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So You Want To Buy A Car

So You Want To Buy A Car

Don’t shriek, it’s all right–it’s just time to buy a car.Sure, it can be hectic.There are tons of decisions to be made, such as model, type, shape, color, personality, gas mileage, appeal and affordability. Buying a car can be very hectic, so let’s take it one step at a time. First off, what are your motives?

It’s not usually the first question that comes to mind, but what is the intended purpose of the vehicle?Is it to get a girlfriend? Or maybe it’s to get the best gas mileage or low maintenance?What about status, being recognized or being heard from three blocks away?Realization time: There is no car that will satisfy all of your desires. Don’t put so many expectations on a car.

Kind of makes you wonder if a hundred years ago, young adults went through the same process with buying horses."The mare looks good, but do you think it’ll make it through the winter?"

"Buying a car is like going to the dentist," said Jeremy Walker, 26, a graduate student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville."At some point in time, you have to, even if you don’t want to, and when you’re done, you feel better about it."

Kristi Lay, 25, who is a graduate of Taylor University, works at the Genetics Institute. When her brother was looking for a car, he decided to take a test drive. As a courtesy gesture, he gave his keys to the sales rep. After the test drive, he told the salesman he had no interest in the car and was ready to leave.Naturally, he asked for the keys, and oddly enough the salesman refused. Taken aback, the family asked several more times for the keys, but the salesman was intent on keeping these customers. "Finally, my aunt screamed at the top of her lungs, ‘I demand to see the manager!’ Everyone in the place froze and a manager came over promptly. The manager had to ask the employee three times before he gave up the keys," she shared."He was trying to make a sale and was annoying the heck out of us."

Make no mistake, dealerships are in the business of selling cars. No matter how cool or laid back they seem, there is one goal: to sell the car.

Steve Geno, 48, and his wife remember an incident that happened at a Nissan dealership. "I was negotiating with a salesman over a ’95 Camaro, and finally we settled on a price between $8,300 and $8,500," he said.Apparently, the salesman went to check with the Finance Manager on the price, and the finance manager came back to talk with Geno. "They came over and said a mistake had been made and tried to raise the agreed upon price."Throughout the next hour, five people came over to talk with the Genos to try to raise the price of the car. Later Geno heard, "We were trying to slowly work you back up to $10,000."After hours of negotiating, they left disgusted.

Now that you’re aware of the potential hassles,let’s go car shopping.

Sometimes the best solution is going to an individual seller.But alas, the two dreaded words make their debut appearance: "AS IS."It’s tough to swallow, but get used to it.

Check on the Internet at www.kbb.com to find the car’s value.Make sure you have a spending budget price before going and looking at the car. Remember you can get an average deal nearly anywhere.Don’t settle for average.Get the good deal, even if it means holding out an extra day or so.You could save thousands.

Here is a checklist of things to consider when purchasing a car:

Can your budget support this purchase? (Consider all cost involved including: insurance, gas mileage, applicable taxes and speeding tickets.)

How long will you keep the car? How much will the car be worth when it’s time to sell?

Is the purchase a want or a need?There is a difference, and you need to look deep inside to discover why you’re making the purchase.

Will this car fit your lifestyle?

Is this the most efficient car at the most efficient price?

Will you enjoy or despise this car?

It’s hard to think about, but don’t get married to your car.If it starts having problems and issues, get out, and quick.But also think of the car for a second.Maybe it’s had a simple life with routine stops, low mileage, one owner and loving care.It’s time for the car to experience a new lifestyle of late night runs, excessive highway mileage and possible high speeds.Be nice.

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