New And Used Car Buying And Leasing Tips

The day has finally arrived. It's time to throw that old, beat-up, broken-down jalopy in the junkyard and purchase a car that actually runs. Whether car buyers are getting a new car or a used car or wish to buy or lease, there are many factors that must be considered before signing on the bottom line.

Car shoppers would be wise to heed as many many car buying tips as possible so they are not left with another piece of junk that breaks down a mile out of the used car lot. Following simple car buying tips will guarantee car buyers get from Point A to Point B as smoothly as possible.

Being fully prepared is by far the most important of car buying tips when car shoppers are looking to buy a new car. One of the first car buying tips any car shopper should heed is research. Shoppers should go online to Web sites such as Car.com and Yahoo Autos and research different vehicle models they are interested in to ensure that when they talk to a dealer, they will know exactly how much the car of their choice should cost. Car buying tips also include buyers knowing their credit scores since the scores are the single-most important factor which determines interest rates on car loans, and some dealers may try to take advantage of buyers who are unaware of their own credit scores. When going in and talking to dealers, buyers should never let the dealer know they are desperate for a car, or tell the dealer how much they have to spend. Haggling with car dealers is thought by some to be an art form, and buyers should practice negotiating so they can get the most out of their money.

Buying used cars are a completely different story, and buyers have to be even more cautious. Car buying tips for used cars begin with checking the vehicle's history report, such as a Carfax report. This can be done by inputting the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number into the Carfax Web site (for a fee), and seeing if the car has been in any accidents, traffic violations, etc. Car buying tips also include buyers knowing the vehicle's Kelly Blue Book value, which is important when buyers begin negotiating the vehicle's price. Accessing maintenance reports and costs of parts for the make and model of the car in question is also one of the important car buying tips. Car shoppers should always test drive the vehicle, and have a self-hired mechanic check out the car to make sure there are no major problems the dealership "forgot" to mention. Buyers need to be informed about any warranties the car is under, and when they expire. These car buying tips apply to dealer-based used car sales, and must be heeded accordingly

When dealing with private parties, used car buying tips are generally the same, with a few exceptions. Buyers should be sure to test drive the car, get the vehicle history and maintenance reports, and hire a mechanic to do a check of the car. Warranties and rebates normally do not apply when buying a car from a private party, but car buyers should be advised to be extremely cautious and go with their instincts so they are not left with a lemon. Buyers must make sure to sign the title and have it transferred immediately, and make sure the seller does the same.

When car buyers are considering leasing a car instead of buying it, there are many car buying tips that must be considered. A lease is basically defined as the use of the car for a fixed period of time with fixed payments, but no ownership is implied. There are many reasons car buyers do this, such as lower payments, being able to get a different car every two years, and lower taxes and finance charges. While lower payments would be nice, car buying tips generally recommend buying a new car instead of a lease, as some leasing companies take advantage of buyers. Overall, leasing a car can be advantageous to buyers who do not want a car for a long period of time, but buying is better in the long run. Following these car buying tips will ensure leasers know exactly what leasing a car requires.

Buying a new or used car cannot be entered into lightly. Thorough research must be performed in order to be properly prepared to do business with dealers and private parties. Car buying tips must be heeded in order for any car transaction to go smoothly, and following simple car buying tips will ensure carefree cruising without buyers having to worry about the car breaking down.