 Just ten years ago, the thought of buying a new car sight
unseen would seem like an unwise purchase. But the explosion of the Internet
has even reached car dealers and potential buyers.
Before
you buy your car
Whether you buy online or drive to your local car dealer,
you want to research. Ask yourself these questions:
How much can I afford?
What type of car do I want-SUV, sedan, sports car, etc...
What options do I want-CD player, satellite radio, GPS,
cruise control, etc...
Is color important to me?
Do I want an automatic or manual transmission? What about
engine size?
What type of warranty do I want?
Once you know what you want, you can earnestly begin your
research. One of the well-respected sites is www.consumerreports.org. Their
opinions make news every year they are released.
Many car dealers proudly boast that their vehicle is the
"Motor Trend Car of the Year." Their
website is www.motortrend.com. This is
another great resource to use when you are researching a new car.
You can also research in your neighborhood. Do you neighbors,
family or friends have a similar car? Are they happy with their purchase?
How to
buy a new car online
There are many websites that feature new cars. Many will
link you to a dealership in your local area, so you many want to Google your
local dealership and see if they have a website with new car listings. If you
want to search within 100 miles of your area for the car of your dreams,
several websites will accommodate you. The websites include:
www.cars.com
www.NewCar.com
www.carsbelowinvoice.com
These websites offer you a chance to fantasize about your
dream car without leaving your home. You can chose the make, model, color (both
interior and exterior) and other features. You will get an estimated price and
be able to view a picture of the car.
Once you have found the dream car, you will be able to
contact the dealer who has the car in stock. In some cases, you can order your
car from the factory if what you want is not available. Be warned-this can be
expensive and not a good idea if you are trying to save money on your car
purchase.
Tips on
buying a new car
If you are buying a new car, remember you will get a
better deal in December, when car dealer are trying to get rid of last year's
new models. And you will also find more eager salesmen if you buy toward the
end of the month, when salesmen are trying to reach their quotas.
Because many car dealers can use unscrupulous tactics,
many states have "Lemon Laws" which protect consumers if they buy a "lemon."
The federal Consumer Action website (www.consumeraction.com),
has these tips for anyone wanting to purchase a new car.
Check out different vehicles.
Several Internet sites can help you compare features and
prices on new motor vehicles. Visit www.where-can-I-buy-a-car-online.com
for links to these sites. A scorecard reports on the features of each site
including whether quotes are free, the availability of financing, and site
security. Two magazines offer information in print and online concerning
vehicle performance, service and safety: Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) and Motor
Trend (www.motortrend.com).
Research the dealer's price for the car
and options.
It's easier to get the best price when you know what the
dealer paid for a vehicle. The dealer invoice price is available at a number of
websites and in printed pricing guides. Consumer Reports offers the wholesale
price. Lower than the invoice price, this figure factors in dealer incentives
from a manufacturer and is a more accurate estimate of what a dealer is paying
for a vehicle.
Find out if the manufacturer is
offering rebates that will lower the cost.
Two websites that offer this information are www.carsdirect.com and www.autopedia.com/html/Rebate.html.
Get price quotes from several dealers.
Find out if the amounts quoted are the prices before or
after rebates are deducted.
Avoid high-profit, low-value extras such as
credit insurance, extended warranties, auto club memberships, rust proofing and
upholstery finishes. You do not have to purchase credit insurance in order to
get a loan.
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