Have you decided that it’s time to get a new or used used truck? Are you not sure what you can do to make shopping for one less stressful? You are in the right place if so. Here you’ll go over a few of the things you need to think of when you go used truck shopping, so read along.
If you pay the sticker price, you are basically throwing money at the dealer. Advertised prices on used trucks should never be paid. Dealers pump these prices up so they can come down.
Do not make the mistake of focusing on only the monthly payment amount when you are used truck shopping. This can cause you to buy a more expensive used truck than you can really afford. You need to focus on the total cost of the vehicle itself and whether that is a good deal.
Shop around before you even go to the dealership. If you spend some time on local dealer’s websites, you can learn about incentives that are offered. If you know what one dealership is offering, you can use it as a negotiating point and may be able to get a better deal.
If you drive a pricey vehicle already, don’t bring it with you on your used truck shopping trip. The dealer will take one look at your vehicle and refuse to work with you on negotiating a lower price. The only time this is a good idea is if you are planning to trade in such a vehicle.
Due diligence should be exercised when planning your used truck budget. It is imperative that you take a full and realistic look at your budget. Not only must you consider a used truck payment, you must also consider insurance, gas and maintenance for the vehicle. There is nothing worse than having a vehicle that you cannot afford to drive.
Only use reviews on the internet as a general guide. A lot of people when they have problems with a used truck will post negative reviews on the internet. So look at all the reviews for common problems as opposed to a general ranking. If there is a problem with a major component, then probably find a different vehicle.
If you are trading your used truck in, take it to a detail shop and have the upholstery and used truckpets cleaned along with a wash and wax. Doing this one thing can usually net you several hundred dollars or more in trade-in value compared to a used truck that isn’t clean.
While you may want to buy a used truck today, buying off the lot may mean that they don’t have a used truck with the features you desire. You can always ask them to call affiliated dealerships to see if they have the used truck on the lot, but don’t sound desperate or they’ll raise the price.
Offer to purchase a used truck on the spot if the dealer will meet your price requirements. Offer a price that is reasonable, usually at or slightly above invoice. Come armed with information about how you came to this price, and ask for a commitment in writing that they agree to it.
Investigate cash rebates and discounts you are eligible for. Sometimes, there are discounts for veterans and students, for example. There are all kinds of discounts and rebates that are often run. Do a little research and find out if you qualify for any of the special deals that are available. That could save you some money on your used truck.
If you know what kind of used truck, you want, and you know what dealership you want to go through, give them a call before you go. This way, the dealer can have the used truck ready for a test drive when you get there. It will save you and the dealer time that could be spent negotiating.
Look into all of the fine print on your financing papers. Just because your monthly payment is lower does not mean that you are getting the used truck for less. It could just be a way to get you to buy the used truck for the original price so the salesman can keep the entire amount of commission that he set out to earn.
If you currently have a used truck that you want to sell, consider options other than trade ins. If you have a high-demand used truck, you may be able to sell it on the side and receive a much higher down payment than you would if you simply traded your used truck in.
As you choose a used truck, consider how it is likely to be driven. If you drive a good bit on the interstate, get a used truck with good gas mileage. If you know what you are going to be using the used truck for, you can find a used truck that suits you.
When looking at specific used used trucks, know about the blue book values. If you have to, leave and come back, having researched the resale value, life, and blue book value of the used truck you’re interested in purchasing. This will help guide you towards what you know that you should be paying.
Before you ever start negotiating price, you should have your bottom line in mind. You don’t want to get caught up talking price without your parameters or they will be set for you. Refuse to talk price until you have researched your options. This will fare you better when striking your deal.
Break down all of your different negotiating points based on the different profit centers that the dealer has. This means you should be negotiating on price, warranties, interest rates, trade-in value and anything else that is up for negotiation. Taking this approach will get you the best overall value for the used truck you choose to purchase.
This guide should have helped you learn all that there is to know about used truck shopping. It doesn’t have to be that a difficult task if you know exactly what you’re doing. Take the advice and you’ll be able to take most of the stress out of shopping for a used truck.