Most people need to shop for a car every so often. Even though doing so can be some fun, the magnitude of the cost can make the situation stressful for the unprepared. Continue reading to get great advice on the whole process.
Set up financing for your vehicle prior to visiting the dealership. In order to do this, go to your local credit union or bank. This will often provide you with a lower interest rate, and when you get to the dealership, you will know the amount you can afford to spend.
Prior to purchasing a used car, arrange to have an impartial mechanic check it out. If the dealer vetoes this, veto them. An adequate mechanic can make an impartial opinion on any problems in the vehicle like signs of flood water submersion or car wreckage.
Have a trusted mechanic take a good look over any car that you might be from a private individual. If the owners prevent this, you may want to look elsewhere. It is possible that there are issues that a layman cannot detect that will have an impact on the vehicle’s value. It can be dangerous to buy such cars without doing your homework.
Never get a car for its full price. The dealer does not expect anyone to pay the sticker price. If you aren’t comfortable negotiating, bring someone who is. Have a ballpark figure in mind before you go.
Figure out your budget and then go to see the dealer — in that order. Keep to this budget regardless of how much you a cajoled or what financing options you are offered. Do not let the salesperson talk you into purchasing an expensive car if you are going to spend the next years struggling to make your payments.
The model you want needs to have the latest safety features. The brakes and suspension are two things to take into account when car shopping. You should also get as many airbags as possible. After all, you’ll be in your vehicle alot. Therefore, safety is important.
Don’t overlook gas mileage when considering a new vehicle. You may feel the need to buy a V-8 that can tow things. That said, if you only tow a boat once a year, you’ll be paying through the nose for gas unnecessarily the other 364 days.
Don’t start negotiating on specifics before you’ve got a set price on your desired vehicle. These are costs that should be taken off of the final price of the car. You are sure to do better if you negotiate the price first, then throw in the other factors.
Test Drive
Don’t overlook a test drive. Be sure to test drive any vehicle. It doesn’t matter if it seems perfect. You can’t know without driving it. No amount of prior research can compete with first hand experience. You may notice trouble with the brakes, misfiring, sticking or slipping gears, or a number of other factors that the dealer didn’t tell you about.
Search the Internet to find great used car deals. You really don’t have to go to a dealership anymore. Instead, look on eBay, Craigslist and your local classified ads. You’ll find a great deal with no seller breathing down your neck.
Research used cars thoroughly. There are online sources that can give you good values. Kelly Blue Book as well as NADA or reputable sources for finding car values. If the dealer sells the car for a lot more when you look at these sources, then you need to go elsewhere.
Not all dealerships and salespeople are identical. While salespeople have a reputation of being too pushy, this tactic is losing popularity. The landscape in sales is changing, as a lot of salesman are becoming kinder. Do not fear walking away if your salesperson is overly pushy. There’s lots of nice salespeople out there that can help you.
Getting a car is great, but you must think these things through to eliminate the stress that goes with it. You will get a good vehicle at a wonderful price if you take the time to do some research. With any luck, everything you’ve read here has made you more confident and courageous for the task at hand.