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Copyright 2005 Daniel Ellenwood
Car buying is not a task to be taken lightly. The cost of a new
car equals almost what my parents paid for their first home.
It's imperative to do behind the scenes research to ensure you
get a great deal.
Do not be in a hurry. Car dealers can detect the scent of
desperation a mile away! If you are totally without
transportation, rent a vehicle until you find the right car. If
you rush your purchase, you will usually end up on the bad end
of the deal.
You can uncover the typical retail cost of a specific make and
model right on the internet. With a little extra research, you
can discover the wholesale cost as well. These two pieces of
information give you an edge when it comes to negotiation.
It's best to work toward a win-win situation with the car
salesperson. They need to make some money on the deal, and you
want to pay a fair price. You can often negotiate a price that
is $500 above dealer cost, or about 20% off the sticker price.
Make sure you take your calculator with you when car hunting.
You can often order a car with *custom* option choices. This
could save you hundreds of dollars. You might wait a couple of
weeks, but why pay for options that you do not need?
Always check with the dealership to see if you can return the
car if you do not like it. Many dealerships now offer this
option. Some dealerships will give you a three day trial period
in which to try the car.
It is a good idea to wait until the end of the month to go car
hunting. Salespersons who want to meet a certain quota will be
eager to strike a deal.
Knowing the value of your old car makes it easier to negotiate a
better price for it. Try not to talk about a trade-in
possibility until you get a purchase price. Sometimes this is
difficult, as most salespeople will ask upfront about a trade
in.
I took my car to one lot, and was told the trade in value was
$1,200. Another dealership said they would give me $3,500 for
the same car! So do your research to make sure you receive a
fair price on your used vehicle. Stick to your guns when it
comes to getting the value of your trade-in, especially if
you've had your car serviced regularly.
A service contract will likely be brought into the negotiation.
Most consumer information shows no need to buy an extra contract
on a new car, as it's not likely a problem will occur during the
first months of use.
Whatever you do, always read the fine print of any contract
before signing it. Ask questions about what certain phrases mean
if and when you do not understand something.
Also, just because a car is brand new doesn't mean you should
buy it without asking questions. New cars can land in the lemon
category as well as used ones. Keep on your toes during the
negotiation process. You will enjoy both getting a new car, AND
creating a win-win situation for yourself and the dealer.
And what if you get stuck with a lemon?
By the way, a lemon is usually defined as a vehicle that has a
substantial problem which is not fixed after a reasonable number
of attempts. What a reasonable number of attempts actually means
is up to interpretation. It is usually four or more attempts.
Some states have reduced this to two repair attempts where the
defect poses a serious safety threat.
Most states have specific lemon laws. It is best to check your
particular state's laws and definitions.
The most important thing to remember in any potential lemon
situation is to keep detailed records. You need to record
somewhere each time you bring your vehicle in for repair, what
was done, and the results. Also remember to write down
conversations you have with service technicians, both over the
phone and in person. Check on the internet and ask your dealer
mechanic about any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). They are
instructions from the manufacturer that alert dealerships to
specific defects or necessary repairs in certain models.
If you feel that you have a lemon, it is best to consult with a
lawyer who is familiar with your state's laws. Although the
lawyer may cost you a bit of money, it may be better than
continuing your car payments for the next 48 months. Ask a
lawyer for a free consultation to see if your case may qualify
for lemon law relief.
About the author:
Dan Ellenwood is a professional educator. For more helpful lemon
law information, visit http://www.lemon-law-info.net
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