If “bells and whistles” are something you enjoy, a luxury vehicle will be the cherry on top of your lavish life sundae. Many of them are known for their smooth rides, stunning interiors and exteriors, and the many high-tech options and entertainment systems with which they come. Unfortunately, they can often set you back quite a bit, and some people might assume that they are out of their price range. Fortunately, this isn’t always the case, especially if you’re versed in your approach to the sales process.
- Know How to Negotiate
Just because it’s a luxury car doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate. Getting yourself familiar with these techniques can make all the difference once you get to the dealership. Show up with an idea of how much you are willing to pay as well as price quotes on your idea car from other dealers. If you’re heading down to an Audi dealership in Chicago, make sure you’ve gotten quotes for the car plus tax from other dealerships on the model you want.
Avoid going to the dealership at high traffic times, so try and go during the week if that is possible for you. Also, try going at the end of the month when the dealership is more likely in need of meeting their numbers. Be willing to walk away when you’re repeatedly only given prices that you know are too high. Use these techniques efficiently and that luxury car could very well be yours.
- Have the Car Scanned
If you’re going the pre-owned car route, always have the luxury car scanned by a dealer technician. As this article by AutoGuide.com suggests, “Some potentially pricey issues within the electronics and sensor network will cause a warning light to come on, while others won’t. A diagnostic scan is cheap, fast and can reveal a multitude of potentially concealed issues that might have nasty plans for your wallet.” You should also go for a pre-purchase inspection. It’s not expensive and well worth the trouble in the long run. You’re going to pay more for a luxury vehicle—used or not—so make sure you’re not driving off the lot in a lemon.
- Try Leasing a Luxury Vehicle
If you haven’t tried leasing before, this could be the perfect route for experiencing a luxury car. As long as you’re not planning on putting a lot of mileage on it and take good care of your cars, this is excellent option. You can often get a luxury vehicle lease with little or no down payment and your monthly payments will be lower than a purchased car. And you can typically keep the car for 2-3 years. If you’ve absolutely loved the experience by that point, you can consider buying a luxury car.
- Consider Vehicles That Are Off Lease
Not a lot of people even know about this option, but it could be a great one for those who want to land a luxury car. What happens is that people often lease luxury vehicles for very short periods of time and then return the vehicle to the leasing company. And as this CarsDirect.com article points out, “Many times, these vehicles are auctioned off and sold to use car dealerships at very low prices. So, an off-lease vehicle will generally result in saving you thousands of dollars over a new car of the exact same model.” As Robert Frost might advise—take the road less traveled, as it could make all the difference.
- Buy a Luxury Vehicle Online
This is another one that many people don’t consider, as when the majority of us envision buying a car we picture walking on to the car lot. However, online car shopping is quickly becoming a new and well-loved trend. Not only is it often more convenient but also you are able to comparison shop from the comfort of your own home so that you know you’re getting the best price on your luxury car.
If you’ve always thought a luxury vehicle was out of the question for you, think again. Try out these five tips for buying luxury cars and you could be driving the vehicle of your dreams before the week is over.
