@Appleman wrote:
If you really want to know your true Auto scores you will need to pony up for a 3B report on myFICO. CCT provides accurate FICO 08 scores but your auto and mortgage scores can be markedly different.
Take the time and do your research before going into buy.
1. Take your car to CarMax and have them do a FREE buy offer. This is what CarMax would pay you for your car today and is a great place to check the trade-in value of your current car. Or plug you car into KBB to see the current (potential) trade value. Another favorite is CarGurus.
2. Get pre-approval through a credit union (I too am a fan of PenFed) so that you know what rate you would qualify for on an auto loan. I would do this the week you plan to go buy and certainly before you step onto a lot. If the dealer know you have financing they will certainly try to beat your financing. Be careful as they will sometimes shotgun your application to a bunch of lenders.
3. There are currently plenty of incentives on trucks, research this or the dealer will be able to play games betweeen rebates, invoice, financing, negative equity and loan terms. They do this (sell cars) every day all day and most of us do this (trade/buy cars) every few years or longer.
4. It you can wait until the baddies fall off that would be ideal but imagine you can get financing prior to that point.
5. Do not sign anything until you are comfortable. The dealership wants yout to get emotional, excited and think you can only get this deal today! These are all techniques to obtain the maximum profit on the part of the dealer.
6. Find a good wingman to help you while at the dealer. This person hopefully knows a bit about negotiating and can help you walk away from a bad deal.
Good luck!
Ok, so if I take my car to carmaker and for a quote....Does it take away from value if my car was in a vendor bender that got replaced totally? Damage was around less than 1k. Do I tell them the truth that had been in an accident?
