| Here are some useful tips on buying a new or used | | | | your car yourself, you generally will get more money |
| car: | | | | than if you trade it in. |
| Buying A New Car: | | | | Buying A Used Car: |
| A new car is second only to a home as the most | | | | Before you start shopping for a used car, do some |
| expensive purchase many consumers make. That's | | | | homework. It may save you serious money. Consider |
| why it's important to know how to make a smart | | | | driving habits, what the car will be used for, and your |
| deal. Think about what car model and options you | | | | budget. Research models, options, costs, repair |
| want and how much you're willing to spend. Do some | | | | records, safety tests, and mileage through libraries, |
| research. You'll be less likely to feel pressured into | | | | book stores, and web sites. |
| making a hasty or expensive decision at the | | | | Before you buy a used car whether from a dealer or |
| showroom and more likely to get a better deal. | | | | an individual: |
| Consider these suggestions: | | | | Examine the car using an inspection checklist. You can |
| Check publications at a library or bookshop, or on the | | | | find checklists in magazines and books and on |
| Internet that discuss new car features and prices. | | | | Internet sites that deal with used cars; |
| These may provide information on the dealer's costs | | | | Test drive the car under varied road conditions-on |
| for specific models and options. | | | | hills, highways, and in stop-and-go-traffic; |
| Shop around to get the best possible price by | | | | Ask for the car's maintenance record from the |
| comparing models and prices in ads and at dealer | | | | owner, dealer, or repair shop; |
| showrooms. You also may want to contact | | | | Hire a mechanic to inspect the car. |
| car-buying services and broker-buying services to | | | | Paying for the car: |
| make comparisons. | | | | Most people do not realise that they have capital |
| Plan to negotiate on price. Dealers may be willing to | | | | locked up in their property which could be used for |
| bargain on their profit margin. Usually, this is the | | | | buying that special car of their dreams. Release the |
| difference between the manufacturer's suggested | | | | capital tied up in your home with a home owner loan. |
| retail price (MSRP) and the invoice price. Because the | | | | The loan can be used for any purpose, and is |
| price is a factor in the dealer's calculations regardless | | | | available to anyone who owns their home. Home |
| of whether you pay cash or finance your car - and | | | | loans can be used for any purpose such as, new car, |
| also affects your monthly payments - negotiating the | | | | home improvements, pay of store card or credit |
| price can save you money. | | | | card debt and debt consolidation. |
| Consider ordering your new car if you don't see what | | | | Home owner loans are available for practically any |
| you want on the dealer's lot. This may involve a | | | | reason. One of the most common types of home |
| delay, but cars on the lot may have options you | | | | owner loans on offer are debt consolidation loans |
| don't want - and that can raise the price. However, | | | | where the objective is to reduce monthly outgoings |
| dealers often want to sell their current inventory | | | | to a more manageable amount. A UK Home Owner |
| quickly, so you may be able to negotiate a good deal | | | | Loan is great if you want to raise a large amount; are |
| if an in-stock car meets your needs. | | | | having problems getting an unsecured loan; or have a |
| Trading in Your Old Car: | | | | poor credit history. Many lenders look more |
| Discuss the possibility of a trade-in only after you've | | | | favourably on people who are home owners as this |
| negotiated the best possible price for your new car | | | | demonstrates a commitment to repay a large |
| and after you've researched the value of your old | | | | amount of money over a long period. |
| car. Check the library for reference books or | | | | A UK Home Owner Loan is a cheap, low cost, loan |
| magazines that can tell you how much it is worth. | | | | secured on your UK home. It frees up the equity in |
| This information may help you get a better price | | | | your home for you to use on whatever you want. |
| from the dealer. Though it may take longer to sell | | | | |