How to Shop for a Car
Never buy a new car.
Never buy a car from a dealer.
Buy directly from another owner, and have your own mechanic check it out.
Try to buy for cash, or put at least half down. A car loan is the worst loan to have.
To find your car, comb the paper all week for several weeks.
Don’t rush.
Seek patterns.
The people who took out an ad every single day of the week bought the package deal the newspaper offered, and so they know good value.
They do not cut corners.
They are pound wise instead of penny wise.
They probably cared for their car, and probably know how to negotiate.
Never enter into agreements with anyone who does not value what they offer.
Do not begin with a dream in mind.
Read first, see what’s out there, see which cars have the lowest mileage for the best price, consult the Blue Book, consult Kelly’s.
Let the dream car find you.
Lisa's dad, J.J. Wormser in 1970, while he was an engineer at Continental Electronics. If this thing had tires, he'd kick them.
Low mileage and a clean accident record are the two most important things, followed closely by ownership. Single ownership is best, two at most. Three? Walk away. But stay detached. Don’t lock in on anything. Be ready for the surprising right one.
Look for rust. Don’t buy a car that has rust.
Check the tires. If necessary, ask for a couple hundred dollars off if the tires look anything but wonderful.
When you find the one for you, don’t go in with half measures.
Make an offer, make it fair, be ready to be rejected.
If you get the car of your dreams, be proud. Drive safe.
I will do this first one with you. Hand you the keys. Tell you to be proud. Tell you to drive safe.
Someday you will share these lessons with your child.