Buying an SUV

Are you planning on buying an SUV in the near future? SUVs or Sports Utility Vehicles are becoming very common among city dwellers looking for a verstile car they can take away for the weekend.

When it comes buying time, if you haven't done so before, haggling with a car salesman can seem like a daunting task. And if you go into the dealership unprepared, you are likely to pay too much. So here are a few tips to help you when you are buying a new or used SUV.

How to spot a great deal on an SUV

When you are considering buying an SUV, it is really important that you do your research ahead of time. Shop online and get a feel for the average prices, or the price that the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car, this will give you a lot more confidence during negotiations. You can also check out the NRMA Open Road magazine for the agreed value of new and used SUVs.

How to bargain with a car dealer

1. If you can, it is better to go to the dealership at the end of the month, when managers are eager just to move vehicles, and you have a better chance of negotiating a low price. A dealership will usually need to make a profit of $1,200 to $1,500 per car, but sometimes there might be a dealer incentive to move a lot of cars, and you can even get a vehicle for well under the advertised price.

2. Start out by offering your lowest price, the salesman will work up from there. If your price is fair, they may just agree to that price. Never ask a car salesman for their lowest price, it won't get you anywhere.

3. Sometimes you can buy a demo SUV or one that has been in the yard for a while, or an ex fleet model at a lower price than other models.

   Should I buy a used SUV, or a new one?

   If you are primarily concerned with price, purchasing an SUV two to four-years old, you may pay anywhere from 25 to 50 percent less than if you bought a new SUV. When your are considering buying a used SUV, look for how many kilometres the vehicle has done, check for rust, suspension etc.

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