Buying a car is a process that you should invest a lot of time and patience into. Many people do not know this and they rush through the entire process. While this may get a vehicle into your possession much faster, chances are there will be a lot more headaches than smiles if you do this.
Have an understanding of what you want in a car when you go out to buy one. How much can you afford to spend? How many people are you going to be driving around? What are you looking for in gas mileage? Two doors or four? Make a list of your wants, and take it with you when you go shopping.
You should take the car-buying process very seriously. Many people are so happy about the prospect of buying a car that they do not think of the seriousness of the task. Buying a car is a serious financial investment, and you should do all you can to remain businesslike.
Don't forget to look into the cost of parts for a vehicle before you buy it. Some cars, especially imports, cost significantly more to maintain than others. Investigate the cost of parts that wear out frequently, such as tires, brakes, and windshield wiper blades. Research the cost of alternators, spark plugs, and other engine components, too.
Be firm in what extras you want. Almost every salesperson is going to at least attempt to "upsell" you in an effort to get a bigger sale. Don't let them pressure you into the next model up or features you don't need. If they claim not to have the model you are looking for in stock, only the "better" one, ask if they can locate one at another dealer.
Never agree to pay the asking price! There are few cars for sale out there that do not have some room for negotiation in the price. When you have researched the vehicle, inspected it and given it your approval, negotiate the final price based off your findings. Do not settle on a price until you are happy with your investment.
Don't expect to make a purchase in your first dealership. In fact, if you do so, then you are probably making a bad purchase. Shopping around is always important, and this is especially true when it comes to making an intelligent purchase with a car or truck. Take your time and look around.
Even if a car is in your price range, do not forget to consider the gas mileage and annual maintenance fees that will come with your purchase. Many people buy vehicles that they think are affordable, but later they regret it when they see how much they have to pay annually for gas and routine maintenance.
Avoid purchasing a brand new vehicle as soon as it hits the showroom. Getting one the minute they hit the market will be costlier than if you had waited. Take your time and then check it out down the road.
Talk to an insurance agent to get an estimated cost before you purchase the vehicle you want. While it may seem realistic to keep up on car payments, the added cost of insurance might put you over budget. Look for a vehicle that will balance price with low insurance rates.
Learn about how the service department works at those dealers you are considering. Do some research to find out how current customers feel about the service. You should call and test the dealership. Select a dealer that has a competent staff so that you have a good source to turn to when the need arises.
If you are planning on using your current car as a trade in, don't let the dealer know right away. Your first goal is to negotiate down the price of the car you wish to purchase. Information like trade-in value is valuable to the salesman, so keep it to yourself until the right moment!
If you can, wait until the last days of the month before you purchase your vehicle. Dealers have to meet their quotas for the month. When you come in later in the month, they want your sale to get them to that quota number. You can take advantage of this.
You should always do a test drive before you buy anything. Some mechanical problems may not appear until the car reaches a higher speed or when performing certain maneuvers, such as turning or backing up. Test everything you can so there are no surprises later.
Understand that a lower payment does not mean the same as lowering the price of the car. It is pretty easy to get to almost any payment by reducing the interest rate and extending the terms of the loan. If you can qualify for a reduced interest rate at one price, you can certainly qualify at a lower overall price for the car. Extending your payment terms just obligates you to pay longer, and it does nothing to reduce how much you will actually end up paying out of pocket.
Before you ever start negotiating price, you should have your bottom line in mind. You don't want to get caught up talking price without your parameters or they will be set for you. Refuse to talk price until you have researched your options. This will fare you better when striking your deal.
Do some advanced preparation before shopping for your car. If you anticipate having to replace your current vehicle in a year or two, start improving your credit now. Also begin saving whatever you can toward a down payment. By planning in advance, you can be in a good position to get a great deal.
As stated earlier, buying a car is not something that should be taken so lightly. This is a serious investment and there needs to be a lot of thought and care put into the process. The article here should have given you a good idea of what the best steps are to take before making a car purchase.
Orignal From: Don't Let A Dealer Take Advantage Of You
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