| When I bought my first new car, I was just out of | | | | This way they can play with numbers and tryto |
| college and feltflush with cash. I had just started | | | | confuse you into thinking they're giving up more than |
| working full time and I wasenjoying my new salary. | | | | they are. You can keepthem from doing this by |
| After donating my old clunker of a car tocharity, I | | | | insisting to negotiate each individually. |
| confidently strolled into the Volkswagen dealership | | | | 4. You can take away one of the dealer's biggest |
| topick out a brand new Jetta. | | | | bargaining chips if you securefinancing ahead of time. |
| The salesman must have heard cash registers going | | | | Go to your bank or credit union and secure a new car |
| off in hishead as he looked me over and saw me for | | | | loanbefore you head to the dealer. This lets you focus |
| the easy mark I was. | | | | strictly on the price of the car. |
| I'm not proud to admit it, but I got taken. | | | | Once you've agreed on a price, you can always see if |
| I bought a car alright, but I ended up with more extra | | | | the dealer will beat the rate youalready have. |
| features than | | | | 5. Timing is key. You want to hit the dealer when he is |
| I needed or wanted. I also paid a lot more than I had | | | | most likely to give you agood deal. The ideal time is |
| planned. | | | | just before the next year's models arrive as they will |
| But the next time around it was a whole different | | | | needto make room for the new stock. You can get a |
| story. I had pickedup some new car buying tips over | | | | great deal on the previous year's model. |
| the years and I was able to usethem to my | | | | The end of the month is also a good time because |
| advantage to get myself a great deal. | | | | salesmen who are short of their monthlyquota will be |
| You can do the same if you follow these 6 simple | | | | pushing hard to make sales. Also, go late at night an |
| new car buying tips: | | | | hour or two beforethe dealership closes. They'll be |
| 1. Know what you want before you even get close to | | | | more anxious to close the deal so they can go home |
| the dealership. Research the different car models | | | | andsee their families. |
| online so you can walk into thedealership knowing | | | | 6. Above all, whenever you are negotiating new car |
| exactly what you want. Skilled salesmen can easily | | | | prices with a dealer you must continuouslyremind |
| talkundecided buyers into unnecessary upgrades and | | | | yourself..."This guy is NOT my friend." Don't fall for the |
| features. | | | | old "I really want to giveyou a good deal. It's my boss |
| 2. Do your homework. There are plenty of websites | | | | that's taking a hard line here." |
| that offer new car reviews,pricing, and comparisons of | | | | The salesman's goal is to get you to pay as much |
| different models. The more knowledge you have | | | | money as possible. He doesn't want to beyour friend |
| thebetter informed your choice will be. The dealer's | | | | and he doesn't want to invite you to his house for a |
| invoice price is especiallyimportant. Dealers hate when | | | | barbecue. All he seeswhen he looks at you is dollar |
| you know how much they paid for the car becauseit | | | | signs. Remember that, and take everything he says |
| takes away one of their biggest edges in negotiating | | | | with agrain of salt. |
| for car prices. | | | | Follow these simple new car buying tips and you'll drive |
| 3. Dealers love to combine the purchase price, finance | | | | off the lot knowing you got the best deal possible. |
| charges, and valueof your trade-in into one number. | | | | |