10 Car Buying Tips

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Purchasing a new or used vehicle can be extremely stressful and we often end up with cars we didn’t want because we felt pressured to buy.

There is nothing better than knowledge to fuel us with car buying confidence.

One of the best places to gain that knowledge is:

At cars.com you can Search Cars for Sale, Read Specs and Reviews and Find Service Centers and Dealers.

Once you’ve researched vehicles and decided exactly what you want and have researched dealerships and narrowed down your top 3 choices consider these tips:

#1 -Avoid any credit inquiries for a few months prior to purchasing a car. Acquire your own financing. Walking into a dealership pre-approved will save you time and money.

#2 -Ask if there is a demo available. A demo is usually loaded with all the most popular features. They are often driven by the owner or a manager of the dealership. They have low miles. Because a demo is technically a brand new car you’ve allowed the dealership to drive off the initial depreciation, you will get the new car warranty and can save several thousand dollars.

#3 –Shop during the week, preferably on a Tuesday and later in the day. You will receive much more personal attention and have a greater chance of getting a better deal.

#4 –Shop on the last day of the month, at the end of a quarter and later in the day. Dealerships and salespeople have quotas to make and they will lose money on a vehicle to make their quota.

#5 –The best time of the year to buy a car is the fall with the actual best days of the year to purchase being New Years Eve, Christmas Eve and Black Friday.

#6 – If you are looking for a pick-up truck and don’t want to wait till the end of the year the best month to buy is October. Score an even bigger discount by choosing a full size left over. This is when the sales on leftovers start and the largest selection is available.

#7 –For sedans if you don’t want to wait till the end of the year November is the best time. Consider a left over for the best deal!

#8 –If an SUV is your dream December is the month to score the absolute best deal. If possible, shop for your SUV later in the day on Black Friday, early in the day on Christmas Eve or the afternoon of New Years Eve.

#9 – Take your time and don’t feel pressured to fall in love with the first shiny car you meet in real life!

#10 –Ask your friends and relatives for recommendations and referrals on car salespeople. Dealing with a salesperson you were referred to will make you and them more comfortable.

Learn as much as you can about the type and model of vehicle you are interested in. What features are available? Do you have a specific color in mind? Safety and security should always be at the top of your list and come before popular trends. Research the gas mileage and any service concerns. Check with your insurance agent to make sure there will be no surprises when you go to insure the new vehicle.

Cars.com is a reliable research resource and can help you start to finish with your car buying experience!

Do you have any tips to add?