Buying a new hybrid car is a good thing – you’re helping the environment by using fewer natural resources and saving money at the time. When gas prices rose to more than $ 4.50 a gallon at one point in 2008, many were left struggling to figure out how to save money on gas by getting the most miles on a gallon of gas. Buying a new hybrid car was the answer for many. If you are thinking of having your own but would rather skip the face-to-face negotiation with the dealer, here are some tips to guide you along the way.
The first thing to decide is what make and model you want. There are quite a few to choose from, and the Toyota Prius ranks high on many lists. Other popular models include hybrid versions of the Honda Civic, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, and now the Honda Insight. If you are having trouble making up your mind, just research the vehicles that interest you the most on the internet. You will find a lot of consumer research and reviews from real owners.
The bargaining power of the Internet
Once you’ve decided on the new hybrid car for you, typically the next step in the buying process is to visit local dealerships and haggle with hungry salespeople wanting to make a sale. However, if you’re willing to do a little research on your own, you can skip this step entirely. After all, who wants to ruin the shopping experience by spending hours negotiating with sellers? The Internet has expanded the shopping experience and can be a great tool for buying new and used cars. In fact, many have used the Internet to buy cars without even going into the dealership, except to pick them up themselves.
Using the internet to get the best deal on your new hybrid car is a great way to get the lowest price possible and avoid dealing with salespeople. However, there are a few things to know before diving headfirst. Here’s how the whole process could work.
Get dealer prices without going into showrooms
There are numerous websites that you can visit online that you can use to assist you in your quest to buy a new vehicle. Just complete an online search – try a few of the websites until you find one you are comfortable with – simple process, easy to understand navigation, and clear instructions.
Once on your favorite online “car shop” site, you will be prompted to select the make, model, and options of the car that interest you. Most of these websites require you to enter your name and email address so that you can receive the results by email. Once you have provided your information, there is nothing else to do other than wait for the results. In a few days (but often the same day), you will receive several offers with sale prices from local dealers for the vehicle you are interested in. If you use more than one of these sites in your search, you are likely to get a better range of vehicles that fit your criteria, as well as a better range of prices.
Once you have your results, take your time to compare the prices you have received with the included features. There may be some communication between you and the proposing distributors to resolve questions, problems or any other problem. Once you find a price that you like and everything else to your liking, simply schedule a date and time to pay for your new car and pick it up, as well as completing the necessary paperwork. It’s a stress-free way to buy a new car. There’s no real-time, face-to-face haggling because you’ve done all of that through emails. It is a simple and straightforward process.
The Caviats
There are a few things to keep in mind when using this “no bargain” method to purchase your new hybrid car. First, dealerships pay online “car buying” websites to list their inventory, which means this cost can be passed on to you. Second, the lowest price you receive online may not be the lowest price for that particular vehicle in your area. Another dealer may have an exact selection listed at a lower price.
Also, you are buying a new product without being seen. This may or may not be a problem for many people, and it helps to know exactly what you want, even talking to people you trust or even renting the same model to drive for a few days. Finally, you will want to pre-arrange any necessary financing for the transaction. This will keep you in a better position to negotiate, even through emails.
The key to the success of the “no negotiation” method is research and knowledge. When they email you price proposals, take a few extra minutes to do your research on reputable sites like Edmunds.com to make sure you’re getting what you want in exchange for a good and fair deal. If you think you can get a lower price, research inventory at other dealers in your area and maybe even use a quote to negotiate a better deal elsewhere. You can definitely do this remotely by phone or email before walking into a dealership. Again, the key is to make an informed decision so that you are satisfied with your new hybrid car purchase.
