Tips & Suggestions
If you have any tips or suggestions you would like to share, please use the contact us link in the menu to submit them. All submissions will be credited to the submitter unless otherwise indicated.
Here are a few tips and suggestions in no particular order:
Always have a Mechanic check a used vehicle
Always have a mechanic check over a used vehicle before you buy it. This should be done by a mechanic you trust, and one who doesn't work for the dealership where you are considering the purchase of a used vehicle.
Get it in Writing
If the seller requires a deposit before allowing you to take the vehicle to your mechanic for an inspection, make sure you have a written agreement indicating the deposit will be returned to you if you decide not to purchase the vehcile.
Dress the part
Dress appropriately when going to a dealership. If you are dressed too nicely, the dealership may try to take advantage of you thinking you have money to burn. Likewise, if you dress to sloppy you'll be lucky to get the attention you deserve as they will think you are just going to waste their time.
Know your budget
Know your budget and stick to it! Never allow the salesman to push you into a payment that is higher than your budget will support. Use the Payment Calculator on this site to determine what you budget will realistically support.
If you're trading a vehicle...
There are a couple of things you should know about trading in a vehicle. First, know what your trade vehicle is worth. Second, only tell the dealership you will be trading in a vehicle after you have negotiated the price of the vehicle you are purchasing. These two things will help ensure you get a fair price for your trade vehicle.
Negotiate as if you are paying cash
Always negotiate as if you are paying cash, and only after you have agreed on a price should you begin to discuss financing. This will help you maintain focus on the price of the vehicle instead of the payment which the dealership wants you to focus on.
Don't let them pull your credit report
Don't let the dealership run your credit as this will drop your credit score. Instead, have a credit report with you if you intend to get financing. Better yet, already have your financing arranged prior to going to the dealership.
Give yourself plenty of time
If you are purchasing from a dealer, make sure you have plenty of time. The time it takes to test drive, negotiate, and do the paperwork can take 4 hours or more. If you are purchasing from an individual, the process can take 2 hours or more. Either way, the majority of the time should be spent on the test drive - make sure the vehicle is in sound condition and is what you really want to purchase.
Set a time limit on negotiation
Limit the amount of time you spend in the negotiation part of the process. An hour is generally sufficent. If a deal hasn't been reached within an hour, chances are a deal isn't going to be reached and you should stop wasting your time and leave.
Leave the little kids at home
Little kids tire easily and get bored with the process of purchasing a vehicle. The saleperson knows this and will take advantage of, and use the kids to apply pressure during negotiation. This is extra pressure you don't need so leave the little ones at home when purchasing a vehicle. The only time you should take a child with you is when you are negotiating for the childs vehicle - so they can learn the process.