What People Do Wrong When Car Shopping

November 25, 2009

Car shopping for some is an art form and for others is a shot in the dark. It seems as though most car shoppers either know vehicles and the buying process inside and out or they know little more than what they like.

Whether you know a lot about cars and car buying, practically nothing, or are somewhere in between you need to know what people do wrong when car shopping. That way when you go to buy a car you can do it the right way.

Deciding Before You Shop

It’s easy to decide what you want before you shop. You spot a car at a dealership and it is love at first sight. The car is perfect. The color is perfect. It is the best car you have ever seen.

Then you see the same car out on the road more and more often. You know that you are meant to drive this car. You imagine what it will feel like to be behind the wheel.

By now you have taken your fantasy so far that you have finished deciding on that car before you have thought about how it will fit your budget, your lifestyle, and your needs. You may love a car but be open to the process.

Consider other options. Take some test drives. Do the necessary research of the cars that you are considering. Sometimes love at first sight does not match you up with the car that will work out best for you.

Buying A Car You Cannot Afford

You would think that this would be an obvious mistake that people could easily avoid. It’s not. The price is all in the presentation and many people are lured in by low monthly payments without looking at the big picture.

You want to be aware of exactly how much the car will cost you when all is said and done in addition to figuring out how the monthly payments will fit into your budget. Car shopping requires that you look at the short term and long term implications of the auto loan simultaneously. Too many car buyers see low car payments for an incredible care and think that they cannot pass up such a great deal. Look more closely. The deal may not be as great as it looks.

Negotiating From The Wrong Starting Point

This is a common mistake. Many people choose to negotiate from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price or the sticker price of a car. While this is an understandable way to approach negotiations, it is not the best way.

Instead, you should be aware of the invoice price. The invoice price is how much the dealer paid for this car when they originally bought it from the manufacturer. The car shoppers who know best will use this amount as their starting point. They will negotiate a deal by going up from the invoice price without putting too much focus on the sticker price.

These are common things that people do wrong when car shopping. It is easy to get caught up in the moment when buying a brand new shiny car, but you will be paying for this car for a long time. Do yourself a favor and remember these tips on how to shop for cars the right way. You want the love that you feel for your car to last long after you have driven it off the lot.