| For a woman buying a car alone, the | | | | actual dealer cost. |
| experience falls somewhere south of having a | | | | |
| root canal on the pleasure scale. Female car | | | | In addition, check to see if there are any |
| buyers often have to endure a subtle - and | | | | incentives available on the car. These can be |
| sometimes not so subtle - discrimination. | | | | incentives such as low-interest financing or |
| They find themselves being shown "cute" cars. | | | | cash back. There may also be incentives to |
| Salespeople discuss the choice of paint | | | | the dealer from the manufacturer. That means |
| colors rather than the gas mileage. At worst, | | | | that if the dealer sells a specific model, |
| women are asked if they want to wait for | | | | they receive a rebate. This means that a |
| their husbands to arrive before making the | | | | dealer can sell at or below invoice and still |
| big decision. So, how does a woman purchasing | | | | make a profit on the car. |
| a car on her own defend against this sort of | | | | |
| behavior? Education. Learn what you need to | | | | Many websites will even give you information |
| know before you head to the showroom. | | | | on actual selling prices of similar models in |
| | | | your area. By analyzing this information, you |
| First, decide on the car you want. Consider | | | | will be able to determine a reasonable sales |
| what you are looking for in a vehicle - size, | | | | price for the car you want. |
| style, and features. Use the websites of the | | | | |
| major car manufacturers to "build" your dream | | | | Now that you have found your car and know how |
| car. | | | | much you should reasonably pay, head out to |
| | | | the dealer. You can now negotiate |
| These programs will even given you the | | | | effectively. |
| sticker price of your ideal vehicle. You can | | | | |
| ignore this price during real negotiations, | | | | When you arrive, make it clear to the |
| but you'll have a idea of the general price | | | | salesperson that you know exactly what you |
| range of the vehicle. | | | | want and exactly how much you are willing to |
| | | | pay. In short, there should be very little |
| Still unsure about what you should buy? Look | | | | negotiation. Make your offer and stand firm. |
| at car comparison websites such as Edmunds | | | | You will likely get the usual, "I have to |
| and NADA Guides that can help you compare | | | | check with my sales manager" runaround. |
| cars side-by-side as well as offer reviews | | | | |
| and guides for car buying. | | | | If the dealer will not meet your price - |
| | | | which you know is reasonable - go to another |
| Once you have found the perfect vehicle, it's | | | | dealer. In some cases, you can even get |
| time to research the price. Using the | | | | dealers to bid against each other. With a |
| internet, you can find out what the dealer's | | | | little homework beforehand and a little |
| invoice price is for your car. This is the | | | | persistence at the dealership, you'll have a |
| price you want to work with, as it is the | | | | better experience buying a car. |