10 Hot Tips on Buying A Car

Do you find the car buying process a little bit intimidating? It’s understandable! Here are a few tips (in no particular order) that will help make the car buying process just a little less stressful for you:

Car Buying Tip #1
Before you start car shopping, try to have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking for. If you don’t know what you want, then there’s a pretty good chance you’re gonna end up buying something that you really don’t need!

Car Buying Tip #2
After you have decided what type of vehicle you’re going to buy, determine the amount of money that you are able to spend on the purchase. Buying a vehicle can be an impulsive decision … if you let it be. It’s best to decide beforehand exactly how much you can spend.

Car Buying Tip #3
Don’t wait until your old car is ‘on its last leg’ … plan ahead so that you don’t get caught in a bind.

Car Buying Tip #4
Don’t be afraid to shop around to compare prices; you should get prices from at least 4-5 dealerships. By using email and the telephone, you can get the price quotes fairly quickly (and easily).

Car Buying Tip #5
When comparing dealer prices, be sure to compare ‘apples with apples’. For example, Dealer #1 has a 2004 Impala listed at $10,200. Dealer #2 has a 2004 Impala listed at $8,500. Your first impulse may be to buy the Impala from dealer #2 … but after further investigating you find that Dealer #1’s car has only 65,000 miles while Dealer #2’s car has 170,000 miles on it. So even though the Impala from Dealer #1 costs $1,700 more, it is a much better deal.

Car Buying Tip #6
If you are going to finance your car purchase, be sure to shop around for financing (just like you shop around for the car). Don’t just automatically assume the dealer is giving you the best financing deal. Check with your local bank or credit union. They may or may not be able to beat the dealer’s interest rate … but isn’t it worth checking?

Car Buying Tip #7
Before you go shopping at the dealers, go online to find out the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the vehicle that you are interested in. Never pay more then what www.KBB.com or www.NADA.com lists the MSRP as.

Car Buying Tip #8
Don’t let the dealer convince you to purchase additional options and extras you don’t need.

Car Buying Tip #9
Always …. ALWAYS get any promises that are made to you by the dealer in writing.

Car Buying Tip #10
Never let the dealer pressure you into buying …take your time. It’s your hard earned dollars that you are spending!