Entries from March 2009 ↓

For people who have failed their mechanical aptitude test, the difference between a handbrake and the fender would probably be something that needs consulting in the dictionary. Buying a new car is never easy but for some it can even rival the SAT.

With hundreds of articles handing out tips in buying a new car, you should know by now what you should look for, what you should bring and what else you should do, but do you know what you should not do when buying that new car you want?

Never go without knowing what you want.

In buying a new car, it is not uncommon to have one or two choices but please keep it at that. Having more than two choices will spell not only trouble for your pocket but also a waste of your time. Knowing what you want when buying a new car will give you the confidence to talk to car dealers plus it will also enable you to ask questions specific to the car model. This will also allow you to do some research before hitting the stores. Believe this, there is no one dubious car dealers want more than buyers who do not have an idea what they want when buying a new car.

Never negotiate for something that you know nothing of

When haggling with dealers, do not negotiate until you have already canvassed the price. This is a no no in buying a new car. If you have no time to scout for car prices, you can always go to your car dealer’s websites or even ask friends and people you work with. Just tell them you are buying a new car and they will be more than happy to help. That way, you know what the bottomline and you know whether that bottomline can fit your budget.

Never let on that you absolutely need the car

Attitude is the name of the game when buying a new car. Remember that dealers need you more than you need them, so don’t act as if the car is the last of its model on earth (unless it’s vintage). In buying a new car, do it with professional savvy. Never let on that you are desperate for their product or that their price is the lowest you have seen in a hundred miles radius. Be cool when buying a new car and you’ll surely get a cool deal.

Never let one dealer buy you a car from another dealer

While others do this because of the absolute lack of time, it is still not advisable especially if you are buying a new car for the first time. Some dealers may not only try to sell you the car at a higher price, they might even try to scam you. If you absolutely have to do it, do not sign anything or put down a deposit until you have seen the product in the flesh.

Never take on add-on fees until you have reviewed them

Scammers plague people who are buying a new car for the first time. Because they know that you don’t have much experience in buying a new car, dealers will sometimes put on additional somethings to the final cost of the car such as “rustproofing,” “environmental prep,” and a host of others. Beware of this first-time buyer scams.

You are about to go to your first car auction. You can feel the excitement in the air. There are so many cars to choose from. But do you really know what to expect at a car auction? Do you know the legalities that occur at a car auction? Most people get in way over there heads at a car auction. If this is your first car auction, you better come prepared.

There are a lot of things you need to do and a lot of things you need to pay attention to at a car auction. First off, before you go to a car auction make sure you have enough money in your bank account. All cars purchased at a car auction must be paid in full. You also need to bring your drivers license and any other form of ID to the car auction. This is needed to buy the vehicle and to do the title work and registration.

When you first get to the car auction you should make notes of the cars you are interested in. Then, if you can, go to kellybluebook.com and check the retail value of the vehicles you would like to purchase. This way you know what to go with when you make your bid. At a car auction, many vehicles have a reserve price. This means that the vehicle has a minimum price t be sold at. If it is too high, do not bid on it. Be sure when you do bid that you do not get into a bidding war. Never bid more than you can afford. If the bidding war begins, just walk away. At a car auction, it is every man for himself.

Before you begin to bid on cars, you need to see if the vehicle is a good buy or not. Many vehicles at a car auction could have been previously damaged. An example of this is in Texas and Louisiana many cars were severely damaged by flooding during a hurricane. These vehicles were sent to a car auction and the buyers more than likely had no idea the vehicles had flood damage. You may also wish to take a mechanic to the car auction. A mechanic is a good idea at a car auction because they can see where someone may have tried to hide repairs and damage that the vehicle might have incurred. Lastly, you can get a free Carfax vehicle history report on the vehicle if you get the vehicles identification number (VIN).

Remember, at a car auction vehicles are sold “as is” and they do not come with a warranty. Keep all of these tips in mind to protect yourself from a bad purchase. You are supposed to go to a car auction to get a great deal on a car and to save money. With the proper frame of mind, this is easily accomplished.