Typical mistakes people make at car purchase?

Question

I'm interested to learn about mistakes you've ever made at car purchase! I'm going to help my brother with this thing, now I;m using this article http://www.gotcarquick.com/news/82/ Can you add something? it is very important for us! Thanks!

Answer 1

The biggest mistake people make when buying a new car is buying too much car.   They think they can afford a lot more car than their budget can realistically handle.

This is a long term commitment and one that is not easily canceled if you get in over your head.  Set you budget numbers low and stick to them.  Don't let the bright shiny paint and all those fancy options blind you from the reality that you can't really afford those payments.

Answer 2

http://www.dealertricks.com/

Answer 3

Mistakes people make in the car buying process:

1) They don't get pre-arranged financing before going to the dealership.

2) They focus on the monthly payment instead of the overall purchase price of the vehicle.

3) Become too emotionally attached to a specific vehicle before researching and test driving the competition.

4) They don't test-drive the vehicle they buy.

5) Buy unnecessary options (rustproofing, paint protecting, window etching. maintenance plan and even extended warranty).

6) They don't have the used car they purchase inspected by an independent mechanic.

7) They don't know the value of their trade-in.

8) They don't understand or underestimate safety features.

9) They don't get multiple quotes from competing dealers after deciding what vehicle they want to lease or purchase.

Also attached is a link to checklist of what every person should do while buying or leasing a vehicle.

Answer 4

Read Consumer's Reports!  Look for car manufacturer's past history and problems.  Chances are, if you end up with a car with a good history you will likely not have to worry as much about warranty issues.  When you need to exercise the warranty, there may be things you expect to be covered but some obscure  interpretation of the fine print will cause the dealership to charge you for work.

Answer 5

I personally do not find extended warranty worth the money. Most new cars come with a 5 year 50,000 mile factory warranty. If you maintain it properly, you should get way more mileage out of it. For the extra cost of the extended warranty, you could pay for most repairs.

  Also, don't act like you need the particular car you are looking at. Don't be afraid to walk out of negotiations, The salesperson wants to make a deal, he needs to make a deal. He has a family to feed.

NEVER PAY WINDOW STICKER PRICE!!!!

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Look at:  Car Buying Tips .com and Fighting Chance .com  These two sites helped me alot before I bought my new car this year .

Answer 7

I have not made it, but REFUSE the window etching, Scotchgard, wheel lock, etc. Those things are MUCH cheaper at Canadian Tire, etc.

One thing I am still not sure about on my own car is extended warranty. I bought it, but it was $1500. If you do decide to get it, haggle - the price is not fixed.

Also, haggle their Admin fee - that is something that they should be covering with their overhead, not adding in to the car price.