by Bonnie Valentine

Created on: June 24, 2010

Buying a car is like playing a game. The salesperson is determined to sell a car no matter what. The buyer wants to get the best car possible for the best price.                

The number one rule of buying a car is not to be too enthusiastic. Show little or no emotion either way about how you feel about the vehicle. Try to pick out every little flaw or things about the car that you do not like. Mention features the vehicle lacks such as power seats. Tell the salesperson you last car had power seats and how nice they were. Do not fall in love with any vehicle; a salesperson will take advantage of the situation.

Another good idea is to secure financing in advance. Dealer promotions almost always have fine print that turns the table in their favor. Cash buyers have the most bargaining power. It does not matter where the money comes from, if you can write a check directly to the dealership a better price can be negotiated. Research the wholesale or blue book value of a vehicle before making an offer. The dealership needs to make a profit, however it is easier to negotiate if you know the bottom line in advance.

Make sure any offer includes everything. If you offer $10,000 make sure that includes tax, title, transfer fees, and any warranties. Sales tax can add a fortune to the total price of a car. If the salesperson tries to sell you an additional warranty, make sure it does not begin until the manufacturer’s warranty ends. If the salesperson gives you a sob story about protecting yourself from all that can go wrong, as k them if they are selling a poor quality product. Mention that it is silly to have two warranties that are active at the same time. It is amazing to see the reaction of a car dealership when the quality of the product is questioned.

Don’t forget all the extras. These will vary greatly from one buyer to another. You might require a rental car if yours is in the shop. Perhaps it is new floor mats. Make sure it is all part of the deal. Think it all through in advance and have a definitive strategy in place.

Finally, verify that the dealership does not have a bad reputation or complaints against them. If it does not look good then go elsewhere.

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