Things to know when buying a car!

Buying a car can be a great or miserable experience. I, myself, have had both. I think, maybe, most of us would admit to getting a lemon of a car in our lives. Not to worry, we learn from our mistakes and hope to get wisdom in life.

Where are you getting a car?

When I was in the Navy, it was a shame to see a lot of my fellow sailors get ripped off by used car dealers. A young sailor is very prone to buying the first thing they see. Many a times, timeshares and other companies would concentrate on the military and wind up ripping them off. I would tell you by experience, be careful when buying from used cars salesmen. I want to be careful, not to, stereotype used car salesmen because I have had some good deals from some-Believe it or not.

I was blessed when I brought a car from a used car lot. I had a friend who knew the dealer and looked out for me. Sometimes, it pays to have an inside connection. I brought a 1979 Chevy Monza and that vehicle lasted for more than 10 years. Other times, I have had success from buying a car from a used car lot. Believe it or not, there are honest used car dealers but you got to find them. Try to get references from family and friends.

I used to be a car dealer, myself and I would say YES and NO! Yes, because you can get great deals on a new car if you know how to "wheel and deal". NO, because a used car is a mystery. You don't know what you got. They are so low priced, that they carry no warranty and you don't know what's wrong with them.

When I find out that a friend or family member is buying a car from a dealer, I offer to go with them. I have heard a story of a car dealer, who was trying to persuade a customer to buy a car. He was so desperate that he winded up throwing the customer's car keys on top the dealership roof to convince him to drive that new car home. That, my friend is an aggressive salesman and is subject to getting hurt. Nobody likes their keys being thrown on top of the roof- That is not kosher!

As a former dealer, I try to use my experience so that no one gets taken. Usually at a car dealership, I recommend getting a new car. Why? Because a new car has warranty and chances are that you won't have to worry about maintenance for a while.(Except for preventive maintenance) Plus, these dealers are so desperate especially near the fall or end of the year that you can get great bargains.

When you walk into a car lot, a dealer will approach you with a friendly smile and handshake. He/She will ask probing questions about your job. They are qualifying you for what car they can sell. After taking a nice test drive, the salesperson will try to find common ground to break the "ice". Then, they will take you into the "Lion's Den", where they will start to negotiate prices. They will, pretend, that they are on your side. Don't fall for that. Try to get the best price possible, if not, walk away and don't play into their games.

Yes, believe it or not, a car auction can be the best alternative to getting a car. A word of caution, go with a seasoned mechanic. Usually, a car auction has a day in which you can walk in and, at times, even test drive a car. Make sure you pick out the cars you want. I say, cars, because car auctions are fierce, fast and furious. You don't want to pay high prices on a used car either, so pick out a series of cars to bid on and stay late into the auction. You can get great deals on auctions if you stay late.

Other ways of getting a car

There are other ways, such as newpaper ads or by word of mouth. Again, bring with you a seasoned mechanic. A lot of times, you can be getting someone's headache, if you are not careful. Well, that's it. I welcome your comments on buying a car!