What are some trade secrets you need to know when buying a new car?

Question

What are some trade secrets you need to know when buying a new car?

Answer 1

Don't buy new unless you really absolutely have to.  Always go for 1 to 2 years older (or mileage under 45,000).

Go to www.kbb.com and know the price of the car you are looking at.  And then go to your bank / credit union to get pre-approved for a loan.  Basically, you want it so that all you have to do when you walk into the car lot is to tell the salesperson to give you the car for x amount and charge it to x bank.  If they say no, move on to the next car lot.

Answer 2

never tell the sales person how much you are willing to spend, NEVER tell them that you like a car or one of them, NEVER TALK, Let the salesperson SELL YOU THE CAR, the more you talk, the more confidence the salesperson will get. The more uninterested you seem to the salesperson, the sweeter the deals will get........

Answer 3

You lose 15%-20% the minute you drive it off the lot.

Answer 4

I don't know where you live; but in most states, you can take your car back within 30 days for whatever reason.

Also, request for a pricing through internet first.  That is the "cheapest" price you will get.  Then you may use that price to bargain with the saleperson in the store.

Answer 5

With the widespread use of the internet, there are no secrets anymore.

Answer 6

Never pay sticker.  Shop at two or three same manufacturer dealerships to get used to bargaining and to see what kind of deal you can get.  I used to run all over the area getting prices and then going to the dealership where I really wanted to buy the car fully armed with information.  Remember what Alexander Pope said..."A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."  Imagine what a lot of knowledge will do against a car salesman!  I was always very good at getting great deals when I could trade every two years, but now I buy only program cars (one or two years old with no more than 11,000 miles).

Answer 7

"Dave" is wrong. You can't take back a car within 30m days in most states. Set your limits and have financing arranged before you go to the dealer. Know what you want and don't let them sell you what they think you need (according to them). They will steer you to the big moneymaker (for them) or the oldest inventory cars.

Answer 8

Visit www.edmunds.com.  Spend the rest of the evening reading the articles and searching the website forums.  

http://www.edmunds.com/caradvice.html