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O2 - 10 Steps to a new car bargain
- Decide your needs. There’s no point buying a sports car if you’ve got a
family of six. Write down what you need from a car: how many seats (between
two and eight); body style (hatch, saloon, estate, people carrier, off-roader,
coupe or cabriolet); engine size and fuel (petrol, diesel or alternative); and
any other priorities such as four-wheel drive.
- Fix your budget. Set a realistic budget for outright purchase or monthly
payments – and stick to it throughout.
- Pick the right car. Use data such as that found in the back of What Car?
To draw up a shortlist of possible cars that match your needs and budget.
Don’t forget to check the magazine’s "Worth waiting for" column that
lists future model launches.
- Ask your dealer for a test drive. Decide which car is best for you by test
driving your shortlist. Your opinion might change once you’ve had a chance to
pore over each car and driven them on a variety of roads. Test drives should
last at least an hour and some dealers will lend you a car overnight.
- Research prices. Main franchised dealers are the safest place to buy your
new car, but you will pay a premium for this. Compare lower prices at
supermarkets, importers and independent brokers.
- Go out and haggle. Once you’ve pinpointed the car you want – shop around.
Visit different showrooms and play off main dealers against the independent
suppliers to get the best savings. What car? Publishes the monthly
target price, an achievable discount – and it’s guaranteed.
- Push for extras. It’s crucial to get a good price on your next car – but
push the salesman to throw in extras too. The cost of options is as negotiable
as the list price itself.
- Don’t forget your part exchange. If you’re getting rid of your existing
car, consider the best way to dispose of it. Ask each salesman for a trade in
quote and push for the best price. Alternatively, you might be better off
selling it privately.
- Shop around for finance. A common sales ploy is to offer a tempting
discount only to claw back the saving through an expensive finance package.
Fix a low price first, then shop around for cheap finance. Many dealers offer
0% deals and don’t forget to compare dealer finance with high street loans.
- Do the deal. Sign the contract, place a deposit and wait. Check the car
over when it arrives – problems should be rectified immediately.
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