Shop on your own time and not the salesman's. For the best results, you will want to negotiate and buy during the last two days of the month and the last two working hours of the dealership. This is always rush time for the dealers.
Don't spend any money preparing your car for a good trade-in value. Swap out new tires, radios and trailer hitches
Don't go to the dealership alone. Take someone with you because this will give you an edge with the salesman.
Don't get too attached to a car before you buy it because you might learn that you can't afford it later.
You should always buy used cars from lots that are connected to new car dealerships. They keep only the best trade-ins.
Get new and used car prices from the library, bookstore or another dealer. Otherwise, you should insist on seeing the dealer's invoice. Remember, the dealer can survive selling his new cars at his invoice.
Ask competitive dealers about rebates and any and all incentives before you try to make a deal. Keep these rebates out of your negotiation process and deduct them from the bottom line at closing time.
Buy on price and not on payment. Dealers have a way of disguising the real cost of a car by manipulating the down payment, monthly payment and length of the loan in their favor. When you buy on payment, you can easily be ripped off.
Write down all differences, promises and add-ons that the dealers place on the buyer's order, especially when you are buying used cars.
When you are trading in, get back the keys to your trade-in before you start your negotiations so that you can leave whenever you want to.
The average yearly mileage that you should find on a used car is 15,000 miles. Most used cars die on you once you pass 100,000 miles.
If a deposit is required on your car, do not offer to pay more than $100. Pay with cash, if you can, and get a receipt.
Do not get caught in the trading allowance trap. You will want to negotiate purchase and trade on a separate basis.
Preparation fees are meant to cover the cost of getting your car ready for delivery after it comes off the truck. Destination fees are different and cover the cost of delivering the car from manufacturing plant to the dealership. These fees are usually not negotiable so don't bother trying.
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