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What should I ask when buying a new car?

Oct 9

It's a big decision to buy a new vehicle. It's the most expensive purchase you will make after a house. It doesn't matter if you intend to keep it for a few more years or sell it off; it is essential to understand precisely what you are buying, which protections it comes with, and how much you will be paying over the life of the vehicle.

Auto repair shop aurora colorado will help you find the best deal on a new car.

  1. What additional fees will I have to pay? You have likely been negotiating only the car's price. There will be additional fees that you have to pay, some legitimate and some not. The legal costs include registration costs, sales tax, tire recycling fees, and a documentation fee. Dealerships may add additional fees to increase their profit margins. You can avoid these fees if you know about them sooner. Read more in What new car fees should you pay?
  2. What is the documentation fee? Every car dealer charges a documentation fee (or "doc") when you purchase a car. They will charge you for signing the contract. Although it may seem strange, this is a common practice. The amount that dealers charge for the doctor's fee is not universal. The doc fee is usually set at $100 by some states. Some states do not regulate the doc fees, so they could be as high as $600. 

These fees are not only expensive in certain states but have become a standard in the car industry. If you live in a state that does not have a capped fee and feel that the price is too high for you, it will be more productive to negotiate the price of your car than trying to get the dealer to waive the doc fees.

  1. Do you have dealer-installed options? Most cars are factory-installed options. Sometimes, dealers add items to increase their profit. Add-ons that are popular include window tinting, nitrogen-filled tires and wheel locks. These "add-ons" are known as the dealer. The markup can be very high. LoJack is a vehicle recovery system. It's a common add-on. Dealers add the cost of the system to every new car in their inventory. 

The system appears standard on all vehicles, but it's something the dealer has purchased. It's not a bad idea to buy a car with dealer add-ons. However, it is essential to know any dealer add-ons before asking for a price quote. You should be aware of the markup and negotiate accordingly.

  1. Knowing how many miles the car has covered is essential. This is especially important for online shoppers who may not have seen the car. Assuming that all new cars have less than 10 miles would be reasonable. Sometimes, however, the car may have been on many test drives or was a "dealer deal," meaning that the dealer traded for another car and the car was driven in from another dealership. You will need to negotiate a lower cost if the car has more than 300 miles. 

You may ask for the "in service date" of your vehicle if the car has been sitting on the lot for some time or has more than 300 miles. The in-service date is usually the date that you purchase the car. However, it can vary from one vehicle to another. It is essential to understand the extent of your warranty coverage.

  1. You can deliver the car. This is another great question that internet shoppers might be interested in. You can ask for one more perk if everything in the deal is satisfactory. You could say, "Well, if I can deliver the car, we will make a deal." Instead of waiting at the dealership while the car is being washed, gassed, and ready for delivery, why don't you stay home or work and let the dealer deliver the car? 

The dealer representative will bring you printed contracts. You won't be offered any sales pitches by the finance or insurance manager regarding extended warranties or other services. You can always talk to the manager over the phone and have your contract modified if you feel you might need one of the additional services offered by the finance manager.