first. Alternatively, agree with the seller that you have the right to return the car for a full refund (including shipping) if it does not meet your standards.
6. What not to Trust
Dont judge the use of a car by its brakes; a dealer can buy new brake pads for less than $10, which is often an easy fix for a car.
If a car has rear-door-hinges that are very worn, it might have been used as a taxi, and you should probably find another one. Check the roof of the car to see if there have been any holes filled in; this could have been a sign for a delivery vehicle. They also often have been used a lot.
Be careful if a car looks like it has been freshly painted. This could mean that it has been in an accident that is trying to be covered up.
7. And finally
Buying a used car can be a great deal for you. You can save money on the car itself, and you can get a safe means to travel. Remember, the condition of the car is more important than if it has had multiple owners, or even the odometer reading. Good luck shopping!
Tags: Buying A Used Car, Car Dealership, Car Loan, Car Salespeople, Case Check, Delivery Costs, Exorbitant Shipping, Local Library, Long Distance, New Cars, Odometer, Odometer Reading, Peace Of Mind, Purchasing A Car, Scams, Sticker Price, Vagueness, Warning Signs, Warranties, Wear And TearRelated posts
Do you live in or around the Chicago area? If you do, are you also in the market for a new used car? If you are, have you already started your used car search? If you have yet to do so, you may want to think about examining all of your options. When it comes to buying a used vehicle, many individuals end up wasting precious time, as well as hard-earned money. By first examining all of your used car buying options, you should be able to create a plan for yourself. This plan cannot only help you find a quality used car to buy, but it may also be able to save you a considerable amount of time and money.
In and around the Chicago area, you should be able to find a large number of used car dealerships. These dealerships are sometimes a great place to find used cars. The only downside to buying a used car from a Chicago used car dealership is that you never really know exactly who you are doing business with. Unfortunately, over the past few years, a large number of used car dealerships have started using some questionable tactics to help improve their sales. Now, this isnt just limited to the Chicago area, as it is a trend that is seen all across the country, but it is still something that you should keep in mind.
Although you should display caution when looking to buy a used car from a Chicago used car dealership, it does not mean that you shouldnt at least stop and examine the selection of cars at a used car dealership. As with buying a used car from anywhere, you are advised against relying on the word of the seller. Instead of just taking someones word, you will also want to do your own inspection. It is advised that you closely examine and inspect all used cars that you find at a dealership. You can expect to pay more money for a used car at a dealership than you would anywhere else; therefore, you want to make sure that your money will be money well spent.
In addition to buying a used car from a Chicago dealership, you can also buy a used car from other Chicago residents or from residents in the surrounding areas. When it comes to buying a new car, many new car buyers try to sell their own cars on their own, instead of using them for a trade-in. Many car owners believe that this will get them more money for their cars. The good thing about buying a used car directly from a car owner is that you never know when you may find a good deal. You may be able to find a used car for sale just by driving to and from work or on your way home from grocery shopping.
Although buying a used car directly from the car owner is a great way to find a quality used vehicle, you need to be careful about overpaying. As previously mentioned, a large number of car owners try to sell their own cars, instead of relying on them for a trade-in. This is often done in hopes of making extra money. That is what leads many individuals to price their used cars too high. Of course, you will want to make sure that you thoroughly examine and inspect any used car that you are interested buying, but you may also want to think about doing a little bit of research; research concerning the value of the vehicle in question. This will help to prevent you from paying too much money for a used car.
Another option that you have when looking to buy a used car is auto auctions. Auto auctions are nice because you are often able to choose from a large number of used cars. Some Chicago auto auctions have as many as fifty or more cars at each of their auctions. It is also important to mention that auto auctions are one of the cheapest ways to go about getting a used car. One of the reasons for that is because auto auctions are almost like a well-kept secret. Many used car shoppers do not realize just how great auto auctions really are.
Although auction auctions are a great way to buy a used car, you should proceed with caution. In and around the Chicago area, you should be able to find a number of used car auctions, many of which are held on a scheduled basis. To find an affordable, but reliable used car, you will want to attend an auto auction that gives you as much information on the used cars that they will be selling. There are some used car auction houses or companies, like North Shore Auto Auction, that post information on their upcoming auto auctions online, including vehicle pictures, as well as detailed information. You may also want to attend an auction auto that gives you the opportunity to closely examine or inspect each vehicle before bidding.
As you can see, you have a number of different options when it comes to buying a used car. For the best chance of success, you may want to think about attending a number of auto auctions, visit some Chicago used car dealerships, as well as speak with any car owners that may have used cars available for sale. By keeping all of your options open, you are more likely to find the used car of your choice.
Tags: Amount Of Time, Buy Car, Buying A Used Car, Buying A Used Vehicle, Buying Options, Car Buying, Car Dealership, Car Dealerships, Car Search, Caution, Chicago Area, Doing Business, Downside, Find Cars, Find Used Cars, Hard Earned Money, New Car, Questionable Tactics, Time And Money, Wasting Precious TimeRelated posts
Buying And Selling Used Cars: How To Get The Best Deals
In the fast-paced world we live in, owning cars is an essential necessity in life. With a car, you can manage your life easier, and more efficiently.
New car buyers usually buy their car in used car dealership to save money.
Most people consider getting another used car and usually sell their first car.
Here are some tips to get you started in buying or selling used cars and in the same time, getting the best deal possible.
Used Car Buyers
The first thing you should consider when buying a used car is how much you are willing to spend. Knowing what you can and cannot afford is the first step when buying used cars. Saving money is mainly the reason why most people buy used cars. Another reason is that they want a specific model of a car but cannot afford to buy a brand new one. To get the best deals possible you should research, and research some more.
To know how much you can afford you should first figure out your monthly net income. To get the exact figures, you have to first get your total monthly gross income then, deduct all of your monthly expenses like; groceries, insurance, rent payments, mortgage, etc. the result will be your net income.
After you figure out your monthly net income, you should ask yourself:
How much am I willing to spend on a car?
How much is the down payment?
How much can I afford on monthly payments?
While calculating these three important numbers, you should also consider the cost of fuel, registration and insurance. Find out if the vehicles you are interested in are still capable of giving many a good mile to gallon of fuel ratio.
Contact your insurance company to know how much your monthly payments will be on each of the cars you are interested in. Give considerations if the vehicles have safety features like airbags, and anti lock braking system or ABS. Insurance companies usually give discounts if the car has these features.
The biggest disadvantage to buying a used car is the lack of warranty. Private sellers often do not include any warranty on the car they are selling. Another problem when you purchase a used car is the risk of buying a junk.
You may have purchased the car for a very low price but you could have bought a car that will drain your money on maintenance costs.
It is always wise to inspect the car thoroughly first before deciding to buy it. If possible, try to find out about the cars history. Get some of the cars service records for you to know a bit about the cars history.
Selling Used Cars
Selling your old car can prove difficult and time consuming. Most people who tries to sell their used car often gets tired and will just trade it in or sell it in a very low price.
Here are a few tips on selling a used car to get you the best deal possible.
Once you decide to sell your old car, the first thing you should do is set a price for it. To help you with the actual value of your old car in the market, research the cars make and model in the internet or in your local used car dealership. Ask around.
After you figure out the market value, find out how many vehicles that are similar to yours are in the market, then, increase the price of your old car just a little. This can be helpful when a buyer tries to haggle, which they often do. This gives you an allowance for haggling.
The next step would be evaluating your vehicle. List down your old cars accessories and other added expenses. This would be a good way to further increase your vehicles price.
You should also include in your list about the condition of the vehicle. The better the condition the faster it sells. You should also present you cars service records to the buyer.
A service record is a good way to know about the cars history. If your old cars service record were clean (no accidents, good maintenance) it would sell faster.
Tags: Abs Insurance, Anti Lock Braking System, Buying A Used Car, Buying Used Cars, Car Buyers, Car Dealership, Exact Figures, Fast Paced World, First Car, Fuel Ratio, Gross Income, Important Numbers, Insurance Companies, Insurance Company, Lock Braking System, Monthly Expenses, Net Income, Safety Features, Saving Money, Selling Used CarsRelated posts
For most people, owning classic or vintage cars is a dream-come true. Owning classic cars are considered a luxury. It is very expensive and most people cannot afford to buy one, much more to restore one.
If you are considering buying a classic car, you should first think about your budget, how much are you willing to spend on these antique machines? There are some people who spend their saving just to own one.
Vintage cars can also be an investment. After you restore one, the market value of the car would be better than you imagined. Depending on its model and condition, classic cars can be a potential profit maker.
These classics are usually sold in auctions and there are many classic car enthusiasts out there willing to spend a fortune on these cars.
However, before buying one you should consider the following:
Keep in mind that what you want to buy would be described as a collector car.
Decide what car fits your budget. This will probably eliminate those vintages you drool about in major car shows, unless you are very rich. Just one of those cars you see in major car shows can cost you at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Researching on where to buy classic cars is not easy. You have to spend a lot of time and effort just by searching one of these cars. Remember that these cars are not manufactured anymore and you do not often see these on your regular used car dealership.
You would probably find one on junk yards or on old peoples houses that do sell or throw these classics away. You can even get them with a bargain price. However, these cars are probably covered with rust already and have engines that are in bad shape.
Another good way to look for a classic car is by going to auctions. If you can afford to travel, take time to go to car auctions in different places.
This will give you a chance to offer a bargain for it. You can also opt for a classic car that is in good condition and less restoration will be required.
If you found what you were looking for, compare them. If you are a mechanic you can probably do the comparison yourself, if not, try to bring your trusted mechanic along to help you decide which one to buy. Always remember that the less restoration required the better.
After purchasing the car, the next step would be restoring it. Be prepared to spend a lot of time and money on this phase, since good car parts for classic cars are hard to come by and are usually very expensive to manufacture.
Obtaining the car parts necessary for restoration will be very time consuming and will require you to make many calls in shops that sells antique car parts. One way of easily obtaining classic car parts is by searching in the Internet.
Here, you can obtain hard-to-find parts for the model of your car.
If you do not find one, you can ask a machine shop to manufacture one for you. All you have to do is bring the old part to the shop and they will do the rest.
If you dont know much about repairing cars, much more restoring it, it is probably best if you hire a mechanic to do the restoration or go to one of those classic car restoration shops. These kinds of shops are usually very expensive and not recommended if you bought the car for investment purposes.
This is because some classic cars restored are valued less than what it costs to do the restoration.
After the restoration and paying huge bills for the mechanic or restoration shops, you can now fully enjoy your vintage car for years to come.
Tags: Antique Machines, Bad Shape, Bargain Price, Buy Cars, Car Auctions, Car Dealership, Classic Car Enthusiasts, Classic Cars, Collector Car, Different Places, Drool, Fortune, Hundreds Of Thousands, Junk Yards, Model Cars, Profit Maker, Rust, Thousands Of Dollars, Vintage Cars, VintagesRelated posts
O.K. youre patting yourself on the back for all of the homework youve done on your perspective car that you are going to buy so youre fired up and ready to go right?
Its great that youve done much homework on the car that youve got your eye on good job. But, consider this have you given any thought at all as to what your negotiating game plan is going to be? If you really want to maximize your car deal, it only makes sense to give this area some additional consideration.
Negotiating is skill that can be learned and gets better with practice. Throughout everyones life first as children then as parents negotiation occurs rather regularly. Now that youre looking at stepping onto a car dealership, you shouldnt suddenly feel as though youve never been involved in negotiations Ill bet that you have.
First and foremost, plan to succeed. Simple thought I know, but it is part of the preparation. If you go into the process thinking that you would really like to get the selling price down to a certain figure, but at the same time youre telling yourself that this probably wont happen then guess what it wont. You wont have the confidence, and the sales person or sales manager will get work on your shaky expectations and get you off your target price.
Be mindful of the other hand though. If you go into the car selling price negotiating process like the proverbial bull in a china shop youll probably trip the sales persons and the sales managers hot button and they will push back just as vigorously creating a negotiating chasm.
The key as a polished negotiator is to stay calm and pleasant and present win-win scenarios.
Secondly Be prepared. Dont go into any type of transaction such as buying a car unprepared. Dont just know about the car and what you want your car to come with know what each of these options cost dont guess or assume There is profit to be negotiated upon across the board at any given dealership. Knowledge is confidence, and sales people will pick up on the fact that you know of which you talk and this will significantly cut down on the sales b.s.
Next Leave yourself wiggle room inside your cocoon of happiness target. In other words never start with the price you want to pay. Remember, by definition here we are negotiating with another person if you start with the price you want to pay; youll have no choice but to negotiate your way up and out of it. So, if youre will to spend say $15,000 then start at $14,000 and work to create a win-win somewhere in between. And, oh by the way no one in the dealership other than you has or will have NO IDEA of what youre willing to pay.
Heres a bonus tip if the sales person kicks off the negotiations with the first offer, dont counter with a number thats right no counter number instead counter back with a pleasant Im afraid thats somewhat beyond my budget make them come back with another offer to get you in the game. Now you just gotten a newer offer and you havent even jumped in yet. The first offer from the dealer is usually their home run swing they dont really expect you to serve yourself up at this point (although some do and hence the home run in profit).
Keep in that this is not a one way street. Youll have to participate and make some concessions in order for your deal to be a winner. For instance, if you cant get to the selling price you want then get more for your trade, get an extended warranty at dealer cost, get some no cost service or oil changes, floor mats, anything that keeps the deal moving forward and the negotiations open dont get hung up on beating you opponent over just one aspect of the deal.
This is where many people get frustrated and either walk away after getting so close or just give in as a result of the frustration. Negotiating a car deal is a package not just a selling price. Sure the selling price is the focal point, but you have to give the appearance that you are offering some concession as well. In fact, as your target price get within range, dont just agree on the price and then begin the delivery process. If you do you will be in a much weaker position to negotiate any extras you may want such as that extended warranty you see make sure all potential aspects of the deal are in place before you shake hands on the price.
Tags: Bet, Car Deal, Car Dealership, Chasm, China Shop, Confidence, Game Plan, Good Job, Homework, Hot Button, Negotiating Tips, Negotiation, Negotiations, Negotiator, Sales Managers, Sales Person, Scenarios, Simple Thought, Target Price, Time YoureRelated posts
Car loans are more common than ever. Most people are learning that they can get into the car that they want much easier and much more quickly if they have a loan than if they wait until they have saved enough. The fact of the matter is that cars are expensive, even those that are not all that fancy. If you want a car that will last and will get you from point A to point B safely you’ll need to invest in it. And a simple way to do this is with a car loan.
Applying For a Car Loan
Applying for your first car loan is a little bit unnerving because you aren’t quite sure what you are getting into. The process is actually quite simple and depending on your credit, your lender, and your car dealership you could be driving home in your new set of wheels the same day as you fill out an application! Sound too good to be true? The whole point of car loans is that they make it simple for people to get a new car without actually having the cash on hand.
When you apply for a car loan you will first need to know what sort of car you would like to buy. Most lenders need to know the make and model of the car that you are looking at so they can verify that it is a car worthy of their financial support. In addition to providing the lender with this information you will need to supply your personal information such as your full name, your mailing address, your financial information, your date of birth, and your social security or tax payer identification number. When the lender has all of this information they run a credit check. They look to see how responsible you have been with credit in the past.
If you have had credit challenges in the past, there is no need to worry. There are many lenders out there who deal with those that have less than perfect credit. Regardless of your credit, you will usually hear back from the lender within an hour or so and they will let you know how much they are willing to finance, how much of a down payment you need if any, and what the terms of your loan are. The terms refer to how long you have to pay off the loan and what your interest rate is. Once you sign the paperwork and verify that you have automobile insurance you are free to drive your vehicle home.
With a car loan you will generally need to make one monthly payment. This not only pays on the amount that you have had to borrow to buy the car, but also the interest on the loan. While the idea of paying on a car loan is not something that people look forward to, it is a lot easier to come up with the money for a monthly payment than it is to save up for the car! Car loans really do make it simple for the average consumer to get that new car.
Tags: Buying Car, Car Buying, Car Dealership, Car Loan, Car Loans, Cars, Credit Challenges, Credit Check, Date Of Birth, Fact Of The Matter, Financial Information, First Car, Lenders, Little Bit, Model Car, New Car, People, Set Of Wheels, Social Security, Tax Payer Identification NumberRelated posts
Get A Cheap Insurance Quote Before You Buy Your Car
When you head to a car dealership and purchase a new car, you must have car insurance before you can drive your new car home. Sometimes car shoppers wait until they are at the car dealership before contacting their current car insurance companies about the new car. Sometimes, car shoppers who are shopping for their first cars car shoppers who do not already have car insurance for another car wait until the day of the purchase to buy a car insurance policy.
These methods are tricky. Neither gives the new car owner time to shop around for a cheap car insurance quote, and leaves the new car owner with few car insurance options.
If you are in the market for a new car the best method is to get a cheap insurance quote before buying your car, and you can do so by following these tips:
Choose your car before you actually buy it. There are several steps to this. First, decide what kind of car you want. Keep in mind a safe, reliable car with many safety features will get you a cheap insurance quote. Then, look at sales papers, taking note of the car dealerships in your area that sell the car you want. Finally, visit the car dealership just to introduce yourself and let a salesman know your intentions.
Contact your current car insurance company. Let them know you are in the process of purchasing a new car. Tell them the make, model, and year, as well as all safety features. Ask them if they can give you a new car insurance quote.
Contact other car insurance companies. If you do not have a current car insurance company, or you want a cheaper insurance quote than what your current company gave you, now is your chance to shop around. Talk to several car insurance companies to get a cheap insurance quote before you actually buy your car.
Tags: Car Dealership, Car Dealerships, Car Insurance Companies, Car Insurance Company, Car Insurance Policy, Car Insurance Quote, Car Shoppers, Cheap Car Insurance, Cheap Car Insurance Quote, Cheap Insurance, Cheaper Insurance, Current Company, First Cars, Insurance Contact, Insurance Options, New Car Owner, Purchasing A New Car, Quote Insurance, Safety Features, Several StepsRelated posts
How To Buy A Car (Trust Me – I Used To Sell Them)
We Americans like to buy a car at the dealership in one afternoon, and the dealerships try very hard to make us think that is possible and even smart. But its not. Realize how big a purchase a car is. And it is complicated.
Buying a car is the second-largest purchase most people make after buying a home. When you buy a home, think about all the help you have: you have a broker to help you find the best home for you, and a mortgage broker to help you find the best financing. And an inspector to make sure the house is safe. Sometimes you also have an attorney to make sure the contract is fair, and a title company makes sure the title is clear before you pay for the home. But when you buy a car, there is not one person there to help you. And the dealers want you to THINK you can waltz in to the dealership and buy a car from start to finish in an afternoon and sure, you can, but you will pay much much more if you do it that way. Here are four tips to give you an advantage:
1. Make at least one trip to the dealership JUST to look around and drive the cars. Promise yourself you will not buy that first time, no matter what. Why? So that you can go home and look up information on the internet, including dealer cost, safety ratings, option prices, and any manufacturer to dealer incentives that the dealer has certainly not told you about!
2. Know what you can afford before you visit the dealership to buy! This means talk to your personal banker or credit union officer before going to the dealership. Why? Some dealerships might actually WANT you to sign on for a more expensive car than you can afford so that you will then default on your loan and they will repossess the car.
3. Whenever the finance manager calculates something, insist that he show you the calculation. Why? The easiest place for dealerships to take more money from you is in the monthly payment. It is VERY common for dealers to increase monthly payments by just a few dollars, even $20 per month, over about a five year period is like giving the dealership $500 extra on the spot.
E.G. If you tell the salesman you can afford a payment of $500 per month, he might find a deal for you in which the payment works out to $460 per month. But instead of telling you that, he might tell you that he has great news!! – - that your payment is down to $480. What happens to the $20 difference between the lender’ $460 per month and the $480 the dealer is charging you? It goes right into the dealers pocket, and you will never know it unless you Len how to run the calculation yourself, or at least run it by your banker. How much would a dealership make, taking in an extra $20 per month for five years, on a loan with an interest rate of 3.9%? About $500. It is next to impossible to figure this kind of thing out without a financial calculator, or a friend with a financial calculator. But its worth the trouble!
4. Write down everything you learn about the car, from the internet, magazines, and especially from the salesman. Why? Doing this keeps everybody honest, and literally on the same pageYOUR page! Your salesman will see that you are writing down everything he says, and he will be less inclined to lie, or to try to change information on you later on. This tip is all about staying in control.
Tags: Buy A Car, Buy Car, Buying A Car, Buying A Home, Buying Car, Car Dealership, Cars, Dealer Incentives, Easiest Place, Expensive Car, Finance Manager, How To Buy A Car, Money, Mortgage Broker, Option Prices, Personal Banker, Purchase A Car, Safety Ratings, Title Company, WaltzRelated posts
Is it time for a new car? Depending on where youre located, it may be possible for you to save a substantial amount of time and money by researching and buying your new car online. Buying cars online is becoming just as normal as buying household items online. The internet is truly expanding to make it easier and cheaper for dealers to sell and buyers to buy.
Dealers love the concept; they get more visitors than the average walk in neighborhood dealership and dont necessarily have 8 car sales people sitting around reading the paper. Their overhead drops significantly while the sales and profits soar through the roof. Consumers are starting to get more comfortable with it because a high percentage of car shoppers hate the car dealership experience. But online they can get the answers many of us are afraid to ask when were sitting in front of a pushy car salesman.
In some countries such as the United Kingdom, an increasing number of people are choosing to cut out shady dealerships and buy their new auto on the internet. Now you have the luxury to shop online and take your time understanding what vehicle and what price you want. As long as you choose a reputable source, its possible to save a substantial chunk of money by purchasing your new car online.
Remember, when you buy online you cannot test out the car youre interested in..so only choose to buy online once youve driven the car (try it out at a dealership first). Even when buying online you should still do your homework and know the car you’re getting and the price it’s worth. Learn about the car you like before a dealer decides what they want you to buy, which is the car that makes them more commission, keep the ball in your court.
Use price guides such as Edmunds or Kelley Blue Book to find out the true value of the car youre buying. This will make sure youre not paying more then normal prices for your new or used car. A little homework will give you some confidence and most probably save you some cash.
Many online sites for car purchases work by local dealers offering you free price quotes (these can often be negotiated downwards). These sites are growing larger by the month and are being considered more and more by consumers in North America. Popular sites like Auto Trader which we took as a manual search from their catalogues at the store are now really building their online presence. Other sites like CarsDirect.com, CarMax.com and CarPrice.com are also starting to see sales rise.
Some sites will even offer a lowest price guarantee – so if you do find the car for less, theyll match the price. Additionally, some online car buying sites will even drive the car directly to your home. If you’re in the market for a new car and really don’t like the whole dealership experience, this just might be what you’re looking for.
Serious ease and convenience not to mention you can save thousands of dollars this way. But best of all, no hard sell.
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