Buying a new or used car is partly about getting a great deal, but it’s also about making sure the car you buy will serve you well in the long run.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of insider secrets for finding the best deals on a new or used car.

These tips will help you find the right car at the right price without giving up your hard-earned money to a slick salesperson who thinks there’s nothing better than taking advantage of an unsuspecting consumer.

Top 5 Car Buying Tips You MUST KNOW Before

Takeaways
Finding the best deal on a new or used car requires research, negotiation skills, and the willingness to walk away from a bad deal.
Preparing your car for sale can help you get the best price possible when selling.
Timing your car purchase and knowing when to negotiate can help you save money.
Financing a car requires research and preparation, including shopping around for the best interest rates.
Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular and offer a range of benefits for both drivers and the environment.

So let’s get started!

Shop Around Online Before Setting Foot In The Dealership.

To get a sense of what the best deal is, shop around online before setting foot in the dealership. You’d be surprised at how much money you can save by doing so.

Looking for a new car? Try out TrueCar or Edmunds’ vehicle price estimator tool to get an idea of how much your dream ride will cost.

If you’re not sure which vehicle brand or model ultimately makes sense for your needs, check out Kelley Blue Book’s pricing tool.

To ensure that you’re getting what seems like the best offer possible, don’t be afraid to ask for more than one quote from multiple dealerships you may be able to negotiate a better deal on your own.

Be sure not to settle for less than what feels fair; even if it means having another car shopper come along with you as backup (like my boyfriend did for me), it could save time and money down the line!

Selling a car can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s possible to get the best price possible. Check out our ultimate guide to selling your car for insider tips on how to prepare your car for sale, determine its value, and negotiate with buyers to ensure you get the best deal.

Never Show Your Trade-In Right Away

The first thing a dealership will do when you sit down for negotiations on a new car is ask to see your trade-in.

They’ll then tell you the value of the vehicle, which they think they can sell it for at auction. But there’s no reason to accept their offer right away and if you do, you might be missing out on thousands of dollars in savings. Keep in mind that dealerships make money by reselling used cars (and trucks), so they are incentivized to give you less money than what they could get from an auction house like Copart or Manheim Auctions.

If possible, avoid showing them your trade-in until after negotiating the price of the new vehicle and even then keep them guessing about how much cash equity (if any) is left in it before making sure that number works for both parties involved in the deal and asking them if there’s anything else that could lower their cost or improve yours!

Looking for the best deal on your next car purchase? Check out our top 15 ways to score a great deal for insider tips on how to negotiate with dealerships, get pre-approved for a loan, and take advantage of special discounts and promotions.

Zero In On The Lowest Price First

When you’re shopping for a car, your first instinct might be to ask about the best price first and then work down from there. But this can actually cost you money.

Instead, ask for the lowest price on one particular car model or option package before anything else and then see what kind of deal you can get on something else.

This way, your bargaining position is strengthened by having already been offered an attractive price on exactly what you want (which may have been otherwise unattainable).

Here are some other ways to work down from that initial offer:

Ask for a lower interest rate on any loan you get through the dealership rather than elsewhere.

Ask whether they’ll give more cash back at purchase in lieu of discounting off MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price).

For example if they offer $2K cash back instead of $2K off MSRP, add that amount back into whatever trade-in value they’ve given you and use that as leverage to negotiate further reductions in monthly payments or lease rates over time – which again will save more money than simply reducing monthly payments alone would do!

Before you buy your next car, take a look at our 10 surprising car buying tips to learn how you can save money and avoid common mistakes. From timing your purchase to negotiating like a pro, these tips can help you get the best deal possible on your next car.

Think Twice About Buying An Extended Warranty

You can often get a better deal by purchasing the extended warranty yourself, and it’s not worth paying for if you’re in need of one.

There are two main types of extended warranties: dealer-backed warranties and third-party options. The latter generally cost much less than the former, but they aren’t always honored when you need them to be.

Either way, many people feel that they’re being taken advantage of by dealerships offering these plans as an incentive to buy their vehicle—and rightfully so!

Extended Warranty Comparison

Brand	Coverage Details	Cost
Dealer A	5 years/100,000 miles	$1,500
Manufacturer B	3 years/36,000 miles	$1,000
Third-Party C	Customizable coverage options	$500-$1,500

Is an Extended Warranty Worth It?

While extended warranties can provide peace of mind, they may not always be worth the cost. Doing research and comparing coverage options from different brands can help you make an informed decision. Consider factors such as the age and mileage of your vehicle, the likelihood of needing repairs, and the cost of the warranty itself.

Consider Financing Alternatives

When you’re shopping for your new car, there are a lot of factors to consider. The price is obviously one of the most important considerations.

But in addition to considering how much you can afford and what type of payment plan works best for you, it’s also worth considering financing alternatives.

You might think that getting a great deal on your car means taking out a loan through the dealership and having them handle all the paperwork and payments but by doing so, you’re cutting yourself off from other options that could save even more money on interest rates and monthly payments.

If these aren’t enough reasons to reconsider financing options before settling on one with the dealer (or walking away entirely), then consider this:

Most dealerships have an incentive program in place during which they offer better deals when certain conditions are met and some dealerships are willing to negotiate based on competing offers from lenders like credit unions or banks who provide their customers with lower interest rates than what’s offered by automakers directly via captive finance arms like Ford Motor Credit Company (FMC) or General Motors Financial Company (GMF).

This is something worth investigating because many consumers walk away without realizing they could’ve saved even more money by simply asking!

Financing a car can be a complex process, but with the right knowledge and resources, you can make smart, informed decisions. Check out our guide on the smartest way to finance your next car purchase to learn about different types of loans, how to shop for the best interest rate, and other tips for getting the most out of your financing.

Try To Take Advantage Of Rebates And Incentives

You can often save money by taking advantage of rebates and incentives. If you’re looking at a new car, try to find out if there are any manufacturer or dealer rebates available on the model that you want to buy.

Many manufacturers offer incentive programs for people who lease or finance their vehicles through them, so it pays to do your research before finalizing your purchase.

Other retailers also sometimes offer rebates on used cars as well as new ones. These can be particularly helpful when purchasing from private sellers because they can help mitigate some of the risk involved in buying an older vehicle without knowing its history.

Brand	Offer
Toyota	Up to $1,500 cash back on select models
Ford	Up to $5,500 cash back on select models
Chevrolet	Up to $6,750 cash back on select models
Honda	0.9% APR financing on select models
Nissan	Up to $3,500 cash back on select models

By taking advantage of rebates and incentives offered by car manufacturers, you can save money on your car purchase. Here are some current offers from top car brands that you might consider when shopping for a new car.

Don’t Be Afraid To Walk Away

It’s a common misconception that dealerships have lots of room to negotiate on price, but it’s not true—they need your sale as much as you need theirs.

One way for them to get the best deal is by pricing the car higher than what they expect people will pay for it, and then using their negotiation skills to get you closer to their target price. If there’s no room for you and your budget, say thanks but no thanks—and don’t feel guilty about taking your business elsewhere!

Know what kind of car is right for you before going shopping.

You can set yourself up for success by researching different models in advance and finding out which ones fit into your lifestyle and budget while meeting all of your needs (for example: if storage space is important, then an SUV may not be right).

Then when it comes time go shopping with dealerships, they’ll show off their best inventory so that only those vehicles match up with what you’re looking for. This helps eliminate wasted time spent negotiating over cars that aren’t right for you in the first place!

Ask For A Discount Based On A Competing Offer

One of the best ways to get a new or used car for less money is to ask for a discount based on a competing offer.

This is an especially good idea if you have shopped around and found the same car at another dealership priced lower than the dealer’s asking price. You can then tell your dealer that you are willing to buy from them if they match this lower price.

The advantage here is that there is more room for negotiation because you have some leverage (the threat of going elsewhere) while still getting the deal you want. The downside is that it takes some work on your part, so make sure to do your homework first!

Electric cars are the future of transportation, and they offer a range of benefits for both drivers and the environment. Learn more about why you should consider an electric car in our article on why electric cars are the future of transportation, which covers everything from cost savings to environmental impact.

Buy Before The End Of The Month

The end of the month is a time of year when salespeople can reach their monthly goals. If you’re going to buy a car at this time of year, be sure to shop around and find out what kind of incentives are available at different dealerships before buying. Incentives could include cash back, low APR loans, or even free oil changes for life!

If your dealership has monthly quotas for new cars sold per employee (e.g., “John Doe” must sell at least two new Fords per month), then they may try to push you towards buying one before the end of the month if they know that it will help them meet their monthly quota for sales staff members like yourself.

Take Your Time

The first thing to remember is that you have time. You don’t have to make a decision right away, so be sure not to let the salesperson rush you into buying something on the spot. Take your time, and don’t feel pressured by them or yourself into making a decision prematurely.

If it turns out that you change your mind about a car after having driven it for a couple days, so what? The worst thing that can happen is that they’ll tell someone else about how great their car is and they’ll sell it again in no time flat!

Don’t Be Too Proud To Haggle On Price

We’ve all heard the mantra “Don’t be afraid to haggle.” It’s a good one, but it’s not enough. You must also know what you’re willing to walk away from if they don’t give you what you want.

If they won’t come down on price, or if they won’t offer a deal on extras like tinting or window tinting—walk away. Your car is not worth the extra money for these things..

Be Nice To Everyone You Meet At The Dealership

Be nice to everyone you meet at the dealership. Ask questions, but don’t be afraid to be direct or straightforward.

How much do you pay for your commission? Is it negotiable? Do they offer discounts on a new car if I trade in my old one (and what are those terms)? Can I buy this used car as-is and leave with it today?

Respect their time and make them feel like they should respect yours. If they’re not willing to work with you on your budget and timeline, walk away! They’ll work harder for someone who knows what they want than for someone who comes in unprepared.

Don’t let them push any more than two cars on you at once; otherwise, it’s hard to compare prices accurately or make an educated decision about which vehicle is best suited to meet your needs.

Be prepared to make decisions quickly but don’t rush into anything! If something seems too good/too bad/too ugly…it probably is (in one way or another).

Don’t get caught up in emotions; keep calm and rational so that when push comes after shove comes after backstabbing comes after betrayal…you’ll still be able to see straight enough through the smoke screen of deceitfulness surrounding these people just long enough

Stakeholder	Why it Matters
Salesperson	They are the gatekeepers of deals and discounts
Manager	They have the final say on prices and incentives
Finance Department	They can help you secure the best financing options
Service Department	They can provide maintenance and repair services to keep your car in top condition

Being nice to everyone you meet at the dealership can help you build rapport and establish trust, which can lead to better deals and discounts. Here are some key stakeholders you should be sure to be friendly with when visiting a dealership.

Conclusion

Remember that no deal is perfect, and as long as you’re getting a good price on the car you want, you shouldn’t stress too much about the other details.

If a dealership won’t give in on something important to you (like paying off your trade-in), then it might not be worth continuing negotiations with them.

Always remember to keep an open mind about what kind of cars are available at different dealerships or even within the same brand—you never know when another option will strike gold!

FAQs

How do I determine the value of a used car?

There are several factors to consider when determining the value of a used car, including the make and model, year, mileage, and condition. You can use online valuation tools or consult with a dealership or mechanic to get an accurate estimate.

What should I consider when test driving a used car?

When test driving a used car, pay attention to how it handles on the road, any unusual sounds or smells, and any issues with the brakes or transmission. You should also inspect the interior and exterior for signs of wear and tear.

Should I buy a car from a private seller or a dealership?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. Private sellers may offer lower prices, but there is no warranty or guarantee of quality, while dealerships offer more protections and financing options, but may be more expensive.

How should I negotiate with a car seller?

A: Negotiating with a car seller involves doing your research, setting a budget, and being willing to walk away if the seller is unwilling to meet your terms. You should also be prepared to make a counteroffer and have financing options in place.

What is a vehicle history report, and why is it important?

A vehicle history report provides information on a car’s ownership history, accident and repair history, and other important details. It is important to check the vehicle history report before purchasing a used car to ensure it has not been in any major accidents or had other issues that could impact its value and safety.