If you're thinking about buying a new car and want to make sure you get a good deal, here's some good news for you: Now you can go online and get invoice prices for makes and models of all major automobile types.
Instructions
- STEP 1: Find Web sites with automobile pricing information by using a search engine such as Yahoo! or Google.
- STEP 2: Type the keywords "invoice prices autos." Include the model, make and year of the car you want information about.
- STEP 3: Press Enter on your keyboard or click the Search button to submit your query.
- STEP 4: Click on a site that best suits your interests or needs from the list of search results provided by the search engine.
- STEP 5: Follow the directions provided by the site to find and compare pricing information. Manufacturer suggested retail price and the dealer invoice price are generally included.
- STEP 6: Click the Back button on your Web browser to return to the list of search results and choose another site to explore.
Tips & Warnings
- Miles per gallon and horsepower measurements are also available.
- You can see the standard equipment that comes with the car and check the list of options to see how much the car will cost with everything you want.
- Many sites allow you to compare several dealers' prices directly on the site.
- If given the option, leave your e-mail address or phone number if you'd like someone to get in touch with you after you've seen the invoice price.
Sometimes it seems as if even Sherlock Holmes would have trouble finding a good pre-owned car. There's just so much to check, from interior wear and tear to maintenance history. Why does the interior on the '96 Lexus look like it belongs on a '92 Chevy? Why does the car with more than 100,000 miles look and drive better than the car with only 30,000 miles on the speedo?
Rest assured, there's a reason for everything--and putting it all together doesn't have to be a hard as a New York Times crossword puzzle. Just keep these ten tips in mind and chances are you'll be on your way to a dependable pre-owned car.
1. Go with low mileage: Given the choice between two virtually identical cars with dissimilar mileage, (even if there's no mechanical or cosmetic difference), pick the lower mileage car. Lower miles are a benefit if you resell, and provide more extended warranty eligibility at a better price.
2. Options increase selling prospects: With new cars, the difference between modestly- equipped and loaded can mean several thousand dollars. As vehicles age, this price gap narrows. Loaded used cars cost more, but deliver desirable options for much less than original cost. Well- optioned, deluxe models are easier to resell than base models of the same vehicle.
3. Hang out with the popular crowd: If you plan to resell, consider popularity factors. Well- equipped, high-demand cars in popular colors are always the easiest to resell.
4. Learn about the previous owner: Find out the number of previous owners. Ideally, a 2 year-old-car should have one owner, and a five-year-old car shouldn't have more than two owners. More owners may be a warning sign. Beware of missing or inconsistent service records. Get the real history of any used car, Check it through CARFAX before you buy.
5. Know the difference between age and depreciation: With late-model used vehicles, the previous owner has absorbed a big chunk of the vehicle's total depreciation. Try to buy before the depreciation curve levels off and while the car is as new as possible. This generally falls in the two-to-four year old range, although it varies by make and model. Study prices versus vehicle age to determine that ideal window.
6. Investigate the lease and rental market: There are many excellent lease return cars on the market, especially cars driven by an individual for personal use, or in a company. Motor pool cars (e.g. utility company vehicles), less so. Maintenance schedules are excellent on rental cars, but drivers do abuse them.
7. Protect your investment: The remainder of the original manufacturer's warranty can usually be transferred. Autobytel.com offers an extended warranty (3 months,/3,000 miles) free, and low-cost protection beyond that . When shopping any warranty, check the fine print, watching for excessive deductibles.
8. Get everything in writing: Especially price, terms, repairs, and/or trade-ins. This should be clearly written into the sales agreement.
9. Know what you're buying: In general, you should stay away from cars with a negative history. Examples include: Cars from natural disaster locales, repaired insurance "totals" (most titles identify salvaged wrecks), excessive mileage cars (more than 15 thousand miles per year), cars whose manufacturer has retreated from the US. Market, dramatically modified cars and vehicles from bankruptcy or law enforcement seizures.
10. Do your homework: Research everything about the vehicles you have in mind. Read up on current trade-in and market value, safety ratings, consumer and professional reviews, and the options, mileage adjustment and condition of the car.
Save yourself some serious money on that new car by learning about rebates and incentives and then use them when you negotiate.
Instructions
- STEP 1: Watch the newspaper for ads featuring rebates on certain models.
- STEP 2: Search the Internet regularly to keep up on current rebates and incentives.
- STEP 3: Ask the salesman at the dealership if there are any.
- STEP 4: Make sure you get a written guarantee that the rebate or incentive will still be good when your vehicle arrives if you're ordering from the manufacturer. Rebates and incentives do have expiration dates.
- STEP 5: Ask the sales manager if the sales representatives says there isn't an incentive on your particular car. Sometimes sales representatives aren't told about them.
- STEP 6: Be aware that incentives and rebates aren't always available nationwide. Sometimes certain geographical regions are excluded if a car is already selling well there.
- STEP 7: Wait a week or so if the manufacturer isn't offering a rebate on your car. Rebates are always going on and chances are pretty good that you'll be able to take advantage of one if you're patient.
Tips & Warnings
- Remember that everything is negotiable. If you aren't satisfied, you don't have to buy from a particular dealer. The sales representative knows this; he wants you to forget it.
Take the Easy Road to Collector Cars and Prices
You love those classic and vintage cars and you've got a hankering to own one. After convincing the wife and winning over the bank's loan manager, you're on the hunt for a perfect vehicle. But where to start? Researching the vintage car market isn't like hanging out at a used car lot.
First, decide what type of car is best for you. That probably eliminates those exotic beauties that appear in major auto shows and international concours. Face it, unless you're wealthy, you can't afford one.
Most likely what you want can simply be described as a "collector car."
The next perilous decision has to do with ability, as well as financial resources. Collector cars can be (a) superbly restored (b) dependable runners that require work (c) basket cases needing to be rebuilt from the ground up.
Most experts suggest staying away from the latter unless you're a skilled mechanic and/or body repair man. Some cars, once restored, are valued at less than what it costs to do the restoration.
Which takes us to another point. Why are you buying a vintage car? The trading of collector cars is such that many are now regarded as investments: Safe havens for money, potential profit makers. If your car is to be an investment, better be careful regarding choice of vehicle and how much will be spent to put it in saleable condition.
My advice to first-time buyers? Forget investment potential until you've had prior experience in the old car market. Or be prepared to spend some entertaining hours at the auctions.
Classic and vintage car auctions provide an opportunity to view large numbers of collector cars all in one place. Which means more choice plus the possibility of obtaining a bargain. There are dozens of auctions held around the country, some of international stature, others strictly local. If you can afford the cost of travel, the big auctions are worth the trouble but you may find some gems at the smaller gatherings.
Just be sure you're properly informed about values before making a bid. So... having dealt with several difficult but important considerations, let's go shopping. |
