5 Ways to Get a Great Car for Less

Premium styling. Flawless paint. Glistening tires. That unmistakable new car smell. Everything about a new vehicle practically begs you to buy it. When you close your eyes and think about driving your brand-new set of wheels off the lot, it quickens your pulse a little, doesn’t it? Shopping for your next vehicle is a uniquely exciting experience. Until you look at the price tag, that is.

If you haven’t priced cars recently, you may be surprised by the figures you find. According to a 2018 report by Edmunds, the average loan amount for a new car jumped to more than $32,000, and the average monthly payment rose to $558. Sure, the latest models may be nice, but facts are facts—that’s a lot of money to pay for a car.

Now, before we go any further, if you’ve been saving up for your dream car and figured out how to buy it without demolishing your budget, then by all means, go for it! But if you find yourself in the market for a new vehicle and you want to avoid overspending, we’ve got five tips to help you hang onto more of your hard-earned money.

5 Ways to Save Money When Buying a New Car

1. Do your research.
   The last thing you want to do is show up to a car lot with no idea what you’re looking for. Lack of preparation puts you at the mercy of the salesperson. And while they may be genuinely nice people, sales professionals make their living by getting you to buy a product at the highest price possible. So, before you head to a dealership, narrow down your choices by doing your research. Thanks to the Internet, companies like NADA, Car and Driver, and CarsDirect can help you sort thousands of options by everything from location to price to trim packages.
2. Get pre-approved.
   Once you’ve determined which vehicle fits your preferences and meets your needs, it’s smart to get pre-approved for financing. If you are a credit union member, there’s a good chance you’ll find better financing rates through your credit union than through another lender. Once you’re pre-approved, you’ll know how much you can afford, what interest rate you’ll pay, and how much your monthly payments will be. This information gives you the upper hand in price negotiations and keeps you from getting distracted by dealer tactics that focus strictly on monthly payments. Pre-approval lets you negotiate based on the most important aspect—price.
3. Shop for incentives.
   When sales are lower than expected, automakers will often extend money-saving incentives to encourage buyers to purchase their vehicles. This is an instance where the manufacturer’s loss can be your gain. If you’re not already loyal to a particular make or model, you may be able to take advantage of dealer incentives such as discounts, rebates, and lower APR on financing. If you are loyal to a specific type of car, that can work in your favor as well, as some car companies will offer customer loyalty incentives to encourage you to keep driving their cars. To learn more about the incentives that may be available near you, click here.
4. Ask for a lower rate.
   There are plenty of books, websites, and podcasts that offer tips and tricks on negotiating more effectively. While most of their ideas have merit, there’s one suggestion that may seem a little too simple and straightforward—ask for a better deal. In most cases, a dealer or salesperson will start negotiations with an offer that benefits them the most. Asking them to do better is part of the game. To give yourself the best chance of success, be polite and be prepared to walk away. Some dealers will play hardball, but when they have an interested buyer (especially one with pre-approved financing), most would rather sell a car for a little less than let it sit on the lot and hope another buyer comes along.
5. Choose a used car instead.
   OK, maybe this tip isn’t exactly a way to “get a new car for less,” but it is an excellent way to save money on your next vehicle purchase. Since most new cars depreciate an average of 20% in the first year and nearly 50% after five years, buying a pre-owned vehicle is a smart way to steer clear of that depreciation. It’s also worth mentioning that in addition to their lower up-front prices, used cars usually cost less to insure. Save now. Save later. That’s a pretty convincing sales pitch, isn’t it?

When you’re ready to start shopping for your next car, we’re confident that you can handle the research portion on your own. But when it comes to the financing and pre-approval, do yourself a favor and contact us here at Columbine Federal Credit Union. In most cases, we can offer lower rates and more flexible terms than traditional banks or lenders. Thanks to our competitive auto financing programs, a simple phone call can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Give us a call today. You’ve got nothing to lose—except months of unnecessary interest payments!