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Have a Mechanic You Trust Check Out The Car!
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It’s always a good idea to have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you buy it. This will cost anywhere from $25 to $150, depending on the car, but it is a worthwhile investment. Tell the independent mechanic that you are considering purchasing the vehicle, and have them check everything out and print up a statement listing any problems they may find. If anything suspicious turns up, ask for a repair estimate. If the problem sounds too complex or too expensive to deal with, don't buy the car. If the problem is relatively minor but will still require attention, use it as a negotiating tool to try and get a lower price.
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Emissions Test
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Always have the emissions tested before you agree to buy a used car. Certified testing centers usually charge no more than $20 for the test, and it could end up saving you hundreds of dollars in repair bills to have the test performed. A tailpipe does not have to emit visible smoke for it to fail an emissions test, so while making a visual inspection is advised, it is not the only precaution you should take.
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How to get the best deal
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Once you've found a car that meets your needs and has received a clean bill of health from an independent mechanic, it is time to "make a deal". The best approach is to negotiate with a smile and try to be as relaxed and calm. No matter how excited about the prospects of owning a new car...try not to show it to the salesman.
It is always wise to let the dealer make the first offer. Chances are he'll offer full price or slightly below.
Now, it's time to make your offer. Come with an offer that is below what you are willing to pay.
The dealer may pressure you to come up with a better opening offer. But hold your ground and wait for their counter offer.
With each succeeding offer, you and the dealer should be getting closer and closer to your target price.
You can see why there is no substitute for knowing the car's value during negotiations. If someone walks in without knowing what a used car is worth, they may believe the salesman when he says, "I can't possibly sell you the car for what you want; we'd lose money."
Fair price
Be sure you know what the final price will be after licensing, taxes, and other fees. Don't be afraid to bring these fees into the negotiations. You need to say: "I can give you a total of $11,000 for this car, including everything..."out the door"..
Negotiation Tips
First, make it apparent that you don't really care if you get the car today, or ever. There's always another deal out there if this one doesn't work out. Also, be ready to leave at any time. If you don't have the time, don't feel pressured into staying. Explain that you might come back later.
Use any problems found during the mechanical inspection to drive the price down. If you have a serious concern about the car's overall ability to fulfill all your needs and expectations by all means mention it. It may make the seller give you a better deal if he thinks that he is losing you.
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Closing the Deal
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At most dealerships you're not finished with the deal until you pay a visit to the "Finance and Insurance" office. If you have secured a good interest rate from your bank or credit union, it may be worth your while to see what kind of rate the dealership has to offer. If they can set up a better loan, make sure that the term is the same as the one you have already secured.
Now is the time to discuss warranties, if the subject hasn't yet come up. Find out if the car comes with a warranty and, if so, the warranty's terms. If the warranty isn't comprehensive, ask about purchasing a manufacturer's used-car warranty, but remember, like everything else, the warranty price is negotiable, too. Be aware that many used-car lots will sell warranties from smaller warranty companies. While many of these companies are reliable, be sure to research thoroughly any company you are considering buying a warranty from before you get to the dealership.
Extended Warranties
Find out what sort of standard warranty is included with the vehicle or how much an extended warranty will cost. An implied warranty generally exists on all dealer vehicle sales for the first 30 to 90 days. What this means is that if the car blows up a week after the purchase, a reputable dealer will offer some sort of compensation. Sometimes the dealer will fix the car for free, sometimes they will refund your money and sometimes they will offer a substitute vehicle of equal value.
A dealer may offer you a warranty verbally, but it is to your advantage to insist on something in writing. Also, make sure that you completely understand the warranty before you sign any papers. Warranties can differ dramatically from one dealership to the next, so be sure that you know:
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what is covered (parts, labor or both) |
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how long the warranty is good (i.e., it could be 30 days for labor and 60 days for parts, 120 days for parts only, or any type of combination) |
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what percentage of the work is covered (Is it a 50/50 warranty, where you pay half and the dealer pays half, etc?) |
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if there are any exceptions (Are there certain repairs that will be excluded from warranty coverage?) |
Manufacturer extended warranties can also be purchased; these allow you to use the warranty at any dealership service department-not just the one where you bought the car.
There are also a number of independent warranty companies that will offer you good extended warranty coverage. You might want to check your local white or yellow pages as well as the Internet.
Finally, you'll need to sign various papers: the power of attorney that allows the dealership to go to the DMV and register the vehicle for you, the transfer of title if you're trading in a vehicle, etc. Each document should be carefully read for errors. Once your signature is on the paperwork, the deal is done; this is your last chance to back out of the deal. If something doesn't feel right, don't sign. And do not feel pressured or obligated to sign just because of the amount of time invested in the deal by the salesperson. It's your money!
The dealer will now collect the down payment on the used car and the papers on the trade-in, if applicable. They'll give you copies of the paperwork, the title (if you've paid in full) and warranty information (if the used car comes with one or you've purchased one). If you are financing the vehicle, the title will be sent to the bank or credit union and the dealership will provide you with proof of ownership (i.e., temporary registration); within a few weeks, you should receive your official registration and tags.
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Now that you own the car...start off right!
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Oil |
First and foremost, have the oil changed, just to begin a healthy new routine with your new car. |
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Timing belt |
If so equipped, the car's timing belt should be changed every 50,000 miles. (Most modern engines use rubber belts rather than noisy chains. The problem is that rubber tends to break down after time.) Unless you have a receipt stating exactly when the timing belt was last replaced, it's a good idea to put a new one in just to be on the safe side for another 50,000 miles. |
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Tires |
Check the tread wear on all four tires. If the wear appears to be uneven, or if the tread is worn, have the tires replaced. |
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Spark plugs and wires |
Inexpensive, and a new set of plugs and wires can do wonders for performance. |
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Air filter |
Another inexpensive part that ensures that your engine is breathing properly. |
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Hoses |
Make a visual inspection of all the wires and hoses in the engine compartment, checking for cracks or bulges near the connection points. If anything looks brittle or corroded, have it replaced immediately. |
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Radiator fluid |
Flush it and start over. |
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Transmission fluid |
The transmission fluid should probably be replaced at least once every 20,000 miles. Transmissions are packed with metal gears that shave and grind each other all day long, and the fluid that lubricates them needs to be clean to minimize wear. Change it and start out clean! |
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Brake system |
Have the brake fluid checked, as well as the thickness of the brake pads. |
Enjoy! If you did your research and prepared properly you have made the wisest and best choice possible in your new car. Hopefully you made a good deal! Now is the time to show off your "prize" and be sure to also show it the loving care it needs and deserves during its service to you.
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