Any tips on purchasing a new car, wut should I ask...?

Question

I hav eno clue on buying a car any guidance you can give will be greatly appreciated, Serious answers only PLEASE!!!

What if my credit isn't great ? Is it still fair for them to charge be well above 10% in finance charges....Can the dealer lower that or is that something handled thru the bank??

Answer 1

It isn't what you ask, it is what you do before going to the dealership. Find all the cars that are in your price range and what you need. A Mustang may be in your price range, but do you need what the Mustang gives you? Probably not. Most people don't need a big muscle car kind of engine. Compare the cars to see what is the better deal for you. I use the intellichoice site to learn more about the value of a car and what lasts longer. Then, once you decide, go to the dealer website and build the car you want, with all the accessories. Once you do that, print it out with the MSRP clearly on the paper. Go to the dealership, and say you want that car. Then when they come back with a really high price compared to MSRP, ask them why they charge so much, and show them that they are overcharging you, and you'll go somewhere else that will give you what you want. They'll cave. Also, it is always good to go with a guy. I know it is sexist, but it has been proven time and time again that usually they will rip off a woman more than a man.

Answer 2

I hate to say it, but, take a token man with you. If you have a trade-in, don't tell them until after you negotiate the price. NEVER pay sticker price! You can check out the actual cost of any car on the Internet. I suggest you do so before buying new or used. Play dealers against each other and let them know it. Always buy at the end of the month. The salesman has more incentive to deal. It's ever better to buy at the end of the year too!

Answer 3

Do your research online. If you go to a site like kbb.com, you can find out the dealer invoice (what they paid) and the MSRP (sticker price). You can also option the car out, and find out the invoice/sticker price for the model you want. Do this for all the cars you like, and then go and test drive them. Don't let the dealer pressure you into anything the first time you visit. When you've decided what cars you'd want to purchase, find several dealers. As soon as you've locked into one car at one dealer, they've got you. Keep your options open. Start negotiating at invoice price, but expect to pay slightly more (maybe $1K - $2K over, but below sticker). Cars at the end of their model runs ('06 models right now) will be cheaper - the dealer will have to clear them off the lot before taking shipment of new cars. If you're looking at a popular car (a Mini, for example), expect to pay more. Don't let the dealer up the price by adding options you don't want, or extras like "rust proofing" or advertising fees. Those are scams, pure and simple. And be prepared to walk out. They'll play games ("I have to ask my manager"), but have some patience. If they push you too far (they have a tendency to do that with women), walk away, go to another dealer, and make sure to drive by the first one after you've purchased your car.

Answer 4

Yes, first find the car of your choice. Then arrange to have a local mechanic do an inspection of the vehicle. Most mechanics are very familiar with the whole process. If the car is from a reputable dealer and is fully certified, meaning it has a 100% warranty, then you can bypass this process if you wish to do so. Otherwise, please have a mechanic, who routinely does inspections, give it a full inspection. If the potential seller is somewhat resistent to the idea, many mechanics will come to you and the car. Check your local directory. If the seller flatly refuses your request, pass on the car. Don't forget to get a car fax using the serial number over the Internet for further verification of its history.

Answer 5

We do agree with the above answers and just a couple things to add:

* Car shopping is usually the 2nd largest single purchase in life, you should test-drive all possible cars and then consider which one to purchase.

* Most new car has heavy incentives available during summer, you can easily pay "below invoice" price for many models. You'll find the lowest new car price reported on our home page daily.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

if your buying it from a private seller ask the seller if its been in a wreck. Have it checked by a mechanic. Also you can check the history of the car at www.carfax.com. If your buying it from a dealer get a warranty on it and get the history checked.

Answer 7

consumer report recommended

Chevrolet Prizm ‘99-00
Ford Escort ‘01-02, Mustang (V6) ‘98, Ranger
(2WD) ‘98-99
Honda Civic ‘98
Hyundai Accent ‘03
Mazda B-Series (2WD) ‘98-00, Protegé 99-00
Nissan Altima (4-cyl.) ‘98, Frontier (4-cyl.) ‘98, Sentra ‘99
Saturn SL ‘01
Subaru Legacy ‘98
Toyota Corolla ‘98-99, Echo ‘00

$6,000-$8,000
Acura CL ‘98, Integra ‘98
Buick Regal ‘00
Chevrolet Prizm ‘01-02
Ford Crown Victoria ‘98-99, F-150 (2WD) ‘98-
99, Mustang (V6) ‘99-00, Ranger (2WD) ‘00
Honda Accord (4-cyl.) ‘98-99, Civic ‘99,
Odyssey ‘98
Hyundai Accent ‘04, Elantra ‘02
Infiniti G20 ‘99, I30 ‘98
Mazda 626 ‘00, Millenia ‘99
Mercury Grand Marquis ‘98-99
Mitsubishi Galant ‘00-01
Nissan Altima (4-cyl.) ‘99-00, Frontier ‘99,
Frontier (4-cyl.) ‘01, Maxima ‘98- 99,
Pathfinder ‘98, Sentra ‘01
Saturn SL ‘02
Subaru Impreza ‘99
Toyota Avalon ‘98, Camry ‘98, Camry (4-cyl.)
‘99, Camry Solara (4-cyl.) ‘99, Corolla ‘00-01,
Echo ‘01-02, RAV4 ‘98-99, Sienna ‘98, T100
'98

$8,000-$10,000
Acura CL ‘99, Integra ‘99, TL ‘98
Buick Century ‘02, Regal ‘01
Ford Crown Victoria ‘00-01, F-150 (2WD) ‘00,
F-150 (4WD) ‘98-99 Mustang (V6) ‘01,
Mustang (V8) ‘99 Ranger (2WD) ‘01
Honda Accord (4-cyl.) ‘00, Accord (V6) ‘98-99,
Civic ‘00-01, CR-V ‘98-99, Insight ‘00,
Prelude ‘98
Hyundai Elantra ‘03
Infiniti G20 ‘00, I30 ‘99, QX4 ‘98
Lincoln Continental ‘00, Town Car ‘98-99
Mazda B-Series (2WD) ‘01, Millenia ‘00
MPV ‘00, MX-5 Miata ‘99, Protegé ‘01-02
Mercury Grand Marquis ‘00
Mitsubishi Galant ‘02, Lancer ‘03
Nissan Altima (4-cyl.) ‘01, Frontier‘00,
Pathfinder ‘99
Subaru Impreza ‘00

1999 Toyota
Camry Solara
Toyota 4Runner (4-
cyl.) ‘98, Avalon ‘99,
Camry (4-cyl.) ‘00,
Camry (V6) ‘99,
Camry Solara (V6)
‘99, Celica ‘99,
Corolla ‘02, Echo
‘03, RAV4 ‘00,
Sienna ‘99, Tacoma
‘98, Tacoma (4-cyl.) ‘99

Answer 8

Only pay 3 to 5 % above invoice. Look what kind of auto you want up online.

Answer 9

one very important tip READ ALL THE FINE PRINT because they will sure screw you ..even if they tell u verbally don't fall for it get every thing in writing go over it all no matter how long it takes you....same goes for buying a house

Answer 10

research what kind of car you want first what features are important to you, how much can you afford per month don't let them talk you into anything you don't want or need