Simple Car Buying Tips

Whether you are buying your first car or you have done it several times, it is always a good idea to arm yourself with lots of research before heading to the dealership. Most car dealers will take advantage of a consumer who is not will informed. The more focused and informed your are the more control you have in your car buying. Here are four common car buyer issues and how you can avoid them.

1. Have Your Financing Before You Start Car Buying
Financing your car or taking a loan out to buy a car is the most difficult part of the car buying process. Beware of the 0% financing that many dealers are offering to entice you to buy at their dealerships. The low rate is usually for customers who have a spotless credit history and therefore it may not be available to you. However, that doesn't mean you cannot score a great auto loan rate anyways. Shop around to the various banks to compare auto loan rates. Find out what you qualify for before heading to the dealership. If the dealership offers you a rate higher than the bank, you can negotiate with them for a better loan. Knowing what you can afford will make it so that you don't end up buying more car than you can afford.

2. Try Online Car Buying
Many of the larger dealerships have an Internet department that allows buyers to shop online without the hassle of a salesperson. The online salespeople usually do not work on commission as they push volume out the door. Negotiating an online deal will take the salesperson out of the picture and you will less likely have to deal with the sales games they may try. After you have negotiated the price and financing with the online dealership, have the car delivered to your home to avoid dealing with the dealership. This will keep you from being encouraged to buy any expensive extras most dealers like to tack on to a car.

3. Avoid Paying Extras When Buying a Car
A dealership will try to tack on dealer prep, fabric protection, and VIN etching for security just to rack up the purchase price. These are all unnecessary extras that will cost you plenty. The only extra that you might consider is an extended warranty for your car. If you plan to own the car for a long period of time, it might be justified. However, if you find a good reliable car, an extended warranty is not necessary especially if you treat your car right.

4. Do Your Research before Buying a Used Car
Without a vehicle history report on a used vehicle, you are not going to tell what is wrong with it just by looking at it. Have a reliable mechanic you trust look over the used car as well. Doing both of these will ensure that you have done your due diligence before purchasing a used car.