It can be a stressful experience when you are shopping for a car. The options are endless, from loans to car features, and it can be too much for the best of people. Use the tips in the article to make your next car purchase stress-free.
Never allow a car salesmen to pressure you to buying a car you can’t afford. Sports cars look nice and you can be sweet talked into such a purchase. You need to be aware that this salesperson is looking to make money through a commission, as well.
Go car shopping online before going to the dealership. Don’t bother with a dealership unless you know exactly what you want. Research online before settling on any final decisions.
Do your homework before you go car shopping. You will have more negotiating power if you know how they operate and what finance options they offer. Read up on any customer reviews about your dealer.
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 ensures that you qualify for a loan. The dealership probably can find better rates, but it is nice to have an idea ahead of time.
If you already have a pretty expensive car, do not drive that to the car dealership to make a purchase. This is especially important if you plan to trade in the vehicle. A salesperson may use this as grounds for rejecting any less-than-generous offer.
Rent a car in order to test it out. If you want to get a real feel for a car, rent one from a local rental car company to give it an extended test drive. Take a trip to get an idea of how the car drives and its features. Doing so helps you make an informed decision on such a large commitment.
Consider shopping for your new car towards the last week of the month. Most dealerships try to get to that specific quota for the number of vehicles they’ve sold. At month’s end, the salesperson may still need to meet his quota, and he will be more conducive in giving you a better deal just to make a sale.
Few things are as exciting and overwhelming as the process of trying to find a new vehicle. Use your computer and the Internet for comparison shopping to save yourself a lot of dollars and time. You should use the Internet to compare makes and models, look up blue book values and read reviews of different dealerships in your area. This can save you money and time by narrowing down choices.
Social Security
Don’t give any dealer a social security number. A lot of dealers attempt to get that number right away, and you can mess with your credit score that way. If that ends up not being the dealership for you, getting credit reports pulled at several dealers may actually harm your financing options. Wait until you have a sure deal before you fill out the part of the application that requires the Social Security number.
Always read before you put down your John Hancock. Prior to putting your signature on a contract, carefully inspect the whole thing from beginning to end. The documents are legally binding contracts once signed. Feel free to request to take the contract home with you to look at it more closely before you sign it. If that is not realistic, get your hands on a copy.
Call the dealership to find out if they have the model you want in stock. If you visit them, the salesperson will try his best to sell it to you. If you need a certain car they don’t have, don’t waste your time going down to that lot. Calling ahead can save you time.
The ultimate goal of a salesperson is making all the money they can. Some people forget this as they shop. Keep your eye on extra charges. You can end up with a huge bill, otherwise.
Tell the dealership to remove any advertising fees. There isn’t any reason that you need to pay this fee! If they won’t budge, it is not the deal for you. This will force them to waive the fee in the end.
Consider how the vehicle will be used before you decide which to buy. For instance, if you’re mostly driving to and from work via the highway, try and get a car that gets good gas mileage. If you drive in the city or on short trips only, you may want something with more pep.
If you have proper credit, use it towards buying a car. You’ll keep your costs down when purchasing a car this way. The bank will have you paying minimum interest compared to them.
Beware of monthly payments that are low, but hide higher prices in total. It’s easy to become distracted by the need to find a payment that fits your budget. Some salespeople will take advantage of this fact during the negotiation period and offer lower monthly rates at the cost of a higher purchase price. Make sure you read over the contract extensively before you sign anything.
Find out from acquaintances what the best dealerships are in your area. See if they’re willing to recommend any dealer. Ask about their experiences with the service department. If you are recommeneded to a dealership a few times, go there.
With everything you’ve learned here, you can have a better time choosing your next vehicle. Remember these things throughout the entire process. Not only will your financial needs be met, but you will end up with a car to be proud of.