🚗 The Ultimate Car Buying Checklist
Based on the “10 Rules of Buying a Car Without Getting Screwed”
⚠️ Rule #1: Never negotiate based on monthly payment alone.
🔍 Before You Shop
- Set your budget
- Research market prices
- Check incentives & rebates
- Compare 3+ dealerships
- Get pre-approved financing
- Estimate ownership costs
💡 Knowledge creates leverage.
📧 Get Quotes First
- Choose your exact model
- Request written quotes
- Ask for OTD pricing
- Compare dealer offers
- Ignore payment-focused sales tactics
💰 Let dealers compete for your business.
🏢 At The Dealership
- Test drive thoroughly
- Inspect the vehicle
- Verify all features
- Negotiate purchase price first
- Separate trade-in negotiations
- Be willing to walk away
🚪 Walking away is your superpower.
💳 Financing & Add-Ons
- Compare APR offers
- Review loan term
- Question every fee
- Review warranties carefully
- Evaluate GAP insurance
- Decline unwanted extras
🧾 Most dealership profit is made here.
📅 Timing Matters
- Shop month-end
- Shop quarter-end
- Ask about aging inventory
- Avoid buying in a rush
⏳ Patience can save thousands.
✍️ Before Signing
- Verify OTD price
- Confirm incentives applied
- Read every document
- Check interest rate
- Review loan term
- Keep copies
🔎 The final review is where mistakes are caught.