Many women still treat their car like an accessory and only think about it when it makes noise, when it breaks down, or when they need a new one. But next to our home, for most of us a car is the largest purchase that we make in our lifetime. We need to take a bigger role in understanding the process. Here are my tips for getting a better deal on a new car now.
- Do your homework.
One of the reasons women go to automotive retailers already feeling like they could be ripped off or will be is because they have not empowered themselves by educating themselves about the process. Knowledge gives you confidence.This is where AskPatty.com really shines. We provide so many tools and resources to empower women, including a panel of over-50 women experts available 24/7 to answer your questions before, during, and after your car purchase. These experts are unpaid volunteers. It’s a testament to how much women are willing to help one another get empowered regarding their automotive needs.
- Work with a dealer who will listen to you.
Women are storytellers who like to be engaged in conversation, but too many car dealers are very hardcore. They talk, talk, talk, just trying to get their sales pitch out. They don’t listen. They interrupt. So, find a dealer who listens to your whole story, who pays attention and gathers all the facts before making suggestions about what car you should buy. That is the dealer who will point you to the right car that will solve your problem–rather than wasting your valuable time by trying to sell you a car that you don’t want or need. - You’ll never get a better deal than you will now.
Right now many of us are holding tightly to our purse strings and delaying the purchase of new vehicles. For women over 50 who have invested money for retirement and are seeing those investments really depressed right now, it’s nerve-wracking. A natural response is to curtail spending.But with the closure of Chrysler and GM, and the closures of thousands of dealerships nationwide because of the state of the economy, this is a buyer’s market. If you need a new car and can afford one, you will never get a better deal than you can right now. I just bought a new car and I got a slamming deal!
- Make sure your dealer will be in business in six months.
One thing to be cautious about is that you don’t want to buy a vehicle and then not be able to get it serviced properly. So you definitely want to buy from dealers that have assured you that they’re going to be in business for at least the next six months.This applies to brands as well. For example, some brands are ceasing to exist. You could probably get a sweet deal on a Pontiac, but you’d struggle getting it serviced. On the other hand, there’s a lot of confidence in the Chevrolet/Cadillac brands. GMC, no problem there. Those will survive. In fact, I’m absolutely in love with the new Chevy Camaro. (I love muscle cars.) And by the way, that vehicle gets excellent fuel economy.
- Don’t forget fuel economy.
If you’re going to purchase a new vehicle, look for better fuel economy in addition to a great price on the car itself. There are so many more fuel-efficient choices out there today! - Consider the environment.
Environmental issues are near and dear to women in all age groups, but I think as women get into their 50s, we evolve into caring more about our community, including our global community. And I think women in our age group can do a tremendous amount of influencing the younger generation of women to care too. Our choice of new vehicle can be a The vehicle I just purchased has almost zero carbon dioxide emissions–it’s very eco-friendly.
I share more car-buying tips in this video:
Share your own car buying tip below!
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Sounds very interesting.
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Jody Devere aka Ask Patty: Don’t forget about the great new program “Cash for Clunkers” aka The Car Allowance Rebate System. <!– // BEGIN FEATURE-01 // –>
What is the Car Allowance Rebate System?
President Obama signed into law a program the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is calling the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). This is a federal program that helps you purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when you trade in a less fuel efficient vehicle. http://www.cars.gov/
Great opportunity to trade-in that gas guzzler for a hybrid or newer car that gets better gas mieage while emitting less emissions into the environment. This incentive only applies to NEW cars or NEW leases. Check the site for all of the details, processes, etc.
Important Things to Know
Like all incentives, this rebate program will only be available for a few months, so check out the site, do your research, and start test driving your potential new car!
Happy Motoring!
VintageisVogue
OMG thanks for this site. Although I am a salesperson, buying a car is always traumatic for me. Here in Miami the salesmen attack you and will not let you leave w/o the car. I even considered buying one on line, less pressure.