Tips for Getting a Great Deal on Your Next Car

Everyone needs a great set of wheels. But when you’re getting ready to go car shopping, you may feel a little bit stressed. It’s not hard to see why. Many aspects of car shopping are quite stressful. You’re most likely going to have to figure out financing and other headaches. And, perhaps most stressful of all, you’re going to have to rely on your own judgment as you make the call on which vehicle will be worth plunking down big bucks for. Vehicles can cost tens of thousands of dollars, which is no small change in a country where the typical household has less than ten grand in the bank.

But don’t stress out too much, because we’re here to help you. Below, you’ll find some great tips for maximizing the value that you get for your money when you buy your next vehicle. Hopefully, following these tips will allow you to feel a little bit better — and a little bit more relaxed — about your decision to drop some major money on a new ride.

Your budget above all else

Buying a car is necessary for many of us. How else will we get to work? Like it or not, we probably have to take out a loan and make this pricey purchase.

But don’t let the fact that this purchase is so big cloud your judgment. The difference between $25,000 and $30,000 is still a big deal to you, even if you can spread that difference out over months and months of loan payments. Be very careful about how much debt you take out, and keep an eye on the purchase price, not just the monthly payment — the latter can be deceptive.

Get financing ahead of time

Dealerships will often have financing options ready for you. But car financing is a big deal: You’re taking out a hefty loan! Obviously, it’s extremely important that you get the best possible deal with the most attractive possible terms. The difference of a few decimal points could add up to big bucks over the life of the loan.

So shop around. Check out different financing options before you head out on a shopping trip, and get pre-approved. Dealerships and car sales websites are for finding cars, not for finding the best possible financing deal.

Leverage the power of online search engines

The people have spoken, and the message is clear: Car dealerships stink! When consumers shop at car dealerships, they feel overwhelmed and pressured. And it’s easy to see why they feel that way, because dealerships are full of pushy sales associates who have all of the cards up their sleeve when it comes to choosing a vehicle and negotiating a price.

When you look online, by contrast, you can check out cars without a sales associate at your side. Taking a break to look up more details and do more research is as simple as opening a new tab in your browser. You’ll be able to search wider areas and see a larger selection than you would on the lot at your local dealership. And you won’t miss out on dealership stock: for instance, if you search “used cars Easton PA” on a popular vehicle shopping site like carshopper.com, you’ll see search results that include local dealerships in the Easton, Pennsylvania area.

Be wary of warranties

Buying a car can be complicated in part because there are so many add-ons and potential additional expenses. It’s up to you whether or not you splurge for add-on packages that improve your car’s features (though you should be careful about how they drive the price up), but you’ll most likely want to steer clear of dealer-backed warranties.

Why? Simply because they’re not often the best deal. Keep in mind that your vehicle’s manufacturer already offers a warranty that will almost certainly overlap a bit with any dealership-backed one. And check the fine print on the dealership warranty: Do you have to visit the dealerships for basic maintenance, or can you use your own mechanic? When all is said and done, the better financial move is often to skip the dealership warranty.