How to get the best car deals

With so many online tools and apps available to car buyers, it's easier than ever to find a new car. But all the tools in the world can't negotiate a big deal for you. If you want to find a good car at the right price, you need to be prepared before you step into the car shop.

Getting the best car deals on a used car is part science and part art. Finding a car you're interested in is just the beginning of the process. Not only do you need to know what you want, but you also need tools and knowledge to get it at a good price. That's why we put together step-by-step guidance to help you get the best car deals.

Find your price point

Before you think about what kind of used car you want to buy, you need to think about how much you are willing to spend. If you have a budget of only $8000, you probably shouldn't be looking for a second-hand Cadillac. You're just wasting your time. ）Instead, you should make a budget and find a car that really meets this price point. Remember, buying a car is just the first expense. You will have ongoing costs - such as insurance, maintenance and future repairs - and you need to remember that.

Make a list of goals

Once you've decided on your budget, it's time to start doing some research. Use image Cars.com And online tools like Carmax to find cars that match the price you choose. List the products and models you want within your budget so you can find them in your own area.

Determine the scope of the assessment

It's time to narrow your car search. The car and driver buyers guide app can help you compare almost all new or used car reviews on the market. You can even save the target models in your own "virtual garage" so you can look back at them later. In addition, you can find more information on AAA website. Their "car buying tool app" is a great resource for reviews, pricing and safety ratings.

Looking for used cars nearby

After you've locked in the type of car you want, it's time to find some real used cars for sale. There are several different online tools to help you search for a car based on its brand, model and distance from home. However, the car dealer on the road mobile app uses GPS to help you find the location of your favorite car in your area. Once you arrive at the auction, you can also use the app to scan the VIN barcode and find other similar models nearby. If you don't mind traveling, you can shop on eBay to expand your search. They have a lot of new and used cars to sell.

Bring someone with you

When all your preparations are complete, it's time to go to the dealership. But don't go on your own! One of the best things you can do is negotiate with others. Strategically use your friends (or spouses) to play bad cops. Once you start bargaining, it's priceless to have them around you saying, "this doesn't sound like a good deal for you.".

Check how much someone paid

Just because you're in the dealership doesn't mean you have to stop using your car buying tools. Using the truecar mobile app can help you understand the price of a car in this particular location. Once you enter the truecar certified location, just open the app and you can see the exact price that the dealer has recently paid. You can also use the app to scan the window stickers of the target car to get the dealer's actual "prepaid price.".

Ask the salesman to give the first price

Remember, in a negotiation, whoever speaks first loses. If you can, make sure the salesperson gives the first price. It's definitely going to be lower than the bid price, where you can start your negotiation - and ultimately save you more money. If you can't get them to talk first, you can counterattack at a place about 30% lower than the quoted price.

leave

If you've ever talked about buying a car at a dealer, you'll know that part of the process is that they leave the negotiation table to "calculate" and then "ask their boss" about the price. It's a great way for them to get you to spend a lot of time at the dealer, increasing the chances of your best car deals. Don't do that. Take back power by refusing to negotiate. Give them your cell phone number and leave the parking lot. You want to put pressure on them to call you and negotiate a good price, and they almost certainly will. The salesperson knows that if you leave, you may not come back. They live on commission, so they absolutely don't want you to buy from others. In order to change your mind, they have to give you an attractive offer.