Getting the Right Deal on a Car

When shopping for a car, you may be tempted to buy the first car that is offered to you. While you may get lucky and find a great deal, here are a few tips to help you pick a car that is right for you, and your budget.

Shop Around: Don’t feel like you have to buy a car from only one dealership. If you have a specific car in mind, check online first. While you don’t have to buy the car online, you may find a great deal on a car at a dealership you never would have thought to go to. Also check the newspaper for people personally listing their cars. In these tough economic times, people have been known to sell their perfectly good cars for low prices because they are strapped for cash.

Get The Facts: Sometimes a good deal may be too good to be true. Always get the Carfax on any car you plan on buying. Even if a car has no visible damage, it may have been in an accident and had body work afterwards. This means that the inner workings of the car, such as the frame, could still have damage and be dangerous to drive. While most dealerships by law are required to disclose this information, you never know if anything is being hidden from you. If they refuse to show you the carfax, you should refuse to buy the car.

No Prices, Be Weary: If there are no prices directly on the windows of the car, be very cautious. This is a tactic used by some dealerships in order to either get more for the car, or keep you confused. A confused customer is the easiest to rip off. Try sticking to dealerships that are upfront with their prices. Carmax is a great example of this. They are no-haggle, so the price on the car is the price you will pay.

Be Direct: If you ask the dealers specific questions, sometimes they will try to scoot around the question by answering something similar, but not your actual question. Do not let them do this. Continue to ask them the question you want answered until they actually answer it. You as a customer have a right to know what you are getting into, without gimmicks or tricks.

If you’re careful, you can get a great deal on a car in these tough times. Just do your research, and try not to fall for any of their marketing tricks. Then you’ll be on the way to a new car, and still have some cash in your pocket.