Buy a New Car

Research to drive-off — get pre-approved, know the OTD price before you walk in, and avoid dealer add-on traps.

Research

• Decide on make/model/trim before visiting any dealer — use Edmunds, CarGurus, and TrueCar to benchmark fair market value
• Check manufacturer incentives and current rebates at the brand's official site and Edmunds incentives page
• Run 5-year cost-of-ownership numbers on Edmunds — insurance, fuel, maintenance, and depreciation add up fast
• Look up invoice price (what the dealer paid) on Edmunds or Consumer Reports — your goal is to pay at or near invoice, not MSRP
• Check Days on Lot for the specific VIN you want — dealers are more flexible on cars that have sat 60+ days

Financing Pre-Approval

• Get pre-approved at your credit union or bank before stepping into a dealership — aim for 2–3 pre-approvals to compare APRs
• Pull your own credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute any errors before applying
• Know your pre-approved rate going in — the dealer's financing offer must beat it to be worth considering
• Avoid applying for credit at the dealership first — hard pulls affect your score and give them leverage

Dealer Negotiation

• Negotiate the OTD (out-the-door) price, not the monthly payment — dealers manipulate monthly payments by extending loan terms
• Email 3–5 dealers the same build and ask for their best OTD price — use responses to pit dealers against each other
• Decline extended warranty, paint protection, VIN etching, and nitrogen tires — all are high-margin add-ons with minimal value
• If buying from stock, ask for the dealer invoice sheet — most will show it; it reveals holdback and documentation fees
• Negotiate your trade-in as a separate transaction — use KBB Instant Cash Offer and CarMax offer as floor prices

OTD Price Review

• Before signing, review every line item on the buyer's order: doc fee, destination charge, title/registration, state taxes
• Cap dealer doc fees — they're negotiable in most states; anything over $500 is excessive
• Confirm the VIN on the purchase order matches the window sticker and the car in the lot
• Read the F&I (finance and insurance) office contract in full — this is where dealers sneak in add-ons as checked boxes

Drive Off

• Do a full walkaround before signing — photograph every panel, look for paint imperfections, check tire tread
• Have the dealer demonstrate every feature — Bluetooth pairing, backup camera, adaptive cruise — before you leave the lot
• Photograph the odometer at delivery for warranty baseline
• Register the car with the manufacturer's owner portal within 30 days to activate any loyalty benefits or recall notifications