The Best New Car Buying Strategy

There are numerous ways to buy a new car these days. Buying online on eBay is one of the newer ways. Then there's the old fashioned way of going to the dealership and picking out the car that you think fits you best. Yet by combining all of the tools at your disposal, you can find the best possible car at the best possible price in a much more efficient way than ever before.

Research

Online or in person, research all of the cars you might want to buy. Check their safety ratings, their warranties and reviews from critics and other customers alike. Research the prices in various areas or states or online, outside of your area, so you know what price ranges you can negotiate within. Make sure the car fits you. If you have children, is the automobile you're thinking about right for them? If you want a sporty convertible, how does the top of the car hold up over a couple of years? Research everything as much as you possibly can, as the more information you have going into buying the car, the better off you'll be at getting the right deal.

Test Drive All the Cars

Once you've settled on a few different models of cars, go to the dealership that has them and take them for test drives. Drive them hard and fast. Try to stop on a dime. See for yourself how they respond to you and your driving habits. If you don't feel comfortable in the car after your test drive then there's something to think about before buying the car, as you're going to be driving it for at least a few years after you buy it.

Negotiate your Price

Always negotiate your price off the sticker price. The MSRP is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price, which is often marked up by the dealership so they can make some extra money. This is always negotiable, especially if you can find a better deal online or in the area. So haggle with your salesperson at the dealership. Say you'll pay that full sticker price with certain options and warranties added on, otherwise you'll go to another dealership and buy the same car for less. This is where the research is incredibly helpful so you can get the best possible deal.