Understanding Car Advertisements at Automotive.com
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Understanding Car Advertisements
Car ads always sound good. How else are they going to lure you into their showrooms? They will advertise low rates, or low prices, or high trade-in payoffs and all of it sounds sweet. You've gone to the showroom and the dealer is running hi...

Understanding Car Advertisements

Here are some tips about low interest loan ads
If a car ad says they offer low prices and low-rate financing, nothing says that they need to give you both. You might have to be willing to pay a higher price for the car to qualify for the lower financing rate. Even if they offer so-called low-rate financing, remember that there are other methods to pay off a car rather than through dealership financing. Banks, credit unions or cash upfront might still offer better deals. Does low rate financing require a larger down payment? 25 or 30 percent? This can matter if you can't afford to pay a down payment of that size. Do you have to buy extra merchandise or services such as rust-proofing or extended warranties in order to qualify for a low-rate loan? Remember that rust-proofing for a new car is redundant and meaningless since the manufacturers have already done so. If there is a manufacturer's rebate on the car, do you have to give it up to the dealer in order to qualify for low-rate financing? If so, be very clear on which one will cost you less money.
Other promotions such as high trade-in allowance and free/low cost options tips
Does the trade-in offer apply to all cars regardless of condition? Or do they deduct for high mileage, dents or rust? Does the larger trade-in allowance raise the price of the new car higher than it would be without the trade-in? The dealer can make everything back from you on the higher price of the new car even if they offer you a higher trade-in amount. Do the free/low cost options actually make things cheaper, or can you still get a better price at another dealership? The dealer might have simply raised the prices on his options to give the illusion of a discount. Do multiple special offers apply to a single purchase? Whatever you decide to do, read the invoice and the installment contract carefully, word for word. If there is anything you don't understand, make them explain it until you do. If you still feel like you have doubts, then just walk away.
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