Top 10 New Car Buying Tips

1. Before you shop around, find out as much as you can about the vehicle that you want to buy. Remember, car salespeople know how to sell a car a lot better then you know how to buy one. Check Consumer Reports for vehicle details (free on the internet at www.consumerreports.com or at the library). Do your homework.

2. The smart buyer never purchases a car on the first visit to a dealer (that's exactly what they want you to do). Let them you know you are a serious buyer and that you're ready to buy now. Then get the best deal and leave. When you come back in two or three days, wait no longer, you'll get a better price.
3. Do not tell salespeople that you are shopping. When you do, many dealers will give you a "low ball" price, fake low numbers for you to take to other dealers as you shop around.
4. The best time to buy a car is one week before the end of the month or a big holiday, such as New Year. Most dealerships have a quota. They need to sell a set number of vehicles per month.

5. Always test drive the vehicle for comfort, noise level, power, and braking. If the vehicle doesn't feel right to you in any way consider another car.

6. Get a copy of everything you sign at the time you sign it. Do not sign anything that has not been filled out completely  (sales contract, warranty or service agreement, insurance, odometer statement, title, receipts, etc.). If there is a problem later, you'll have the paperwork.
7. Do not let dealers run your credit history. Multiple searches could damage your credit. They are not allowed to run it without your permission. If they do, you can always do something about it. (including getting a better deal on the car).
8. Get your loan pre-approved at the credit union before you visit dealers. You can pre-establish your monthly payment and increase your negotiating power with the dealer.
9. If you are planning to trade-in a vehicle, the credit union can give you the fair market price - both the wholesale and resale values.
10. For the lowest monthly payment, take the factory rebate and finance your next new vehicle at the credit union. Less than 4% of new vehicles are financed at the super low dealer rates you see advertised on TV. Why? Dealers don't promote these rates and they are usually limited to a specific models. Worse yet, the price of the vehicle could be inflated by as much as 15% to compensate for their low rate.

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