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Buying A Car

Car Loans

• First, go to your bank or credit union or apply online and prequalify for a car loan. That tells you how much car you can afford and what type of monthly payment you will have to budget.
• Buy your new car from a no-haggle dealership. In most cases, you'll save money and the process of buying will be faster and easier.
• Look at cars when a dealership is closed, so there's no salesperson to pressure you.
• The best way to test-drive a car is to rent it for a day or two. It's the ultimate test drive and it's not expensive.
• Use the Internet to buy a car for incredible ease and price savings. (see below)
• Start your research with at least two different vehicles in mind. Then check out the price, reliability, and cost to insure each of the cars you're considering.
• Find out the dealer cost of the vehicle and options you want and begin negotiating from that cost, not the make-believe retail price.
• When you've narrowed the search to one or two vehicles and have the actual dealer cost for each, shop online for instant price quotes.
• If you prefer not to buy online, use the online price quotes as a guideline and call the dealers to see if they'll match the price quote.
• If you choose to negotiate with a traditional car dealer, be prepared for a difficult process.
• When you go into the dealer to sign the paperwork, make sure what is on the purchase agreement is what you've agreed to previously by phone or fax. If it's not the same, do not go through with the deal
• The best way to protect yourself in a dealership is to be willing to walk out.
• To get the most for your used care you should sell it yourself. a less expensive method (than the paper) which reaches a bigger audience, is on the internet.

Buying a Used Car.

• Arrange your financing first (see above for some great lenders)
• The price, selection, reliability and ease of purchasing a used car has never been better.
• If you like the car, have it inspected within seven days by a diagnostic mechanic.
• Check Consumer Reports' listings of car models that have performed well. Don't buy any car on the magazine's "Used Cars to Avoid" list.
• Find out what you should pay by checking prices at Edmunds's Web site and Kelly Blue Book site, or ask a friend to look for you. Edmund's also has books, available at most bookstores and libraries.
• Don't buy from an old-style used-car-only lot.

How to check a used car.

• Unmatched paint colors, misaligned body panels and over-spray onto the frame, indicate a accident which represents a diminished value. Was the frame damaged?
• Use a flashlight and check for rust inside the wheel wells, under the doors, door frames, trunk and all joints If a magnet doesn't stick there, it is not steel. Look under the carpet. Fixing rust is expensive.
• Open & close all the doors, hood and trunk. They should close easily and tightly. Bumpers should be even.
• Oil drips or coolant puddles indicate trouble and indicates neglect.
• Tires usually tell how well the car was maintained. Are they worn out and/or scuffed badly?
• Clouds of blue smoke from the tail pipe, means it's an oil burner.
• The car should not pull left or right, have no shimmy in the wheel & have no abnormal engine noises.
• Check that everything works, lights, controls, instruments, power equipment
• Engine running, but stopped, foot on brake. Slowly move the shift lever from drive to reverse several times. If you hear a loud clank-clunk there could be transmission problems. It should be a soft thump or no noise.
• If engine fluids are low that indicates neglect. If engine oil is brown and looks like a milk shake, water has leaked into the oil. If you see rust or a similar brown color the in the radiator, that means trouble or a new radiator.
• The engine should pull strong. Find a hill and give it the juice to check engine strength. Stay within speed limit.
• If everything looks good so far, invest in a professional technician to check out the vehicle. It is money well spent. They usually find something, just make sure that it is not serious or an expensive fix.
• Get the history on a car, see if it's been damaged or salvaged. Take advantage of the 

Buying Service

One of the easiest ways to purchase a car by using a service such as Edmunds.com, where you can get True Market Pricing, unbiased car reviews, ratings, and expert advice to help you get a fair deal.

If you opt to shop for a car on your own, remember this: you are the consumer and have a right to walk away from a deal at any time. You should do your research and have several options in mind to avoid being pigeonholed into making a costly decision. Go to several dealerships and get the following information about the vehicle you are interested in: base price, options prices, accessories prices, add-on charges and fees. If you feel that any of the items are inappropriate, such as dealer prep fees, ask the dealer to remove them.

Start your negotiations from the dealer invoice price, not the sticker price. Ask for the minimum profit the dealership will accept to see if it meets your set goal. Insist on dealing with one person during the this process to avoid turnover ("T O"), a common sales tactic whereby you are continually referred to a higher-level salesperson. This process is taxing and can compromise your tenacity.

Timing is key in your ability to negotiate with a salesperson. Most dealerships chart sales performances weekly and are more willing to negotiate on a Saturday than on a Monday. Another good time to buy is month's end since there are monthly quotas to be met. As the year closes, dealerships push sales to boost annual profits and avoid inventory taxes; thus you have the most leverage in the late fall and early winter. Also shop when sales are low and the lot is full.
Becoming skilled at the art of negotiation and being confident about your asking price are critical to a successful deal. Once you have these down, the hard part of gettiing a new car will be choosing its color.
used car values
car loans
used car values
car loans