The summer is a good time to buy a new vehicle, and consumer experts say that there are some things to watch out for to make sure the buyer gets a good deal.
Consumer advocate Mike Sacks says that the first step is knowing what type of car you need.
“I have two babies. I know I have two car seats I need in this vehicle,” he says. “I would love to buy a convertible. I would love to buy a sports coupe. But I cannot fit these boys in the back of those seats.”
Sacks says to do research such as using the Kelly Blue Book to find out the car’s worth. Websites like
SaferCar.gov will let buyers know about recalls and complaints.
Sacks also says to be willing to walk away from a deal unless it’s a price you are happy with. He says to make sure all the problems with a used car are fixed before purchase and to never accept an IOU.
If a buyer wants an extended warranty, Sacks says to try to get it from the manufacture. He says that a third-party warranty company could go out of business, leaving a buyer unprotected.
Sacks says that most importantly it is essential to test drive the car. He says to take a long drive and not just drive around the corner.
“Open the car up,” he says.
Experts say that the summer might be the time to buy a preowned car. Car sales dropped from 2012 to 2014 and dealers offered cheap leases. May of those cars are now for sale.