What scams should I look out for when buying a new car?
Question by Ruby: What scams really should I glimpse out for when getting a new automobile?
I am a female and I really don’t want to get ripped off! I really don’t have too considerably expertise about vehicles. I am arranging to get my brothers with me when I get it.
Best answer:
Answer by poeticmn91271
Make sure you refrain from saying these words. “I really like this automobile!!!”. Make your option a controlled one. Indifference throughout the acquire is important. Constantly consult for the very best offer achievable. Make the salesman function. Be patient. Shoppers Digest on new autos is a wonderful reference manual to get with you.
Give your remedy to this question beneath!
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about 1 year ago
NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER, ASK HOW MUCH ARE THE PAYMENTS. If you ask that, they have got you cornered. Never talk about finacing, loans, or money period, until you have negotiated a deal. If you find a car you like, do not buy it that day. Go back the next day or a few days later. If they don’t have it, they can get it. Trust me, car dealers now are desperate for a sale.
about 1 year ago
Avoid leasing. It’s a way to get you into something you cannot afford, terms are restrictive ( miles limitations)
Avoid extras from the dealer. waranties, accessories
Check into your own financing so you know what a good offer is. read the fine print.
Set a budget and stick with it.
Look into resale value. This won’t be your last car.
about 1 year ago
- Lemons
- Unreported accidents not showing up on Carfax report
- Multiple owners
- Previous rental car history
- Rolled back odometer
- Salvage title
- Flood title
about 1 year ago
Ok in Detroit where I live. There are people who know how to turn back the milage. If someone tells you it had only three owners and has 60,000 miles that raises a flag. Do a lemon check to check the milage does match up.
about 1 year ago
Have your brothers go in and do the shopping and get everything in writing.
You go back the next day and see if the dealer gives you the same deal.
If you get a worse deal, hand them the paperwork your brothers got.
And then contact the Better Business Bureau.
about 1 year ago
Ok, here goes, I just bought a car and I’m super happy – these are the things that work:
If you are buying a brand new car:
Find the invoice price. Basically go to yahoo search and type in “(car) invoice price” Find the actual invoice price. You want to pay within a thousand dollars of that price no matter what. I prefer between $ 400 and $ 500 max actually, since that’s all cash in their pocket.
Know what you want, how much you want to pay for it and use a payment calculator. Find out your credit score. If you have horrible credit, your interst will be higher.
Stick with a five year payment plan, with the lowest interest you can get. If they do cash back or low interest, stick with the low interest because it will be more money for you in the long run.
I put a payment calculator on the bottom of this for you to see how much you would need to buy a car for at what interest to get the payment you want.
Also, go to the manufaturer’s website (www.gmac.com) and look at their current specials. You might have to hunt different sites to find the actual specials. There it will tell you of all the rebates and cash back offered. Make sure they give it to you (and not pocket it themselves).
If you buy used car:
Make sure to get a carfax. Ask them to give you one so you don’t have to pay for it, if they are serious they should do it for you. Also bring it to a nearby garage and have them put it on the lift and really check out the car for you. Make sure to find out the warranty and how long what is for and ask a lot of questions.
Don’t settle unless you are happy. Walk out and come back a different time or day if you have to, but don’t settle. You will be happier in the long run.
Oh, and internet search all the dealerships in your area before you go to find the car you want. And if you want a specific new car, go to that manufacturer’s website and ‘build’ your car and see what dealerships asking prices are, you would be surprised you can find one $ 1,000 cheaper 20 miles away.
about 1 year ago
taking your bros is a good decision only if they have any knowledge about cars. you should make sure is very good condition because person may have a faulty car and just get it clean up in order to be able to sell it so be very careful
about 1 year ago
If you go to the dealer, remember, they paid less for the car the blue book if it is used. If it is new, they pay less then the sticker price. The best thing to do is research the cost of the car on http://www.edmunds.com use the pricing information to get the best deal.
Dealers make more money on used cars than on new cars. If you get a used car from the dealer, you should be able to pay at least 20% less than the sticker price. Also, watch out for them trying to add alarms and extended service agreements, etc. They add these items to the price of the car after you thought you agreed on the selling price. These items are a way to take you to the cleaners when buying a car.
about 1 year ago
I have a friend that was a car salesman and she was working at a NEW car dealership. Reputable right? Wrong, she had to quit because they had a car in a ad that they had gotten rid of before the ad was taken out! And they wanted her to say, when people asked for it, that it was sold already! And she was not going to lie!
Also, that when they ask for a down payment, that they don’t need it, that it goes to the dealership!
BE CAREFUL!!!!
about 1 year ago
Biggest ripoff is “leasing” a car instead of buying it. You make payments and think you are actually buying the car but in the end you are really just renting. If you go over your mileage then you have to pay penalties, if you want to buy the car at the end of the lease you still have to pay for more than half of the original purchase price even after five years of payments.
about 1 year ago
buy a car that is still under the manufacturers original 3 year 36K bumper to bumper warranty, then you wont have to worry about anything
about 1 year ago
look out for a bannana in the tail pipe
about 1 year ago
Always check out different retailers and ask around about them. Word of mouth is the best advertiser! Once you decide where to go, make sure you take someone with you that KNOWS cars. Also; ask to take the car for a test drive and go to a mechanic that you trust. Have them check the car over. We have done that every time when buying a car. It’s saved us ALOT of money. Good luck car hunting!
about 1 year ago
This process is in reference to buying used cars. Make sure you check thoroughly to verify all components are functional. This means to check the A/C in the winter and the heater in the summer so you don’t find those problems when it is too late. Check all fluid levels. Check tires, brakes, and look for any leaks. Some vehicles will have condensation that looks like a leak when the AC runs, other than that any other leak should be questioned. I like to listen to the engine and try to find anything that sounds strange. If in doubt, when you find the car you think you want then run it into a shop and have have them inspect it. It may cost a few bucks to have them look over it but that will be much better than a costly repair on top of a car payment.
If you are buying brand new you will have a warranty. Compare all the brand new types you like and choose the one that fits your needs.
about 1 year ago
First: Do not use “I am a female” as an excuse
Second: ALWAYS compare go to as many Car dealers as you can going for the same car same model and same year. Write prices and benefits to each the answer will become obvious.
Third: Do you really need a NEW car? Big question If your out to impress find a different less expensive way If your out for reliable transportation buy USED!
about 1 year ago
Go to Kelley Blue Book and look up the REAL price of the car (look at the MSRP). ALSO VERY IMPORTANT most people dont know that the destination charge (mostly charged by the dealer, is around 600 bucks) is already INCLUDED in the MSRP but YET the dealerships makes u pay for it TWICE! So dont fall for it! Always go for the MSRP if it’s a new car – start at MSRP and add the packages (like floor mats or power package) and go from there.
Kelley Blue Book also has an option that shows you how much those packages are EXACTLY so dont let the dealer tell you how much they are – cuz they will overcharge you.
about 1 year ago
This is what I did. Went to kbb.com. Chose the car I wanted to buy, and I got info on what the invioce price is. You would want to pay about the same price.
Do your reserach throughly before going in.
Never buy the car on the same day you walk in the dealership.
try to walk to the dealership once and then further negotiate on the phone. coming back to the delaership will cause the salesman to beleive that he has the deal sealed.
test drive the car even if you don’t end up buying it.
Don’t haggle – just set the price. tlse just walk out. Remember there are thousands of dealerships. You might as well drive 200 miles further where you are getting a better deal.
Best time to buy .. End of the year. During august – nov. December might be good, but just depends..
Another one on the lighter note : use this phrase if you are not satisfied. ” Looks like you don’t want my business”. This phrase is like a pin thru the salesman heart.
Good Luck.
about 1 year ago
Yes, indeed take someone with you, but you should also do your own research through trade magazines, etc., so that you also are knowledgeable. You need to know what you want, what you can afford to spend, and do not let a fast talking sales person influence your decision to buy. Watch for descrepencies in ads (even for new cars). Read the fine print, before signing anything. Be financially savvy, because you want to get a good rate, and in the end be financially comfortable. All they want is a sale, and will probably give it to you, even if you do appear to be a credit risk………It happened to me……..
about 1 year ago
If you are a woman, I suggest you go with a man. Its sad but I really believe that dealers take advantage of what they think is a woman’s lack of car knowledge and that they also wont bargain as good as they would with a man. my 2 cents
about 1 year ago
There are lots of things you can do to help prevent or at least decrease the chances of getting ripped off.
First of all, yes, take someone you trust with you.
Never buy a car from a dealer on the first visit! Never buy on a spontaneous whim!
Get a full warranty. Get it in writing.
Have the vehicle checked out FIRST by at least one reliable, independant mechanic, to make sure it is in good running condition.
Test drive the car, to make sure everything works, including the transmission, reverse gears, etc.
Do your research first, and know what the car you want is truly worth.
Talk to previous owners of the car, and ask to see documentation and proof that the car was indeed properly maintained.
If you have a trade in, don’t tell the salesman up front. Wait until you have negotiated the best and lowest price for your car that you wish to buy first. Then, after that, you can find out what the dealer will give you for your trade in. Make sure you know the value of your car- you can check it out on Kelly Blue Book.com, or Autotrader.com, etc. You can also sell your old car to a private individual, if you have the time, and are patient. It might grant you more money.
Also, check with Carfax to make sure the car you want to purchase does not have any history of frame damage or flood damage, etc. You might need the VIN number, so obtain that once you have the chance first.
Good luck!
about 1 year ago
first you should get copies of you credit report and let the dealers give you estimates as to what kind of financing is available with the info you provide, if you go from dealer to dealer and they constantly pull your credit report, it can reflect badly specially if you are car shopping over the period of a few months.
second is i would not discuss any type of trade in until the very end. see how low you can get the price before you talk about a downpayment or anything. negotiate the price down first, then talk about your trade in to get the most for it and then flash whatever cash or write your check for a down payment. think of it like poker, you never show or tell what you have until the betting and bs’ing is done and over. also before you use your car as a trade in, see what places like carmax will give you for it. you might get a better deal letting carmax buy your car and using those funds to help purchase your new car.
also, try getting a credit union to finance the car, the fees and interest rates tend to be alot better than anything you could possibly get at a dealer ship, but if you don’t want to get ripped off, stay as far away from places that are “buy here/pay here” and places that finance themselves (such as drivetime), the buy here pay here places- i have seen these places take repo a car after the payment was only 3 days late! and places like drive time tend to royally screw you over in the long run with extra/hidden fees and ridiculous interest rates
about 1 year ago
if that’s your concern, just buy a Saturn, Hyundai, or Benz/BMW. They’re pretty much no-hassle dealers
about 1 year ago
A couple of ideas for you, 1. you go in first and look at the car you want, be sure to look under the hood, & underneath the car, look at the exhaust system,(muffler and pipes) for any type of rust spots, when looking under the hood, look to see if the engine has been washed down, be sure to ask that question. Look for any spotting on the underneath of the hood. These tips are more for buying a used car than a new car. 2. Send your brothers in after you have looked, and then compare stories, what the salesman said to you and what they tell your brothers. Whatever you do, do not look inside the car first. (This is what woman always are interested in) This is a way to throw the salespeople off. If they are hesintate in allowing you to look under the hood, or under the car (which you need no permission to do) walk away from the dealer. By going for a look under the hood first, the salesperson will think that you know about cars. That is half the battle. They are less likely to try and con you into false information. Be sure to have your brothers with you, at the time of the deal. If the salesman is talking to your brothers instead of you, walk away!!!!DO NOT MAKE THE DEAL!!!! This shows no repect for you as a woman!!!! When you are asked what price range do you want, you reply with “How low are you willing to come down on the price?” Aked as though money is not a problem. Dress to look successful, You will get more respect and a better deal!!!! Personnal experence: my husband and I went to look at a couple of cars, the one dealer lost our business, becaues I was the one looking to buy and the salesperson kept talking to my husband about the car instead of to me. My husband looked at the guy and informed him, that he lost the sale since he was not buying, I was, and he did not show the respect where it was needed, the questions and comments should have been directed to me (the woman) not to my husband. We walked off the lot and went else where. Normally, I go alone to look and test drive cars without my husband, and only bring him in at the end (the deal time) Normally, I do the dealing also, if the vehicle is being purchased for me. I have had success in getting dealers to come down on the price of the car anywhere from $ 5,000.00—$ 10,000 off the sticker price.
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN ONE DEALER IN TOWN!!!!!
about 1 year ago
Dont pay the asking price. If you do the whole sales team will consider you a sucker. Check around for different prices and argue the price down. They arent retail. They are called sales men/women. Barter them down. Its your money.
about 1 year ago
Go with an older male, preferably not brothers, father, uncle or older co-worker or something. I have had issues with salesman trying to rip me off too, just because I’m relatively young.
Also, look out for additional charges on a new car, added stripes, tinting, stereo, dealerships make a large markup off of these items cause they do the work in house and charge a ton for the labor.
Shop atround, and when you know exactly the car you want, print out a quote from Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com). This will tell you what the car is really worth.
about 1 year ago
Two things to look for as most important. Never buy an ex tented warranty. They are expensive and not worth the cost.
Do not buy added rust protection. The auto makers bath all body parts in zinc oxide to prevent rust.
And probably most important, never forget to visit several dealers, take their quotes to other dealers and you will save some money this way.
about 1 year ago
always check the car dealer’s price with other car dealer’s prices (same car if used)
about 1 year ago
take someone with you ,cause your gonna get scammed if not, n dont believe when they say only one owner.check the oil 4 water check every thing under hood,, under the car 4 rust every thing.take it 4 a spin 2 auto zone n get it on the free reading 2 see if n e things wrong with it
about 1 year ago
check the advice on clarkehoward.com radio show host for consumer issues. buyers guide from consumer reports is worth it also.
about 1 year ago
It’s good you’re taking someone with you. One of the responders was right, don’t let the salesman know what you are thinking. If he asks just tell you’re more impressed with some other cars you’ve seen. I say wait at least two weeks before you make your decision.
Everything on the sticker is negotiable, don’t pay the dealer fees and the lot fees.
In the end, buying a car is a big decision and there will always be other cars that are better or cheaper or people who will get a better deal. You are going to get buyer’s remorse no matter what. The only thing you can do is to make sure your getting the most car for your buck.
about 1 year ago
If there is no logo of the cars dealer( no H for Honda) on the cars steering wheel, there is no air bag and you are at risk for injury if a crash occurs.
about 1 year ago
I heard that many of the New Cars that were flooded in NOLA are still on the market around the country
about 1 year ago
Amything foriegn is bad, except for Mercedes, buy American.
about 1 year ago
take a man ….dont look flashy…keep it simple…and dont get sucked for a extended wararnty…..
about 1 year ago
Kelly Blue Book is also a valuable resource to look at! Make sure you check out the MSRP, Invoice, & the Blue Book Value and compare them to see what you should pay for the car you want!
about 1 year ago
Carfax doesn’t really tell you anything, I bought a car that had a whole new door on it, but Carfax didn’t tell me. Only if the dealer voluntarily reports it does it get in Carfax so if the dealer relies heavily on it, be suspicious, but with a new car, shouldn’t have to worry too much. biggest scam is financing through the dealer and extended warranty. Get the loan through your bank, not the dealer. Also, the extended warranty excludes everything that is most likely to go wrong with the car in the first few years anyway. If it doesn’t go wrong in the initial warranty period, covered by the manufactures warranty, not likely to go wrong, like 99% not likely.
as far as financing, the dealer won’t give you the best rates, your bank will and your bank is more likely to work with you if you hit trouble.
lastly, if the dealer advises you to do something shady, leave! If they advise you to be shady, they are shady.
oh, another scam is to cheat you on your trade-in. Take the trade-in to several dealers, pretending you’d trade it in, and see what they offer on an equivalent value car. I’ve done this, saying I’d was looking at a car around $ 23,000, and my trade in was valued anywhere from $ 800 to $ 4000. but you need to be sure you do this on an equivalent value car.
one other trick is the bait and switch. i talked to a dealer, they gave me a price, then when i agree to it, then they came back and said $ 1200 in destination charges. That’s just another way to stick you. Taxes, license, title, those are legit extra charges. Destination is NOT. Another dealer pretended to rework the numbers. first offered to sell me something for $ 17,000 and give me $ 900 trade in. I said no. Then he “talks” to his manager, comes back and says, ok, I can give you a better deal. $ 15,500 and $ 700 for the trade in. hello. I walked out and they called me for 6 weeks with a lower price each week on the car I was going to buy. Bottom line, just be prepared before you go. Know what you can afford. Know that your bank will give you a loan. and do NOT buy the extended warranty or pay destination charges. We all want that new car now, especially when it’s so close. But if you tell them no and leave, they WILL call you back if it’s something like destination charges.
about 1 year ago
Gas Mileage.
about 1 year ago
you dont need a new car. if you buy a car thats a year or two old from someplace like carmax you can save a ton of money. no one actually needs a new car.
whatever you do checkout consumer reports ratings on cars, find out from the web what price the dealer paid for the car and go in with that price and a guy who can help you negotiate. its well known that women who go in alone pay more for cars than women who go with men…good luck…
about 1 year ago
Go to Consumer Reports to learn about good and bad models and to get reports on how much you should pay. Go in with a firm idea of what you are willing to pay and do not let the salesperson play the old “I’ve got to bring this to my manager” game. Make it clear that you’ve named your price and they can take it or leave it. There are always other dealers and other cars you can buy. Don’t get so attached to a particular car “Oh, it’s so pretty…” that you are not willing to walk if the price is not right. This is a major purchase. You can’t be guided by emotion. Also, don’t buy add-ons (special service packages, upgraded floor mats, etc.) that really don’t make sense financially. Negotiate on everything extra they offer and don’t take it if your guts say it’s not a good deal. Negotiate from a position of strength — they need to sell cars, but you don’t HAVE to buy a car from them. Remember, you don’t have to take the car for service to the same place you bought it from, so don’t let that consideration sway your decision. Good luck.
A few more things. Decide the price apart from whatever financing deals they are offering. Check out what your own bank or credit union offers ahead of time so you can compare. And remember, there is always another deal available. Red alarm if the salesperson says something like “What can I do to make you drive out of here in this car tonight?”
about 1 year ago
Run the Serial Number to see if it has been wrecked.
Take it to your own mechanic and he will run test on a machine for major problems.
Good Luck
about 1 year ago
lemoness and check the actual odometer
about 1 year ago
Get knowledge before you go! I am also a female and I did my research for 6 months before buying a car. Check Edmunds.com for features in cars. Sometimes a new model only have a slightly different cup holder!
When I went to buy a car, they did try to rip me off and try to confuse me with terminology, but knowing my car really well and how much I SHOULD pay for it, I managed to get a car $ 3000 below invoice. I even printed some of my research and showed them to the sales people when they started lying to me. I hated the whole experience, even though I did much better at the whole thing than my male friends. (Mainly I hated being treated like I’m don’t know anything)
I hate to say it, but next time, I’ll probably bring my boyfriend!
about 1 year ago
Maybe. $ 99.00 a month! Thanks Buy owner! LOL
about 1 year ago
Believe me, they’ll rip off a man who is clueless about cars as fast as they would rip off a woman. Money has no sex discrimination. Smart to take your brothers, that’s if they know something about cars. First look under the hood to make sure the engine looks clean and not oily. They are not trying to scam you, if they’re unethical, they just want to dump a lemon on someone naive. Also check to see if the car has been in an accident. Run the Vechicle Identification number on the front side windshielf on the driver’s side.
about 1 year ago
Pay below MSRP. Ask to find out what incentives are being claimed by the dealer, then offer that much under the MSRP price. Also, don’t reveal if you have cash or if you need financing. For a first time home buyer, you should refuse to pay any more than 10% interest. A new car is exactly that: brand new, never titled and never used. If it has more than a few miles on it, it isn’t new. Become familiar with warranties ahead of time, so that you don’t have to buy useless warranties. Get, if you can, the manufacturer’s extended warranty, rather than some dealer’s.
about 1 year ago
I think the most important scam comes down to “the bottom line” or the financing. a low interest rate is advertised and promised “for those that qualify…and restrictions apply”, and you wait an hour or so to complete the contract to find out your credit score qualified you for a higher interest rate.
Don’t fall for the line “you’ll be the first to have one, etc.” The test drive is best judged by the driver so your salesman shouldn’t mind if you and your brother(s) test drive it too. Pay close attention to the car’s performance to see if it’s all you really expect, despite all the new glamor and new high-tech luxury.
Also, the trade in, if any, should be accepted by the dealer; my last new car dealership sent me to carmax for a trade in which quoted $ 2000 less than the new car dealership’s hyped-up trade-in estimate (to encourage my purchase.)
about 1 year ago
I would just like to say that not all dealerships are the same. I am a sales consutant at Saturn. Saturn is nothing like any other dealership. We stick to no hassel no haggle pricing. Everyone pays the price on the sticker no matter what because it isn’t marked up. Also extended service contracts, GAP protection and car service packages aren’t rip-offs. Our customers who purchase them are more satisfied than those who don’t (and those who don’t are often the ones bitching when something happens after their manufacturers warranty expires).
Everyone seems to think car salespeople are out to screw you over but that isn’t true. We take crap from everyone. People come in 5 minutes before we close and keep us there 2 hours later and then never buy a car. We have families too. We never get a 2 day weekend because we have to work on Saturday’s. Everyone thinks they need to play games with us for some reason but they really don’t. The reason we ask what you want for a monthly payment is so that you stupidly don’t look at a $ 25,000 car if you can only afford $ 250 a month. The downpayment money doesn’t stay at the dealership it goes to the finance company and is used to pay down a bit of the car. If you finance with traditional financing every $ 1000 you pay knocks off $ 20 on a monthly payment. The questions we ask you are to help you not hurt you. Believe it or not most car salespeople aren’t making any more money than the rest of you. We only work on commission and generally only make $ 100-$ 300 on a car. Not really that much money is it.
If you really want to get the best deal possible then do some online research before you ever step foot in a dealership. Know what car you want to look for. Gather up some money for a down payment. If you have a trade-in clean it. It does make a difference if the seats are stained and the car smells like smoke. Remember if we are going to sell your car to someone else we have a lot more cost than you do if you sell it to a stranger. We have to advertise your car, often replace the tires, repair dents and scratches and then we do need to make just a little bit of profit to put food on our own tables. Everyone thinks their car is in excellent condition but be realistic IT ISN’T. For an accurate analysis of its value do a Kelly Blue Book Fair Trade Value not excellent.
If you go to a dealership with realistic expectaions you will end up with a great car that you love. Remember you get what you pay for. If you take a junker to a dealership and they give you $ 10.000 for it then you had better believe that they have already marked up their car to do that. If you don’t play games with your salesperson they won’t play them with you.
about 1 year ago
Ok.. here’s a Hint : Bring someone that KNOWS cars. I’m not talking about the Dirt Floor Larries of the world – I am talking a Master Technision – someone that has some sort of credentials that he knows his stuff.. It helps knowing someone that knows their stuff – or you could always take it in to a local shop and have someone look over it sure it will cost you money – but it will cost less then having to have everything fixed.
about 1 year ago
Listen to KAZ.