Buying a new vehicle is an exciting prospect for car owners. Who doesn’t like the thought of driving away in a shiny new model with the latest bells and whistles? But for some, stepping into a dealership can be daunting. Options seem endless and confusing, and negotiating can be stressful.
On top of that, there’s the issue of what to do with your current car. It’s true that selling a used car yourself is often more profitable than a trade-in. But there are also advantages to trading that car to the dealer, including paying less in sales tax. By subtracting the trade-in amount from the new car price, “You would only pay sales tax on the difference that’s left,” says Lauren Fix, an automotive expert known as the Car Coach .
Once a decision is made to trade your used vehicle, there are a number steps you can take to help get you the best deal from the car dealership. Here are 6 tips to help you get a fair deal on your trade-in car: