Timing Your Purchase

Everyone has a theory about the best time to buy a new car to get the lowest prices. As it turns out, however, there really are certain times of the year when you can get extraordinary deals:



• December—it's the end of the year and the dealers are worrying about making end of year quotas

• July through October—dealers are trying to make room for the new model year cars



Very often there are unadvertised factory to dealer incentives during these periods. Even if the dealer splits the incentive down the middle, you still get a great deal.

Car Buying Publications

If you are uncomfortable transacting business over the Internet and prefer to do your new car search the "old-fashioned" way, there are plenty of other resources available to you.

Some magazines offer new vehicle reviews. You can subscribe to the publication, view it at your local library (some will even let you check out back issues), or buy it at your local book store. You may also want to pick up a copy of Consumer Reports New Car Buying Guide, which is thick with new car reviews and tips on buying a new car.

Online Car Buying Resources

Why leave your home? There are so many online resources available to today's consumers that buying a new car can be done almost entirely from home. Instead of wandering car lot after car lot, narrow your choices down by researching your options online. You can:

• Build your car online, carefully considering options in the comfort of your own home instead of succumbing to last-minute, high-pressure sales tactics at the dealership

• Crunch the numbers by researching transaction values (what buyers are paying for the car in your area), or what Edmunds.com calls "true market value"

• You can request car quotes from multiple dealers online (doing so puts you in a much better negotiating position)

*If you're comfortable with online transactions, you can complete the transaction online conducting dealer communication by e-mail and having the car delivered to your doorstep. In this case, paperwork would be completed by mail.

Trade-in Allowance Savvy

Even though the honeymoon might be over for you and your car, it may surprise you to learn that auto dealerships are all-too-happy to court your Cadillac. Even though the salesperson may act indifferent toward your trade, the fact of the matter is that some of the dealerships best profits are realized on reselling cars they take in trade.

To get the most for your trade, clean the car up before you go the dealer and check with online used car pricing guides (such as Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds) to find out what your car is actually worth in trade. Only then can you begin to negotiate intelligently.

Classified Ads

If you are uncomfortable revealing your contact information to car dealers using an online car finder service, you can always resort to the traditional used car classifieds. Local and regional newspaper print classifieds and display ads are still hugely popular with both dealers and private sellers alike.

If you are selling a used car, placing an ad with your local or regional newspaper may be the best advertising buy for your buck. Most newspapers will not only run your ad in the print version, but will include it in their online classified listings as well.

Car Reviews in Print

There are tons of sources for used car reviews available online, at the library, as well as at your local bookstore. J.D. Power & Associates' consumer Web site is one example that is online.

J.D. Power & Associates is a global marketing information firm that conducts independent consumer satisfaction surveys of car owners (as well as other consumer products). For example, if you are considering buying a used Nissan Altima, you can enter that information on the site and you can review, for free, the results of J.D. Power & Associates' consumer satisfaction survey of Nissan Altimas for several years' models.

While many car reviews include technical details, the J.D. Powers & Associates site is one of the few where you can find actual customer satisfaction surveys based on real customers' life experiences with their own cars.

*The site also has an interactive tool called the New Car Advisor in which you set parameters for what type of features you prefer in a vehicle and the tool returns a list of the best matches for you to consider.

Car Buying Web Site Reviews

Educate yourself! If you plan to conduct some or most car shopping (online or on the lots), check out Forbes.com's review of car buying Web sites. It includes reviews of



• Consumer Guide

• Auto Trader

• Edmunds

• GM BuyPower

• New Car Test Drive

• Price Quotes

• Autobytel

• Cars.com

• CarsDirect.com

• Kelley Blue Book



Before making a large investment in a car, you owe it to yourself to do research. A new car dealer or online car dealer is out to make a sale and it is not guaranteed that these individuals are honest. Be smart and learn the facts—you'll be glad you did.

Battery Problems

There's nothing worse than getting stranded when your battery conks out. To avoid this situation, it's a good idea to remember to check your battery each time you have the oil changed. All you need is a good set of eyes. If there is corrosion on your battery terminals, they should be cleaned to ensure smooth starts. However, completely replace your battery if:

• If the battery's casing is cracked
• If the battery cables are frayed
• If there is anything leaking from the battery
• If you can't remember how long your battery has been in your car

*If you have an extended warranty, a new battery may be covered. Check with your warranty company.

Smart Car Warranty Shopping

If you are considering purchasing a car warranty either from a dealer or direct from the warranty company, there are some key questions you should ask up front to make sure you aren't being taken for a ride. Make sure you ask:

• How long does the warranty last?
• What, if any, is the mileage limitation?
• What's covered?
• What's the deductible amount?
• Who does the repairs?
• Who pays the bill?
• What, if any, maintenance requirements exist?
• Can you cancel without penalty?

You should also check the warranty company out with both the Better Business Bureau and a rating agency such as A.M. Best or Standard & Poor's.

Online Car Finder Services

The advent of the Internet has really altered the used car buying process. While many people still buy and sell used cars via the classifieds, many more have taken to the information superhighway to track down their next ride. There are many online car finder services, such as Vehix.com, that can help you with your hunt.

Once you find an online car finder service, simply plug in the make and model you're looking for, your zip code, and how far you're willing to travel to a dealership. A virtual smorgasbord of available vehicles will display for you to view. For example, if you're looking for a Honda Element, just enter a few pieces of information and you'll be eyeing a list of available, in-stock Elements, including a variety of information such as color, mileage, options, and dealer.