Posted on 03/29/2005 2:29:02 AM PST by wingblade
ATLANTA, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -Savvy Shoppers Trawl Internet for Latest Car Buying Tips
How does an auto dealership rate? That's actually a very significant question. The average consumer still fails to correct the most common mistake made. He fails to get educated on processes involved before, during and after an automobile purchase. Consumers have long used their own lack of knowledge as an excuse for being ripped off, according to Clear Intelligence, an auto dealership comparison and rating service based solely on direct consumer intelligence reports (see www.mydealerreport.com ).
"There's never been an easier or better time to turn the tables on dirty dealers," said John Isaac, president and chief executive officer of Clear Intelligence, who spent many years on car dealership floors. "All the resources you need are available online and will save you time, money, and needless anxiety to boot."
Luckily, now all it takes is a bit of elbow grease to turn even the most hapless novice into a savvy shopper - thanks to a wealth of online tools and resources. Here are Isaac's suggestions:
- Learn dealership lingo on vehicle financing and read the latest in finance tips. A good site to visit is that of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) at www.nada.org . It also provides a calculator to determine if buying or leasing makes for a better investment, for instance. - Research your dealer. You can scope out reputable dealers at unbiased sites such as www.mydealerreport.com which provide an auto dealership rating (including lawsuit information) based on the customer's word only. The same site also lets you find car dealerships by city, manufacturer and zip code. - Look up comparative pricing information (manufacturer's versus dealer price) on the retail value of used vehicles at online sites such as Kelly Blue Book ( www.kbb.com ), www.autobytel.com and www.edmunds.com . - For a real history of any used car, run a vehicle history report at www.carfax.com
Worried about paying thousands for repairs? Don't be! Consumers may obtain extended coverage on vehicles at discounts of up to 50% by buying direct from www.warrantydirect.com , the largest online extended warranty provider.
Everyone is jumping onto the Internet bandwagon, it seems. According to the NADA 2004 Internet Utilization Survey, dealerships with websites have grown from 47 percent in 1997 to 94 percent in 2004. So take action now - it's never too late to get savvy online.
Finally, if all else fails, spread the word and vent about your experience at various blogs and discussion groups such as http://www.carbuyinginfo.blogs.com
Bump
Or....take an auto mechanics course so you can fix your own car and save that $75 an hour flat rate....
Bump!
The dealer bills you flat rate or shop hourly, either way, your 50% pays all the dealer's cost. The markup on the parts is at least 100%:you pay the full cost to the dealer, and in many cases, the dealer even makes a little.
Last time I saw one of these, I haggled for a significant cut in price and took the vehicle "as is". The rear end problem they seemed to think the car had (I pointed out the clunk after the test drive and a look) was a poorly tightened U bolt on the hindmost U joint, a five minute fix. I got the car for about 30% off.
BWAAAAHHAAAAHHAAA, which course would that be ???
It's still possible to do most work yourself--I do, on my cars. The only time I have to take them to the professionals is when a job requires a dealer scan tool. While I do my own engine rebuilds, etc., most people would never need to do any of this. Rather, a short course teaching them how to do brake jobs, battery, belt, and fluid changes, and a few other things would be enough to allow an individual to save on most repairs. Timing belts would be something else to consider, but more involved on most cars.
I went to advanced auto and the muffler retails at $175 sells for $89. But, Monro only charges $22 dollars labor and that makes you think you are getting a good deal.
I will be changing it myself and save $230.
Well put. Most community colleges offer couses, I understand.
I agree. I changed the struts on my Jetta. It took some time but actually turned out easier than I had anticipated. I saved about $300 in labor and parts.
I like the fact the Fighting Chance gets info that similar organizations don't (like secret manufacturer rebates to dealers) and they carefully explain various ways you can use all their information.
I have absolutely no connection to Fighting Chance other than being an extremely satisfied customer.
bttt
Saved you some cash and now you have another useful skill.
Most mechanically unsure people have never tried.
Sure , I believe that everyone whos got a little mechanical ability should do their own routine maintenance if they choose to, but getting beyond routine without the knowledge and proper tools is a recipe for disaster. Most wrenches, myself included, have had to undo a backyard hacks 'work' in order to fix a problem. and most will not even touch a car that is brought to them in boxes, without an agreement that Im not liable for any damage done by said hack, and that the repair most likely will be far more expensive than if Id have done the job in the first place.
That doesnt even get me started on the dangers of unwittingly working on brake or steering/suspension systems that can be deadly to the wrench twister or innocent bystanders if improperly repaaired.
Or the possibilities of electronic component destruction by ill advised test procedures on computer controlled cars or the possibility of destroying major engine internals by improperly timing a non-free wheeler valvetrain in a 'simple' timing belt job etc etc etc
IOWs, choose if you want to save some $$$ on car repairs, choose your battles wisely, and if you have trouble with things like changing a lite bulb or programming a vcr, you prolly out to leave car repairs to someone whos had a little more than a course on internal combustion 101...
best of luck to ya, I hate exhaust work even when properly equipped. please let me know how it all comes out and if the time spent was worth the $$$ saved...
I just bought a '98 Voyager for $1200. It needed no work but I discovered the interior lights didn't work. I traced it to the headlight switch. I took the switch apart and cleaned the internal contacts and installed jumper across the bad contacts. Everything works except for the defeat part. I would never recommend to anyone to try this at home. My job is an electrical technician on printing presses. Without that expertise I would have ended up spending $300 for the diagnosis and repair.
Working on cars has become very difficult but it's still worth the time if you can do it.
Thanks. I hate it too. A friend of mine whose father has a fully equipped garage is going to help me do it there. I wired his father's compressor so he is willing to help.
If you have a tradeable skill, and have a decent relationship with your local small shop, a few of your billable hours are generally welcome as trade for wrench hours in alot of cases. Always worth asking in any case...
I went to CarsDirect.com to find the price. The dealer got annoyed that I knew that price and he had to match it, but he did. Then when I paid cash and he had no way to make good his losses on the financing, he just about burst into tears. ;)
That's the dirty secret about cars sales. People think they are getting a good deal but the dealer, if you finance through him, makes up the money in interest. Always settle on a price before discussing financing.
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