Here Are Some Tips on Buying a New Vehicle

By:Terry Parker

The cost of a new car nowadays equals about what my parents paid for their first home. It is not a purchase to be taken lightly. You want to do everything possible to ensure you get a great deal.

Never rush your decision. If you are completely without transportation, rent a vehicle until you find the right car. When you rush a purchase, you usually end up on the losing end of the deal.

Thanks to the Internet, you can uncover the typical retail cost of a specific make and model. With a little digging, you can find out the wholesale cost as well. This information makes you a powerful negotiator.

You want a win win situation with the car dealership. They need to make some profit, and you need to feel you paid a fair price. It is fair to negotiate to a price that is 500 dollars above dealer cost or about 20 percent off the sticker price. So take along your calculator when you shop.

If the only cars on the lot have expensive options you do not care for, you might want to order a car to your specifications. You might wait a bit, but will save money on options you do not need.

Check with the dealership to see if you can return the car if you do not like it. I did this once. The car I purchased ended up less comfortable than my old car, so the next morning I took it back for my check and my trade in. Many dealerships now offer this option.

You may have heard the advice to shop the last day of the month for better deals. It's true that you might get a better deal from a salesman then.

As far as trade ins go, do your research here, too. Knowing the value of your old car makes it easier to negotiate a better price for it. Try not to talk about a trade in possibility until you get a purchase price.

I researched the value of my little red Corolla and found that it was 3500 dollars. One dealership offered me 1200 dollars because they would have to repaint it. Another dealership offered me 3500 dollars and complimented me on taking such good care of the engine. Stick to your guns when it comes to getting the value of your trade in, especially if you have had your car serviced regularly.

You may want to advertise your older car and sell it privately. Typically you can get a better price this way, but it may take a little time.

A service contract will likely be brought into the negotiation. The consumer information I have read discourages buying an extra contract on a new car, as it is not likely a problem will occur during the first months of use.

Whatever you do, always read the fine print of any contract before signing it. Ask a bazillion questions about what certain phrases mean if you do not understand something.

Simply because the car just rolled off the factory line does not mean you should buy it without asking questions. Keep on your toes during the negotiation process. There is nothing like the thrill of getting a new car and creating a win win situation for you and the dealer.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: car, automobile, buying a car, new car

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

For more information about new vehicles and the automotive diagnostic tools needed to service them visit our site.

Top Cars and Trucks Articles
1). 2008 Chery QQ: Sneak Peak! By : Matthew C. Keegan China’s Chery Automotive Group is getting set to import as many as five vehicles into the US starting in the summer of 2007. These 2008 models are reportedly going to be cheaper than competing models in their respective classes, undercutting some models by as much as $10,000 per car. I have been doing a little investigating and have learned more about the Chery QQ, the three door compact that will retail for just $6995.
2). Geely Cars: Gotta Get One? By : Matthew C. Keegan I mentioned in a related article that the first batch of Chinese built cars to be imported to the U.S. is only a few years away. In that article, I discussed Chery Automobiles and how the company has its designs on the American market, particularly in the entry level category. Well, now a second manufacturer – Geely Automotive Company – is also planning on bringing at least one model to the U.
3). Why Ford Motor Company Is Losing Market Share Fast To Hyundai By : David Maillie Ford is fast losing market share to automotive companies like Hyundai. This article shows why and what Ford can do to turn themselves around before it is too late. Someone should definitely email this to Fords executives before it is too late.
4). How To Avoid Auto Repair and Service Scams By : David Maillie There’s a reason why auto service stations have one of the largest numbers of complaints with state attorney generals in every state. Some uphold good business practices and ethics, but most, unfortunately are all about profit and don’t care if they have to lie and cheat to get it.
5). Ford Focus Is 'Comfortable And Versatile' By : Kwik Fit The UK's best selling car at the moment; the Ford Focus, is a comfortable and versatile mode of transport, according to the manufacturers, who claim the latest model is longer and wider than before. With a variety of body shapes available in several trim levels, the Ford Focus costs from £11,395 on-the-road for the three-door 1.4 Studio model, to £19,200 for the 1.
6). 2006 Mitsubishi Raider: A Rebadged Delight! By : Matthew C. Keegan If you were to examine the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad logo centered in the middle of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck’s body and take a look at its styling cues, you would see something different, yet very familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, body, and cabin changes, the Raider is without a doubt a Dodge Dakota.
7). Fuel-Efficient Ford Cars: The New Trend By : Jason Moore With gas prices soaring straight into oblivion, automobile customers and the rest of the auto market are looking for vehicles that would save their pockets from getting into trouble. Studies and research have found out that the numbers are showing that customers are leaning towards those vehicles that would assure them that they would not have to spend much on gas.
8). Jaguar X Type: The Classic Luxury Sports Car By : Jennifer Dylan Built on a modified version of the Ford CD 132 platform, the Jaguar X Type is considered to be just another version of the Ford Mondeo. Take away the badge and the name from the Ford Mondeo and put in Jaguar badges, you would be getting the the Jaguar X Type. In fact the platform which it was built on was just a modified version of the Ford CDW 27 platform which is what the Ford Mondeo uses.
9). How to Create Your Own Vanity Plates By : Kevin Anderson Vanity plates, for some people, are just an added expense, for in some states, they do charge people with vanity plates an annual fee for them. However, there are some people who would opt to have vanity plates so as to show off and tell people more about themselves. Aside from telling people what kind of person they are, vanity plates also serve as channels and media for people to shout out to the rest of the driving world some messages that they would like to get across.
10). 2006 Toyota Matrix: Value Meets Fun By : Matthew C. Keegan During the early part of this decade Toyota was examining its vehicle line up and the decision was made to build a car to entice young people who were looking for something that was small, fun to drive, and affordable. While the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that kind of a car and something radically different was needed.

New Cars and Trucks Articles
1). How To Choose The Right Car Cover That Will Not Damage Your Car By : Gregg Hall Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garage to keep their car in and even if you do you may be like me and have too much junk to be able to park your car there.
2). Peugeot 206cc. Open Cruising With a Little French Flair By : Kerry Plowright The French have long been regarded as the leaders in style, and this reputation is well justified in the Peugeot 206cc (coupe cabriolet).
3). Satellite Radio, the New Frontier in Broadcasting By : Jerry Cahill Do you enjoy more control over your radio listening? If you are willing to pay a small monthly fee you can have a much greater radio listening opportunity.
4). Are Flex Fuel And Biodiesel Viable Options? By : Mike Eggert Once thought of as only a dream, Flex fuel vehicles are fast becoming a reality. The high cost of gasoline and fuels like Diesel have prompted auto makers around the world to start building automobiles that will burn more than one type of fuel.
5). Find Auto Parts Fast and Enjoy Great Savings Shopping Online By : Ray La Foy Money can be saved by replacing these parts yourself, but sometimes trying to find the right parts to fix things up is nearly impossible.
6). Smart Shoppers Save More on Vehicles and Financing By : Ray La Foy Finding the best deals on automobiles will often involve the number and type needed and the kind of credit your company has.
7). How To Get A Cheap Car Rental By : John Layton Always look for the best car rental offer.
8). Should You Go Topless For Your Next Sports Car? By : Gregg Hall Living in Florida we have many days when a convertible is highly desirable, especially in the spring and fall when temperatures are really comfortable.
9). IRS Incentives for Hybrid Owners By : Michael Plante The hybrid car has not come into the world without a shroud of rumors following carefully behind. From rumors of exploding batteries, electrical and digital nightmares, and poorly met expectations letting down consumers, the hybrid has had to struggle to overcome many misconceptions...
10). Rising Car Arson And Insurance Fraud Costs Everyone By : David Maillie Car owners locked into payments they can’t afford with the increasing gas costs and our current economic slowdown have turned to arson to get rid of their debts.