Purchasing a new vehicle can be scary. Often times we catch ourselves considering if now is the right time, can we afford a car payment, what if… and more. If you’ve reached the point of considering the purchase, there truly are ways to save, so consider them before hitting the car lots. Keep in mind, fully loaded, brand new and others will jack up your price, is that something you really need? So what are the ways you can save when purchasing a vehicle?
We posted this question on our weekly Penny For Your Thoughts post on our Facebook page. Here are the tips which were shared by our readers.
“Know what you really want- what is a “must” and what you can live without. Being firm in your decision and knowing what you want going in can help you better negotiate a price.” – Sarah C.
“Don’t sign anything until you’ve shopped around and are happy. You can bargain with them, if they won’t budge leave and start over until you get what you want for the price you are willing to pay.” – Amanda E.
“DO NOT BUY BRAND NEW, EVER!!!” – Gari O.
“Buy a used car with low miles. The factory warranty is still good and it costs thousands less.” – Leslie A.
“Save up and pay cash.” – Hilda R.
“Another tip is to always check a dealers price with TrueCar.com and compare the two. The dealer should match it!” – Tracie D.
“Be informed before you go. Research the internet for prices and even look at options online to get a feel for what things are going for. Ask yourself what you need in a vehicle and what you would like to have. Don’t be pressured into add-ons that you might never use. If you know someone that works at one of the manufacturing plants sometimes they are allowed a couple friends and family discounts if buying new. Plus, they often know salespeople or about cars that are being sold used in the area. I’ve found that those people that work around cars or for a hobby keep an eye out for what is being sold.” – Stephanie C.
Make sure you watch Facebook each Monday for our newest question and share your ideas. You may find your name and tip featured each week on Penny Pinchin’ Mom!
Stephanie says
I think these days the “Never buy a new car” thought is a bit outdated. There are tons of ways to look into a new car and not have it cost more than a used one. There is truecar.com to help you determine the actual cost instead of dealer mark ups and KBB to also tell you resale and estimated value. Plus, you also need to factor in repair costs. I’m not going to say that new cars never need to go to the shop, but they’re also sometimes easier to get parts for and they aren’t as likely to need pricey repairs.
My first car was a 2003 Jeep Liberty that I bought used. My car payments were about $230/month.
I leased my new car (I know leasing isn’t for everyone, but it was a choice I made this time). I got a brand new, off the showroom floor 2014 Nissan Rogue back in December 2013, with a high mileage lease and an auto maintenance package (I get a lot of discounted services and 4 free oil changes a year for an additional $10/month in my payment) for a payment of $245/month.
Not to mention, my car insurance rates were higher in the older SUV than the newer one.
At the end of the day, I actually pay less in payments, insurance and repair fees in my brand new car than I do in my old used one. I loved my Jeep but it was an expensive upkeep. My new car has cost me almost nothing in repairs in the year and a half I’ve owned it, even if I was paying for oil changes it would be less.
So a used car isn’t always a better way to go.