5 Questions to Ask the Dealer When Buying a Chevrolet

December 17th, 2015 by

Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned veteran, the car buying process can be intimidating. Don’t get stressed out! Instead, go into the business deal with questions in mind, and prepare yourself for whatever answers the dealer may have. If you aren’t sure which questions to ask, throw a few of these in your bag of tricks.

Are There Any Added Fees?

This question is often overlooked by many novice car buyers. Unknowingly, many of these people sign on the dotted line and incur extra fees they didn’t know existed. Documentation fees, licensing and registration fees, and sales tax are all topics to raise with the dealer, and most are straightforward with the answer. Also, if you don’t understand any fees, ask the dealer to explain them in detail so you know what you’re paying.

What Can I Get on a Trade-In?

Chances are if you’re buying a new car, then you won’t hold on to your old one. If that’s the case, ask the dealer what value they give on an average trade-in for your make and model. In some cases, dealers offer a trade-in value that’s higher than the Kelley Blue Book Value to entice customers to buy a new vehicle. Other times, the dealer might not offer enough of a kickback. Depending on your time frame, you may want to consider selling the car privately to get more money, which can go to the purchase of the new vehicle.

What Are Your Financing Options?

Although many dealers advertise the best financing options available, this isn’t always the case. Buy-here, pay-here dealerships have had an issue with high interest rates for good reason, but that isn’t to say all dealers are the same. Check and see if they offer in-house financing or if they connect you with a local bank or credit union and check the offers you receive. If these aren’t to your liking, try shopping for a rate on your own.

Do You Have Any Specials?

Throughout the year, dealers and manufacturers offer specials to save you money and get you in the door. However, some of these aren’t readily visible until you ask about them. Make sure you ask if they have any trade-in, leasing, or cash-back specials to ensure you’re getting the best deal and the lowest price possible.

Do You Have a Carfax Report?

This is a great question to ask because you can see the history of the car before you buy it if it’s a used car. The report shows any accidents the car has incurred, and shows the severity of the incident. If you don’t request one of these, it could mean that you’re buying a car with many potential problems.

Not every car dealer is there to swindle you out of money. In fact, most are courteous, friendly, and want to see you satisfied with your vehicle. Nevertheless, arming yourself with these questions takes some of the hassle and stress out of the situation, leaving your mind free to ponder your new purchase.