3. What are
you looking for?
Know what kind of car you're looking for. Don't start out all over the
map -- decide what kind of car you either want or need. Take into account
the driving distances you normally encounter, the number of people that
will be using the vehicle, and your own personal preferences for comfort
and style. Establish criteria that include attributes important to all
those who will be driving the vehicle. It's also important to look three
to five, even 10 years down the road, to determine what type of car you'll
need and whether this purchase will be appropriate when your needs change.
4. Take a test drive.
NEVER buy a car without driving that make/model first. Quality is so consistent
in today's vehicles that you don't need to drive the exact vehicle you're
going to buy. But you will want to drive at least the base model of the
car or truck you're interested in to make sure you like how the vehicle
handles.
5. Search online for product information.
There are many online car buying services and also car manufacturers'
Web sites that have detailed product information. Many Web sites have
vehicle comparison tools that enable you to compare four or more vehicles
side by side to see which has the best features for the money. For example,
one four-door sedan might come with anti-lock brakes standard, while a
similarly priced sedan might list anti-lock brakes as a costly option
that adds to your price.
6. Search online for pricing information.
Many manufacturer and independent Web sites list information such as MSRP
and invoice pricing for a specific vehicle. Keep in mind that invoice
and MSRP are merely yardsticks, and not likely the price that you'll end
up paying. The only way to know if you're getting a good deal is to know
the exact product and its out-the-door price.t.com, which lists actual
sales prices for every vehicle
7. Checking for available rebates and customer incentives.
Rebates and incentives have become the norm rather than the exception
over the last year or so. Keep your eye out for TV commercials that mention
special vehicle promotions and check auto Web sites and your local paper
to see if there's a rebate available for your desired vehicle.
8. Trade in value.
Established the value of your trade in before you walk into the dealer
showroom. From online sites to guidebooks to your local classifieds, you
should know what your car is selling for before you ever begin negotiations
about its trade-in value.
9. Show your cards.
You should let your salesperson know exactly what your expectations are.
Let the salespeople know your criteria up front; that way they'll realize
you have put effort into this decision and they'll more likely treat you
as a serious buyer.
10. Know a car's history.
Never buy any car or truck without first talking to people who already
own the same make and model. If it's not a first-year model, investigate
its quality and service record. There are many consumer publications and
online sites where you can read about new vehicle complaints. If buying
a used car, use services such as Carfax.com to uncover any unreported
damage. |