Buying a car isn't just about price

And it shouldn’t be.  You’re probably going to own your car for a long time.  Why not look at the long-term benefits that a smaller dealership can provide? 

With the high expenses of overhead, wages and insurance these days, dealerships are operating on smaller margins. Many manufacturers are requiring larger contributions towards competitive placement in the marketplace, and internet presence.  This means there is less wiggle room on the car price itself.  These days, it’s important to focus on the reputation of the manufacturer, and other ways to save money such as:

• manufacturer warranties
• loyalty programs
• low financing APR’s
• Certified Pre-Owned
• Safety Features
• customer service

Start online.  According to new a report by J.D. Power and Associates, Searching online for used vehicles has become the primary way for consumers to locate used automobiles.   (Approximately 50%.)  The report also notes that consumers have become increasingly aware of the benefits of certified pre-owned programs. (CPO)  Dealerships invest a considerable amount of time and money to create websites that are convenient, well-represented of their brand, and useful to the customer.  A great deal of information can be found here, and don’t be afraid to test the dealerships ‘follow-through’ by submitting an inquiry.  Read what others think of local dealerships, through online reviews in places such as Dealer.com, Cars.com and Google Maps.