3 Things I Love and Hate About Car Shopping

I spent hours yesterday at dealerships test driving 5 different vehicles. It was hot and exhausting, but as you all know by now, I enjoy the task. As a woman who loves cars and is not afraid of the showroom, let me share my love/hate relationship.

3 Things I Hate About Car Shopping:

1. Advertised Specials: You see an ad for a great deal on a vehicle, and you do your homework to read the fine print. (Be sure to do this before you get there). Once you get to the dealership, the salesman has no idea what national deal you are referring to, has to look it up online, and then tells you he has a better deal than the national deal. The reality: He doesn't have a car on the lot that meets the requirements of the deal (usually a base trim, base car). Instead of telling you that, he tries to sideswipe the issue. 
2. Lame Trade In Values: I had my current vehicle appraised at all dealerships,  and have again done my research on current value of my 2014 Jeep Wrangler. One dealer told me it was worth $9,000 less than everyone else told me. I looked him square in the eye and asked, "Are you confident in that number?" After he said yes, I shook his hand and left. No one should put up with numbers that are ridiculously off. Reality: He doesn't want your business.
3. Asking Financials: Don't give all your numbers away in the first 5 minutes!! There is no need to tell them your payoff on your vehicle, your current monthly payment, your financial life story. Reality: Once you tell them these items, they use it to their advantage, not yours. One guy told me yesterday, "I need to know your numbers so I can help you." No, you tell them, give me your best deal sheet and I will go from there. All you have to do is deduct your payoff and stick the numbers into an online finance calculator. Tell them everything they need to know after you negotiate the final price of the vehicle. 

3 Things I Love About Car Shopping:

1. Test Driving: I know this sounds obvious, but it is the best. And I love when I go alone on the drive. Ask to go alone if you like that, there is no rule you can't. I say it at the beginning: I prefer a solo test run. I tend to drive for 2-3 minutes, find an open office parking lot, pull in and look at the car critically away from the dealership. This allows me to not be wowed by the full impact of 500 new cars on a lot. 
2. Independent Consultant: My independent consultant is my husband. We both love cars, and he knows the stats on all of them. I called him repeatedly yesterday to ask, " How many horsepower?, Which model has the best lease deal?" after the salesman didn't know. He asks me good leading questions that help me figure out what I like and don't like about the vehicles. I don't think that women need men involved to make car decisions, but everyone needs an independent consultant. That could be a dad, a sister, your friend. It's the person who knows you and a bit of car knowledge. 
3. Saying No. I like saying no and walking away. I think it is good practice for life and business. It is in a sense the Michael Jordan principle that you must fail to succeed. You get a chance work on decision making and conflict resolution. It allows you to see how business operates on a very base level. If they want your business they will work for it. 

Yesterday I did not buy a car. I collected information, I handled great salesman and terrible ones. I learned about what I am looking for in a sedan. I met a really cool 55 year old female minister in a parking lot who said me being there and talking about cars for 5 minutes made her feel confident. I acted as her independent consultant. I had goose bumps watching her drive her shiny new Mazda 3 toward home.