| he excitement of a brand new car! Driving to | | | | the best prices cars like yours have recently been |
| every friend’s house you ever had to | | | | selling for. |
| show it off. Spit shining it ever chance you get. | | | | Now, you don’t want to get a great price |
| The only bad part about the deal is, well… | | | | on a car, and then lose out by paying too much |
| the deal. | | | | for financing, for an extended service contract, |
| Fortunately, there's a way get a great price on a | | | | and for unnecessary add-ons. |
| new car and this insider info will save you both | | | | Also, check to see what the market value is of |
| time and money. | | | | your current car if you’re considering a |
| How many hours have you wasted talking about | | | | trade in. Don’t talk about a trade in until |
| a new car deal, only to find out that the dealer | | | | you have agreed on a price. |
| had other contract clauses in mind that exploded | | | | Before going car shopping, check the annual |
| the cost? I have wasted entire days in the car | | | | percentage rate currently offered by banks in |
| buying process. | | | | your area. Sometimes credit unions offer good |
| What does "factory invoice price" really mean? | | | | rates. |
| The price that you see on the car is the | | | | Many new cars are very reliable and often carry |
| “manufacturer’s suggested retail | | | | long manufacturer warranties. An extended |
| price”. You don’t want to pay this | | | | service contract may be a waste of your money. |
| over-inflated price. Supposedly, the "factory | | | | If you do want one, make sure you check over it |
| invoice price" is what the dealer paid the | | | | with a fine-toothed comb to see what it covers |
| manufacturer for the car. The dealer will have an | | | | and what it doesn’t. Nothing like being |
| invoice with this price on it. | | | | surprised by a repair bill. |
| When you hear a dealer say that he’ll sell | | | | If your car already has rust-proofing, paint |
| to you “below invoice”, you | | | | sealant, or fabric protection, make sure you |
| wonder how on earth he could make any money. | | | | don’t end up paying more than $50 for it. |
| You may think that you’re getting the | | | | Any more than that will be pure profit and mark |
| bargain of the century. | | | | up. |
| Well, not so fast. See, the factory invoice price | | | | A good deal on your new car can be negated if |
| probably isn’t what the dealer had to pay | | | | you get a lousy price on your trade-in. Go ahead |
| for the car. | | | | and take your car to a few dealerships |
| Dealers get all sorts of incentives on top of this | | | | beforehand and ask what they’d pay you |
| base price. Carryover allowances and other special | | | | for it straight out. Explain that you’re |
| discounts added in make the actual cost of the | | | | selling your car and getting offers from different |
| vehicle less than the price on the invoice. This can | | | | dealers. |
| add up to the tune of $500-$2000 dollars. | | | | If the dealership where you’re buying |
| So you could buy a car at $100 below the | | | | offers you a ridiculously lower price, you may as |
| factory invoice and still be fattening the | | | | well sell your car outright to one of the dealers |
| salesman’s wallet more than enough. | | | | you checked with. |
| Ask if the car manufacturer offers a | | | | You do want to get the true wholesale value for |
| factory-to-customer rebate. You have to get this | | | | your trade-in. A dealer who offers some |
| straight from the manufacturer, but every little bit | | | | extraordinary trade-in allowance is likely making it |
| helps! | | | | up on the new car price. |
| The more you know about factory-to-dealer | | | | It takes a little extra time to ensure a great deal |
| incentive payments, "holdbacks," and other | | | | on your new car, but your savings can be |
| allowances the dealer will receive, the better off | | | | substantial. You just might find the whole process |
| you'll be. Do your research so you’ll know | | | | fun! |