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Important information

• Additional Info:

  Consumers should remember that in the state of
  Georgia, used cars are sold "As Is" unless otherwise indicated. BBB provides the following general tips to assist consumers with the auto buying process.
  
  Buying a New or Used Vehicle:
  
  Are you in the market for a new or used car? Or
  perhaps you are looking for a truck, SUV, van or motor home? You can save
  yourself a lot of money and problems by doing your homework, investing some
  time and paying attention to the important details.
  
  Step 1: Prepare in advance
  
  Research automotive and consumer magazines, sales
  literature and Internet websites for information on product quality,
  reliability and performance.
  
  Attend an auto show to look at vehicles for
  appearance, size, controls and features.
  
  Test drive the makes and models of the vehicle
  that interest you to check performance and make sure you like them. (DON'T
  bargain or negotiate at this point.) You can even rent a car for one day.
  
  Read consumer magazines, pricing services and
  websites for pricing information, trade-in values and negotiating tips.
  
  Determine how much you can afford to pay, based on
  the total cost of the vehicle - taking into account sales tax, interest rates
  and the length of the loan. Many loan calculators or amortization tables are
  available online. Be sure to include any rebates and the trade-in value of your
  current vehicle.
  
  Consider whether you may be able to get more money
  for your trade-in by selling it yourself instead of trading it to the dealer,
  who might only offer you its wholesale value.
  
  If possible, arrange financing in advance through
  your bank or credit union. If you don't have a favorable credit rating and
  can't prearrange financing, you may have to make larger down payments and pay a
  higher interest rate.
  
  If you are "upside down" on your
  trade-in (you owe more on your car than it's worth as a trade-in), think
  carefully about whether now is the best time to buy another vehicle. Any amount
  you still owe on the trade-in will be included in the loan for your new
  purchase, and this might perpetuate the cycle when the time comes for your next
  trade-in. It may also subject you to less attractive lending terms or require
  the purchase of "GAP" insurance to protect the lender's interests.
  What's more, even though a dealership agrees to pay off your existing loan,
  there is no guarantee that it will do so, as may occur with a business that is
  dishonest or is having financial difficulties. If that happens, you are the one
  responsible for making payments on that loan. Read more about what you can do
  if you find yourself in that situation.
  
  View advertising with a cautious eye. Pay careful
  attention to the exact wording of the ad before rushing to the dealership, and
  do not make assumptions. Look for fine print, asterisks, limitations or
  conditions to the offer. Remember: "If it sounds too good to be true, it
  probably is."
  
  Select two or three dealerships for comparison
  shopping, based on location, prior personal experience, recommendations of
  friends or relatives, and sales policies. (Does this dealership negotiate or
  haggle over the sale price or trade-in value? Are they a "one-price"
  operation with a fixed price for their vehicles?)
  
  Websites with Product Information:
  
  www.autosafety.org (safety and mechanical defects,
  complaint history, class action information)
  
  www.nhtsa.gov (safety defect and recall
  information, crash test results)
  
  www.carfax.com (vehicle history reports)
  
  www.autocheck.com (vehicle history reports)
  
  Websites with Pricing and Negotiating Tips:
  
  www.carbuyingtips.com (negotiating and financing
  tips, plus many useful links)
  
  www.edmunds.com (new and used car pricing, reviews
  and information )
  
  www.kbb.com (new and used car pricing, reviews and
  advice)
  
  www.nadaguides.com (new and used car pricing,
  other information, links)
  
  www.ebaymotors.com (vehicle auctions, dealer
  links, comparison shopping)
  www.autotrader.com (vehicle sales and auctions,
  comparison shopping, links)
  
  www.carprices.com (new and used car pricing, loan
  calculators, research information)
  
  Step 2: Shopping and negotiating:
  
  Take your time. Don't be rushed or get caught up
  in "new car fever." You'll have to work to get a good deal, so be
  prepared to spend the necessary time and energy.
  
  Don't give in to pressure tactics. Do NOT sign a
  buyer's order or place a deposit during negotiations. Do this AFTER you have
  comparison-shopped and decided what to buy. A dealer who really wants to sell
  you that vehicle should be willing to hold the offer open for a day or two
  while you compare and decide.
  
  Check out the vehicle thoroughly. This is very
  important, because all vehicles are sold AS IS unless otherwise specified in
  writing. "As is" means NO warranty, and verbal promises may not
  apply. Unless you have a specific written promise or purchase a service
  contract, the seller may not be liable for any problems the vehicle has, or for
  any repairs it may need, once you sign a purchase agreement.
  
  
  For a new car, you should not only take it for a
  test drive, but also do a thorough walk-around inspection and ask plenty of
  questions about anything unusual (such as more than 50 miles on the vehicle, or
  claims that the car was a demonstrator or executive car.) Since dealers are not
  required to disclose prior damage, even on new vehicles, unless the damage
  exceeds a certain dollar threshold, be sure to inquire specifically about any
  prior damage.
  
  For a used car, additional steps are recommended,
  including a check of the vehicle's history and a professional examination by a
  qualified mechanic or body repair technician. Some online services check
  official records for a fee and will generate a report on the vehicle's accident
  history or prior odometer mileage readings. (Read about Odometer Fraud.)
  
  Pre-purchase inspection services that
  professionally examine and road-test vehicles at a cost of about $100 are
  increasingly common, and many mechanics, service centers and body shops will
  also inspect cars for a reasonable price.
  
  Pay attention. Stay focused on the details of what
  the seller is offering or proposing. Ask follow-up questions such as,
  "Does that price covers everything, including rebate, sales tax and dealer
  fees?"
  
  Separate the deal into key parts. Keep the main
  components distinct, so that you can consider and maintain your options.
  Negotiate 1) the purchase price, 2) the trade-in value and 3) the financing or
  monthly payments, separately and in that order. Then you can choose whether to
  trade your old vehicle or sell it yourself, and whether or not to finance
  through the dealer.
  
  If you do not discuss these items separately,
  confusion can result, as changing one item may also change others. For instance,
  the monthly payment amount may go down, but the contract is changed from a
  purchase to a lease; the trade-in amount may be increased, but the purchase
  price also goes up; or the monthly payment goes down, but the interest rate and
  length of loan are extended.
  
  Step 3: Closing the deal:
  
  Be sure before you sign! Unlike some other
  purchases, there are few remedies for car-buyer's remorse (that is, changing
  your mind). Contrary to a popular rumor, there is no cooling-off period or
  statutory right to cancel a vehicle purchase contract, and in fact very few
  dealers will agree to allow you to cancel. In essence, once you have signed the
  contract, you have bought the vehicle, even if you haven't yet driven it off
  the dealer's lot.
  
  Get it in writing. Price offers or verbal promises
  have little or no value if they are not put in writing. Be aware that a buyer's
  order usually states that the dealership is not bound by a price quote even if
  it is written, unless it is signed by a manager rather than a salesman. Also,
  most contracts state that the dealership is not responsible for any verbal
  promises or representations not included in the contract itself. Make sure that
  all such promises, including items or options to be delivered later, are put
  into the contract before you sign it. This might include floor mats, striping,
  a stereo/audio system, an alarm system, or special wheels or tires.
  
  Don't buy what you don't want or need. Additional
  options (such as paint sealants, additional undercoating, fabric treatments, anti-theft
  parts etching, and alarm and navigation systems) and additional services (such
  as extended warranties or service contracts, routine maintenance packages,
  credit life or credit disability insurance) do have value but, like any other
  item, they should be comparison-shopped and carefully considered. Be especially
  wary if the dealership tells you all their cars must have paint sealant or
  etching applied, or that a service contract can only be obtained at the time of
  purchase.
  
  Read every document before you sign.
  Unfortunately, most people don't follow this advice, but it is the best way to
  avoid problems, especially concerning the terms of the deal or special promises
  or considerations.
  
  Don't take delivery of the vehicle until your
  financing is approved. (See Say No to Spot Delivery.)
  
  Get copies of the most important documents before
  you leave. Don't wait for them to be sent by mail. Ask for copies of your
  buyer's order or bill of sale, any finance agreement, Lemon Law Rights
  Statement (for a new vehicle) and the odometer mileage disclosure form.