people buying a new car

Did you know that over 17 million cars were sold in the United States in 2018? That’s a lot of people finding and buying their dream cars, to say the least!

If you’re getting ready to buy a car soon, you may be a bit overwhelmed at the thought of negotiating with a sales representative. After all, a car is a big purchase, and you want to make sure you get the right car for you while getting the best deal possible.

So if you’re looking for tips on how to get the best deal on a new car, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll tell you 10 ways you can get the car of your dreams for a good price, so you can go to the dealership with confidence.

Now then, let’s get started!

1. Do Your Homework

It’s a good idea to do your homework before you ever step foot in the dealership to ensure you can get the best deal possible. Have a firm understanding of what kind of car you want, and what that car normally costs at the given time, so you’re not playing catchup in front of the salesman.

Also, if you’re trading in your vehicle, know what it’s worth beforehand, so you will know for sure you’re getting a fair price for it. Remember, it’s much more difficult to trick you into buying something for an unfair price if you know what you’re talking about.

2. Get Pre-Approved

There’s absolutely nothing worse than falling in love with a car and then not being able to purchase it. So before you do any serious browsing online, or take your dream car for a test drive, get pre-approved first.

That way you have a set number that you know you can afford, and you can shop accordingly.

3. Shop at the Right Time

Believe it or not, you can save some serious cash just by shopping at the right time of the year. Now, knowing what time is right can be a bit tricky, and depends on what kind of car you’re buying, among other things.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid the popular gift buying seasons, like the holidays, where cars are going to go for the highest prices. Try to pick odd times of the year, when cars may not be moving as quickly and dealers are more desperate for a sale.

4. Keep Your Phone in Your Hand

This one might sound a bit odd but hear us out…

Keep your phone in your hands at all times when on a car lot. It will make the sales representative think you’re double-checking everything that they’re telling you, so they’re forced to be a bit more honest.

5. Be Respectful

While it’s important to take care of yourself during a negotiation, you never want to be rude or disrespectful to the person you’re dealing with. You’re not going to get a good deal if that person doesn’t want to negotiate with you any longer, and in fact, they may throw you a high price just to get you to leave.

Be respectful, but firm, and try to have fun during the process.

6. Stay Firm with Your Wishlist

Before you start doing any serious shopping, have a list of things you want, and a list of things you can do without, and stick to that list.

It’s safe to say you’re going to get excited during the process, which is completely okay. And without a list to look back at to remind yourself what’s important to you, you may end up making a purchase you regret later, which isn’t what you want.

7. Avoid the Bells and Whistles

If there’s one thing that can make your monthly car payment go up a few bucks, it’s purchasing a car with a ton of bells and whistles. This, of course, is completely fine… if you actually want those bells and whistles.

But if you don’t, and you buy a car with a bunch of features that you don’t actually use, you’re just wasting money. That’s where that list we talked about a second ago comes back into play.

Make sure that you don’t get tricked into buying a fancy car with features that aren’t appealing to you, thus raising the price. Know what you want, and more importantly what you don’t want, and don’t budge or sway either way.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

There’s nothing wrong with walking away and starting over at a different dealership. Again, you’re going to get excited anytime you see a new car that somewhat fits what it is you’re looking for. This can lead to you settling for something that isn’t exactly what you wanted, but is “close enough”, which isn’t what you want.

If a car doesn’t check all of your boxes, or at least most of them, don’t be afraid to leave it on the lot.

9. Rent Before You Buy

If you have an idea of what kind of car you want to purchase, consider renting one and test driving it for a week or so. This will help you confirm that you do indeed want that car, and even help you discover some features that you may or may not be interested in.

10. Read the Paperwork Thoroughly

Once you’ve made your choice, and it’s time to sign the paperwork, don’t put your guard down just yet. Read the paperwork thoroughly and ask for copies of everything so you can have them for your records.

Take your time, don’t feel rushed, and make sure everything matches up with what you and the sales associate agreed upon. After that, enjoy your new ride!

How to Get the Best Deal on a New Car and Drive Away Happy

Well, there you have it! Those are a few tips and tricks on how to get the best deal on a new car!

Remember, do your research beforehand, and get pre-approved, so you can be confident when dealing with a sales representative. Know exactly what you want, and what you don’t want, and stay firm throughout the negotiation process.

Most importantly, have fun, and enjoy your new ride!

Looking for more advice on how to get the most out of your vehicle? Check out our blog!