| New car research is much easier today then in | | | | yourself. Keep in mind that the prices that you |
| the past. The use of the Internet has changed | | | | see on these sites should never be the price you |
| the way people buy cars. Not only with | | | | are going to pay. If you were ignorant and walked |
| researching the cars, but in finding the availability | | | | into the dealer, this is where they would start. |
| of dealers vehicles and taking virtual tours of the | | | | You need to know what the dealer pays (dealers |
| vehicles. There are few items to keep in mind | | | | invoice) then you can know where to start to |
| when getting ready to purchase a new car. These | | | | negotiate. On each piece of paper right all this |
| items will help your research go smoother. | | | | information down so you have it organized. Look |
| Pick up a copy of consumer reports the car | | | | at the prices of the options you are interested in |
| edition | | | | and write those down as well. You should have a |
| Consumer reports rates cars every month, but | | | | good idea what options cost . The reason is that |
| that is going to take too long to read about three | | | | you will go to the dealer and see a lot of cars in |
| or four at a time. You need the addition that | | | | the lot. It can be overwhelming if you are not |
| covers all the vehicles in one edition. This way you | | | | prepared. By knowing the model and options, you |
| can have everything in one issue to get started. | | | | can work faster and accomplish your goal at the |
| Start by looking through cars that you are | | | | same time. |
| interested in. Make sure you read through | | | | Now go to the dealer |
| consumer reports ranking methods. One of the | | | | After you have all your information, the real |
| most important factors of their ranking system is | | | | reason is to go and drive the vehicles. You need |
| their reliability report. If the car is a new model | | | | to make sure you like the way the car or truck |
| there will be no reliability information. Consider the | | | | rides and if it feels like a good fit for you. The |
| source here and make a few assumptions. For | | | | process of decision is behind you at this point and |
| example, if it's a Honda or Volvo then you can | | | | you were able to make all your decisions at home |
| assume that the reliability will be good. These | | | | where there is no pressure to buy anything. Ask |
| vehicles always score high in this category. If it's a | | | | the dealer what incentives are available from the |
| dodge or Chrysler, then make a note. Those | | | | manufacture. Make sure that you understand that |
| vehicles tend to report lower Reliabilities | | | | the manufacturer gives you incentives but they |
| Look at some details with a grain of salt | | | | also give the dealers incentives. That is their |
| Here is what I mean by that. Gas mileage and | | | | secret, they are going to get some sort of |
| performance are loosely based. If you live in florid | | | | incentive to sell the cars and that you should keep |
| and have the air conditioning on all the time, then | | | | in your back pocket. Some savy salesman may |
| your mileage is going to be less than what is | | | | try to make you think he is not going to make |
| advertised. A good practice is to at least subtract | | | | anything on a deal if you low ball them. Carry |
| a mile per gallon from the reported statistic. This | | | | your research paperwork with you and don't be |
| gives you a better idea of a realistic economy | | | | shy about having it. They will know that you did |
| rating. If you drive mostly in the city this is very | | | | your homework and it helps at the bartering table. |
| helpful since city mileage is always less than | | | | At last take your paperwork and start to talk |
| highway mileage. | | | | money. Be firm yet respectful and do not be |
| Mark down prices and details | | | | afraid to walk away. For some reason there is a |
| Compare the vehicles you are interested in and | | | | lot of back and forth in the negotiation process. |
| keep each on a separate piece of paper. By | | | | Salesman have to steal away to ask their |
| having them on a separate piece of paper you | | | | managers if they can sell for a certain price. |
| can make notes as you go along. Next go to the | | | | When they come back and say that this is there |
| manufactures page and look up the model directly. | | | | last price, don't be afraid to say its unacceptable. |
| Most sites now are highly interactive. You can | | | | The business is highly competitive, they will try to |
| take tours and see the car from every angle. | | | | sell you a car. If not, go to another dealer and |
| This is good to do and will help you save some | | | | start over. If you do your homework you will be |
| time from going to the dealer and doing this | | | | much better off. |