As much fun as buying a new car is, it can be quite stressful.
On top of spending hours looking around online and watching car reviews on YouTube, and all that time you spend taking test drives, you’re also probably worried about not getting a good deal. Most car dealerships are honest and won’t try to rip you off, but they do need to make money to feed the kiddies. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to get the best deal possible, and getting a good deal on a new or used car from a reputable dealership actually isn’t all that hard.
If for some reason you don’t think you’ll get the best deal on a new car when you’re finally ready to pick one out, check out the tips below on how to get the best deal on a new or used car.
Walk Away
If you’ve ever been to a local flea market, or a larger market somewhere outside of the United States, you’re probably familiar with the walk away tactic. It’s as simple as telling the salesman that you aren’t interested unless the price changes, and taking off. The same tactic can be used when negotiating on the price of a new or used car, simply walking away from the negotiating room will almost always result in a lower price. For some people, it can be tough to take a stand as the salesman usually tries to retain all the power in the negotiation. But just getting up and going will definitely save you some serious cash, cash that can be spent on some sweet upgrades for your car.
Come Prepared
You wouldn’t go into a final exam without studying the material, would you? (although I’ve done it one several occasions with catastrophic results) Think of buying a car in the same way. Do your homework and be prepared for the negotiation, and know exactly what a fair price is before you come in. Even better, have documentation with you that proves what you’re saying is correct. That could be paperwork a “blue book”, or print outs from other dealership websites that are offering similar vehicles for better prices. All this preparation will not only get you a better price in the end, the entire process might be quicker since the salesman will know that you’re prepared and well-informed. You’ll also know right there on the spot if the deal that you’re getting is fair, and you’ll be able to walk right out the door if the dealership won’t budge.
Trade In
You’ll have a lot more room for negotiation if you trade in your old vehicle when getting a new vehicle. That’s because in addition to getting the price you want on a new car, the dealership will also have to give you the price you want on your trade in. Before you even drive to the dealership, have a price in mind that you think you should get for your car. Expect the dealership to offer you a lot less, but don’t budge; a dealership is not going to lose a sale on a new car because of the price of a trade in vehicle.
