New Car

10 widespread car-buying mistakes

Buying a new car can be exciting, but it is also a complex process by which you can end up with a vehicle that you won’t happy with on the road or overpaying by hundreds of dollars. Below are 10 mistakes that make car buyers often can turn that fast, that the first buyer remorse in excitement - and how to avoid them.

1. Falling in love with a model
If spending tens of thousands of bucks for a car that emotions should not rule the day. With a single model can dazzle you to other vehicles, the better for your needs, or take on researching a vehicle's ratings in details: reliability, safety, and pricing information. A competent approach can also leave you exposed to a salesperson's tactics to get you to pay more than you need. To find out which vehicle is the best for you, you should leave your emotions aside and focus on your homework, comparing different car models and estimating your real needs and wants. It will be much time for emotion after you have purchased the car.

2. Skip the test drive
The test drive is one of the most important steps of the process of buying a new car. A lot of vehicles look good on paper - especially in bright brochure photos - but test drive is the best chance is to see how a car fits to expectations and how well it fits to your family and you. You do not crave any surprises after you bought it at last. It is therefore surprising that many people give cars only a token-test or, worse, none at all. That is a mistake! It is important that you take at least 30 minutes to perform a complete test drive and walk-around of a car you're considering.

3. Negotiating down from the listed price
Do not use the listed price as your estimate when negotiating a settlement. A seller can give you a business that, say, get $500 below the listed price, and many consumers to the conclusion often incorrectly, that they do good business. Unless the vehicle is in great demand and short supply, you can often even lower prices by negotiating from what the dealer pays for the car. If it is true the dealer know about costs, you will know how much profit you work with and has a reasonable price, with the objective to determine start your dialogue. You can use the dealer by subtracting the cost of a behind the scenes sales incentives such as rebates and dealer hold backs to the dealer invoice price calculation.

4. Considering only the monthly payment
Sales staff likes to focus on a monthly payment figure while negotiating a bargain. In fact, «How much sell you pay every month?» could one of the first questions to greet you when you meet a salesman. Do not take the bait. It is the first step down a slippery slope of being manipulated with numbers and overpaying for your car. The monthly payment as the center, the seller can blanket the trade-in value, new car price and together financing or lease terms. Instead, insist on negotiating one thing at a time. Settle on the car price first, then discuss a financing, trade-in, leasing, or separately, if necessary. Do not bring your choice after you have about the car leasing agreed price.

5. Buying the «deal» instead of the car
Auto dealers have been offering a variety of attractive sales incentives in recent years. It’s from 0% financing and huge cash rebates to employee-discount pricing programs. This can save your money, but it is important to remember that a good discount does not mean you must buy the car. After all, you will be living with the car for years, so make sure it's right for you. Thoroughly research any model you're considering and check car reviews and evaluations of rival. Do not let a special incentive keep you from hearing. Discounts and special financing through the car manufacturer subsidized, not the dealer. You should still negotiate the price of the car, as there would be no motivation. There is no reason you should not get the best price and the incentive, too.

6. Deferring to think about the financing
You could be a rush at negotiating a good deal to be, but if you do not choose your financing just as carefully, could you everything you saved on the purchase price of the vehicle to lose, and more. A car shopper who does not have researched financing terms is at risk to manipulation by a dealer. Dealers often mark the interest rate on a loan, what you actually qualify for - a tactic called "interest-face." It can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more over the term of the loan. Therefore, it is important to compare financing terms at various financial institutions and get qualified for an auto loan before you go to buy the car with the dealer. Check the interest rates at credit unions, banks, or online financial sites to find best price offers to you. If the dealer can offer you terms that are better than anywhere else, you can always choose this deal instead.

7. Modern safety features underestimation
Today's vehicles offer many advanced safety and security features. But some buyers do not know what is the most important, or what you should check when comparing vehicles. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and head protecting air bags, for example, are effective and worth the money. Tests have shown that ESC can significantly reduce injuries and deaths. This feature is very important for SUVs because it can help to avoid roll over. Side-crash tests show that head-protecting air bags are critical in preventing fatalities in side impacts. Unfortunately we can not always rely on a car dealer to give us reliable guidance or accurate information about these functions. Therefore, you should thoroughly examine the benefit of all available safety and security features and look for equipped cars that best protect your family and you.

8. Buying superfluous extras
Dealers often try to sell you extras that increase their profit margin but are a waste of you money indeed. They can include paint protectant, fabric protection, rust protection, or so called VIN etching, in which the vehicle identification number is etched on the windows to discourage thieves. Do not accept these unnecessary fees and services. Car bodies are already coated to defend against rust; recent CR reliability surveys show that rust is not a problem with modern cars. You can apply paint protecting with good off-the-shelf products that cost only a few bucks. If you want VIN etching, you can buy a kit to do it yourself for less than $ 25, instead of the $ 200 that some car dealers charge. Also think twice about an extended warranty. It can cost hundreds of dollars, but if you expect to have the car only for five years or less or if you buy a model with good reliability, it often isn't worth the cost.

9. Not investigated the value of your current car
You can get good discount to your new car on your trade-in. That is why it is important that the value of your current research before buying your new car. Find out what both the wholesale prices and used car retail are, so you know what you should be able to get if you trade it in or if you sell it yourself. Typically, you will receive more money by selling as long as you are willing to bring in the extra effort. By knowing your vehicle's true value and by sticking to your price during negotiations, you can leave your car full value, whether you trade or sell it yourself.

10. Not having a used car inspected by independent dealer
When buying a used car, condition is everything. Even the most reliable vehicle can turn into a lemon when it badly maintained. Before buying a used car, have it inspected by a garage that regularly does diagnostic work. A good mechanic should be able to say whether the car was in a serious accident or has a hidden but costly problem. Ask for a written report on the condition of the car, whereas, to find any problems and what it would cost to repair them. You can then customize the report in your negotiations with the seller to adjust the price accordingly.

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