Thursday, January 22, 2009

4 Ways to Save when Buying your Next Car


Research
A little research can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Read the latest issue of Consumer Reports magazine and see what they have to say about the car you’re interested in. You can find one of these in your local bookstore, library, or on the internet if you have a subscription. If you’ve got a friend in the business, try to get some unbiased information. Use the internet and check the pricing to make sure you don’t pay more than you should. Look for deals on sites like eBay and Auto Trader that have enormous quantities of cars available for sale around the country. You might have to drive a hundred miles, but it’s worth it when you find a great buy for several thousand under the bluebook value.


Haggle
If you’re only comfortable buying from a dealership, be prepared to do some haggling to get the price closer to where you want it. Dealerships typically mark their cars up between 15-25%, so bring some quotes from other dealerships and internet sites for extra haggling power. Always try to buy your car at the end of the month, as this is when dealerships might be desperate to sell off some inventory to increase commissions.

Get a Second Opinion
Before you sign on the dotted line, have a friend who has a good knowledge of cars help you check it over thoroughly for any problem areas. In addition, try to avoid dealership finance deals, as they can add thousands more to the final price of the vehicle. Check with your insurance agent to see how much your premiums will be based on the car you buy.

Go Green
Try buying a used hybrid. It’ll save you money at the gas pump and it’s good for the environment. If you live in a city or crowded suburb, you might consider an electric car for the commute back and forth to work. As long as you don’t live far from your job, they’re a great alternative from the gas-guzzlers you compete with on your way home.

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