-
2018 Buick Enclave “Avenir” will have ionic air purifier - April 12, 2017
-
Lease a Luxury Car for Less Than You Think - April 5, 2017
-
Shopping for a Car When Your Credit is Low - March 31, 2017
-
Aston Martin Closer to Unveiling Second-Generation Vantage - March 21, 2017
-
2017 Bentley Bentayga SUV: Offroad for $238,000 and Up - March 14, 2017
-
Pagani Huayra is Finally Here, Only $2.4M - March 9, 2017
-
Mercedes AMG E63 – For When Your Wagon Needs Drift - February 6, 2017
-
2018 Audi Q5 SUV: Enhanced Performance - January 30, 2017
-
2018 Toyota Camry Due in Late Summer - January 27, 2017
-
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Will Outstrip Hellcat - January 23, 2017
How to Save Money on Your Next Car
When to Shop for a New Car
When a car isn’t selling, manufacturers will offer incentives so they can clear out certain models. The incentives are usually in the form of a price reduction, rebates, cash back or a low interest rate. For the best deals, shop at the end of the month when dealers need to meet their sales quota.
Beware the Bait and Switch
The 0% interest rates advertised on TV are usually only for people with the best credit scores, and even then, they’re usually restricted to short term (24 or 36 month) loans. Manufacturers are pulling the old ‘bait and switch’ with these low APRs to get you into a dealership.
Take Your Time
Don’t put off car shopping until the last minute. You could make hasty decisions and end up regretting them later. Car shopping should take at least a few weeks, so if your current ride isn’t too reliable, start doing research and getting quotes on prices and loans now. If you spend the time to get the best loan rate possible, you’ll end up saving yourself a lot of money in the long run.
Lease or Buy?
Should you lease or buy? If, over the years, you always have a car payment, a lease might be better for you. Generally, the payment will be lower and you won’t be stuck with a car that might lose value more than expected at the end of your lease. If you pay off your car within a few years then have several years without a payment, buying might be better for you.
Special Orders are OK
If you want a particular color or option that your dealer doesn’t happen to have on the lot, you don’t have to settle for what the dealership has in stock. Dealerships routinely buy cars from other dealerships or order specific models from the factory. But watch out if you do decide to let your dealer locate a car for you, and never sign anything until you’ve had a chance to personally inspect the actual car you’ll be buying. You should never pay more for a car you had special ordered than you would have if it had been sitting on the lot.
Always Test Drive
You should never buy a car without test driving it first. It sounds obvious, but many people do not take this important step of the car buying process. Take the vehicle on the highway, around back roads and through rain and snow. See how it handles in many different conditions. If you have kids, bring their car seats with you to see how they fit.
Always Get a Carfax Report
When buying a used car, always get a Carfax report. The report will tell you if the car was ever in an accident or had flood or fire damage. If you’re buying from a private seller, have them give you the VIN number and order the Carfax report yourself. Dealerships have Carfax subscriptions, so if they avoid the report, they probably have something to hide.