Car Buying Tips 

You can save a lot of money over the life span of a car by choosing a car that has a low purchase price. Other factors to consider include: insurance, gasoline, maintenance, and repair costs. Go online and check out all the latest car reviews to spot which is the best buy. Once you have selected a model, the Internet is a great tool to comparison shop. A good idea is to call a few car dealers for price quotes and let them know you are calling around for the best deal. Keep this thought in the back of your mind; there is no “cooling off period” on new car sales. Once a contract is signed, you are bound to purchase the car. 

Don’t be fooled, compare a seller’s asking price on a car with the average retail price of the same car in the latest Kelly Bluebook or online with the many car review websites that provide this information. Some websites now even give you a car history report online. Have your own mechanic check out the car for any defects, especially if the car is sold "as is." As a last resort, consider buying a used car from someone you know as they are more likely to charge you a lower price and reveal any problems that the car may have.  

Auto Leasing 

Don’t have enough money for a down payment? Consider leasing a car because the payments are lower than on a usual auto loan. But remember, the leasing payments may be lower because you don't own the car at the end of the lease. Leasing a car can be very complicated.  When shopping, consider the price of the car, your trade-in allowance, any down payment, monthly payments, various fees, and the cost of buying the car at the end of the lease. Do your homework, go online and check out all the different leasing options before you hit the dealer’s showroom floor.