A few Savvy Car-Buying (or Leasing) Strategies
Sell your trade-in elsewhere. You'll almost always get more money if you sell it to a used-car dealer or a private individual. So shop around for the best deal for your trade, as well. However, keep in mind that a "like" dealer will often offer you more for your vehicle. (A "like" dealer is one that sells Toyotas, if your current car is a Toyota, or a Chevy dealer if you own a Chevrolet.) This is because a Toyota dealer is fully aware that they won't get many used-car shoppers coming onto the lot looking for a Chevrolet; therefore, a "non-like" dealer generally will not be as eager to go that extra mile for your trade in order to make a deal.
Don't buy high-profit items from the dealer. This refers to virtually all of the extras that the dealer is bending over backwards to sell you. Items to steer clear of as if they were plague-infested include rustproofing, undercoating, glazing, service- and extended warranties, alarm or security systems (which can be purchased elsewhere at less than half the cost of what the dealer will charge you), and other trappings.
Beware of low-interest-rate financing. Many of those 0.9% and 1.9% deals are for two years only (or even less), after which you'll be making much higher payments than you would have with a higher rate over a longer period of time. Or the monthly payments will be so high due to the shorter term that you could find yourself cash-strapped for the duration – albeit short – of the loan.
Above all else, keep this in mind: the most powerful negotiating tool that any car buyer has is the ability to turn and walk out of the showroom. There are literally hundreds of dealerships with thousands of cars for sale. Do your homework, maintain a positive attitude, and you'll be able to take control of the sales process instead of being led by it.
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