Car Buying Tips

Car Buying Tips
Every person will buy at least one car in their lifetime. The car may be new or it may be used. It doesn’t matter which type of car you buy, there are some things that need to be noted in order to get the best deal for the money being spent on a vehicle. Here are six car buying tips to keep you from getting taken for a ride.
Tip #1: Don’t buy a car the first day. Salespeople put pressure on car shoppers to purchase a car the very minute they start to show interest in a vehicle. As a consumer, this is not sound shopping. The thought of buying something begins a euphoric atmosphere that will have you feeling buyer’s remorse if you give in to it too early. Listen to what the sales person has to say, but don’t budge without first weighing your options. Tell the salesperson, in no uncertain terms, that you will not be purchasing a car right away.
Tip #2: Telling the salesperson what you are willing to pay. This sounds like an episode of “Let’s Make a Deal”. The first question a salesperson will ask you is about the payment you desire. Instead, politely tell them that you have done your research and know what the car you want is worth. The dealer will pad the price for sure, but you don’t want to finance their trip to the Bahamas! Quoting a desired payment could have you giving the car dealer more of your money than originally anticipated. If they won’t negotiate, you can go elsewhere.
Tip #3: Find financing elsewhere. Whether you are buying a new car or a used car, dealer finance companies jump at the chance to serve you. They add in things like extended warranties, fabric protection for the seats, and other insurances. First of all, you don’t need the fabric protector and additional warranties can be purchased independently for less money. Outside financing gives you the advantage of not having to use their finance company and save money too.
Tip #4: Ask plenty of questions. If the car is used, ask about the mileage and warranty. When a warranty is not offered ask why. This could be a sign something wrong with the car. If they won’t insure the parts, maybe you shouldn’t buy it. Find out about rebates and special interest rate offers. These can be used as a down payment once you have negotiated the price of the car. Don’t mention the rebate until they have agreed to the price of the car or they could factor that in so that you can’t use it to lower the agreed upon price on the car.
Tip #5: Take a test drive. Take the car for a spin. Listen closely for any noises or thumps and see how the car handles on the road. For a used car, inspect the body of the car for cracks in the paint, rust, and tire tread wear. You have a right to examine anything that you buy. Look under the hood and examine the service records of the previous owner to make sure the car was well cared for. On any used car, obtain a CARFAX report to be sure that another man’s trade doesn’t become your trash.
Tip #6: Know the blue book value. This is more important with a used car sale. Be sure the dealer is not trying to sell you a car that is worth half the price it is being sold for. Blue book values do fluctuate and depend on make, model, year, mileage, and other factors. Checking for a ballpark value before going car shopping is always a good idea.
Buying a car can be great fun. Just be careful that the excitement of the moment doesn’t cause you to forget about your preparation. Use these tips to find the perfect car for you at the best price.