• DON’T finance a car through the dealership.
• DON’T tell the dealer what monthly payment you can afford.
• DON’T buy rust-proofing, appearance package, Lo-jack, Etch or any other worthless junk
• DON’T believe anything that is not in writing.
• DON’T buy from a dealer who insists on a binding mandatory arbitration clause. Mandatory Arbitration is where you give up your constitutional right to take the dealer to court, and you give up your right to a trial by jury.
• DO get pre-approved for a loan by your bank or credit union.
• DO get a Consumer Reports Buying Guide for the car.
• DO negotiate the cash price of the car, not the monthly payment.
• DO get a copy of every single piece of paper you sign.
• DO take a used car to an independent mechanic for evaluation.
• DO read your contract to see if there is an Arbitration clause.
• DO ask if the contract has an Arbitration clause.
• DO realize that the car dealer makes money on the vehicle, the financing, and everything else you buy other than the vehicle ( such as the loan, the service contract, insurance, lo-jack, etc.) and the price on those is negotiable.