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New car buying tips

zoebartlett

zoebartlett

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Dec 29, 2006
Messages
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What tips do you recommend for new car buyers?

My husband is a terrible haggler and I figured buying a car is something I should know how to do at some point. I've only had one brand new car, it's 13 years old now, and my mom basically did all the talking at the dealership when I bought it. She's awesome at it and she's not afraid to walk away. I'm in my mid 40s now and feel funny bringing my mom to do all the talking this time around. :D I'd love any advice from those who have experience. Thanks in advance!
 
Costco. Their buying service. They do all the work, you pick up the car.
 
#1, I think bringing all your weapons with you is smart, no matter what age we are. So, if Mom is a great negotiator, and willing to help, why not take her??? Take notes, ask her how she knew to say and ask what she said and asked, so maybe you'll be more confident next time.

#2, we brought a new car home just last night. I, like you, am not comfortable with the process, so I let hubby do the talking. One thing he noticed and asked about was the various fees tacked on to the paperwork. He asked about each of them, and one by one, they were removed. Note: some miraculously turned by up again on the updated paperwork, and again he asked and had them removed, even crossing them off himself, in a case or two.

#3, if you are looking to buy the extentended warranty, and are able to visit more than one dealer, do it and ask about it each time. The first one we went to told us one price, asked if we were Costco members and then was able to give a lower price/discount for the membership. Strangely, the second dealer not only didn't offer it as an option, but then denied the existence of the discount at first, then gave a different discount (less than the first) then eventually "found' the one we knew exists. There may be other discounts available. Ask about them. Ask to see their list. We had the salesman turn his computer monitor around so we could look at them all. He or she may or may not offer them all to you and hey, every bit helps.

Good luck, as I said above, bring Mom, if you can, and she and you agree. There are so many facets to car buying, I think two or three heads can be better than one. While I didn't do the dealing, I was able to back up what DH was saying and agree when he looked for confirmation. And now, we have a new 2017 Jeep Renegade in the driveway, at a decent price.
 
Do your research about the intended car you want to buy. These days with the net, it is easy to find info on what you want to buy.

I would say with most dealers, you should be able to get 4-5% off the list price (here in Australia, there are frequent sales with “drive away” prices [ie inclusive of all government charges and dealer delivery] that are frequently 4-5% off the list price). Even if they are showing a discounted price on the car, haggle more and get even further discounts off.

As for extended warranty, here in Australia, the extended warranty is frequently a way for dealers to pad profits given the existence of our Australian Consumer Law (which requires manufacturers of goods to provide support for their products, even if outside of their manufacturer warranty period). Have heard frequent tales of dealers and manufacturer’s here in Australia not even bothering to honour the extended warranty that a customer has purchased (or making any claim lodged under such an extended warranty very difficult for the customer to enforce). I would check and see if the terms of any “extended warranty” actually mirror your existing rights under any consumer legislation where you live. If so, then that’s even more money saved.

Know when dealer’s need to make their sales quota. If it happens to be at the end of the calendar month (or end of their manufacturer’s year), go shortly before then and make sure your ducks are lined up in a row regarding your financing (ie you have sufficient cash or you already have finance pre-approval organised). They are likely to give you discounts in order to seal a deal and chalk up an extra sale to meet their monthly/annual quota (there’s usually a financial incentive from the manufacturer to hit sales targets).

If you are not too fussy about internal and exteriors finishing and options, buy whatever the dealer has in stock in their yard. The dealership has already paid for that car to be sitting in the car yard and is racking up interest charges on that vehicle so they have a very strong incentive to close a deal on stock that is in the yard rather than a car where everything is customised to your tastes and they have to order it in from the manufacturer.

Lastly, know what your limits are financially and be prepared to walk away if the dealer is not prepared to play ball. See if there are other dealers within your state (even if not close by) who would be prepared to accept what you are willing to pay for a car they have. This may be problematic if you are purchasing a luxury marque and they have limited dealerships around (less competition means less discounts for you!)
 
Definitely be prepared to walk away; even if you like the deal they are offering you. Silence makes them uncomfortable. Keep saying things like I don't know, it's more than I wanted to pay. As mentioned above ask about every fee and what they can do for you. Make counter offers. If you don't like their offer definitely walk out. Shop around dealers too because you can mention what they offered to see if it triggers a better deal. Have fun!
 
Don’t be “sold” any of their extras, finance or insurance. They are always more expensive or of little value. Don’t buy their paint protection or upholstery protection or similiar. If you want those things, go elsewhere. The salespeople are paid on commission and any extras they can sell you means more money for them. Decide before you shop what “extras” you want in your car and don’t be sold a car that has things you don’t want, need or will use. Don’t be forced to make an instant decision because “this model is the only one we have and someone else is coming in this afternoon”. Sale people are paid to sell things, they are not your new best friend, they just want the sale so remember that. Take your mum with you, what a hoot, those young ones will go “aaarrrggghh” as your mum wears them down.
 
Read the reviews on Edmunds
Research your current cars’ Trade in valule on Kkb.com. ( kelly blue book.)
Research the fair price of the car you are interested in for what it sold for in your area. This info is found on of the websites above .
TrueCar is another resource.
Find the exact car on a dealer website to ensure that it is in stock.
Bring your notes!
Dealer websites will tell you of any incentives, financing etc.
Play with an auto financing calculator to have a good idea of payments, etc.

If you do a lot of your research beforehand the transaction will go smoother.
The only person who ever “helped”me with a car buying decision was my Dad when I was 18. In 1975. I handle all of my car buying decisions...and yes, I pay for my own vehicles. My husband stays out if it. He just makes vehicle suggestions if I have not considered a particular model.

I closed a great price on a Honda Accord on Dec 28, 2016. The entire transaction, price etc was agreed to via texting before I made the trip to the dealer. The entitre transaction including the test drive...took 2 HOURS! Woot! Fastest car buying deal ever. But i spent months researching my options and since I was not in need of a vehicle...I pulled the trigger in December.

Have fun!
FM
 
Yeah, I'll probably bring my mom anyway, but I do feel like this is something I should learn to do at some point. I'll definitely take notes this time around.

Thank you, KaeKae, particularly for the fees you mentioned.

I had heard that buying extended warranties (on most products, not just cars) wasn't recommended.

Have fun with your new Renegade!
 
Thanks for all your tips, Bmfang! I'm not quite sure I know what I want yet. I'll probably stick with either a Toyota or Honda, but I'm not sure if I want to try a crossover like a Rav4 or a CRV or if I want to stick with a sedan. I don't need all wheel drive (but it would be nice to have during New England winters), and the extra cargo space, while it would be helpful occasionally, is not a necessity. It might come down to the test drive. I'm vertically challenged, so the crossovers might feel like I'm driving a boat. We'll see.
 
Thank you, Marcy!
 
Thank you, Bron! My mom has gotten me a great deal in the past so I'll definitely bring her this time, too.
 
zoebartlett said:
I had heard that buying extended warranties (on most products, not just cars) wasn't recommended.
Click to expand...
Yup, don't do it, b/c the car comes with a 3 yr warranty and they'll try to sell you a 5 yr. warranty which means only a 2 yr. extension. Don't buy into any of their extra BS offers. When we bought our Lexus they offered us an 8 yr extension (the car came with 5 yr) for $2600 I said no thanks, and within 10 sec. she said how about $1350? ..:rolleyes: I still said no thanks. They make more money selling you all them BS stuffs then selling you the car.
 
Once you have decided on a car call other dealerships within a few hours drive and see if any will give you a better price. Every single time our local dealership has been the most expensive and refused to match prices. Oh well. The out of town dealership will often send a driver to take you to pick up your new car and you can always just get it serviced locally. The service department people really don’t care where the car was purchased.

We tried going to loyalty route before and it doesn’t work nearly as well as shopping around.
 
HI:

If you plan on keeping the car....forever...I might recommend the extended warranty. Ya just need one expensive repair to the drive train to make it worthwhile. (you know those stories about stuff breaking the day after the original warranty expires.....;)))

cheers--Sharon
 
Good to see you Zoe!:)) I hate buying cars but think test driving is SOOO important. Best of luck.
 
zoebartlett said:
Thanks for all your tips, Bmfang! I'm not quite sure I know what I want yet. I'll probably stick with either a Toyota or Honda, but I'm not sure if I want to try a crossover like a Rav4 or a CRV or if I want to stick with a sedan. I don't need all wheel drive (but it would be nice to have during New England winters), and the extra cargo space, while it would be helpful occasionally, is not a necessity. It might come down to the test drive. I'm vertically challenged, so the crossovers might feel like I'm driving a boat. We'll see.
Click to expand...

We were considering a SUV when we recently bought a car and while it does have its benefits driving position wise (ie you’re higher up offering greater road visibility), most SUV’s drive like a big boat in water.

If you aren’t fussed on driving dynamics (I’m a guy, so I kinda am), a RAV4 or CRV are good options (my dad used to do new car sales a long time ago for Toyota here in Australia and when the original
RAV4 came out here, it was a game changer in our market).

Though if you are wanting something that drives more like a sedan, do any brands in the USA offer estate/touring/wagon models? If so, you get the benefit of sedan/saloon handling along with the boot/trunk capacity of a SUV (frequently without any lip that you have to lift stuff over to put stuff into the boot/trunk).

Though not many wagons have AWD capability (apart from some of the luxury brands). So in that case, maybe a SUV would be a better option (AWD on snow/ice covered roads can help out massively traction wise and potentially help you out in avoiding an accident).
 
Tacori E-ring said:
Good to see you Zoe!:)) I hate buying cars but think test driving is SOOO important. Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Hi Tacori! :wavey: Good to see you, too! I was thinking of you and T. and our time where we used to live in general just the other day, actually. I hope all is well!

The test drive is my favorite part of car shopping.

Is it true that your credit is checked and then well, dinged each time you test drive a car? I thought I had read that here years ago from someone who worked at a dealership (Ksinger or HollyS, maybe).
 
Thanks, Chemgirl! I bought my current car in another state nearby and working with this particular dealership wasn't a good experience, so I won't go there again. But since we live close to 2 other states, I have plenty of options. My state doesn't doesn't have sales tax, so that's good. My parents love their dealership so I may start there.
 
Thanks, Sharon. The car I have now is 13 years old, bought brand new, so who knows, I may drive my next car into the ground, too.
 
Bmfang, yes, there are cars with touring models but honestly, I never knew what that meant. I'm not sure if what I'm considering (Toyota Rav4 or Corolla, or Honda CRV or Civic) have them. As far as sedans go, I'd love to consider a midsize like Camry or Accord because of the smoother rides they offer, but those feel like boats to me. My commute is on both back roads and a highway. I don't need lots of bells and whistles (no leather seats or a sun roof) but I would like to enjoy my ride.

Subarus have AWD, so I could be convinced to look at those, too, but I've read that they're expensive for what you get. Not as many things come standard with Subaru.
 
Thanks for your thoughts on extended warranties, DF.
 
RAV4 is a SUV (over here in either FWD or AWD variants). Corolla (if it’s the same car as we get here in Australia) is more of a small car (in sedan and hatchback options) and is usually FWD. CRV’s over here are FWD (haven’t seen any AWD versions here in Australia) and Civic’s are in the same class as a Corolla.

Camry’s and Accord’s are both solid cars (though we just traded in our Camry for a BMW 5-Series Touring recently).

Subaru’s are great cars. The Diesel engines in a lot of their models down here offer great performance along with fuel economy for AWD vehicles. While other AWD cars/SUVs may have on-demand AWD (ie the car’s computer will determine if AWD is necessary in a given situation), Subaru’s as I understand them are AWD all the time, so you should have maximum traction in any situation. Fuel use may be a little higher compared with a FWD or RWD vehicle, but you know you are planted firmly on whatever driving surface you are on.
 
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