How to Find a Good Deal on a Car

Finding your first or next good car deal requires research.

Finding a good deal on a car can be tricky. Knowing where to look and how to check out the car before making your offer are two key factors. Avoid the slick, used-car dealer next to the pawn shop. With a little due diligence, you may be surprised to find a good deal on a car of your choice.

Instructions

1. Decide the make and model of car and whether you wish to buy a new or used vehicle. Read some car reviews and customer satisfaction reports. Note the major problems owners are reporting. Avoid cars that are consistently reported for the earliest major repairs like engines, transmissions and drive trains.

2. 

   Deciding firmly in advance what you want will help protect you from upsale attempts.

   Create a ranking sheet from your research of Step 1. Narrow your focus and choices to two or three makers and models of those brands. Select the features you want for whichever model vehicle you will buy.

3. Buy only the features you want. Do not pay extra money for features you do not want and will never use. For instance, if you never use the rear split window in a pickup, do not look for one, and certainly do not pay extra for it; whether the vehicle you are considering has it or not.

4. 

   Accessory add-ons can dramatically and quickly increase vehicle cost.

   Get a solid idea of what you are looking for, and start looking for the best sources for it. Look first at the most logical locations, the local new-car dealerships, not the used-car lots. Make a list of the nearest dealers, and go see what they have available.

5. Take note of the dealership's asking prices, and compare their prices to actual book values. Ask the dealer for the contact information of the previous owners. Call the owners of these cars and ask them politely but directly about any existing issues or on-going problems with the vehicle.

6. 

   If the previous owner is hesitant about talking about the car you are interested in buying, be wary.

   Start your previous-customer inquiry with a simple, off-hand question like, "Can you tell me about the car?" or "Was there any particular reason for trading the car?" Try to gain the owner's confidence, so he will be more open to discuss the vehicle with you.

7. Check the local newspapers, talk with acquaintances, and drive through neighborhoods looking for cars for sale by owners. Look closely at any comparable cars you find from owners which are as good as or better than those you found at the dealerships. Test drive the best ones with the owners.

8. 

   Listen carefully to the tech's assessment before buying any vehicle.

   Have the car checked out for any major problems by a trusted mechanic who does not have previous knowledge of the vehicle. Make the most conservative offer you can without insulting the owner, if the mechanic gives the car a clean bill of health. Be prepared to negotiate, but set a figure within range of the book value of the car, and stick to it.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a set, budgeted amount to spend, and do not be talked into going above it.

• If previous owners are not available to speak with, be wary of what the salesman tells you.

References

• Whats My Score: Buying a Car : Scoring a Good Deal.
• Intellichoice: How to Negotiate a Smart New Car Deal - IntelliChoice
• Super Pages: Find a Good Car Dealership | Car Buying SuperTips

Resources

• Edmunds: How To Get a Used Car Bargain: Part Three