Thursday 6 October 2011

Buying A New Car

By Richard Horowitz


Buying a car today is very expensive, and the cost is fairly similar to what our parents paid for their first houses. It is most surely a type of purchase you can't just improvise. You goal is to get the best deal possible.

Don't make rushed decisions. If you are in desperate need of transportation, you might be better off renting a car until you find the right one to buy. If you just rush a purchase you might end up locking into a deal that's not to your advantage.

Thanks to the Internet, you can uncover the typical retail cost of a specific make and model. And if you search a little more, you can even find out the wholesale cost. This information makes you a powerful negotiator.

There is no reason why both you and the dealership can't come out as winners in the deal. Their goal is to make a profit and yours is to be treated fairly and to get a good deal. A price that's about $500 more than the dealer cost (or about 20% less than the price advertised) is a fair price. Don't forget to bring your calculator when you go around shopping for a car.

If the only cars on the lot have expensive options you don't care for, you might want to order a car to your specifications. You might wait a bit, but will save money on options you don't need.

Inquire with the dealership about possibly returning the car if you are not satisfied. I did this once. The car I bought was not as comfortable as I had thought it to be, so I returned it and demanded back my check and my trade-in. Many dealerships now offer this option.

And of course, you might have heard people say that you can get better deals at the end of the month. And indeed, it is true that you can get a better deal at the end of the month.

When it comes to trade-ins, make sure you do a little research as well. Being aware of how much your old car is worth makes it easier to set a fair price on it. Avoid talking about trade-ins until you get a price.

I did some research on my red Toyota Corolla and found it was worth $3500. One dealer offered me $1200 with the excuse that the car was in need of a paint job. Another dealership offered me $3500 and complimented me on taking such good care of the engine. Stick to your guns when it comes to getting the value of your trade-in, especially if you've had your car serviced regularly.

You can also sell your car privately. It is very likely that you will make more money selling this way, even if it takes a bit longer.

A service contract will probably be discussed during the negotiations. The consumer information I've read discourages buying an extra contract on a new car, as it's not likely a problem will occur during the first months of use.

You should always read every clause on any contract you sign before you sign it. And if something is phrases ambiguously, make sure you ask what it means.

The fact that you are buying a new car is no reason to buy without asking questions. Be aware of everything during the negotiation. Everyone loves to buy a new car, but getting a great deal and walking away from a win-win situation is something that will make you even happier.




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