What Are Good Questions To Ask When Buying A Car From A Dealership?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Is the car on the lot? …
  • What is the actual price? …
  • Does it have any aftermarket equipment? …
  • What is the mileage? …
  • What are acceptable payment terms? …
  • What does the warranty cover and how long is it?

What are the two questions to ask yourself when purchasing a car?

  • Should I buy new or used? …
  • Is this the right time for me to buy? …
  • How much should I spend? …
  • How can I get the best financing deal? …
  • Do I know enough about the vehicle I'm buying?

What should you never ask a car dealer?

  • “I really love this car” …
  • “I don't know that much about cars” …
  • “My trade-in is outside” …
  • “I don't want to get taken to the cleaners” …
  • “My credit isn't that good” …
  • “I'm paying cash” …
  • “I need to buy a car today” …
  • “I need a monthly payment under $350”

What are the five tips for buying a car through a dealership?

  • Get preapproved for a loan before you set foot in a dealer's lot. …
  • Keep it simple at the dealership. …
  • Don't buy any add-ons at the dealership. …
  • Beware longer-term six- or seven-year car loans. …
  • Don't buy too much car.

How do you beat a car salesman at his own game?

  1. Learn dealer buzzwords. …
  2. This year's car at last year's price. …
  3. Working trade-ins and rebates. …
  4. Avoid bogus fees. …
  5. Use precise figures. …
  6. Keep salesmen in the dark on financing. …
  7. Use home-field advantage. …
  8. The monthly payment trap.

How do you outsmart a car salesman?

  1. Forget Payments, Talk Price. will try selling you to a payment per month rather than the price of a car. …
  2. Control Your Loan. …
  3. Avoid Advertised Car Deals. …
  4. Don't Feel Pressured. …
  5. Keep Clear Of Add-ons.

What is the first question you should ask yourself before purchasing a vehicle?

  • Should I buy a new or used car? The age-old question of new or used. …
  • How much do I want to spend on a car? …
  • What kind of car do I need? …
  • What features are important to me? …
  • How does the car drive?

What should you consider when buying a car?

  • Determine What Car Fits Your Needs. …
  • Get Your Credit Report. …
  • Review Your Loan Options. …
  • Discover Your Car's Trade-In Value. …
  • Determine Your Desired Payment. …
  • Learn About the Car's History. …
  • Consider Whether You Would Like to Buy or Lease. …
  • Research Dealerships.

How do I decide if I should buy a new car?

  1. Assess Your Needs. The “right car” depends on who you are and what you expect from a car. …
  2. Set Your Budget. …
  3. Decide If You Want to Lease or Buy. …
  4. Consider Other Cars in the Class. …
  5. Weigh the Costs of Ownership. …
  6. Find Cars for Sale. …
  7. Set Up a Test Drive. …
  8. What to Look For in a Test Drive.

Why you should never pay cash for a car?

If you tell them you're paying cash, they

will automatically calculate a lower profit

and thus will be less likely to negotiate a lower price for you. If they think you're going to be financing, they figure they'll make a few hundred dollars in extra profit and therefore be more flexible with the price of the car.

How much should I put as a downpayment on a car?

When it comes to a down payment on a new car, you should try to cover

at least 20% of the purchase price

. For a used car, a 10% down payment might do. Part of your decision will depend on where your credit score stands.

How much will a dealership come down on price on a used car?

According to iSeeCars.com, used car dealers cut the price on the average vehicle

between one and six times over that 31.5 day listing period

. The first price drop is significant — the firm says that the price drops, on average, by 5% the first time the dealer rips the old sticker off the car and pops a new on.

How do car dealers trick you?

  1. The credit cozen. …
  2. The single-transaction strategy. …
  3. The payment ploy. …
  4. The sticker shenanigan. …
  5. The holdback hustle. …
  6. The financing four-flush. …
  7. The insurance illusion. …
  8. The rate razzle-dazzle.

What should you say to a car salesman?

  • “Can I take the car for another test drive?”
  • “I'll pay cash.” …
  • “If you sell me the car for this price, I'll buy it right now.” …
  • “I know the deal is done. …
  • “I don't have a credit card.” …
  • “I like this car. …
  • “I need to have my trade-in appraised.” …

How do you not get scammed at a dealership?

  1. Get pre-approved for a car loan before you step on the lot. This can save you a bundle. …
  2. Do some research before going to the dealership. …
  3. Don't negotiate based on monthly payments. …
  4. Don't allow your trade-in to influence your new car's cost. …
  5. Be willing to walk away.

Do car dealers rip you off?

Most car shoppers focus only on negotiating the price of the car. That's fine with dealers, because they can easily give you a good price while

completely ripping you off on the financing and trade-in

. … The dealer will simply raise the price of the car and screw you on the financing.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.