Over the last several years, I have saved $1,000s buying new and used cars, trucks, and motorcycles. When I have added all the money I saved, I would have been able to buy a new, small, thrifty car outright. As a female; with a father who was a mechanic, I took to the love of anything with an engine very quick. I have been part of a national car show team, spent a year racing at my local track on weekends, and have learned to work on vehicles as well as modify them. I also had the advantage of being a new and used car salesman, so I have seen how both sides of the sale work.
My most recent and favorite purchase was my lifted 2001 Ford F-250. I began my search on the internet using sites like craigslist.com, autotrader.com, as well as searching websites of all local dealers in my area. By doing this, I was able to see what the average price was for this year and model of vehicle. A good idea for someone who is not familiar with different makes and models is to do your research on Edmunds.com or kbb.com. Compare the pros and cons of the vehicle and see how well it will fit within your budget; how much gas will cost, how it will affect your insurance, and how affordable replacement parts such as tires will be.
The best price breaks I’ve been able to get on any vehicle is when I have cash or a check from my bank in hand. With my Ford F-250, I did my research as I described before going to the dealership to see the truck in person. It already had a body lift, oversized tires, and other modifications that I did not have to worry about paying out of pocket at a later date. The truck’s sticker price was almost $15,000.00. Never appear too interested in a vehicle and let the salesman know there is no problem with walking off the lot. By letting them know, you are “Just Looking” puts the ball in your court. After going over this truck from top to bottom; pointing out parts that would eventually need to be replaced and parts I would be throwing out when I do the modifications I intended to, I was able to explain how much money I would be putting into the truck in the long run. After asking and being told the truck had been on the lot for about three months, I began to point out the reasons why this vehicle was a hard sell and for the right price, I would take it off their hands. By knowing the average income of potential buyers in this area, the cost of fuel still on the rise at this time, and explaining the other truck options, I already have in mind, but for the sake of convenience, if the price is right we can do this deal now.
Keep in mind that every dealership has some room to give when it comes to a new or used car. When purchasing a brand new car, it is best to go through your credit union, or the internet manager at the dealership. It is best to wait for a sale; year-end sales for a new older model, or other annual sales to take any further savings. The point in any vehicle purchase is not to buy any vehicle unless it is at an affordable price; suitable for the years, make, and model. With my truck, I walked my kids off the lot before they realized I was not going to be pushed into anything. By the time, I reached my car the salesman had been asking what price I would be willing to pay. When I told him no more than $10,000 out the door and that I had money in hand, it took less than 20 minutes to sign the paperwork and be on my way home with my truck.
