Why Government Car Auctions Can Save You Money

Car shopping is something that most people have to do at some time in their life. The experience can be a good one, or it can be quite stressful. The following article contains useful tips you can use when you are car shopping and want to make the most of the experience.

If you want to completely skip the hassles of buying a car from dealer, there is the option of buying a low priced car from auction. However, there is never a guarantee you will get the exact car you want but you can save a lot of money. Sites like eBay have a lot of bidders and there is a lot of high competition. An often overlooked place to buy a good cheap car is from police and government car auctions. Generally there isn't not a lot of competition for these cars and you don't have to really worry about a lot of dealers buying up all the good cars.

One thing you should know is that just like on the internet, when you visit an auction you cannot attempt to start the vehicle to see if it runs or not. Taking a look around the car or truck and looking through the window is about all you can do. You can get the car's vehicle identification number (VIN) and do a quick check online to get more information about the vehicle. Many bidders do this right from their phones and this can help you make a smart decision before you ever make the first bid.

Never go with the set price of a car when you're car shopping. Usually people price things knowing that they'll have to lower it when the buyer gets there. If you are paying with cash, it doesn't hurt to tell them that either. People that see a lot of money are more likely to let it go for less.

Make a wish list of cars that you are interested in. You have seen many cars in advertisements and on the road. It should be easy for you to build a solid list of vehicles that would suit your style. You can add a couple of dream cars that seem out of your range; however, be realistic about what you can afford.

If you are going to be purchasing a used car, one of the top things you should be looking at is the mileage of the car. As nice as a car may be, if it has 150,000 miles on it already, you probably will not get much use out of it.

Get input and feedback from family members and friends. How do they like the cars they own? Do they regret buying the one they have? Are they hearing great things about different cars? When you are looking for a new vehicle, keeping your ear to the ground is a great way to do some starting research in your hunt.

Speak with the car dealer about his return policy. You may even want to get the policy in writing. Even if you have test driven the car and everything seems fine, you never know what could happen later that day or week. It's important that you know what the dealer's policy is on returning it in case something should happen.

Don't buy a car online from someone without going and checking it out first. If you are not mechanically inclined, bring someone that is. Also be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. People will take advantage of you if you're not good with cars, so try to bring along someone that knows about them.

When negotiating a deal on your new car, have online information in hand. There are many sites that will provide you with things like invoice pricing and incentives, and this information can prove valuable as you negotiate your price. Print it out and bring it to the car dealership, so there is no question about the accuracy of what you are saying.

When shopping for a car, it is important that you keep safety in mind. "Passive Safety" involves the features the car has to keep everyone in it safe. This includes reliable seat belts, air bags, energy-absorbing crumple zones and head protecting advice. Look for these features when searching for a car.

Never give your trade-in's keys to the dealer before you've come to an agreement. The dealer could take your keys (and thus, your car) hostage and manipulate you into an unfair deal. Always hold on to your keys and if the dealer wants to take a look inside the car, open it up for them while you hold the keys.

When you locate the car you want, go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Look over the outside of the car to make sure you don't miss any major scratches or dents. Look at the interior for any tears in the upholstery or stains on the carpet. Keep in mind that it's yours when you buy it. This will include any issues like scratches, dents, and rips.

You can buy a car online, skipping the dealership and allowing you to avoid high-pressure sales tactics. This is even possible for new cars on some lots, so do your research and find the car you want. Obviously, you won't get to take a test drive if you never go to the lot, though.

There are many things you can do to make your car shopping experience a positive one. Use what you learned in this article to get the car of your dreams, all while dealing with little stress. It is possible to get a nice car and have fun doing it.