Step One: Determine the type of car you want to buy. Do you need a truck for work? Are you looking for a sporty drive that looks good and has good performance? Are you looking for an economical car to get you through your school years? You should know ahead of your arrival on the Car Lot to prevent you from being talked into a stupid move. When I was 18 I went to a big dealership and test drove a Lifted yellow Toyota 4wd pickup truck. The salesman gave me the price and the papers and I was sent off the the Credit Union to get my financing. When I returned the dealer told that I was not approved for the truck's cost but they could put me in another car they had on the lot. It was a Lancia Beta Coupe. Everyone else in the world already knew what a maintenance trap this car was except me. But there it was in front of the dealership with my name on it. It drove great back and forth from the mechanics shop every two months. I went in for a reliable truck, and left with a 2 door coupe. Great salesmanship on their part, stupid mistake on my part. Step One is Know what you want to Drive.
How to buy a used car.
Looking for a PreOwned car and thought that driving over to the new CarMax might be the best way? Do you like the ''No Haggle'' concept? Do you trust a guy with a tie more than one with jeans on? Well if you are rich, then that is one way to buy a car. Lets pretend you are not rich and you still need a used car. Here are some steps you should follow.
Remember, It is just a Car. Do not drive over to the big dealer on the corner with a check in your pocket and the thought in your mind that you are there buying a new friend. It's a car. You will own at least 5 more of them and more than likely, it will be 10 more. This does not mean that you should not like the car, it just means that you shouldn't fall in love with the car or pay too much for the car.
Do not talk Payment. Do not ever say ''What do you have for $500 dollars a month.'' Any car can be bought for $500.00 dollars per month including $40,000 dollar cars and $2,000 cars. The $40,000 car will be a lease or have a giant baloon payment and the $2,000 car will have a giant interest rate as well as a 5 month term.
Drive the Car. A car is a car and has a value. This value is available to you for free. All you have to do is look it up. Go to www.NADA.com and locate the cars year, Model and Make ( 2000, Honda, Civic,). Enter the miles, model, year, and accessories and find out the retail value of your car. If you are paying more then that number you need to shop around a little more. Better yet, If you see a car that you really want and they are asking more than retail, then offer the dealer retail. This is a fair number for a car and most dealers are happy to get it. Still, do not make an offer for the car at this time. Drive the car to see if you like it. If you don't like how the car drives, why bother with anything else? Like it?, Next Step.
Looking for a PreOwned car and thought that driving over to the new CarMax might be the best way? Do you like the ''No Haggle'' concept? Do you trust a guy with a tie more than one with jeans on? Well if you are rich, then that is one way to buy a car. Lets pretend you are not rich and you still need a used car. Here are some steps you should follow.
Remember, It is just a Car. Do not drive over to the big dealer on the corner with a check in your pocket and the thought in your mind that you are there buying a new friend. It's a car. You will own at least 5 more of them and more than likely, it will be 10 more. This does not mean that you should not like the car, it just means that you shouldn't fall in love with the car or pay too much for the car.
Do not talk Payment. Do not ever say ''What do you have for $500 dollars a month.'' Any car can be bought for $500.00 dollars per month including $40,000 dollar cars and $2,000 cars. The $40,000 car will be a lease or have a giant baloon payment and the $2,000 car will have a giant interest rate as well as a 5 month term.
Drive the Car. A car is a car and has a value. This value is available to you for free. All you have to do is look it up. Go to www.NADA.com and locate the cars year, Model and Make ( 2000, Honda, Civic,). Enter the miles, model, year, and accessories and find out the retail value of your car. If you are paying more then that number you need to shop around a little more. Better yet, If you see a car that you really want and they are asking more than retail, then offer the dealer retail. This is a fair number for a car and most dealers are happy to get it. Still, do not make an offer for the car at this time. Drive the car to see if you like it. If you don't like how the car drives, why bother with anything else? Like it?, Next Step.
