So, you want to buy a new car. How much do you know about frequent mistakes buyers make? Keep reading to learn more about car shopping, and you will find the ideal vehicle at the right price.
Line up all vehicle financing before you actually start shopping in person. Start with your local bank for options. You will more than likely get a lower interest rate than what the dealership would offer and have a better idea of how much money you can spend on your new car.
You want to stay focused on the total price, not monthly payments. You may get a great monthly rate, but if you’re paying that rate for many years, your new vehicle is going to end up costing a lot more than it’s worth. Instead, negotiate for the best overall deal on the price and financing of your vehicle. Then, you can think of how much you will be paying each month.
Sticker Price
You should never pay a car’s sticker price. The sticker price isn’t what the salesperson expects to receive for that car. If you lack assertiveness, bring along someone who is comfortable with negotiating. Make sure you research the car you are interested in first, however, so you have some idea of what to offer.
Expect to spend a few hours in a dealership when shopping for a car. You don’t want to feel like you’re rushed when trying to get comfortable about a deal. Making time for a whole afternoon may be the best. If something comes up that you need to attend to, don’t hesitate to leave and return later.
When you’re looking for a vehicle, think about how the fuel economy can affect you. For instance, you may want a large vehicle so you can tow your camper during the summer months. Think about when you would actually use this and then factor in all that extra gas.
Don’t drive your really expensive car to the dealer when you’re looking to buy another car. The salesman may take one look at your fancy ride and refuse any low-ball offer you make. If you are looking to trade the vehicle in, this does not apply.
Taking a test drive is imperative. No matter if you are set on a vehicle, test it out before you buy. This will give you a real life feel of the car. Perhaps the car isn’t quite as smooth as you thought.
Try shopping online. You can find a vast selection of cars for sale online. Figure out all you can on the various vehicles you want prior to getting out onto a car lot. An online search can reveal anything you would like to know including MPG, resale value, specifications, rating and size.
Plan to do your car shopping at the month’s end. Usually, salesmen have quotas to meet at the end of the month. At the end of the month, the salesmen may still be behind on their quota and could be more willing to negotiate a better deal with you just to get a car sold.
Go to the auto show to check out makes and models on offer. Auto shows are great places to compare different cars to each other. This also gives you the opportunity to talk to knowledgeable folks. You should leave the show with a better understanding of what’s right for you and what isn’t.
Bring a friend who can give you sound advice on your decision. A good friend can steer you away from making an emotional or impulsive decision. Also, they can point out the deficiencies of the car.
Make sure that you read all the fine print before purchasing a car. Make sure that you go through every line of every contract before you sign on the dotted line. The document binds you once it is signed. If you do not want to be rushed while reading your contracts, ask if you can take things home to read in peace. If the dealership will not give you a copy, take as long as you need and read it in its entirety.
As stated before, car purchases are filled with easy to make mistakes. Thankfully, this article showed you how to avoid these pitfalls. Get to work today and you’ll have a new car in no time!