Buying a car can be a lot of fun, but not if you drive off the lot feeling like you could have gotten a better deal. Getting the right price is important, especially if you finance your purchase, since you’ll carry your monthly car payment with you for some time. Luckily, there are ways you can get a good deal and avoid the frustration of haggling.
Do Your Homework
The internet makes comparing car prices a snap, so you should use this important tool before setting foot in a dealership. If a certain make and model has piqued your interest, look it up at several dealerships and compare prices. Even if you don’t buy it at the dealer with the lowest price, you can use their advertised price as a negotiating tool. If you’re looking at a used car, get as much information about it as you can and use auto valuation sites like Kelley Blue Book to get an idea of what you should be paying.
Ask Around
Some car dealerships are great to work with, but others truly do resemble the popular shady used car dealer stereotype. Ask friends and family to recommend an honest car dealership in Arlington Heights, IL, that will give you a fair price. They’ll tell you who they liked — and often who they didn’t — so you can avoid dealers who care more about profit margins than people.
Timing Is Everything
Every car dealership in Arlington Heights, IL, has one thing in common: they have bills to pay. In order to cover their bills and make a profit, dealers must move a certain number of cars every month. If sales have been slow, you might get a better deal at the end of a month, quarter, or year. Be realistic, however. You may get a slightly better price, but no one is going to give you such a great deal that they forgo their profit. Part of getting a good deal is recognizing when you’re offered one.
Car dealers know what each car on their lot is worth. Price negotiations will go better for you if you, too, know the vehicle’s true value. Know the average price of the car you’re looking at, find it at a reputable dealer, and go shopping toward the end of the month or quarter. If you do, you’re likely to get a good deal.
