Buying a vehicle can be one of the most important investments you make in a lifetime. Thousands of dollars could be at stake. Research, preparation, and negotiation prowess can give you the best chance at minimizing your fees. A few ideas to consider as part of your preparation

Cash

Cash is King. A higher cash payment usually brings along negotiating power. Especially if you’re buying from a private person. If you’re considering a down payment, read this section to educate yourself on the pros/cons of this method.

Trade-In

Trading in any vehicle give you negotiating leverage and usually a dealership salesman gain latitude in their flexibility as well. Trading in also save a lot of hassle from selling it on your own and garner a higher benefit than selling on your own. This may be a stronger point if you are trading in a vehicle you purchased from the same dealer you’re plan to purchase the vehicle. 

Timing

When demand is high, your negotiating leverage goes down. If you have patience there could be a slump in market or other event that could make dealers more desperate. 

Employee Discount

Request the employee discount if you’re buing from a dealership. Also think about any discounts your employer may offer. If you work in the automotive business its likely your company has discount arrangements for their employees. 

Filing a Complaint against a Car Dealership

The following links are provided for various types of vehicle complaints taken from USA.gov. Initial complaint should be filed with the dealer, lender, or manufacturer. If you don’t get results, you can contact a state or federal government agency.  If your complaint is about:

• Deceptive car ads or dealers — File a complaint with your state consumer protection agency and the Federal Trade Commission. 
• Terms of your auto loan agreement or payments — File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Car warranty — Contact your state’s attorney general. But, if you bought a used car from a private owner, the warranty may not be valid.
• Safety of your car, child car seats, or tires — File a complaint with the Department of Transportation.
• If your complaint is related to the vehicle rather than the dealership, one option is to file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.  
• As with any complaint, find the dealers social media sites and voice your complaint.
• Another standard forum for complaints of all types is the Better Business Bureau

Car Loan Calculator

This is a basic calculator to estimate monthly car loan payments. There could be other factors involved that impact your actual monthly payment.