Best time to buy a car and other buying tips needed

[tiggerlover]

We have been told that the best times to buy a new car are at the end of the month, in July or August when the new model years come out or at the end of the year. Does anyone care to comment on the validity of that statement?

Also, can anyone offer any car buying tips, we are in the market for a new car this summer and I have to say we aren't great at haggling, but I would really like to go in there and know what I should be paying and get the best deal possible. I will not be trading a car in, will have a cash down payment and I would like to finance the car, so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[crz4mm2]

Go to www.Edmunds.com.
Goldmine of information!!
Best of luck in your search. I feel for ya!

 

[tiggerlover]

I'll check it out, thanks.

Anyone else?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Edmund's is great, TL, also check Kelley's Blue Book site. Among the sections, the 'advice' tab.

 

[C.Ann]

With the rising cost of gasoline, I would opt for the smallest car that will accomodate your needs and provide the best safety ratings.. I don't see this gas situation improving to any significant degree for a long, long time and it should be a big factor in your decision.. I have already decided that when I have to replace my mini van (it's a fairly large version - 7-seater) I will be going back to a smaller car - something around the size of the '87 Dodge Lancer that I drove before this and absolutely LOVED!

As for "when" to buy, I have heard the opposite - that prices are higher in the summer and lower in late fall/early winter.. My son-in-law is a very serious vehicle shopper and that is when he always purchases the "previous" year cars and trucks..

Good luck - and happy car shopping!

 

[stevenpensacola]

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/carintro.html?x=0tekxgl_eoyyqkz_ttky3&y=0x25x40x62x40x25x56


There is a TON of good information on this site. It will be worth ($$) your while to take the time to read all the info found there.

This site was started by a guy who found out that he got taken to the cleaners buying a car.

This page is especially helpful: top ten dealer scams

http://www.carbuyingtips.com/scams.htm?x=0tekxgl_eoyyqkz_ttky3&y=0x25x40

Let the buyer beware!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

This is a great question. I am in the market top buy a car and I was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the websites.

 

[Mishetta]

Oh...I'm going to go check out those websites posted too (thanks!) But I was going to say that we usually have good luck shopping for cars towards the end of the year, end of the month. We got our best deal Thanksgiving weekend on our van which was 2 years old with only 18,000 miles on it (original sticker price was $42,000 & we got it for $17,500.) Ford Windstar SEL with every feature you can imagine & in mint condition. I did a "Carfax" on it & it was a used as a company car.

Can't help you out with new cars except I would think that just after the new models come out, I would buy the current years car (at hopefully a great discount) since the dealerships want to make room for their new shipment of cars.

Car shopping is so much fun!! (Well, only if you can afford to buy what you really want that is! )

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks for the information and the links. Looks like I have some reading to do.

C.Ann, we are looking into a Honda Accord as we already have the 7 passenger van and are definitely looking for something smaller. I have been reading about the gas prices in the US and cringing, it is definitely wise to get a fuel efficient car.

 

[Rippington'sFan]

Definitely use Edmunds. You will find out exactly what you should pay for a vehicle. I have used Edmunds a couple of times when purchasing vehicles and I believe it has helped me a lot. I did my research and this completely minimized the haggling because I knew what I should pay for the vehicle. The last vehicle we bought I actually did the negotiating over the internet with a few different dealerships and then narrowed it down to one dealership. When I walked in the deal was pretty much done except for all the paperwork to be filled out.
The bottom line is make sure you do your research before you walk into the dealership. Have that ballpark figure of what you want to pay for the vehicle with all the options you want etc... and stick to it. If the salesperson is trying to BS you then just get up and walk out. Another thing I do is always try several dealerships and I go to the dealership with the best reputation or a dealership I've used in the past last. I have found that they will normally match any other offers I get.
Good Luck

 

[LindaR]

As a former car salesperson.........each saleperson is given a quota for each month (based on tests that they take) and the dealership itself has a quota. Naturally, the closer you get to the last day of the month (assuming that they have NOT met their quota) the better chance you have of purchasing the car you've chosen at a price that is pleasing to you.

Buying a car is very difficult. Keep in mind that you may do this every few years and the saleforce do this on a daily basis, so you will always walk away THINKING that you've gotten a great deal. That is the best that the average person can hope for. Study those websites, be informed, and be prepared to walk away (and not return) if the dealership does not want to consider your offer. Keep in mind.........if you are reasonable, but firm........they will be more willing to compromise. If you leave the dealership, you will have a near impossible chance of going back and getting any kind of deal that favors you. If you leave, start over at another facility. The more "rushed" you feel, the more money you will lose!

Too much to tell you............this takes a long time for salespeople to learn, so it stands to reason that a consumer will not learn this overnight

 

[loisg1]

I'm sure you already know that the Accord EX comes with the side airbags. Recently the safety experts have really been stressing this feature. We have two Accords and love them!! DHs has about 120,000 miles on it as he makes his 100 mile round trip to work each day. Think you've made a terrific choice.

Lois

 

[tiggerlover]

Originally posted by loisg1
I'm sure you already know that the Accord EX comes with the side airbags. Recently the safety experts have really been stressing this feature. We have two Accords and love them!! DHs has about 120,000 miles on it as he makes his 100 mile round trip to work each day. Think you've made a terrific choice.

Lois

We have done a lot of research on the Accord, unfortuneately with DH retiring from the military at the end of the year and the uncertainty of what he will do after we are not going to strap ourselves with the huge payment of an EX. We are settling for the LX V-6. The only way we will get the EX is if we can get a good deal on the 2004 when the 2005 models come out.

Thanks again everyone for you two cents.

 

[Disney Doll]

December. It's the end of the year. They are all trying to have their model be the "best selling car in America", so they are willing to deal, they aren't busy because a lot of folks don't think about car shopping during the Christmas/holiday season, as they are so busy doing many other things.