How To Negotiate Before Buying A Used Car

Bruce Wagon
SubmitYOURArticle.com
March 5, 2011

Bruce Wagon
http://nettworkz.com

Buying a used car is a wise alternative for the budget-conscious individual. If you are a struggling college student who has to make ends meet with only a part-time job, or a minimum wage earner who can only afford a second-hand auto, a used car provides the solution to your mobility needs. After you have assessed the condition of a second-hand vehicle for sale and found it is no lemon, it is always a good idea to negotiate the final price of the used car that you want to buy. Even if you will not get the value you set for the car, you will still get a much lower price than the original quote if you know how to bargain.

But most people are too shy or perhaps too inexperienced to haggle. How do you negotiate before buying a used car? Here are some tips:

1. Understand that the asking price put forth by the used car dealer is never the final price. However, car salesmen are very discerning when it comes to your first reaction of the vehicle. And they use that to their advantage during the final negotiations. Do not show them that you like any aspect of the vehicle even if it looks perfect. Point out any flaw, however minor, during physical inspection and after test-driving the vehicle. Doing so sets the tone for negotiations that will work to your advantage.

2. Make sure that you have done your actual research on the kind of vehicle you want to buy as well as how much the vehicle actually costs. There are many online guides that allow you to search for the market prices of second-hand vehicles. You will then realize that the price range is actually about 15% to 20% lower than the price they are asking for the used car. So if a second hand vehicle is sold for $10,000, make an offer of about $8,000. If the dealer is reasonable, he will give you a counter-offer and you will meet in the middle.

3. Be firm with your offer. If the seller says he cannot go lower, then just walk away. Remember that there are many other cars out there and you can eventually find what you are looking for. Walking away is also a strategy. Often, the seller for a used car will call you back and give in to your desired price.

With all these tips, you are bound to get your desired car at a much lower price.

----------------------------------------------------
Buying a used car in San Jose is a risk in itself, but there are things you can do to ensure that the car you get will not fail you. You need to know where to find the right car, what to check before buying the car, and how you must care for the car. You will find all the information you need at http://usedcarsanjose.com/