Cheaper, Better, Faster Mary Hunt - Baker Publishing Group

AutomobilesBefore you go car shopping,figure out what you can afford,but don’t reveal it at the dealership.And negotiate for the lowestinterest rate you can get too.Buyer negotiation—get it in writingIf you want something fixed onthe car you are buying, get it inwriting the moment it is offeredor agreed upon. Do not expectthe dealer to pay for somethingyou didn’t get in writing.Buyer negotiation—point by pointWhen shopping for a car, negotiateone point at a time: theprice of the car, then the dealeradd-ons you want eliminated,the trade-in value of a used car,then financing. If you try tocover all these points at once,you’ll be so thoroughly confusedyou’ll lose your leverage.Buyer negotiation—willing to walk awayAs a consumer, one of yourgreatest strengths when negotiatingto buy a new car isyour willingness to walk awayfrom it. Unless a salespersonbelieves you will walk away,you are not likely to get thebest deal.Buyer’s Guide stickerIf you are considering buyinga used car from a dealer, becomefamiliar with the Buyer’sGuide sticker posted on everyused car offered for sale (forsale-by-ownercars excluded).It was originated by the FederalTrade Commission (FTC)as a consumer protection device.Download the ConsumerBuyer’s Guide from the FTCwebsite at www.FTC.gov.Cleaning—aluminum mag wheelsIf your car has aluminummag wheels, check with themanufacturer to see if theyare protected by a clear-coatfinish. If yours are protected,as most are, do not use abrush to scrub them. This willscratch the clear coat and givethe wheels a fuzzy look insteadof the brilliance you paid for.Use only a mild, nonabrasivecleaning wax or polish.15Mary Hunt, Cheaper, Better, FasterRevell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2013. Used by permission.