Tip #3: Automobile shopping

Does the thought of buying a new car make you cringe? Are you afraid of  buying a lemon? Well, don’t be a fool! Sales people often seem intimidating and pushy so do your homework and know what you want before you go and jot down these tips from a pro who has owned numerous cars…. Including a lemon!

 The first step in buying a vehicle is figuring out what you want. You need to decide what kind of automobile prefer ie. a van, a station wagon,  or maybe a luxury sedan? Once you have figured that out the rest is cake!   Each of the websites mentioned below will help describe these for you if you need assistance.

 Next,  gather information on the vehicle. I’ve found the easiest way to do so is the internet. There are so many different websites you can use for various aspects of your research like www.kbb.com, www.edmunds.com, or www.nada.com. First, I would consider finding the values of the vehicles you’ve decided are most interesting to you. Sometimes this can be difficult if you have not already browsed at a local dealership,  but it can still be done easiest online by “Googling” vehicles for sale. After you have a value you should read reviews on the vehicle at sites like Edmunds. If I had done this three years ago, I could’ve saved myself thousands of dollars! Don’t make the same mistake I did. Take the reviews you read seriously. Generally, they are accurate from a buyer’s perspective.  When you head out the door to shop locally, make sure you have your research with you and don’t discount letting your fingers doing a little walking by finding your favorite car either in classifieds online or in your local paper.

 Now, here comes my favorite part… negotiating. At this point, you simply need to let the numbers do the talking. There isn’t very much you can’t negotiate when it comes to buying a car. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try anything once. Most people don’t know that not only can you negotiate the price of the vehicle but you can also negotiate the interest rate on the loan. This is a way dealerships make additional money above and beyond the sticker price of the car. If you have a question about the interest rate, ask to see the bank sheet. If you aren’t happy with the outcome, leave.  More than likely, the salesperson will chase you out the door asking you to come back so they can make the deal right!

 BUYER BEWARE… Make sure you read each section of the invoices, carefully, before you sign away! Read the fine lines too. It will save you in the long run!

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