Are you unsure of yourself when shopping for a car? This is because a salesperson’s primary goal is to make money off of you. Never think of your salesman as a friend. Read on to find out some useful advice.
There are several things that you should have in mind before going car shopping. How much can you afford to spend? How many people need to fit into the car? Is MPG important? Do you want a coupe or a sedan? Make a list of your wants, and take it with you when you go shopping.
Sticker Price
When you are buying a car, you are wasting your money if you don’t talk down the sticker price. Never pay the sticker price for cars. Sticker prices are intentionally high as a way to facilitate negotiation.
Get your loan lined up before visiting the dealership. A big reason why the process of buying a car takes a long time is because they have to run your credit and find a lender. If you have a loan when walking in, it will make the process quicker.
Know what kind of vehicle you are considering ahead of time. Research is important to give you all of the possible details that you need. You should also note the price range of the vehicle you choose so that you’re not tricked by salespeople.
Before buying a used car from a dealership, ask to have it looked over by a third-party mechanic. If your dealer does not allow you to have a mechanic inspect it, then walk away from the deal. Good mechanics will be able to see major problems like previous wrecks or water damage.
If you are getting your car from an individual, get your mechanic to see the vehicle before you purchase it. If the owner is reluctant to let you do that, walk away. There could be problems associated with the car. You probably shouldn’t get into this without figuring out who they are first.
Test Drive
It’s very important to go for a test drive before making a purchase. You have to do it even if you drove that kind of car before, you might not like this particular one. There may just be something going wrong with it that you didn’t know about until you took it for a test drive first.
Don’t drive your really expensive car to the dealer when you’re looking to buy another car. If the staff see that car, they’ll think you’re made of money. Borrow a car if you have to.
Get the cost on the car in stone before you discuss trade-ins, or any other monetary exchanges. These options should be subtracted from the lowest negotiated price. This will help you get a better deal.
Understand that you may not find the perfect car for you. Some cars may not offer all of the features that you’d like while staying in your price range. Luxuries like heating in the seats shouldn’t make or break a deal.
Do not just settle for any deal given to you. That’s not a good idea. You should always negotiate a better deal. Use the strategies you’ve read here so you can get the best price on your next vehicle.