Clark Howard Buying A New Car 💯 Free Forever

For money expert Clark Howard, buying a new car should be a transparent and honest transaction rather than a high-pressure negotiation . His core philosophy is to do your homework ahead of time to avoid common dealership pitfalls. Clark's Key Rules for Buying New

Do mention you have financing already lined up until the very end. clark howard buying a new car

: If your car is over 150,000 miles and annual repairs exceed $3,000, it's generally time to trade it in for more predictable costs. Are you considering a specific make or model , or Report: The Average Price of a New Vehicle - Clark Howard For money expert Clark Howard, buying a new

: Only buy new if you plan to keep the vehicle for at least 10 years. Because new cars depreciate so rapidly in the first few years, keeping them for a decade or more is the only way to make the math work in your favor. : If your car is over 150,000 miles

Avoid saying you "love" the car or that your current vehicle is "on its last legs".

When talking to a salesperson, avoid revealing information that could weaken your leverage:

: Do not negotiate based on monthly payments. Instead, focus strictly on the total "out-the-door" price, which includes all taxes and fees, to ensure you aren't overpaying.