Money Saving Tips: Buying a Car

The following is a guest article – sponsored by LemonFree.com

Today, for most people, saving money has become a necessity when purchasing a new or used car. With cost of living continually skyrocketing and people putting off large purchases as long as possible, saving money on a vehicle only makes good sense.

One of the secret weapons I have found that saves me money each time I purchase a new or used vehicle has been the internet. Today, the internet makes it possible for you to research and compare cars, like never before.

Here are some other tips I use to save money when purchasing a car:

1. Start by shopping online. I like to check out LemonFree.com as they have both cheap new cars, as well as reliable and inexpensive used cars

2. Know your blue book prices. These can usually be obtained through books are your library or online.

3. Try to buy near the end of the month, as most salespeople and dealers will cut you a little additional discount in order to get their numbers and sales volume higher, triggering bonuses and additional incentives.

4. Before going into the dealership, call and discuss the vehicle with the salesperson. Usually if you explain, you require a vehicle in 48 hours if a mutual agreement can be reached gets them working harder to meet your needs.

5. Explain to the salesperson that you are not willing to pay dealer fees, and you are only willing to pay for the vehicle, options, and taxes.

6. Ask the car dealer to email or fax you the car fact or history sheet.

7. Once you have worked out a tentative price, test drive the vehicle, and then put down a deposit on the condition that a third party mechanic inspect it.

8. Get an independent mechanical inspection; it is worth the money to be sure you are purchasing a good car and not a lemon.

9. Always be willing to walk away. If they won’t meet your requirements, walk away. Don’t get emotionally attached. There are many other dealers available.

10. After the third party inspection, negotiate any repairs required at the dealers expense, and then when you are totally satisfied, present quotes you have downloaded from online dealers, to negotiate the final price and sign the agreement.

For those buying new cars, remember that two or three quotes for new vehicles downloaded from the internet can be a powerful incentive for the dealer you are working with to lower his price and meet you on your terms.

Filed Under: Car Opinions