Getting the Best Price from a Dealer in Minutes

Dealers want your business and in today’s market, you as the buyer hold all the Aces in the pack. You cannot lose but, you do want to be sure you are getting the very best price for the car you are interested in. You can pull all kinds of stunts and use different techniques but this is one sure-fire way of getting that absolute, rock-bottom price in minutes.

Traditional negotiating techniques will run something like this – you scout around for a vehicle you are interested in, you do some price research on the internet and then you visit a short-list of dealers, maybe two or three if you are lucky enough to have the time, and probably have a test drive or two.

Then you are into doing the deal and trying to get the price reduced and the benefits maximized. This is where the car sales representative starts to gain the upper hand – they have all the training in the world and they are highly experienced negotiators. The dealers you are approaching for prices will all give you their lowest quote for your business but at the same time, they are looking to make money for themselves so how low can they actually go?

You can play one dealer off against another and try to get the price down, but that is a lot of stressful messing around and it takes a lot of time too.

Try this technique instead.

Get your quotes for the price of the new vehicle. A good dealer will call you in a day or two to follow up with the price they offered and looking for you to come in to the dealership and close the deal.
When this happens, simply tell them this – “I really want to buy the car but your quote was too high and you’re out of the running. If you want to provide another quote, I’ll certainly take a look.”
No matter how low the quote is and no matter who the dealer is, always try this – if you don’t get a call, send them an email along the same lines.

Now you wait.
You will now get another set of quotes sent to you by everyone involved. If they offered you the lowest price the first time around, they will not engage in this and will stand by their initial quote. Chances are they will all come back to you with another set of reduced prices.

Some dealers may say there is no way they are being undercut and ask for proof of the lower pricing. Stand firm – tell them that you are not playing this game, if you tell them the lowest price they simply undercut it by $100, and you have to go back to the original dealer and see if they will undercut that price by a $100 and so on – it’s a waste of your time so just come up with the best price they’ve got!

When you have the new prices, play the same game all over again – each time, dealers will drop out when new quotes are requested. When this happens, you know you’re getting that dealer’s absolute, rock-bottom price. Now review all the quotes you received and see who came up with the best deal overall – you’re guaranteed to have the very lowest price for your new car!

Important Factors To Consider When Buying A Used Car

With the sluggish economy motivating people to look for ways to conserve their cash, the used car market has surged. Millions of drivers who are ready to purchase a vehicle are skipping the dealership lots and instead, are looking for pre-owned bargains. In past articles, we’ve discussed how to narrow your focus to the used vehicles that suit your driving needs and preferences. In this article, we’ll continue the process by creating your short list, taking the vehicles for a test drive, and visiting the mechanic.

Building Your Short List Of Candidates

Your time is limited. You can’t afford to waste it by chasing every model that remotely fits the type of car you’re looking for. You need to build a short list of candidates. Your list should include three of four cars so you’ll have options in the event your top choice isn’t available at a price you can afford.

You’ll find plenty of good deals from private parties and used car lots. Having said that, most people prefer to deal with private parties because the prices are lower, it’s easier to negotiate, and there’s a higher level of trust.

Taking A Test Drive

You’ll seldom hear this advice, but avoid test driving a vehicle unless you have already placed it onto your short list. The reason is because getting behind the wheel has an emotional effect on our decision-making process. That’s why salespeople at the dealership encourage you to take their vehicles for a spin.

If a car has not passed your initial criteria (and therefore, has not made your list), there’s no reason to test drive it. In fact, doing so can cloud your judgment.

When test driving the models that have made it onto your list, pay attention to your comfort and convenience. Headroom, legroom, and the ease with which you can reach everything are important. Also, take note of the automobile’s handling, including its ability to accelerate, stop, and take turns.

First Trip To The Mechanic

Unless you’re buying a certified pre-owned model, plan to have a mechanic take a look before you purchase. He’ll put the automobile on lifts and inspect the underside for leaks. He can also compression check the engine to identify signs of excess wear and tear. Plus, if there are any signs of major damage, he’ll be able to find them far more easily than you. The $100 you might need to invest may be one of the best investments you can make.

Negotiating The Price

Once you have test driven your preferred vehicle and have had a mechanic give you a “thumbs up,” it’s time to negotiate the price with the seller. It’s important that you know the value of the vehicle and privately set a price ceiling prior to the negotiations. That way, you’ll have less trouble walking away if the seller is unwilling to lower the price to fit your budget. Negotiating the price of a used car is an art unto itself (and beyond the scope of this article). For now, use the suggestions above to narrow your list of candidates and identify potential bargains.

Diagnosing The Root Cause Behind Mysterious Car Odors

Most people would like to know in advance when various parts and systems are on the verge of failing. That way, they can have problems fixed and avoid being left stranded by the side of the road. Many of these same people would be surprised to learn that the odors they smell while driving often provide valuable clues about impending failures.

This article will provide a quick overview of some of the scents you might notice when you’re on the road. I’ll describe the smell and explain what may be causing it. If you can determine its source, you can identify the culprit and have the problem fixed before your car breaks down.

Burning Toast

This can be caused by two factors. Both are leaks. First, the smell of burning toast is often caused by an oil leakage from your engine. The oil drips onto the exhaust manifold or a pipe. During your engine’s operation, the temperature of these parts rises. The oil lands on them and burns, producing the smell.

The second type of leak comes from the transmission. If the fluid or coolant leaks onto one of the exhaust pipes, it too, will burn.

Leaks forms in the seals and gaskets. You should check the fluid levels in your engine and transmission, replenishing them if they’re low. Then, have a mechanic find and fix the leak before it worsens.

Fuel

If you smell gas in the cabin of your vehicle, you should immediately pull over to the side of the road and get out of your car. If you’re driving with others, they should also exit the car. A gas odor means there’s a fuel leak from the gas tank or one of the fuel lines. It is extremely dangerous.

If there is no fire, lift the hood and check for a source. Then, consider having your vehicle towed to a mechanic who can find and replace the leaking part. If you notice a fire, move away from your car (tell your passengers to do the same) and call 9-1-1.

Mildew

There are two things that might produce a mildewy odor in your car. If it is pervasive and you smell it regardless of whether your air conditioner is engaged, it’s likely due to a water leak that has soaked into the carpet. This usually occurs as the result of a bad window seal.

The second thing that can cause the smell is mold that has settled and grown on your A/C’s evaporator. In this case, you’ll probably only notice the odor when your A/C is engaged.

With wet carpet, you’ll need to dry it thoroughly to eliminate the smell. With your air conditioner’s evaporator, you’ll need to have the component replaced. You may be able to get rid of the musty smell by using a odor-reducing spray, but the spray will not remove the mold or mildew. Prolonged exposure to it can be unhealthy.

Sweet Odor

If you notice a sugary or sweet smell while driving, there’s a good chance you’re leaking antifreeze. Take a look at the engine temp gauge to make sure your engine is not operating at an excessively high temperature. If you see white smoke (i.e. steam) coming from under your hood, stop your vehicle; continuing to drive might cause expensive engine damage. Wait until your car has cooled before lifting the hood and checking the cooling system.

The odors you smell while driving can provide useful insight regarding potential problems under the hood. Investigate them as soon as you notice them. Small leaks grow larger with time as seals and gaskets continue to deteriorate. Some, like fuel leaks, are dangerous. The sooner you can have a mechanic find and resolve the problem, the less likely you’ll be stuck by the side of the road.