Maybe shopping for a car has been tough for you in the past. Most dread the negotiation, and you may wish you were better equipped to handle it. When you have a good approach, you will end up with a better deal. Use the following tips to get a great deal on your next purchase.
Bring along a friend. They can serve as a disinterested observer and can help you walk away if you are not getting a fair deal. And if you are going to share your car with your spouse, you should definitely go together.
If you are in the market for a new car, you should call your bank before shopping and make sure you can get a loan. This is for your own safety. Dealership finance departments typically give you better rates, but you should compare rates anyway.
Look on the Internet for deals. Practically all makes and models are available to you online. Prior to visiting a dealership, make sure you know as much as possible about the cars that interest you. An online search can reveal anything you would like to know including MPG, resale value, specifications, rating and size.
Consider shopping for your new car towards the last week of the month. Most salespeople have some monthly quotas to meet and they might try generating more sales during the last week of the month to meet their quotas. The sales staff may be behind and need your sale to meet their goals.
Find out whether there are any upcoming car shows nearby. This is an excellent opportunity to explore your options. Auto shows are great places to compare different cars to each other. You can also find out much information from many knowledgeable sources there. This will give you valuable information that you will need to make your decision.
Credit Report
Do not give out your SS number haphazardly. Dealers request this information so they can run a credit report on you. Many credit report checks can be a red flag to financiers. Be positive that you have a solid deal waiting to go before you provide your SSN and other information.
Prior to visiting an auto dealership, you should come up with a fair price. You need to budget, research market pricing and know about the value of the model you wish to buy to formulate this number.
Make sure that your dealer lets you take the car to your own mechanic. Choose an honest mechanic with a good reputation. Never use the mechanic the dealer suggests. The mechanic can tell you if you can drive the car, and if you are paying a fair amount for it overall.
Look for great deals on used cars on the web. You can find a car without visiting a dealership. Try looking at online classifieds or auction sites, if possible. You won’t feel pressure from a salesperson and can also save money.
Don’t forget to research when purchasing used. There are many online sources that will inform you of what a certain car is worth. Find out the value of your car from the KBB or the NADA book. If a car is selling at the dealership for much more than the price that these resources suggest, you should go somewhere else.
If your preferred make and model is already identified, call the dealership to see if one is currently on the lot. If you show up, the salesmen will do his best to get you into a car, period. You’ll just be wasting your time if they don’t have the car that you want. Instead, call the dealership and ask.
Learn about how the service department works at those dealers you are considering. Find out what other customers have to say. Call the department yourself and test them on a question to which you already know the answer. Stick with a dealer that has educated staff on hand.
The first time the salesperson goes to see their manager, they will come back with an inadequate offer. Counter that second offer, and when the salesperson returns a second time from his manager, he will have the lowest offer for you. They want to sell the car quickly, so most likely that next offer will be the best you’re going to get.
When deciding what type of vehicle you will be purchasing, think of how you will be driving the car. A car with better fuel economy will suit you well if you have a long highway commute. When you determine how your new car will be used, you’ll be able to choose one that fits your driving needs.
Find out how much your trade-in is worth ahead of your dealership visit. This lets you know what kind of deal you can get so that can be considered with the price of the new one.
While it is a good idea to look your best when you are visiting a car dealership, do not overdress. You are not going to score a great deal from a dealership if you are wearing luxury-level jewelry and a fur coat.
Good deals will not come knocking on your door. You need to learn how to get them and how to fight against slick sales tactics. You have to know your budget and the value of the car. Above all, use the information from this article to help you along the way.