Your Home Office On Wheels
Your home/office on wheels is coming sooner then you might think. Pretty soon, you won’t have to go to your office to do your work, and you won’t have to go home to your family at the end of the day. Technology is quickly bringing the internet and social networking into, and on to the dashboards of new cars. Pretty soon, the glove box will be replaced by an all in one printer, fax, and copy machine.
In keeping with the theme of yesterday’s blog post, I feel it is necessary to at least question the direction that technology is taking us. Not only will the new automotive technology increase our distractibility factor, it will make it easier for us to shut out the rest of the world. Pretty soon, when a friend tells you they slept in their car, it will probably mean they were using the car as a kind of escape from the rest of the world.
The pace of technology is moving so fast, that we barely have a chance to get a taste of one type, and a new one comes along. When will we reach over load? Before we know it, psychiatrists will be treating people for technology over load and interface related disorders. Here is just one example of future automotive technology, you be the judge.
New car shopping
Are you thinking of shopping for a new car? If you are, here are a few important tips you should keep in mind.
The salesperson will almost always ask you how much you want to spend on a new car. Your answer should be, “no more then I can afford” There is no rule that states you have to tell the dealership how much you are planning to spend on a new car. They will get an idea anyway, just by the kinds of cars you are thinking about buying.
The salesperson will most likely also ask you how much you want your monthly payments to be, and your answer will give them an idea of just how much they can get out of you. My suggestion, tell them a figure that is $50 below the amount you can make for monthly payments. At the same time, look directly at the representative and tell them that you will not finance the car for any more than five years. This is the best time to ask about any factory or dealer promotions that are being offered. These incentives should be taken off of the MSRP, and only then should negotiations begin.
When you are asked how much you will be putting down, your answer should be, “that depends on the final price of the car.” They will ask you this so they can use it to keep you in line with your monthly payments, but in truth, they are using the amount to keep your payments as high as they can with in your monthly payment.
When you are asked if you will be trading in another car, just say “I don’t think so,” even if you are.
Don’t tell the person about your trade, until after (everything) else has been decided. That way, there is less chance of the dealer playing with the final figures.
Remember, the dealer will always offer to pay off your balance on your trade, but they will be adding the full amount to the amount of your loan.
The dealership will make even more money by talking you into adding the latest and newest gadgets, and accessories to the car of your chois. Might I suggest, if you don’t need it, don’t get it. It might sound cool, to tell your friends about all of the extra features in your new car, but if your not going to use them, or there is just to much to learn, then you don’t really need them.
Lastly, no matter what the dealer promises you, don’t buy the car on your first visit. Instead, take the business card of the salesperson, and call him or her two days later. Tell them you are interested in the deal, but that they need to find a way to give you another $500 to make the deal. Be sure that if they agree, they lower the final price of the vehicle, and that they do not increase the trade allowance or your down payment.
