How to Buy a Car, Save Money and Avoid Getting Swindled

Research the vehicles you may be interested in looking at. Know the make, year, model, and blue book price. A great place to do your research is Kelley Blue Book or Consumer Reports online. See the resource list for more information. These sites will help you decide which vehicles rate high in efficiency and quality, and which vehicles are the best price. You'll be able to save money when purchasing a new vehicle if you know the prices of the vehicles your looking at ahead of time.

Show up to the car dealership with a confident attitude. Show the salesman that you are not a person to be messed with and will not cave in to just any deal he gives you. Start by explaining what you are looking for including the years you'll except, makes, and models. Then ask him prices on each particular vehicle as he shows them to you. He will probably ask what you want your payments to be...don't fall for this sales trick. Tell the salesman that you want to know the price of the vehicle first. He is trying to find out how much you want to pay so that he can figure out the price of the car based on this. The original price of the vehicle may be cheaper than what you tell him you are willing to pay a month.

Do not tell the car salesman that you have a vehicle to trade if you do. Let him give you a price and monthly amount before you give up this information. Otherwise, a salesman will jack up the price of the vehicle based on your trade. It' best to let him think your buying the car clear and free without a trade, then...when he gives you a price on the new vehicle, ask him how much he'll give you for your vehicle on top of that price. You'll get a better deal and get something for your car when you normally wouldn't get a good price for the trade.

Tell the salesman that you are only looking and that he will not be able to sell you something right away. Let him know ahead of time that you want a new vehicle, but that your willing to look around until you find the right one. A car salesman that knows your eager to buy a vehicle right away will be looking out for himself and his commission, not your best interest. If he thinks he can get away with selling you a vehicle for a high price, he will. However, if the salesman knows your a person not to be messed with, he will be more careful to give you the deal your looking for.

If you've found a vehicle you love and are considering buying, take it over night. Most dealerships will let you drive the vehicle for a night and sometimes a weekend to be sure you like it. The best part about this is that you can take it to a mechanic, or someone you trust, and have them thoroughly check it out. By examining the vehicle, you'll be sure that your getting something reliable and well built so that there will be no surprises later after the purchase. Be sure to tell the salesman if you find something wrong with the vehicle so he can have it fixed before you buy it. This also shows him that you know what your doing as a car buyer and cannot be swindled.