Car Dealers’ Secrets

One important car dealer secret often remains unknown – the car dealer usually buys the car from the manufacturer at the invoice price. When the car is sold, the manufacturer reimburses to the dealer, the cost incurred for keeping it in the dealer’s inventory for 90 days. If the dealer manages to sell the car before 90 days, part of the held-back payment becomes a profit for the dealer although the car is sold at the invoice price. The dealer often makes more profit from financing the vehicle and selling “extras”, than from selling the car. This is another car dealer secret that seldom comes out. Extras include extended service warranty, paint protection, scotch guard, window tinting, alarm systems, etc.

Car Dealer Tactics

Car dealer tactics are many.  The commonest car dealer tactic is to convince you into trading in your old car for a new car.  To clinch the deal, the dealer offers a good exchange on your old car. The tactic also ensures that you buy the car from the same dealer.  It is a win-win situation for both the parties.

Car Salesman’s Tricks

The car salesman’s trick aims at selling the car as quickly as possible and at a higher rate of interest if financing is involved.  He will try to sell as many “extras” as possible so he can earn more. Giving you a patient and sympathetic hearing is another of the car salesman’s tricks.   

Insider Car Secrets

Most of the car dealers, car sales persons and financial managers are ethical and honest. But all of them work on a commission basis. They think about their paychecks first when selling the car. Car salespersons are trained to cajole you into buying the car. Thus, your ‘buy decision’ is often influenced by emotion rather than sound judgment. You are seldom given the time to think the proposal through.    

Buy a New Car

Owning a new car is something everyone dreams of. This dream can be easily realized these days.  Today, getting a car loan is easier than ever before. However, your decision to buy the car should be need-based.  It should take into account your financial position.  You should ensure that you can set aside a fixed sum of money for its maintenance. Your choice of the car should be based on the purpose you want it to serve. 

Buy an Old Car

Buying an old car is often better than buying a new car. Although old cars cost more to maintain, and are more likely to break down, leading to heavy expenses, they are cheaper to own and operate. Your old car will not depreciate much. Cars lose most of their value during the first five years of use.

Tips for Buying a Car

Some tips for buying the car may come in handy.  Compare the different brands by the features and sweeteners they offer – like mileage, accessories, insurance, maintenance and warranty.  Choose a good dealer and a good finance company that quotes lower interest rates and EMIs. You will save a lot on the car buy

A classic car is generally defined as an older car. However, people have come up with terms to define these older and beautifully restored cars. Some of the characteristics often used to describe them include highest quality, class or rank, one that is historical or literary renown, one that serves as a standard, guide or model and one that is of enduring quality, style or interest. Apart from that, a classic is also defined as a car that has demonstrably enduring quality.

A narrowed down definition refers to a classic car as one that has been designed with elegant styling, fine workmanship built between 1925 and 1948 and exceptional engineering. According to the Classic Car Club of America, an antique car is a fine and extraordinary motor that was designed between 1925 and 1948. Further still, some cars that were designed after 1948 are considered modern classics.

Generally, modern classics refer to vehicles that are older but relate to the modern cars to some degree. These are cars that are between 15 and 25 years. What is more, modern classics still refers to vehicles that are collectible not considering their age. For instance, the Porsche 944 is classified as a modern classic. Still, these cars can be separated from antiques and vintage cars due to their styling.

Therefore, some of the characteristic designs popular for this gorgeous cars include removable fenders, headlights as well as trunks. Apart from that, a vintage car has a vertical grill treatment. For instance, such large vehicles as Duensberg as well as Pierce – Arrow together with small vehicles like MGTC usually have traditional lines and are considered classic. Apart from that, a CCCA is also considered a classic even though it was created within the classic period of design.

Further still, these gems can be identified by their lack of safety features. They are not designed with seat belts, rollover protection or even crumple zones. Apart from that, it is also common to find that this car has poor handling characteristics such as the steering and the suspension. In addition, the brake performance of a classic car is also poor as compared to the current brake performance standards. This means that drivers using classic cars have to be more careful while on the road. That is why some regions prohibit the use of classic cars while some only recommend rare use.

In spite of the poor safety characteristics in vintage cars, it is not common to see them involved in accidents. However, today classic car owners are recommended to retrofit their vehicles with seat belts. Therefore one can also identified classic cars with retro-style. They may have seat belts that ate color coded using chromed buckles and they may be 2 – point or 3 – point. Apart from that, classic cars can also be fitted with modern tires so as to enhance their handling.

In some regions, like the UK, antique cars designed earlier than January 1, 1973 are exempt from annual tax vehicle excise duty. Therefore, these cars have a ‘historical vehicle’ label on their license disc on the windscreen.