Purchasing a car can be an expensive, stressful experience. In fact, buying a car is one of the most expensive purchases you’ll make, outside of buying a home.
Many dealerships try to add to that expense with things you really don’t need, just so they can make more money. Here are 11 things to avoid buying at car dealerships.
Extended Warranties
Extended warranties do serve a purpose. However, you’re often better served by putting that extra money in a savings account instead to care for repairs.
Most of the cost of these warranties goes to the salesperson as a commission. Worse yet, most repairs are less than the cost of the warranty.
Fabric Protection
Dealers love to charge you $200+ for fabric protection. However, most dealers only apply Scotchgard.
You can do the same for much less.
Key Protection
Losing a key is a hassle. So, dealers like to sell you coverage to protect you in the event you lose your keys.
This is another useless money-maker for the dealer. Save your money instead and cover the expense personally, if it ever occurs.
Roof Rack Accessories
Do you surf or kayak? You likely need a roof rack. Dealers love to sell these with a handsome markup.
Instead, purchase one yourself and save the cash.
Windshield Protection
Your dealer may want you to believe that you’re at risk of needing to replace the entire windshield at some point in the life of your car. Modern technology makes that not so in most cases.
Instead of opting for needless coverage, save for repairs so that you will be covered.
Dent Protection
Who wants a dent in their new car? No one does, so dealers love to charge you four figures for dent protection. It’s not worth the cost.
They don’t help you process claims, and it’s all outsourced.
Credit Insurance
Car dealers love to sell the fear of what happens if you lose your job or are disabled. What happens to your payments?
Credit insurance helps you make those payments. Fortunately, if you need coverage, you can get it for cheaper through your own provider.
Gap Coverage
Gap coverage is helpful. If you get in an accident and the car is totaled, it makes you whole.
Dealers love to overcharge for this coverage, so don’t give in to the fear. If you truly want it, you can typically get it for cheaper through your insurer.
Security Systems or Car Trackers
You may not realize it, but many vehicles come with security systems or car alarms built into them. That’s often because car dealerships want them installed to protect them while they are on the lot before someone buys them.
If the car you want to buy has one in it, the dealer may try to sell it to you as an upsale. Don’t accept this. Insist that you don’t want it and let them decide if they want to uninstall it before you drive it off the lot.
Paint Sealants
Cars today are made to withstand what they will encounter in the environment. Paying hundreds of dollars for sealant is often a waste of money.
Regularly wash your car, and the paint job should last the life of the car.
Nitrogen-Filled Tires
Dealers love to sell you on the idea that nitrogen-filled tires provide safety. Reports indicate that’s simply not the case, and any difference between nitrogen and standard air is minimal at best.
Save your money and use the air at the local gas station.
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Frugal Rules. (2023-12-16 08:00:34). www.frugalrules.com
