As the end of the year draws to a close, people are in a scramble for something new to hit the road with. This is the time that many people head to car dealerships in search of their new vehicle. The problem is, however, not many people are prepared upon arrival. Not everyone is good at dealing with sales people, or knows what car they want, and many people are not even sure of their budget. If you find yourself in a similar situation, then you are in luck because these tips will help put you in the driver’s seat of your dream car, just in time for the new year!
General Car Buying Tips
If you are headed to a car dealership, make sure that you are prepared. Here are some general car buying tips that are good to have on-hand:
- Research– It is best to know the type of car that suits your needs before going to the dealership. Research will help determine what dealership is offering a better price on the car of your choice.
- Calculations– Only you know your finances so before looking at cars know your budget. It will be quicker if you are looking at cars in your price range, rather than having to sift through a great deal of cars that do not even fit in your budget.
- Compare Loans– Get vehicle prices from as many places as possible. If you know you are going to get a loan, check with different banks before going through the dealership.
- Negotiations– Be ready to negotiate. Finance managers are ready to haggle, so negotiate to get to a price within your budget if possible. [Information Source]
- Test Drive– Whether a car is new or used, always take a test drive. First drive the car to see if it drives to your liking but also to see if there are any issues with the car. If there is a funny noise, or a clunky feeling, you may need to get the vehicle looked at further. Also make sure to examine the car and see that there are not scratches or dents.
- Read The Fine Print– They say read the fine print for a reason. Make sure you are signing the right papers for the right car. You want to be positive that you are paying the price you were quoted without any added costs being “slipped” in. You also want to be clear on the interest, loan information, and any other financing for your new car. Paperwork can take a while – especially when you are making such a large purchase -and having to do it over is just not any fun, so be thorough.
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These tips will help any person in search of their new car. Just remember the car is for you so know how you will use the car and that will also help determine the best fuel economy. If you need a few extra tips to help deal with the end of the year rush keep reading because these extra tips are for you.
See also: 3 Hybrid Cars that get 35+ MPG
Extra Information for End-of-the-Year Buying
- End-of-the-Year Model Sales– Seeing that it is the end of year, many dealerships want to get rid of cars to make room for all new models coming in. Make sure you check the web and newspapers for end of the year model sales. You can really save yourself a good chunk of money.
- Promotion Deals/Ads– Promotional sales are not typically advertised to the public, but because many salespeople are trying to squeeze in commission before the end of the year, they may have some good offers.
- Compare Models– Look at the model of the car you are considering. Make sure this year’s model has everything you want because it could be that next year’s model is in your price range as well and comes with more top-of-the-line features.
- Negotiate– This is the time where dealerships are clearing cars out like crazy getting ready for the new year’s new batch. They need room and do not have a lot of time, so they will usually be willing to negotiate — just make sure that you are too.
- Hidden Fees– Read over all your paperwork to make sure you are not getting charged hidden fees for things such as alarms, or extra cleanings. [Information Source]
- Be Patient– One huge thing to remember is patience. It is the end of the year so the dealerships will be crowded with buyers, busy car salesmen, and things can get a little hectic. However, remember that the dealers are trying to get cars off their lots so they will be moving as quickly as possible to make a sale.
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We have provided you with these tips to make you a more prepared and knowledgeable car buyer. Make sure to use your resources and if nothing else, use your common sense. If something just does not feel right, it is always best to double-check…just in case. Put yourself in the driver’s seat when selecting your vehicle and good luck on your search!
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