Car shopping is quite the experience. However, it can be quite complex. The following information will help you get a better handle on what it is all about. Heed this advice and be prepared to experience the joy of painless car shopping.
What do you want out of your new car? Have you taken a good look at your budget? How many people need to fit into the car? What type of fuel economy are you interested in? Two doors or four? Get it all down on paper, and bring it with you when shopping so that you don’t forget.
If you don’t negotiate with a car dealership, you may as well throw your money in the trash. In fact, you should never purchase a car for the listed price. Sticker prices are marked intentionally marked up so that the dealer has room to negotiate.
Before you visit a dealership, view your car loan on the Internet. One reason car purchases take so long is because of the whole financial part. If you have pre-qualified for a loan, this process will be much faster.
The Internet can be scoured for some good deals. Sometimes, you may find the deal of a lifetime on the web. When you find the vehicle you want, you may either go to the dealership that has it, or go to a dealership and get them to buy it for you. If the vehicle isn’t too far away, consider driving up to the dealership to save yourself some extra money.
If you’re getting a car from someone privately, get a mechanic you know to look at it first. If the current owner declines to let you do this, take that warning sign to heart. This typically means that there are issues they are trying to cover up. You need to know before purchasing.
If you feel like you can be talked into things easily, make sure someone goes to the dealerships with you. Bring along a friend or relative to help you negotiate prices and ask important questions. Let your adviser know about your needs and budget before you set foot on a car lot.
If you are paying a high payment on a luxury vehicle right now, do not take that car with you. The sales staff will see that car and decline your rock bottom offers, unless the car is one you plan to use as a trade-in.
Try to plan your car shopping trip for the end of the month. Salesman are often struggling to fulfill quotas at this time. At month’s end, the salesperson may still need to meet his quota, and he will be more conducive in giving you a better deal just to make a sale.
Social Security
Social security numbers should not be given until a deal is made. Some dealerships want this information so they can ruin your credit. If you don’t get a car purchased there, just getting that credit run by them may end up hurting you in the long run. Therefore, wait until you have negotiated a deal before giving out your Social Security information.
Car shopping with a loved one is a great idea. They will stop you from making an emotional based decision. Ask them to come with you throughout the test drive to point out problems.
Ask the dealer if the car can be inspected by a third-party mechanic. This should be someone you trust. Don’t use a mechanic your dealer recommends to you. Having a mechanic there isn’t to drive the price down or to intimidate the dealer. It’s only to ensure that the car is worth buying.
Look for great deals on used cars on the web. There is no reason to visit a car dealer these days. Instead, look on eBay, Craigslist and your local classified ads. You will avoid high-pressure tactics from dealerships, and you may be able to save a lot more money.
Do not buy a used car without doing some research. You can use the Internet to your advantage when searching for a car’s value. Utilize NADA or Kelly Blue Book in order to figure out the value of a car. If a car is selling at the dealership for much more than the price that these resources suggest, you should go somewhere else.
Call the dealership to find out if they have the model you want in stock. If you go without calling, the salesperson may try to sell you a car that you don’t want. If you need a certain car they don’t have, don’t waste your time going down to that lot. Call first and ask.
Try to get all of the prices possible for the car that you want. Prices may rise and fall from city to city, and there may be better deals in the next town over. Watching trends online helps to see where you can find the best price.
Shopping for a car at the end of the month is ideal. Dealers are trying to reach their monthly quotas and you could help them with that. Come in a few days before the month ends so you can negotiate over time if you need to.
When you are looking for a car, don’t let the one you want get away from you. You should be able to do a good job car hunting now that you’ve read this article. All you now need to do is put the plan in motion. Do not wait anymore and get started!