SolveYourProblem eLearning Series:
Got Shafted?
Fight Back if Your Car is a Lemon!
( 27 pages )

Avoid a Lemon: Car Buying Checklist

Check out this list before you buy your next car:

• Buy on price and not on payment. Dealers have a way of disguising the real cost of a car by manipulating the down payment, monthly payment and length of the loan in their favor. When you buy on payment, you can easily be ripped off.

• Write down all differences, promises and add-ons that the dealers place on the buyer's order, especially when you are buying used cars.

• When you are trading in, get back the keys to your trade-in before you start your negotiations so that you can leave whenever you want to.

• The average yearly mileage that you should find on a used car is 15,000 miles. Most used cars die on you once you pass 100,000 miles.

• If a deposit is required on your car, do not offer to pay more than $100. Pay with cash, if you can, and get a receipt.

• Do not get caught in the trading allowance trap. You will want to negotiate purchase and trade on a separate basis.

• Preparation fees are meant to cover the cost of getting your car ready for delivery after it comes off the truck. Destination fees are different and cover the cost of delivering the car from manufacturing plant to the dealership. These fees are usually not negotiable so don’t bother trying.

• You should always refuse to pay for add-on items like undercoating, fabric and paint protection, or items that are supposed to be included with all cars.

• Check out the cost of tag and title from a competitor because you could use the information as a negotiation point later.

• You must insist that the dealer match or better your bank finance rates if you are going to work with them. You can always use your own bank or credit union no matter what they say.

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