Here are a few ideas to assist in making a more educated and cost-effective new automobile purchase:
1. Conduct research via reviews, end-user reports, forums, statistics from various agencies, take a few test drives (during the day & night with various road/weather conditions if possible) testing ALL functions, utilities, seats (with children's car seats if you have them); see if there are any recalls, etc.
2. Price the vehicle at Edmunds http://www.edmunds.com/
A. Click on the New Cars Tab.
B. Enter your zip code.
C. Browse the desired vehicle by Category or Make.
D. Pick a Model.
E. Choose a Style.
F. If you want quotes from dealers, fill-in the requisite info.; if not, X-out of the pop-up window.
G. With the Pricing Tab highlighted, click on Price with Options.
H. Select the desired Options and Color.
I. Copy (using a screen capture utility) all 3 totals of the TMV Pricing Report and paste it to a file (such as Word) if you’re amassing data about the vehicle on a computer; or simply print a hardcopy of the TMVPR.
3. Get insurance quotes.
4. Get financing quotes.
5. Tactfully work with the Fleet Manager at a few given dealerships and see how close each comes to invoice. Given that, you may find this article http://www.roadandtravel.com/carcare/fleetcarbuying.htm of interest; not that the idea is a true secret, but incase you didn’t know…
1. Conduct research via reviews, end-user reports, forums, statistics from various agencies, take a few test drives (during the day & night with various road/weather conditions if possible) testing ALL functions, utilities, seats (with children's car seats if you have them); see if there are any recalls, etc.
2. Price the vehicle at Edmunds http://www.edmunds.com/
A. Click on the New Cars Tab.
B. Enter your zip code.
C. Browse the desired vehicle by Category or Make.
D. Pick a Model.
E. Choose a Style.
F. If you want quotes from dealers, fill-in the requisite info.; if not, X-out of the pop-up window.
G. With the Pricing Tab highlighted, click on Price with Options.
H. Select the desired Options and Color.
I. Copy (using a screen capture utility) all 3 totals of the TMV Pricing Report and paste it to a file (such as Word) if you’re amassing data about the vehicle on a computer; or simply print a hardcopy of the TMVPR.
3. Get insurance quotes.
4. Get financing quotes.
5. Tactfully work with the Fleet Manager at a few given dealerships and see how close each comes to invoice. Given that, you may find this article http://www.roadandtravel.com/carcare/fleetcarbuying.htm of interest; not that the idea is a true secret, but incase you didn’t know…
