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how to do
1.Do some research before you buy a car
The key things you'll want to research is the vehicle's invoice cost (which is what the dealer paid for the car), the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), and the values of all the extras and perks.
Set your price before you start shopping.
Decide how much money you can spend and what type of car best suits your needs before you visit a car lot. Make a list of all the makes and models that interest you and include the features and options you want. Then, do some homework on those cars. Use online sources and consumer and automotive publications to compare different vehicles, reviewing information about reliability, frequency of maintenance, trunk space, passenger comfort and other practical features. The more you know about your individual needs, the quicker you can drive the car you want off the lot.
Pick your potential cars based on more than one factor.
Research various models to determine which are the safest, most reliable and otherwise suitable to your needs. Consider a car's safety features ！ more auto makers are offering side air bags in addition to driver's side and passenger side airbags. Other optional safety features include built-in child safety seats, anti-lock brakes and traction control. Also, consider the car's outward visibility, blind spots and instrument panel visibility.
2.How to do After You've Chosen a Car
Compare dealer costs with window stickers.
Find updated price lists to compare dealer costs with window sticker prices. You'll know how much bargaining room you have on the basic car and individual options on it. Negotiations often have a vocabulary of their own. Here are some terms you may hear when you're talking price with a salesperson.
| When to Buy a Car |
| There are other good times to buy. September and October are the usual times that new car models arrive, however new models are starting to be released year-round. Saturday mornings are good because a dealership is trying to create some momentum going into the weekend. Also, when the end of the month is coming up, car dealers will want to boost sales figures for monthly reports, so good deals may be found then as well.
Where to buy a carBuying from a dealer gives you the security of a warranty. By law dealers have to give you a warranty which gives you some recourse if something goes wrong with the car later.Dealers also have to guarantee ownership of the vehicle, that there is no outstanding finance on it which might complicate matters later. They also have to guarantee the odometer reading.
It's possible to buy cars cheaper at auction, but there are risks. There's little chance to check a car over, there's no chance to drive it, so you take a risk on its condition. The auction environment is not one for the faint hearted, it's fast moving with lots of little nods, winks and gestures for those in the know. Spend the time to visit auctions to become familiar with them before attempting to join in the action. It's a good idea to take along someone with mechanical knowledge to help you assess the cars before the auction starts.
Buying privately can be a way of saving money, but it can be risky for the unwary. There is no comeback with a private purchase, once you've driven away you're on your own, however you will almost always pay less for a private purchase than through a dealer.
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| Watch for Dealer Add-On's |
Be cautious of the add-ons the dealer will tell you that you need. They are usually designed for a dealer to make a few extra bucks. For example, Scotchgarding your interior could cost you $100 to $500 at a dealership, when you can purchase a can at a grocery store for about $10. Applying an undercoating to a vehicle can be done by the dealership. They will pay some minimum-wage worker to spray about four cans of undercoating onto your undercarriage. Each can costs about $5 and the job takes less than an hour, and the dealership will be more than happy to provide this service for around $200.
Car Dealers will also try to sell you an extended auto warranty. The manufacturer usually provides a warranty with the vehicle, which usually run for 36 months and 36,000 miles. Beware of the dealer trying to sell you a warranty you already have.
Antitheft devices - alarms, LoJack®, etc. - can provide you with some peace of mind. But don't be fooled if the dealer tells you that, in order to get financed, you must have some sort of antitheft device. Double-check this with your insurance provider or financial institution. |
Negotiate separately.
Consider questions about financing, service contracts, trade-ins or other extras after you have settled on a price.
If you're uncomfortable negotiating, consider a car buying service.
Negotiating is an understood factor of buying a car. If you're unsure of your negotiating skills, a car-buying service can step in and work on your behalf.
Shop around for financing, and compare the offers.
Contact lenders directly ！ don't just let the dealership find financing for you. Compare the financing offers you receive with what the dealer offers you. Offers vary, so shop around for the best deal, comparing the annual percentage rate (APR) and the length of the loan. When negotiating to finance a car, be wary of focusing only on the monthly payment. The total amount you will pay depends on the price of the car you negotiate, the APR and the length of the loan.
Sometimes, dealers offer very low financing rates for specific cars or models, but they may not be willing to negotiate on the price of these cars. To qualify for the special rates, you may be required to make a large down payment. Sometimes it's more affordable to pay higher financing charges on a car that is lower in price or to buy a car that requires a smaller down payment.
Shop around for auto insurance before you buy a car.
Make sure you understand the cost of insurance before you buy a new car. Calculate how your insurance will change with other car scenarios ！ depending on your insurance company, you may be able to do this online or through your insurance agent/broker.
Make sure you read and understand the contract before you sign.
Take the time to read the sales agreement ！ especially the fine print ！ and don't accept what you don't want. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification on points you don't understand. If you leave a deposit, be sure you understand the conditions and your obligations. Remember, a contract is binding (on you and the dealer) and it may be difficult to get your deposit back.
As with all contracts, don't rely on verbal promises, and do not sign a contract that has blank spaces. A contract is binding only after an authorized dealership representative (the sales manager or general manager, for instance) has approved it, so before you leave the showroom, be sure someone in authority has signed it. Finally, be sure to get a copy of the signed contract for your records.
Look over the car before you drive it off the lot.
Make sure everything you ordered is on the car and that everything is working properly before you leave the dealership. Also make sure that:
- The salesperson reviews the owner's manual, explains any special break-in procedures and discusses routine maintenance schedules with you.
- You look under the hood and ask fundamental questions, including where to locate the oil dipstick, the windshield washer fluid reservoir, the coolant overflow/fill canister and the brake master cylinder fluid reservoir.
- You inspect the trunk and check the spare tire, jack and any special instructions.
- The salesperson introduces you to the service manager and shows you the service department.
