Post by gearcruncher on Nov 12, 2009 15:05:47 GMT -5
Step 1 – Do your research
A car is a major investment – probably the second biggest purchase next to your home. So don’t rush it. Do your homework before visiting a dealership. The internet is a great place to start – there’s valuable information right at your fingertips. Look up recent car reviews using GlobeDrive's search tool. Check out the annual auto issue from Consumer Reports, a not-for-profit organization, for their list of the Best & Worst Cars, which is published every April.
Step 2 – Narrow the search
If safety is a top priority, get crash-test results on your favourite vehicles. The Canadian government doesn’t publish the info, but our American counterparts do. For frontal, side, and rollover crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at or the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS also has an annual list of the top safety picks in various categories from small cars to large SUVs.
Recall notices are posted at Transport Canada’s website. If fuel consumption is crucial, find a vehicle’s fuel economy figures as well as CO2 emissions in Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel Consumption Guide. You can even get the brochure mailed to your home for free by calling 1-800-387-2000. And every February, they pick and publish the EcoEnergy award winners for the most fuel efficient vehicles in Canada.
Step 3 – The best time to buy
A great time to buy a car is between August and November when dealers are anxious to move old models and make space for newer ones in the showroom. Late December is also a great time to get a deal – when others are holiday shopping and dealers are anxious to meet sales quotas.
Look for incentives and rebates online as well. Manufacturers often advertise deals like 0 per cent financing or new graduate rebates that will slash several hundred dollars off the price.
Step 4 – Sticker price vs. wholesale price: What’s the difference? Big bucks
The sticker price or MSRP is the price the dealer wants you to pay for a car. But often they’ll sell the car well below the sticker price. The key information is the wholesale or invoice price which is the actual price the dealer paid for the vehicle.
You can find that information for a small fee. For $39.95 you can get five car reports at Car Cost Canada. Likewise, Consumer Reports offers Canadian New Car Price Reports. It’s $29.95 U.S. for one report or $49.95 U.S. for four reports.
The key data, which includes the wholesale price, the sticker price, and the wholesale price of options and packages, is vital when it comes to negotiating. You’ll also get the latest information on national rebates and unadvertised incentives, too. According to Consumer Reports, buyers who use the service save about $1,900 U.S.
Step 5 – Go for a spin
Once you’ve narrowed your selection to a few cars, go for a test drive. Use your time and energy wisely and visit an auto mall with different manufacturers located at the same place. Drive vehicles, back-to-back on the highway and city streets. Park at a crowded mall, do a few U-turns, and test the windshield wipers – even if it’s not raining
A car is a major investment – probably the second biggest purchase next to your home. So don’t rush it. Do your homework before visiting a dealership. The internet is a great place to start – there’s valuable information right at your fingertips. Look up recent car reviews using GlobeDrive's search tool. Check out the annual auto issue from Consumer Reports, a not-for-profit organization, for their list of the Best & Worst Cars, which is published every April.
Step 2 – Narrow the search
If safety is a top priority, get crash-test results on your favourite vehicles. The Canadian government doesn’t publish the info, but our American counterparts do. For frontal, side, and rollover crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at or the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS also has an annual list of the top safety picks in various categories from small cars to large SUVs.
Recall notices are posted at Transport Canada’s website. If fuel consumption is crucial, find a vehicle’s fuel economy figures as well as CO2 emissions in Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel Consumption Guide. You can even get the brochure mailed to your home for free by calling 1-800-387-2000. And every February, they pick and publish the EcoEnergy award winners for the most fuel efficient vehicles in Canada.
Step 3 – The best time to buy
A great time to buy a car is between August and November when dealers are anxious to move old models and make space for newer ones in the showroom. Late December is also a great time to get a deal – when others are holiday shopping and dealers are anxious to meet sales quotas.
Look for incentives and rebates online as well. Manufacturers often advertise deals like 0 per cent financing or new graduate rebates that will slash several hundred dollars off the price.
Step 4 – Sticker price vs. wholesale price: What’s the difference? Big bucks
The sticker price or MSRP is the price the dealer wants you to pay for a car. But often they’ll sell the car well below the sticker price. The key information is the wholesale or invoice price which is the actual price the dealer paid for the vehicle.
You can find that information for a small fee. For $39.95 you can get five car reports at Car Cost Canada. Likewise, Consumer Reports offers Canadian New Car Price Reports. It’s $29.95 U.S. for one report or $49.95 U.S. for four reports.
The key data, which includes the wholesale price, the sticker price, and the wholesale price of options and packages, is vital when it comes to negotiating. You’ll also get the latest information on national rebates and unadvertised incentives, too. According to Consumer Reports, buyers who use the service save about $1,900 U.S.
Step 5 – Go for a spin
Once you’ve narrowed your selection to a few cars, go for a test drive. Use your time and energy wisely and visit an auto mall with different manufacturers located at the same place. Drive vehicles, back-to-back on the highway and city streets. Park at a crowded mall, do a few U-turns, and test the windshield wipers – even if it’s not raining