How do I Shop for a Car Bargain?
Whether shopping for a new or used car, striking the best deal is to your advantage. You can save hundreds of dollars on your purchase if you have done your research and are ready to negotiate the best deal possible.
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Segment
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Determine what kind of vehicle you want and look for cars in that segment only. For example, if you want a compact car consider the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and similar models.
Range
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Decide how much you want to spend on a car. If you have $5,000 or can finance that amount, choose cars retailing for that amount. Visit KBB.com to review new and used car prices and supporting vehicle data.
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Locate
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Find and test drive vehicles in your area meeting your requirements, including price range, cabin amenities, condition and mileage. For used models, have your mechanic evaluate the car for needed maintenance and repairs.
Negotiate
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With all of the information accumulated thus far, make an offer for the vehicle based on your data. Your initial offer should be low with room to increase your price. If you can't get the car for your top price or less, then walk away and look elsewhere. If the seller agrees to your price, then close the deal.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Luxury Car sportscar from my luxury car series image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com