How To Save Money When Buying a Car

Introduction

A car is almost a requirement in today's society and many of us are looking for ways to save money on that purchase. Going to a car dealership can seem daunting. You are almost immediately ambushed by sales employees who are looking to make money off of what you purchase. Do not let this stop you though if you are determined to have a car off of their lot. There are also other ways that you can get a car and still be able to save money. Below are listed a few ways that you can do this, all the while, keeping money in your wallet or purse where it belongs.

Step 1

The first thing you may want to do when looking to save money on buying a car is to see if anyone you know is selling a car. Often times you will find friends or family who either have an old car or are looking to upgrade their current vehicle and may be willing to sell you the old one. This option may also get you the best price since you will know the person personally.

Step 2

Check the local paper for cars that are for sale. This is a great way to save money and get a used car. Before you go out and purchase one of these vehicles make sure the you have it inspected by a certified mechanic. A test drive alone may not be enough to find out any possible issues the car may have. The car may draft perfectly on a test drive, only to later show its true issues.

Step 3

Online websites such as craigslist will often times have a section for individuals who wish to sell their vehicle. This is a great chance for you to find a vehicle at a reasonable price and be able to save money. The same rule applies for this method as it did for looking in newspaper classifieds. You want to get the car checked out by a certified mechanic after you take it for a test drive. Make sure that the listing you saw on the website describes the car accurately because this is a way to gauge the honesty of the seller.

Step 4

No matter where you decide to buy a car the best way to save money is to haggle on the price of the vehicle. Many sellers will mark up the price of the vehicle so that they can make more profit. This is especially true when going to a traditional dealership. You will likely be able to get the seller down at least a few thousand dollars and be able to save money.

Also make sure that the warranty or additional features are something that you want and need. Many of these add-ons are optional and choosing not to take them is another way to save money.

Step 5

If you have credit problems there is also the option of going to a buy here pay here dealership. Know though that these will often have high interest rates and you will likely be paying far more than what the car is actually worth. These are only a good option if there are no alternatives. It is probably still best to try another route, such as a traditional dealership, before going to one of these establishments.

Tips

There are a variety of ways to buy a vehicle and still be able to save money. Be sure to examine all of your options before deciding on which one is right for you. When going to a traditional dealership never act overly excited about a vehicle you are looking at. This will give the seller an advantage and hurt you when it comes time to save money on the price.

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