How To Save Thousands On Your Next Car

The automobile is the second largest purchase for most americans. You owe it to yourself to put in the work before setting foot on a dealer lot.

As the model year comes to a close, plenty of great deals are available on dealer lots—especially for long-in-the-tooth vehicles for buyers who don’t need the latest, greatest technology. That said, there are still a number of pitfalls to watch out for at the dealership. Here’s how to avoid getting the same old runaround on a new vehicle.

Do Your Research

Free information has never been more readily available for car shoppers (ahem, MotorTrend.com), and although it might all be overwhelming, you owe it to yourself to put in the work before you set foot on the dealer lot. The automobile is, after all, the second-largest purchase for most Americans, after their home.

You should know which trim and options you want on your dream car before you even contact a dealer. Playing with an automaker’s configuration tools (aka “build your own”) online can help you learn which trim has the features you want and what might be available in a local dealer’s inventory. Knowing the right trim level, packages, and options will give you a good sense of how much your vehicle will cost—and if it’s even available.

If you have Maserati taste but a Mazda budget, consider leasing. You can have a brand-new car with the latest features every two or three years, and it’ll cost much less than purchasing. You’ll pay practically zero interest, and you won’t have to worry about the 45 to 60 percent depreciation you’d typically see after three years. Plus, if you’re fickle, you won’t have to deal with a trade-in (or, worse, selling to strangers on Craigslist) when you get bored of your wheels in a few years.