What You Need To Know Before Going To The Car Dealership
When it comes time to buy a car, whether you are going to a new car dealership or a used car lot, there are a few things you need to know to get the best deal possible. It isn't that car dealers are like the old snake oil salesman, but they want to get the best price they can for the cars. They are not going to lie to you or make things up, but there might be things they omit or embellish a bit. Here are a few things to be aware of before you head off to shop around.
Financing
If you can get your own financing, with a good interest rate, it is best to do so. You will know exactly how much you can spend on the new vehicle and the salesperson won't be able to convince you to buy more than you can afford. If you do not have the financing set up, be sure you discuss the purchase price of the car, and not how much it is going to cost you monthly. It can be a bit confusing when a dealer tells you that you can purchase the car for a specific amount monthly but never mentions the total price of it. Get all the figures and go home and work the payments out with an online calculator. Then you can decide if you can afford it or not.
Trade-in Your Vehicle
You might find you can get more money for your current vehicle if you sell it yourself. However, if you are trying to get a better price on the new car, wait until you are sure the dealer has given you the lowest price before bringing up the trade-in. If the dealer knows you will be trading your car in, the price of the new vehicle might stay higher than if he or she thinks you are keeping your car or selling it elsewhere.
Extra Fees
Once you have decided on a car and the price, be sure to read the fine details about what extra fees will be added. These fees will increase the total price you will be paying. Sometimes, there are fees that seem to be a bit on the high side, such as document or vehicle preparation fees. You can ask to see the invoice of the vehicle to make sure that you are not being overcharged for something. It is also a good idea to call around to other dealers to ask what their extra fees are. Finally, do not pay to have the oil checked, the tire pressure checked, or all the plastic removed from a new car. These are things you can easily do yourself.
Buying a vehicle can be a bit scary. The dealers are confident and are professional sales people. Do not buy the first vehicle you look at and be sure to compare it to the same make and model on other lots before making a purchase.
