Its like picking a Scores' Stripper
Feb 28 '01 (Updated Jan 13 '06)
The Bottom Line You should read this before buying a new car.
Laf, I dunno. Would I be writing this if I did? Would you truly believe me and take my advice if I said I did know? Wouldn't you ask me what the heck am I doing here in that case? Simple logic man. Don't get cought by stupid titles. What kind of a title do you put on such a generic section though. But anyway, first thing you need to do is to sit down and think before buying a car. What do you need in a car? A cheap commuter, an SUV for those skiing trips, or a weekend cruiser? Or you can look for a hybrid, something that will let you do all those things. That is possible, but in my experience hybrids can never compete with a specialized car in their specilized area. Knowing what kind of car you need will narrow your search down tremendously, but you still have a lot of decisions to make.
One main advice professionals give you is not to be decided on a specific model / color of car. This obviously minimalizes your search, and you start looking for a price rather than a model. The reason not to do this is that it gives the salesperson the upperhand in a deal. They know you want that car specifically, and they know you are willing to go overboard for it. On the other hand, if there are a few cars you are considering, than you can easily decide not to buy the car you are making the deal on.
After deciding what kind of car you want, your next step should be to go on the internet car sites to get quotes on those specific cars (cars.com, autobytel.com). If you are planning to go to dealers and shop around, you will notice that the ticket price of all cars are ridiculously higher than what is on the internet. I once had a dealer try to sell me a firebird that costed 14k for 19k. Playing dumb really helps shock those vampires. Let them think you are buying into what they are saying, and than say something like, 'But the book value of this vehicle is 5k below what you just told me.' Pow! Smack in the face. Oh don't feel guilty, they deserve it for trying to screw you over. Rarely will you ever meet an honest dealer, ignore those advertisements.
No matter how much you study, dealer does always end up having the upperhand. After all, that is what they do for living. If normal people walking in there could outwit them in a deal, than they wouldn't be holding their jobs for too long. One common trick they will try to play on you while making a deal is to say something like, 'I have to check this with my superwisor.' If a dealer gives you this garbage, tell them you would prefer speaking directly to the superwisor that will make the final decision. Do not let them know how you are planning to purchase the car, unless you are going to pay in full. If you need to trade in an old car, don't mention it until you decide on a price on the new car. Because if you do, they will waste your time evaluating your car first and you will have spent 3 hours there just sitting around waiting. And than they will try to confuse you buy turning the deal into a tangled spaghetti of what your old car is worth and how much you should pay in difference. Before you know it, you will have bought the new car for the sticker price.
Another trick dealers play on you is to make you fill out a form even if you are just trying to get a price. I haven't found a way to avoid this. I think it is a way for them to know that you are serious about buying a car, and not just playing. This form is usually a credit check, and don't fill it out unless you read everything very carefully.
The only power you have over the dealer is the decision to walk out. If at any time during the deal you feel that you are being mistreated, just say you will consider this price and walk out. They are going to try to lure you to stay, saying things like there are other people looking at the car. Guess what, there are other cars that are exactly the same as the one they are selling. If you are unhappy about a deal, simply walk out. This is the only power you have over the salesperson, and don't just bluff it. Do it. Once they realize you are not bluffing, the price will go down tremendously had it been unfair before.
My last advice to you is not to buy a car on the same day that you saw it. Try to get a final price, and than walk out. Look for the same car on the internet. Autoytel.com is the major site that has helped me get quotes from multiple dealers within minutes. If after a couple of days of seeing the car, you still think the price is right, walk in and buy it. Because while you are at the dealer, its all a psychological game. They will put you in a state that makes you feel forced to make a decision, and that is the worst state to make a decision in. Same day deals, although as attractive as they sound, aren't usually the best course of action.
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skyth
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Member: sky lar
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Skyth misses old Epinions -- where men were men and the sheep scared.
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