For many people, deciding to buy a car, ute, or SUV, is the easy bit – it's walking onto a second-hand car dealership lot that's difficult. We understand. Even if you've done it before, it can be intimidating, but if you're a first-time buyer, it can make you even more nervous.
But it's OK – we're here to help you overcome your fear and walk away from the dealership with the best second-hand car for you.
Read on for our tips about what other car dealers won't tell you.
Take the emotion out of it. Go in with an idea of what you want and don't get caught up in the excitement of the moment -or you may end up with a car you can't afford.
If you can, skip the salesperson and search for your car online. Say you're looking for a car under $10,000. Review the best used cars available, and if you see one you like, go ahead and call the manager. It can be easier to negotiate directly instead of an onsite salesperson. As you're not in the dealership office yet, they have less to lose from the dealership's perspective.
Many dealerships work on monthly commissions, so they are incentivized to close more deals at the end of the month to reach their quota. Dealerships have monthly numbers to get, so you will likely find them willing to negotiate on second-hand car deals on the 31st rather than on the 1st.
Whether your budget is $10,000 or under $5,000, most second-hand car sales dealerships near you want you to go above your budget. Why? Because it helps them make more money. Don't let a salesperson talk you into buying a more expensive car.
With any car sales in Sydney, it's best to find a car you like and negotiate your price before telling them that you've got a trade-in. This way, the dealership can't bump up the price to offset the trade-in cost. This can be vital when dealerships run a set price trade-in promotion (e.g., $4,000 for any car). If your vehicle is only worth $1,000, you don't want them to know you're getting a great deal.
Many salespeople will pressure you to buy there and then, but it's OK to walk away and take time to consider your decision. Ignore them if they tell you, "I can only give you this price today." You're absolutely allowed to take your time. There's a strong chance your second-hand car deal will be available tomorrow.
Whether you need a used car right now or you're thinking of buying one in the future, Tony Lahood Motors has you covered with an extensive range of the best used cars in Sydney and great finance options.
Head down to one of our car yards in Croydon or Lidcombe and browse through our range of used cars or contact our team for expert advice and old-fashioned customer service.
