Use these tips to get a great new car deal this summer.

Summer is a great time to buy a new car. Manufacturers are running great deals to clear last years stock and you might have some more time on your hands thanks to the holidays. Navigating so many deals and offers can be confusing so we’ve put together some tips to help you get the best deal.

Research, Research, Research. Then Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate.

Getting the best deal is going to require some research. Compare prices, deals, makes, models and trim levels. This can all be done from the comfort of home using online tools and websites. The car market is a competitive market and where there is competition, there is bargaining power. Always get more than one quote and play dealers off one another. Dealers just want to sell cars and get their numbers up, so push hard for the best deal.

There Is More to The Deal Than the Price

There is an old idiom that if it’s too good to be true then it probably is. A prime example of this is manufacturers 0% finance deals. Manufactures offer 0% finance to get buyers interested, however there is often a price to pay elsewhere. Often this is on the price of the vehicle, and undervalued trade-in, through lock-in servicing contracts or contract fees. Read our article on the harsh reality of 0% finance here. When considering a car finance deal, don’t just look at the repayment, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples or oranges with oranges. You can read more about what makes a car loan cheap here.

Get A Pre-Approval Before Shopping

Getting pre-approved for finance before setting foot in the dealership buys you bargaining power and reduces your risk of getting caught out on a bad finance deal. Buying a car is an exciting and emotional experience and some dealers play on this to lock you in to an application for finance after choosing a car. A pre-approval allows you to shop like a cash buyer and focus on getting the best price and options for your car.

Know What Your Trade-In Is Worth

Dealers will always offer you less than market value on your trade in. It is one of the main ways they make money on a deal. If they can get a low price on the trade, it increases their margin when they sell it at retail. It is unrealistic to expect a retail price on a trade-in, however it pays to know the true trade-in value before you go to the dealership. Redbook.com.au is a great tool for checking your cars current trade-in value.

Read the Small Print

Car ads, car deals and car contracts are full of disclaimers and car salesmen are not known to be the most honest members of our community. Don’t get caught out and miss out on the deal you are after. Some ads or deals will exclude certain options, require you pay full price for the vehicle or include hidden fees such as on road costs. Do your due diligence and read the small print.

Be Very Wary of Aftermarket Add-Ons

Let’s get one thing straight; you do no need paint protection. Manufacturers don’t make cars that are incomplete are require paint protection. Window tinting is great; however, it is always cheaper to get this done from a third party. Extended warranties can be valuable; however, we recommend an insurance warranty and not a contract warranty. Contract warranties are issued by the dealership and require you to get the vehicle serviced at their dealership. An insurance warranty on the other hand provides the same (if not greater) protection and allows you to get the vehicle serviced at your choice of qualified and acceptable mechanics.

Hopefully these tips allow you to make the most of the new year car deals and offers. Do your research, dot your I’s and cross your T’s and happy car hunting. For more advice or to arrange your car finance, call Revolution on 1300 882 851.