February is a BIG month for car sales! You’ll find many Presidents’ Day special deals from the auto makers, car dealerships and financial institutions. Before you shop for your new car, here are some smart strategies to help you drive home with the right car and the best deal!
1. Buy a car before you need a car. If you drive your car until it dies and leaves you stranded, it will not only leave you without money back on a trade in, but it’ll also limit the amount of time you have to research your purchase and financing.
2. Get pre-approved so you know what you can afford. Just like shopping for a home, shopping for a car is easier when you have a realistic budget in mind. You’ll be able to eliminate some choices, and focus on a few models that meet your needs and your budget. Don’t let the dealership talk you into something outside of your budget.
3. Shop around and be ready to walk away. You’ll get the dealer’s lowest price just before you walk out the door. It pays to do your research online first– when you’re well-informed, you’re less likely to over-pay for a car with all types of features you may not need.
4. Are you ok with not having the latest bells & whistles? If yes, look at new AND used cars. See our blog “New vs. Used: The Car Buying Debate” for more info.
5. Don’t share too much with the salesperson. Keep it simple and focus on one thing at a time. The more they know, the easier it is for them to manipulate the numbers. Keep information about your trade in and where you plan on financing to yourself until you’ve settled on a price.
6. Don’t buy the add-ons at the dealership. Extended warranties and protections plans are usually overpriced. Explore GAP insurance and debt protection with your lender, such as MVCU.
7. Bring a trusted Auto Advisor with you. They can help you save time and money during the car-shopping process. They’ll help you find your car, arrange the test drive, and even negotiate for you.
Category: Car Ownership
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Besides the Super Bowl, February is known as a huge month for car sales. If you tune in to watch the big game, you’re likely going to see a ton of car commercials. Car commercials and car advertisements are a great way to learn about what’s available on the market. However, just like any other product, if the ad seems too good to be true… it is. Here are some things to look for when watching or reviewing an automobile advertisement:
February is a BIG month for car sales! You’ll find many Presidents’ Day special deals from the auto makers, car dealerships and financial institutions. Before you shop for your new car, here are some smart strategies to help you drive home with the right car and the best deal!
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This type of insurance covers the “gap” between how much you owe on your auto loan and how much the car is currently worth if your automobile gets totaled. For example*, imagine that you purchased a new car and took out a loan for $31,000. Unfortunately, after 2 years, your car is totaled in an accident. Based on your loan, this is how the math would work:
Traditionally, February is a BIG month for car sales! You’ll find many Presidents’ Day special deals from the auto makers, car dealerships and financial institutions. Before you shop for your new car, here are some smart strategies to help you drive home with the right car and the best deal!
Car buying has never been for the faint of heart. Now, though, there’s a new challenge: inventory! On top of the usual wading through dense disclosures in ads, haggling at the dealership, and securing financing, you have to work a lot harder to find a car!
Life is busy. Not enough hours in the day, right? But even when you’re not busy, it would be nice to enjoy what little down time you have. So when shopping for a new car feels like ONE MORE THING on your to-do list, let the experts check it off for you!
