SHOPSMART AUTO’S – CUSTOMER INFORMATION – DECEMBER 25, 2020

How to buy a new car

  1. Test-drive the car
Ideally, you want to test-drive all the cars you’re interested in buying in quick succession so that the impressions will be fresh in your mind for comparison. Consider setting aside a morning or afternoon for the process, and, if possible, do it mid-week when the dealership isn’t too busy.

Rather than just walking on to the car lot, call ahead and schedule an appointment with the internet sales manager. That way, the right model will be pulled out and ready to go.

Select a test-drive route that has a bit of everything: hills, rough pavements, curves and even a stretch of highway.


  1. Locate your car
Maybe one of the cars you tested meets your needs and is the right color. If not, you will have to search local dealerships until you find the right car.

Nearly all dealerships list their entire inventory online. But if you’re searching for an unusual color or option combination, you can use sites that cover an entire region — or even the whole country. Many new cars are listed on sites such as Autotrader.com or CarGuru.com. Manufacturer websites might also allow you to search a broader area rather than individual dealerships. Keep widening your search area until you find exactly the car you want.


  1. Find the right price
Pricing guides, such as Kelley Blue Book, allow you to cut to the chase and find out what other people in your area are paying for the car you want. On the website, accurately input all the options you want and, in some cases, even the color, since all those factors affect the car’s price.

Make sure to see what, if any, incentives and rebates are available for the car you want. Most manufacturer websites list current offers, which usually change each month.


  1. Get dealer quotes
Requesting dealer quotes by email can take the stress out of negotiating. You can ask for a price quote by emailing the dealership through its website. Or, to save time, use a third-party site such as Truecar.com to request quotes from multiple dealerships simultaneously. Compare the seller’s asking price to the average market price you determined through the pricing guides. Chances are, the seller is asking more than the market average.

If you negotiate in person, here are a few tips to use on the car lot:

  • Don’t be a monthly payment buyer.
    If you have a preapproved loan, you’re a cash buyer and you should negotiate the price of the car, not the size of the monthly payment.

  • Be unpredictable.
    Don’t let a salesman leave you trapped in a sales office while he “goes to talk with his boss.” Instead, roam around the showroom or go get a cup of coffee.

  • Negotiate slowly and repeat the numbers you hear.
    It’s easy to get confused, so go slow and even write down the numbers thrown at you. Make sure you know whether you’re talking about the “out-the-door” price, which includes all taxes and fees, or just the sale price of the car.

  • Ask about fees before saying yes to a deal.
    Some dealers may include bogus fees to recoup the profit they lose while negotiating. Ask for a breakdown of additional fees before you agree to any deal.

  • Be ready to walk.
    If you aren’t making progress toward a deal, or you don’t like the way you’re being treated, just walk out. No goodbyes are necessary.


END OF PART TWO

Make it a champion day!



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Shop Smart Autos is not responsible for any errors in price or vehicle information provided to us from our dealer partners. We take every precaution to ensure the information is accurate and correct. Any questions please contact the dealer.