More Car Buying Tips

Yesterday's hub covered the basics about car buying, online and off. To help you save time, money, energy, frustration and hair-pulling even more, here are a few more tips of the car trade (or buy).

1) If and when you decide to shop in public, even if it's to just tire kick or read stickers, do not go alones if the dealership is open. Going alone invites a salesman to hover, nag and in short, drive you nuts, cursing him, his dealership and family. So avoid confrontation and shop when the dealership is closed or 24/7 online.

2) Sales people are great at reading emotions. The math goes like this for buying a car:

the more you like a car = the higher the price.

What to do? Act bored and uninterested, even if it's almost killing you to do this. You must play the game or pay more.

3) Keep in mind that used car buying is better online if you are looking for a lower price, most often. Because dealerships want higher overhead, understandably, to cover their expenses; whereas, there are much less costs - often none with online sales (when sellers use free online classifieds and other no-cost means).

4) Online sites like CarPrice.com can help you compare prices for various makes and models. So do some research homework before you buy - online or off.

5) Ask about specials, even if you don't spot any advertised. There may be dealer incentives from the manufacturer or other rebates and deals to be had.

6) If you have no knowledge of auto mechanics or only have light skills in this area, seek the advice of a professional auto technician before you buy a used car. Drive the vehicle to a service center at Sears or other locale, calling ahead for pricing and appointment times.

7) No matter your communications are verbally, make sure details about what you are getting and paying for are written down in your contract. And write down important points you want in your contract before you face the sales person, bring your list to the closing to cover each point.