When buying a car, remember: you are the boss
Here is a host of useful tips for drivers looking for a new set of wheels
BY ZACK SPENCER, CANWEST NEWS SERVICEMARCH 28, 2010
Vancouver Sun test driver and host of Driving Television dispenses some good advice on buying new car, distilled from his recent book Motormouth: The Complete Canadian Car Buying Guide.
The first thing to remember is new car dealers don't make a lot of money when they sell you a new car.
The bulk of any dealerships profitability comes from service and used car sales, so the amount of movement on the price is marginal. The best deal any buyer will get is on the amount paid to finance the vehicle, so look for deals that offer 0% interest or very low financing charges. Rebates are another way to save money so try to look for deals that include low financing along with a rebate to help minimize the cost to you. These manufacturer incentives are the most you will save on a new car so monitor the market in this newspaper on a regular basis.
I also suggest you test drive vehicle types and brands you might have never considered. Instead of an SUV, maybe try a station wagon. Instead of a gasoline engine, maybe a clean diesel or hybrid car might fit the bill better. We all have prejudices when it comes to certain brands of vehicles. By trying brands you might have not considered will open your eyes to the great products available in the market. Have you ever considered a Korean car or domestic product? The Detroit three and Korean two manufacturers have fantastic vehicles and should be considered along with Japanese and European cars or if you only buy domestic, try the competition.
Once you have established a short list of vehicles to choose from, then the fun begins. Make sure that you test-drive each vehicle just like an auto reviewer does. Don't get caught up with the shinny paint and great stereo, pay close attention to the details. Do you and your family along with your things fit? Take items like baby seats, golf clubs, strollers and hockey bags to the dealer and see if they fit. Also, can you sit comfortable in the seat and see and reach everything easily? Is the interior well made and does it feel good to the touch? Remember that you will spend the most time inside, interacting with the vehicle, so these features are very important.
When you have narrowed your choice down to one it is important to get just the right amount of equipment. You don't want to overspend on certain features but leaving others out can be a mistake. Safety features I would insist on would be traction and stability control along with ABS and front, side and curtain airbags. Comfort features like air conditioning and power windows are personal choices but one item that is worth including is Bluetooth phone connectivity to ensure you remain legal while talking on your cellphone. Another nice feature is iPod or MP3 capability with the stereo able to control the player remotely.
The last part of buying a car is doing the deal and most people dread this part of the process. Remember this phrase while you are buying .... "I am in charge". You are in charge of your money, the options and add-ons you might want or not want to purchase and ultimately if the deal is going ahead. If at any time you are not sure, or want to get clarification on specific items, don't hesitate to ask. If the deal isn't what you want, you can change your mind and keep on shopping. Don't be rushed into any decisions that you are uncomfortable with and remember that all the add-on items like rust proofing, upholstery protection and paint protection can all be purchased after you take delivery of your car at a business other than the dealership.
The last thing I want to stress and I repeat often in my book is that you shouldn't be in a rush to purchase a vehicle. Take your time and do a lot of research online before you shop and don't be pushed into a vehicle, option or add-on that you are not sure of.
zack@motormouth.ca Motormouth: The Complete Canadian Car Buying Guide," is published by John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd. (ISBN 978-470-16026-8) and is available online and in local bookstores.
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