Everything you need to do before, during, and after buying a new car. Follow this checklist and you'll never leave money on the table or get caught off guard at the dealership.
Let Us Handle It For YouSet a realistic total budget
Keep total car costs under 15–20% of monthly take-home pay. Aim for 60 months or less on any loan.
Check your credit score
Know your score before shopping so dealers can't bluff you about what rate you qualify for.
Get pre-approved for financing
Visit your bank or credit union before any dealer. This is your baseline rate — dealer financing must beat it.
Research invoice price
Look up dealer invoice price on Edmunds or TrueCar. This is your negotiation starting point — not MSRP.
Check current manufacturer incentives
Visit the manufacturer's website for current cash back, 0% APR, and lease deals on your target vehicle.
Get trade-in offers if applicable
Get written offers from CarMax, Carvana, and at least one dealer before your purchase negotiation.
Email multiple dealers simultaneously
Contact 4–5 dealers at once and ask for their best out-the-door price. Tell them you're shopping around.
Negotiate the out-the-door price — not monthly payment
Always focus on total price. Monthly payment can be manipulated by changing loan terms.
Keep trade-in separate from purchase
Agree on vehicle price first. Then negotiate trade-in. Then discuss financing. Never bundle them together.
Use competing offers as leverage
Tell your preferred dealer you have a lower offer elsewhere and ask them to beat it.
Be prepared to walk away
The willingness to leave is your most powerful tool. If a dealer won't budge on junk fees, walk.
Verify vehicle price matches agreed amount
Check that the purchase price in the contract is exactly what was negotiated — nothing extra added.
Check the financing rate and loan term
Verify the APR and term match what was agreed. Compare against your pre-approved rate.
Decline all add-ons by default
Say no to paint protection, fabric coating, VIN etching, extended warranty, GAP insurance, and anything else not previously agreed.
Review every fee on the buyer's order
Question every line item. Remove dealer prep, advertising fees, and any other junk fees that weren't disclosed upfront.
Never take delivery until paperwork is complete
Don't drive the car home on a "spot delivery" while financing is pending. All paperwork must be complete before you take possession.
We handle every step of this process on every deal — so you get the best price without any of the work or stress.
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