A U T O B U Y I N G G U I D E
1. Do your homework
Don't let your purchase be an emotional decision.
Emotions in car buying should come after you've
done it right. Do research before you visit the
dealership. You will find all kinds of helpful
information on auto buying at MAFCU.org.
Auto Fusion, MVCP, and UBS can help with
pricing. Kiplinger's Personal Finance and
Consumer Reports are some other good
sources for information.
2. It’s all about the price.
Knowing what the dealer paid for the vehicle
will help negotiate a much better deal. Dealer
invoice is the price the dealer paid excluding
advertising costs, destination charges or special
regional pricing.
The next step is to figure out the cost for
options and subtract any rebates or incentives
being offered. Will you be paying cash or
financing? Do you have a vehicle to trade in?
What is the trade in value? Use the worksheet
on page 3 to help you set the vehicle price.
3. Budget
Determine what you can afford to pay per
month. Your long-term monthly debt load (car
payments, mortgage or rent payments, proper-
ty taxes and insurance, student loans, and
installment payments) should not exceed 50%
of your gross monthly income. You can use the
worksheet on page 3 as a guide.
Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union will help you find the perfect car, develop a
budget for it and get the financing you deserve.
We’re your resource when it’s time to purchase your next vehicle. MAFCU.org is
loaded with helpful information including loan calculators, participating dealerships
and strategies for negotiating the best deal for you. We’ve also included several
helpful worksheets found on page 3 that you can use in your planning process.
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TIP: Get several comparative insur-
ance quotes. Companies rate vehicles
independently based on their data.
Check out insurancequote.com for more
detailed information.
☞
TIP: You can go to Edmunds.com,
kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book) or the NADA.com
to determine invoice cost as well as
trade in value of your current vehicle.
☞
TIP: Go to MAFCU