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Where
is the value in an Internet buying service that merely steers the consumer
to a dealership?
In addition to spiking the economy and creating fleeting hordes of youthful millionaires,
the Internet boom spawned a plethora of online car buying services, all claiming
to put the lowest prices at consumers’ fingertips.
Trading
a used car in to a dealership is a losing proposition.
The concept of the trade-in appeals to many consumers because it kills the
proverbial two birds with one stone: out with the old, in with the new, in
one fell swoop. For dealers, trade-ins hold a different appeal: yet another
opportunity to stick it to the consumer.
The
'automatic stickshift' is catching on with American drivers
The debate over the virtues of automatic versus manual
transmission is nothing new. Some drivers prefer the comfort
and convenience of automatic, while others
prefer what they consider the more hands-on experience of a manual transmission.
A
look at what's new for '03 model year
"Sometimes manufacturers reconfigure options and equipment
packages, and this effects the bottom line. For example, Lexus
Link is standard on the '03 SC430, and at $2269 more than the
'02 model, the vehicle's MSRP reflects this upgrade."
Don't
be fooled by leasing companies: they're just like dealers
"If you are like most people, your first thought of acquiring
a new vehicle is a happy one: you behind the wheel of that hot
new car of your dreams. Your second thought is a little less
scintillating: you walking into a dealership, like a fly into
a spider's web."
Women,
don't let car dealers disrespect you
"For most of us, the decision to buy a new car is at once
an exhilarating and a dreadful one The prospect of driving out
of the showroom in a brand new car, one that no one else has
driven before - one that, perhaps, we've dreamt of owning -
can be downright thrilling."
How
brokers are different from dealers
"With car dealerships everywhere practically begging consumers to step
foot into their showrooms, why go to an auto broker?"
What
to look for in an auto broker
"Just as you would with an attorney, an accountant, or a real estate
agent, you should always check the reputation, background, credentials,
and track record of any auto broker you’re thinking of engaging."
Don't
get caught in the old bait and switch
"Car dealers are not in the business of giving the best deals - they are
in the business of maximizing profits on each sale."
An
auto broker is more than a middleman
"Contrary to one popular misperception, an auto broker is not merely a used
car dealer - although many used car dealers call themselves auto brokers."
Clearing
up new-model-year confusion
"Here are some guidelines to help you along if you are trying to decide
between model years."
Want
to break your lease?
"One of the most frequently asked questions in the automobile business
is, "How can I get out of my lease?" Well, Virginia, there is
no Santa Claus."
Don't
forget to read the small print
"In order to come out ahead in the new car purchasing game, augment
your resolve to find the best deal with a little fire power of your own."
When
leasing a car, do your homework
" Buying or leasing a new car should be a pleasant experience, from
the initial excitement that accompanies the decision-making process to the
thrill of finally getting behind the wheel."
It
takes more than Web research to get a bargain
"In an age when the Internet makes seemingly limitless information available
to the general public, shopping for a new car has become slightly less mystifying."
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