| Be a smart buyer |
| 1.
Know your budget before visiting the dealership. |
 |
Even with today's low rates,
you don't want to financially overextend yourself. Determine
what you can afford and what interest rate you deserve.
Dealers use credit scores when offering finance terms,
so check your credit score before the shopping begins.
|
|
Match
the car and your budget; How
much car you can afford; Check
your credit rating
|
| 2. Do your homework. |
|
Research vehicle costs before
stepping in the showroom to haggle. Even if you're uncomfortable
negotiating, brace up. Car salesmen are experts at negotiating.
Go prepared and expect to work to get a good deal. |
|
Maximize
your savings with these pre-shopping strategies;
Haggle
like a pro
|
| 3. Flexibility and good
timing cut price. |
|
Shop when sales are slow --
when new-year models are due, at the end of the month
and during the last two working hours of the day. Plus,
remember that hottest-selling model will cost, so if you're
flexible and willing to buy the not-so-popular one, you'll
save. |
|
Good
time to be in the market for a new car; For
the best car-financing deal, learn to love an ugly duckling
|
| 4. Get top dollar for
your old vehicle. |
|
The market sets the value of
your car whether in a trade-in or private sale. Selling
it privately, however, usually results in more money --
but it takes time. Going for the trade-in? Don't talk
about trade-in value until you've settled on the new car
price. |
|
The
deal on auto depreciation; Be
your own used-car salesman
|
| 5. Don't pay extra for
the mop and glow. |
|
Extras such as undercoating,
scotch-guarding, detailing and decorative features on
a car don't add to it's value. They simply add to your
debt. Many of these options are worthless or overpriced
to boost the dealer's profit. |
|
Sales
incentives drive up the price of your car; Warranties
and service contracts
|
| Here's one parting tip and
it's an important one. It's best to think of a new car
purchase as three separate negotiations: the price of
a car, the price of a trade-in and the financing. A car
salesman will try to lump this stuff together. Don't let
him. |
|
|
|
-- Posted:
April 12, 2002 |
