It can be very intimidating to visit a car dealership. The best way to ensure that the outcome is the right one for you and your family is to do some advance research and investigation which can pay great dividends. This article is a great starting point, as it will help you understand the steps you need to take.
Look online, and then head to the dealership. Only go to the dealer when you know exactly what you want. Check online to find out more about all the cars you want to learn about, dealerships and brands, too.
Dealership Offering
The Internet can be scoured for some good deals. You can literally save thousands by searching online. Once you have found the perfect vehicle, you can either drive to the dealership offering the vehicle or go to your dealership and have them purchase the vehicle for you. If you can make the drive, then drive to the dealership offering the car in order to save money.
Have your loan financing already arranged prior to shopping for a car. This can be done at either your credit union or bank. You will often get a better interest rate by doing this, and you will walk into the dealership knowing how much you can really afford to pay for your new car.
Sticker value is always negotiable. That usually isn’t what the salesmen will expect of you anyway. If negotiation is not something that you personally excel at, bring along someone that does. You should be sure that you know what a fair price for the vehicle is beforehand so you know what you are willing to pay.
When you shop for cars, set aside sufficient time to get the process completed. You don’t want to feel like you’re rushed when trying to get comfortable about a deal. You need at least an entire afternoon. If you are really short on time, do not be afraid to leave and come back another day.
Ask your family and friends about what they know about cars. What are their recommendations? Do they have regrets and wish they had something else? What are they hearing in terms of cars they’d wish to have? This gives you trustworthy information to go on.
Don’t give any dealer a social security number. Dealerships often want this information early on. Having multiple dealerships check your credit will have a negative effect on your score. Do not allow anyone to pull your credit until you have hammered out your deal.
Bring a friend along during the car-buying process — preferably someone who has nothing to gain or lose from your purchase. They will allow you to see mistakes so you’re not making a decision based on emotion. Also, they can point out the deficiencies of the car.
Read everything before you sign it! If you just sign without reading, you might be disappointed. Your signature legally binds you, so you want to make sure you are 100% sure about what the contract says. You can always take it home with you to read it. If they won’t let you, make a copy of it that you can take with you.
Zip Code
Look at car prices online, in nearby cities and your city. You might get a better deal if you buy from a neighboring city, since prices vary from zip code to zip code. Also, price trends are something to consider when buying a car.
Prior to negotiating the deal, familiarize yourself with available incentive offers. You should know all you can about trade-in policies and values, fees from financiers, car warranties, incentives and rebates. You can haggle much better if you’re aware of what they’re offering before going to the lot.
Before you commit to purchasing a car, get a quote from an insurance agent on the cost to insure this automobile. You may find out the cost will be exceptionally high. Look for a car that can get you a good deal on insurance and a low monthly car payment.
Ask the dealer to eliminate any advertising fees that are attached to the price of your car. You should not have to pay this fee. Tell your dealer that you will not buy the car if you have to pay this fee. This will force them to waive the fee in the end.
Rebates need to be found beforehand. A lot of dealers will offer the rebate to you as an incentive for getting you to buy the car. If the dealership is less reputable, they will simply pocket the rebate.
After locking in the offer, tell them you have a trade in. While they may not offer as much for your trade-in, at least you have the offer you wanted. At this point, it is time to finalize your deal.
If the bank offers you a good interest rate on a car purchase, take them up on the offer. You can save some money this way, and you do not have to go with high interest rates. Bank loans are relatively low-interest loans in comparison, so it’s a safer bet.
Car shopping can be stressful, fun and even a financial concern. But if you take the time to do some research, you can actually find the process enjoyable and wind up with the most suitable vehicle for your situation. Remember what you have learned here, and you’ll be well on the way to securing the vehicle you really want.