If you want to buy a car—a new one or maybe a used one—a car dealership might be the answer. Here, you will most likely find what you wish for, but as with any business, there are many car dealership secrets that you are not aware of.
These tips will help you with everything that involves purchasing a new car. So if you love the smell of new leather and how polished cars spark in the sunlight, buckle up, because we are here to take you on a ride.
From getting much better prices to finding the best cars available on the market, these car dealership secrets will make you see the process of buying a new car differently. Are you ready?
1. There is no such thing as no-haggle pricing
Most of us know that car dealerships are the perfect place to get a good bargain. This is just how things work and how they will work from now on.
But there are many people who are not the biggest fans of haggling, and they may be more tempted to choose a car that has no-haggling pricing. One of the car dealership secrets we want to talk about today is exactly this. Yes, it may sound easier for you to buy a car in these conditions, but in reality, the dealership will take advantage of this and offer you a higher price than normal.
So, don’t be lured into the no-haggle mirage because it will always be the most financially disadvantageous choice you can make. Learn their tricks, and don’t fall into their traps!
2. More than $500 over the invoice? It’s a scam!
If you want to buy the car of your dreams, you should know how to play the game, and to be prepared for this, you need to know some of the car dealership secrets. Our pro tip for today is to never let the price climb higher than $500 over the invoice.
Generally, for the invoice, there is a bargaining range of $100 to $500. Depending on the price tag of your desired vehicle, you should choose how much you will give to the car dealership. If you want a more budget-friendly car, $100–$150 should be more than enough, but if you set your eyes on a more luxurious ride, you might need to pay somewhere around $500.
If you want to know the invoice price of the car of your dreams, you can always consult the NADA Guides. This is some precious information that not many know about. So, keep in mind that whatever you do, don’t offer more than $500 for the invoice.
3. Pay with cash
Some still say that “cash is king,” and when talking about buying a car from a car dealership, this is more true than ever. If you plan on purchasing a budget-friendly ride—something under $6,000—get ready to find out about this one of the car dealership secrets.
Take your cash with you, because if you do so, some dealerships will give you substantial discounts for paying cash. You can take advantage of this discount, especially with private sellers.
One savvy car shopper managed to save $500 when making a $4,700 purchase just because they offered to pay cash. Fast forward: They still have the vehicle, which is as good as new. It was not a scam. It is just the fact that car dealers love people who pay cash. It makes things easier for them.
4. Rent before buying
Usually, when you go to buy a new car, you want to test it. And this is why you have the option to test drive at the dealership. But is this enough? If you ask us, the answer is no. Keep in mind that a new vehicle is one of the most important purchases of your life, and it should be a well-planned decision.
Your car will be your partner on the road, so you need one that you like driving and that you find compatible. One of the wisest things you can do is rent the same model you want to buy, and in this way, you can make sure you will have the full experience.
Drive the car for a week, and in this way, you will know if you and this car are a match. You will be able to see if this vehicle can meet your needs. This is one of the biggest car dealership secrets, and now you know about it and can use it to your advantage.
5. Say no to the add-ons
This is something that happens more often than you might think, and it is also one of those things that you believe will never happen to you. Let’s say that you purchase a new car and receive an invoice that has a few charges for some extras you had no idea about.
Maybe a security system, some rust coating, paint protection, or an extended warranty—these are all add-ons that might seem useful, but in the end, they don’t make such a big difference.
These add-ons are one of the car dealership secrets that can make you take out a lot of money from your wallet. Maybe the seller will tell you that all of these extras are good for your car and will make it last longer.
What you should know is that you can negotiate the add-ons and choose what you want and don’t want. Tell the dealer that you are not interested and simply buy the car as you want. If you feel that something is unnecessary, just say no.
6. Check the manufacturer’s website
One of the best strategies when buying a new car is to go on the website of the manufacturer and check out their offers. This is one of the car dealership secrets that can save you money and time.
Simply go to the website, choose your favorite car, read everything about it, check the price, and then request quotes from dealers in your area.
It is easy to see why this method will work. Dealers compete with one another, and if they know that you are asking around about a specific car, they will come at you with the best offers they can make. Be sure that they know that you are asking everybody around.
They will do their best to beat the price tag that is listed on the manufacturer’s website, and if they see it as impossible, get ready to get some freebies, such as a free extended warranty and much more.
7. Email a salesperson directly
You might be surprised by how many good deals you can get by simply sending one single email. Send a direct email to the salesperson, and make sure to contact all of the dealerships in your area. The trick here is that you will put all the addresses in the CC, and in this way, the dealership will see that they have to compete with one another.
Include a note in the email indicating that you have chosen the vehicle you want and that you would like to purchase it by a specific date. Then make a list of the alternatives you require, being sure to include the price you are willing to pay.
If you want to have a clean car, a car wash kit might be what you need: Chemical Guys HOL126 14-Piece Arsenal Builder Car Wash Kit
You should also read Created to Last: These 9 Cars Have the Greatest Potential Lifespan
