Car Buying Strategy

Buying a new car can be a stressful experience. By being prepared, you can experience less stress and not pay more than you have to for a car that fully meets your needs. Understand the best car buying strategy and the process will be much easier.

Planning

Before walking into a showroom, decide what your needs are. For example, if you plan on driving on frequent long mileage trips, gas mileage may be important to you. If you have a family and travel often, inside room and plenty of trunk space may be important. Decide on how much you can afford to spend monthly for car payments and related expenses such as auto insurance and gasoline. After determining your requirements, pick some manufacturers and models that best meet your needs. Check to see if there have been any recalls or problems with the models you are considering

Research

Before visiting a dealer, research prices online. Prices obtained there can be used to negotiate a lower price at the dealer. Research the dealer cost so that you know how much room you have to negotiate.

What to Bring

Car Buying Tips recommends you bring your credit report, online Internet quotes, new car invoicing information and insurance quotes to the showroom so you are fully prepared.

Scams

Watch out for dealer scams recommends Car Buying How To. Such scams include charging you several hundred dollars to etch the vehicle identification number into your car windshield, adding a dealer preparation fee which could be negotiated away and including an extended warranty in the price without asking you if you want one. Don't be swayed by a salesman who says he has to talk to a manager first to get approval regarding the deal the dealership will give you. This is often used as a strategy to get you to agree to a deal because of what appears to be a special accommodation.

Negotiation

Always respond to the price the salesman provides you by telling him the price is too high. Inform the salesman that you will be shopping at multiple dealers and want their best price because you are not coming back to the dealer for additional quotations. This will incent the dealer to provide you with the lowest price possible. Don't accept the financing options provided by the dealer because those options may not be the most cost effective. Get quotes from several other financing sources such as a bank and an independent lease financing organization if you choose to lease your car. Get a confirmation in writing of the final price.