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September 26, 2006
How to Save Money When Buying a Car
If you feel you absolutely must have your own car and are prepared to foot the bill, look for the least costly way to do it.Your budget will thank you.
Buying a car can be a highly stressful experience and getting the best deal is never easy. Most car salespeople are commission-driven, which means their goal is to get you to pay the highest amount possible without losing the sale. That means you run the risk of encountering some aggressive and occasionally even unscrupulous sales techniques.
There are ways to protect yourself. You could avoid commission-driven dealers completely. About a decade ago, a new philosophy began to emerge in the car sales industry. Called One-Price-Shopping, it uses a no-negotiation approach. The price on the sticker is the price you pay. A one-price shop won't give you the best deal in town, but it will give you a reasonable discount without all the stress involved with negotiating. And one-price shops pay their sales staff a salary, which eliminates a lot of the greed that can plague commission-only dealers. Many dealers have been adopting this approach independently, so check in your area for a one-price shop that carries the car you want to buy. Only Saturn practises this sales philosophy on a national level every Saturn dealer in the country sells its cars for the same price.
If you want to compare prices, use the telephone. Speak directly to the new car sales manager at several competing dealers in your area. Get them to bid against each other for your business.You'll need to assure them that you're serious about your intention to buy a car if a deal is reached and you may encounter some resistance, but it's worth a try.
You should check out sources online to ensure you are getting a fair price on your vehicle:
If you are considering a used vehicle then consult the Lemon Aid guides for problems with the make and model you are looking at. Lemon Aid will help you get a feel for how much you can expect to pay in repairs.
Should you have more time, call or go to a local repair shop and talk to mechanics about the vehicle you might purchase.
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