Chapter 1: Getting started
Before you go car shopping, do your homework. Know what you want and how you plan to pay for it. Then put on your happy shoes and go shopping!
- Begin with a budget
- Check your credit first
- Buying new vs. used
- Buying vs. leasing
- How much can you afford?
- Finding the best car for you
Chapter 2: Shop till you drop
From auto dealers to auto brokers to the Web, here’s what you’ll need to know to track down the best vehicle at the best price.
- Researching vehicles online
- New-car shopping on the Web
- Value of rebates and incentives
- Using an intermediary
- Used-car shopping on the Web
- Line up your financing
- Decision time: Buy or lease?
- Check insurance costs first
Chapter 3: The buying experience
You know your budget and did your shopping. Now it’s time to bargain with the seller.
- Buyers’ biggest mistakes
- Meeting the dealer head-on
- When haggling pays off
- Top 11 dealer tricks
- Bogus advertising slogans
- Extended warranty or not?
Chapter 4: The leasing experience
Leasing a vehicle makes sound financial sense in certain situations and for certain people. For others it’s a money trap.
- Actual cost & residual value
- Pros and cons of leasing
- 10 must-ask questions
- Top 10 leasing booby traps
- Leasing laws you should know
Chapter 5: Financing the deal
Get a grip on the financing process as we help you shop for a loan and spell out many key questions you should ask before signing on the dotted line.
- Where to get the money
- Ask these 9 questions
- Loan options and rebates
- How to find the best rate
- The cost of 0 percent financing
- Sizing up your down payment
Chapter 6: Insuring your vehicle
Buying a new car, or a substantially different one than what you now own, will mean a change in your insurance costs.
- ABCs of auto insurance
- Lowering insurance costs
- What’s no-fault insurance?
- Credit score & insurance costs
- Insurance terms and definitions
