Show Tips For Buying A New Car Ron W. W Haycock Jr Contributing Writer Spring break just ended and summer break is now on the hori hori- zon For this many means moving moving ing on from Salt Lake Community College and forward to bigger things things not not just from the College to a university but from the old clunker to that new car The problem is buying a carcan car carcan can cann be more work than the last semester semester not not to mention the possible frustration From finding finding find find- ing mg the right car to leasing or financing the process creates a headache Here are some tips to help ease the tension The first thing to do according to Consumer Reports magazine can make the summer break not feel like a break at all but it is is capable of saving big bucks This step is to do your homework Find out the lowest cost of the car desired Finding out what the dealer paid for the carIS car caris caris is also a must so you can start negotiating ing the price you'll you'll pay forTo for it To find out this information information information tion you'll have to do your own research h just be r a aJ J I A 5 0 i a The 2004 Honda Accord Sedan sure that your information is up to date and cor cor- The Internet is a greats great great s source for information on both used and new cars One great resource is This site calculates a fair price for a trade-in trade or what the retail value of ofa a car Local banks also keep this information available to determine determine determine deter deter- mine loan values on cars Now that all the homework is done its it's time to bargain If youve you've been thorough in your homework and checked out all the possibilities then you will be prepared like a boy scout to actually actually actually actu actu- ally begin finding the vehicle o Once n c e eyou you have havethe havethe havethe the targeted targeted target target- ed vehicle in site begin to bargain If you are buying a anew anew anew new car carand carand carand and have a down payment payment pay pay- payment ment dont don't mention it itu u n t i l theres there's an agreement on price e The I h e same rule applies to a trade-in trade vehicle When it is time to talk about your trade-in trade know what is worth whether you sell it privately private private- ly or to a dealer Dealerships work all that into the total cost of the car to try and squeeze every last penny out of you Consumer Reports hints you should start bargaining up from the wholesale or trade-in trade value not the asking price Never bargain bargain bargain bar bar- gain down from the sticker price If the car is in tight supply then paying the full may be essary With State Street being full of car lots the car desired is su sure e to be found at a bargain price Be on your guard The dealerships dealership's dealerships dealership's dealerships dealership's dealer dealer- ships ship's business manager may try to sell you little extras Undercoating rust proofing fabric fabric fabric fab fab- ric protection extended warranties warranties warranties war war- and windshield etching are some common ones They are generally worthless and way over priced If the dealer deal deal- er isn't working with you then head for the door This act alone can start jump-start a slow moving sale process Whether you are planning on buying a new or used car these tips should put Jut you on the right track to getting a fair deal and a good price |