Part Two: 5 Tips to Save Money on Used Cars, SUV’s and Trucks

November 9, 2009 by Brad - Your Car Guy

Used Car Buying Money Saving Tip #2: Never Compromise Your Standards

The Biggest Mistake a Person Can Make When Purchasing a Used Vehicle: “Compromise”

The biggest waste of money is buying something you do not like or you lowered standards on.

Regardless of price. If you do not like it, do not buy it!

Regardless of if, you think you got a “great deal” or not if you do not like it do not buy it!

The 90-dash-2- Rule
90% of the reason you make a major purchase is centered on one or two features of that product. Think about the last major purchase you made; I bet 90% of the reason you made the purchase was because of one maybe two real nice features of that product. Whether it was a home, a car, a boat, a diamond ring, an investment, a vacation or furniture one or two features tripped your trigger.

The same is true for a vehicle purchase.
When you find yourself in the market for a preowned car, truck, SUV or van 90% of the time there are one or two “hot button” buying factors that put you in the market. Here is a list of the “factors”. You should never comprise these factors.

The Big Six “Hot Button Buying Factors” that Get You in the Market to Purchase a Vehicle.

•   Safety
•   Performance
•   Appearance
•   Comfort
•   Economy
•   Dependability

If you stay with me here for a minute or two, I will demonstrate how you can save money by understanding the following “Buyer Improvement” examples

Let’s look at these “Hot Button Buying Factors” one by one. {BTW, there are hundreds if not thousands of features for each one of the following factors. The ones listed are just a thumbnail.}

1. SAFETY: There is some safety feature on your current vehicle that you do not have and you want. That could be all round airbags, ASB, upgraded child safety seats, better crash ratings, a bigger vehicle, an insurance friendly safer vehicle, or 500 or so other safety features I have not mentioned here.

2. PERFORMANCE: You want More Power, Less Power, 6 to 8 cylinders, gas to diesel or hybrid, better towing ability or zero to 60 in nothing flat.

3. APPEARANCE: You are intrigued with last year’s Mustang GT cool styling, you can’t wait to get the long bed, or you want to downsize to a smaller crossover with great curb appeal.

4. COMFORT: You have decided that your current seats are “killing” your back and you want seats that are more comfortable or your current vehicle is way too small, it is time to move up.

5. ECONOMY: Besides improving your comfort factor, you also want to improve your gas mileage to 20+ MPG ,a hundred thousand miles between tuneups or a vehicle that brings a lower cost to insure.

6. DEPENDABILITY: You current vehicle requires a lot of maintenance, you are getting “nickel and dimed” to death on constant repairs. Your #1 motivating force is finding a low mileage vehicle still under warranty in your make, model and price range.

These are just a few reasons why people buy.

Once the pain of not having one of the above features or factors goes from latent to warm to hot you are now in the market for a change in your transportation needs profile. There are many more reasons why and different combination’s, but 90% of the reasons why is centered on one or two features or factors. Wouldn’t you agree?

The Point: Once you determine your need or want, NEVER COMPROMISE. If you do, you will regret your decision within two weeks of your purchase. If you set out to purchase a vehicle to get more comfortable seats, find the vehicle that delivers more comfortable seats.

Used Car Money Saving Tip #3: Cheap cars are not good and good cars are not cheap:

Always step up to the plate for a “Cherry” They always sell the quickest. You can never pay too much money for a low mileage, well-maintained vehicle. The amount of money you pay for new car [a new car means a new car to you] is in direct proportion to the size of your problem.

Example: If the seats in your current car are so uncomfortable that, you have to pay a chiropractor $2,000 dollars a year to relieve your pain, then you have at minimum a $2,000 problem.

Conversely, never buy the cheapest car on the lot. Cheap cars always have problems {relative to your standards}. The goal of buying a new is to trade in your current problem and replace it with the appropriate solution.

Definition of a “Total Waste of Money”. If you got a “great deal” on a vehicle that does not solve your pain or your problem. This will be the most expensive car you ever bought.

Used Car Money Saving Tip # 4: Easy Math– Can You Afford the Vehicle?

90% percent of the time, as long as you stay with-in 30% of the cost of your last vehicle purchase you can afford it, i.e. you paid 20K for your last vehicle you can afford to pay $26K for your new vehicle.

The cost of credit: If you finance your vehicle what you pay in interest and the terms is of course is based on your credit history. No real tricks here. The better your credit the better terms you will receive.

Used Car Money Saving Tip # 5: Four words that will get you a better deal 90% of the time. “We are buying today.”

There are three types of customers who arrive at dealerships:
1. Shoppers: A shopper is a customer who has a transportation problem but has not done sufficient research to know how to solve their problem. They are searching for a salesperson that is ethical and knowledgeable enough to guide them through the maze of buying a vehicle.

2. Buyers with Credit Issues: They have a transportation problem but credit issues are holding them back from making a purchase. This problem requires another article but heed this advice: Even if you have credit problems never compromise your standards. It will take you longer to find what you want, and perhaps a lot of money down to be financed, if so do not compromise your standards. If you have credit problems don’t waste your time or the dealers time. Tell them up front about all of your credit issues before you invest any-time and ask them what they can do to help you without compromising your standards.

3. Buyers with Good Credit. Buyers who get the most attention are the ones who have good credit and can buy. If this is you and you feel the dealer has the vehicle you are looking for just tell them, “I’m Buying a Car Today, so shoot me your best deal.” 90% of the time, they will.

My last piece of advice is to always test drive the vehicle you are interested in based on Your Lifestyle. If you drive on dirt roads with potholes, if you do a lot of stop and go, if you are constantly in a parking lot, in and out of parking spaces or if you do a lot of highway driving spent at least 30 minutes in your habitat testing your new vehicle.

If you live within 150 miles of Bartlesville invest the time to drive to our dealership so we can demonstrate the”Doenges Delightful Buying Experience” or go on line and talk to on of our internet professionals at www.doengeschoice.com. We deliver cars nationwide. If you just want information or have a question call 918-333-0900 and ask for Tina Knight whether you buy a vehicle or not from us.