(NAPSI)—When it’s new car buying season, millions of Americans plan to spend $10,000 to $70,000 for a new pair of wheels. The good news is because of the slowing economy and excess inventory, manufacturers and dealers are under increased pressure to make the sale. So before you head over to the dealership, make a pit stop along the information superhighway where you can count on such reliable resources as www.carfax.com and AOL’s Auto Channel to help you make informed decisions about your next car. Here are some other helpful tips to keep in mind:
1. Don’t be afraid to shop around. The Web offers consumers a wealth of information on buying new and used cars. More and more, the Internet is used as a source for basic car buying information, configuring a budget, researching different makes and models, comparing safety features and even purchasing. The Internet has become one of the most effective ways to arm consumers with accurate information about cost, options and availability before they head to the dealership.
2. Go to names you trust. On the Web, accessing information about dealer costs, safety stats, dealer inventory, car financing, auto repairs, trade-in value information and more is just a click away. Sites such as autotrader.com offer more than 1.5 million searchable car listings updated daily as well as a handy decision guide, which helps you determine which car is right for you. Most of the individual automobile companies have their own Web sites. For example, you can go to www.gmbuypower.com to custom build your own GM vehicle and get a quote. If you’re the no-nonsense type who hates haggling with car salespeople, check out CarsDi rect.com, which buys cars from dealers and sells them to consumers at a fixed price quoted on the Web site. If you’re looking to find it all in one place, visit the AOL Auto Channel which offers just about everything for the automobile enthusiast: Information on all makes and models, car book values, financing assistance, a local dealer locator and car chats along with much more.
3. To buy used or not to buy used. There are certainly a lot of advantages to buying a used car, and the Internet is a crucial stop for gaining information about the particular used car you are interested in. Consumer Reports (con sumerreports.org) offers a “CR Good Bets” list of the safest and most reliable used cars. Before you sign on the dotted line, check out Carfax (www.carfax.com) which contains over 1.3 billion used car records. This site can provide you with background information and unearth “hidden problems” in a car’s past that may affect its resale value and safety.
4. Retro is in. Want to know the latest trends in auto buying? Check out the Consumer Reports Auto Hub on the AOL Auto Channel and you’ll find that the fastest growing car sales in the United States are wagons. A cross between the old station wagon style and SUV, the new wagons are attracting buyers who want the flexible interior space of an SUV along with the handling, performance, ride comfort, and better fuel efficiency of a sedan.
5. Let your mouse be your guide. Use the Internet to arm yourself with the greatest amount of information before you head to the dealership. When you finally sit down at the negotiating table, feel confident that you have the most accurate data on pricing, options and financing for your specific make and model. Don’t be afraid to tell your salesperson that you did your homework; it may save you the time and energy of haggling with the dealership.
Keep these tips in mind and you may find yourself on the road to new car happiness.
To drive a good bargain, begin your car shopping on the Internet.
Automotive
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