Top Things to Know About
Buying an Automobile
1. Make sure you are getting the right
vehicle.
This seems obvious, but you could wind up an
unhappy car owner if you haven't thought carefully about how many people and how
much luggage or gear you need to carry.
2. Assess the worth of your old car.
Whether you plan to trade it in or sell it, your
current car can be an important factor in your budget. Checking the right Web
site and maybe your local newspaper will give you a realistic valuation. Selling
it directly instead of just trading it may also mean a sizable difference in
what you get for it, though it may take a while longer to reap the proceeds.
3. Decide whether new or used is best for you.
Cars are built better now than in the past, so
used cars make a lot of sense. But if you get a rebate or other cost break, the
math may be on the side of a new vehicle.
4. Consider whether leasing or buying makes
more sense.
Leasing provides lower monthly payments than
buying with an auto loan. But it's not for everybody. If you don't have money
for a down payment or if you trade your car every two or three years, you may be
a good candidate for a lease.
5. Do your homework and set your target price.
The Internet has made it easier than ever to find
out the dealer's cost for each vehicle and its options. That's the first step to
getting the best possible deal.
6. Shop for money before you shop for the car.
If you plan to buy with a loan, check your credit
union or local bank quotes online to find the lowest rate. Getting a
pre-approved loan will give you added confidence in negotiating a good price.
7. Negotiating a lease.
In the complicated world of leasing, the dealer
will have the upper hand unless you learn the jargon and how to negotiate the
various segments of a lease deal.
8. Negotiate a purchase.
If you are doing it yourself, get bids from
several dealers, keeping the focus on the dealer's invoice price, which you will
know from your research. You may be able to get bids without going to showroom
after showroom.
9. If you hate haggling, consider using a
car-shopping service.
Auto-buying services, such as Web sites or
discount clubs, make things easy with pretty good, no-haggle prices. But with
most of them, you get quotations from only one dealer. Consumer services that
shop several dealers near you may deliver even better prices.
10. Don't let the deal-closer close out your
savings.
The finance manager isn't there just for the
paperwork. He or she wants to sell you high-profit financial and mechanical
add-ons. These are seldom worth the money.
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