More Than Wheels

How to Get the Car you Need at the Price You Can Afford

Learn the Tricks of the Trade

A skilled car salesman has no trouble getting a consumer to end up with a totally different car than they originally planned to buy. And far too often it’s a car that they really can’t afford. The car-buying experts at More Than Wheels share what you should know before going to purchase a car and how to get the car you need at the price you can afford.

Remember:   An informed shopper is less vulnerable to the many car purchasing tactics that are designed to bump up the price so that the consumer pays more for the car. We can share with your audience how they should do their homework, and the kinds of questions they should ask.

• Be aware of the difference between what kind of car you NEED versus an expensive WANT. There will always be fancier models with all the latest electronics there to tempt you, but don't let yourself be swayed into purchasing more than you can realistically afford. Often buyers get caught up in the car buying and forget to look at all the costs of car ownership. That fancy car with all the bells and whistles may feel great that day but when the car payment, gas and insurance payments go out every month it may be too much for your budget.

• Make sure you can afford a new car. Look carefully at your budget before you go car shopping--do the math! Be careful to take all costs into consideration, not just the car payment, but also include insurance, fuel, maintenance and depreciation. Before you step on the lot you should know the budget you have to work with and an approximate rate and maximum term and price range you can look at .

• Shop for insurance. Get at least 3 quotes. Remember that many factors affect your insurance rate such as where you live, your past driving record, and poor credit.

• Know what car you will buy BEFORE stepping on the car lot. Get reliable recommendations from friends, mechanics, and online consumer reports. Even asking people in shopping mall parking lots or at the doctors can yield good information. Some dealer's offer discounted prices on the internet listings for online shoppers. Coming into a dealership with the lower price in hand gives you extra bargaining power to save you money.

• Watch out for credit checks done without your knowledge. There is no reason for a dealer to run your credit before you pick out a car. You should also check with your local bank or credit union to see what the rate would be before you let the dealer check your credit. Only when you know you want to finance with them should you give them your personal information.

• If the salesperson asks what you want your payment to be you should say it depends on the car, term and rate. Dealers ask this question so they can determine the car price and manipulate the term to fit in the payment you say you need, with the most profit for the dealer.

• Before signing anything know the facts--not just the monthly payment. Be sure you know the price, rate, term and total amount financed.

• Read the fine print. The dealer will often negotiate the car price but then have unnecessary add-ons such as gap, life and disability, overpriced warranty, sealant etc., to make more profit for the dealership.

Remember:
• Consider Needs over Wants
• Think Beyond Today
• Do your Homework

And if problems with your credit are preventing you from getting an affordable interest rate, call More Than Wheels at 866-455-2522 or visit www.MoreThanWheels.org so we can help you get the best deal, the best price and a preferred interest rate on a reliable new car.