When you buy a new or used car, do you get the feeling that you are at a disadvantage? This is because the salesman is trying to get a great commission out of you. That is why you can’t go into the dealership thinking you’re doing business with a friend. Continue reading for some valuable tips and information.
Learn about the true market value of the car before making an offer. Oftentimes, dealers will have the car marked up a certain percent over the value so they have some wiggle room. If you know the market value, you can better haggle with them about the price you will pay out the door.
Don’t forget to calculate ownership costs when selecting a new vehicle. That bargain priced SUV might not be such a good deal if it means you will be spending twice the amount you used to on gasoline to drive it. The same goes for sporty racing style cars or models favored by car thieves that both can come with increased insurance rates.
When buying a new car, check out reviews of the vehicle on the internet before going to the dealer. If people have had bad experiences with the car you are thinking of buying, you might want to choose a different one. Most new car loans are for 6 years and you do not want to have problems with the car in that time frame.
Take an extended test drive. Don’t just take it for a quick spin through the neighborhood by yourself. Instead, enlist everyone who will be regularly riding in the car to share their opinions. Ask the dealer for a full afternoon test drive so that you have the chance to take it on the freeway to check things like the pickup and the blind spots, and spend some time really feeling the comfort of the interior.
A great tip for those looking to buy a used car would be to research what the resale value of the car is. Look at the Kelly Blue Book value and compare it to the condition that the vehicle is currently in to see whether or not the price is fair.
If you are shopping for a new car, you might want to leave your kids at home. They might have a good time going on a test drive or two, but they will usually end up being bored. This will make it difficult to focus on the task at hand and could possibly end up costing you money.
Set a spending limit before shopping for your new car. It is easy to get swayed by pushy salesmen or a nice leather interior, but it is important that you stay within your budget. You may like the cause of spending extra, but you will not like it when it comes time to pay for it.
Keep comfort in mind when purchasing a car. So many people focus on the way the car looks and what features it has rather than paying attention to the comfort. Are the seats comfy? Can the seat be adjusted to fit your body? Take these things into consideration before getting a car.
Don’t fold to pressure. The salesman doesn’t want you to walk out of his dealership, so he will tell you whatever it takes to get you to sign a contract at that moment. Ignore him. Do what is best for you, and if you need to have some time to think about it, take the time you need.
Be on the lookout for year end specials. These specials generally start in the fourth quarter of each year and feature manufacturer set deals that remain unrivaled when compared to other deals in the year. These deals exist due to the new year and new model year, which means newer cars taking the place of older ones.
When purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle that comes with a warranty, make sure you read the fine print. Most warranties on these vehicles only cover power-train and don’t cover much else. There are also cases in which the warranty may not be transferable which would make it void in your case.
Dealerships and sales people are different. While salespeople have a reputation of being too pushy, this tactic is losing popularity. Many are finding out that happy and gentle salespeople have repeat business. If you come across an aggressive salesman, walk away. There are salesperson with very different styles that you will have to choose from.
If you currently have a car that you want to sell, consider options other than trade ins. If you have a high-demand car, you may be able to sell it on the side and receive a much higher down payment than you would if you simply traded your car in.
Do not fall for the sales pitch that the deal will not be available if you wait until the next day. More times than not, you will be able to walk back into the dealership and get the same price, if not a better one the next day. If you feel that the salesman is pressuring you, walk out the door and come back the next day.
Hone your negotiation skills before you go to the lot. Practice with friends and family to help you prepare for the big day. Read online to find out what sort of sales tactics dealers use. This will give you the answer to any question they ask, keeping the power in your hands.
Contact a dealership by phone before visiting to make sure they have the car you want. This can help to save you valuable time at the dealership. If they do not have the car you want, they can often get it within a few days from another dealership. Ask them to do so, and ask that they call you when the car is in stock.
There is no reason to blindly accept the first offer you get from a salesperson. This is counter to your own interest. You need to start negotiating so you can get a fantastic price. Use what you learned here, and get the most car for your money.
