CUDL Autosmart Buying Tips
When to Buy Your Next Car

Rainy Days: The idea here is that if there aren't other buyers on the lot, the salesman will offer a deep discount to get your business. Any truth in this? Yes, but there's also a flip side. If you slog around a wet car lot, you'll send the signal to the salesman that you really, need a car today and he may push for a better price.

Holiday Periods: Again, business is slow so you can get an early Christmas present from hungry dealers.

15 Minutes Before Closing: Savvy buyers think that if they pop into the dealership 15 minutes before closing, the sales staff will want to go home and therefore won't do the usual two-hour back-and-forth with the boss. This theory is pretty misguided. What they actually do is put up the closed sign, lock you in and keep negotiating.

Early in the Week: A dealer once told us that car salesmen refer to the weekends as the "tuna run"—there are so many customers on the lot, you just pull them into the boat. If you try to stand firm on price, the salesman will just hook another tuna. So why not shop during the week, when there is less foot traffic on the lot and you can get the salesman's undivided attention?

End of the Month: Now we're getting somewhere. Dealers might be a car or two short of a quota that will give them a big bonus. They discount the car to you and make up the difference in their bonus.

End of the Model Year: As the new cars begin to arrive, last year's model loses its luster and also its high price. There are some surprising discounts and often a lot of customer cash rebates.

End of the Car's Design Cycle: The manufacturer is going to continue making a certain model car, but it is about to introduce a completely redesigned car under the same name. Now we're seeing some serious discounts. True, you are buying a car that is essentially outdated and out of fashion, but some people are more bargain hunters than they are trendsetters.

Find more useful tips and information like "How to buy a vehicle using CUDL AutoSMART", rebates and incentives, and the "Pocket Auto Buying Checklist" on www.cudlautosmart.com. AutoSmart is an auto buying resource from Patelco and Credit Union Direct Lending.

*Annual Percentage Rate accurate as of 12/1/2006. Patelco makes auto loans on an open-end credit plan; payment schedules up to 84 months available. No fee to open credit plan; no annual fee. Rates vary depending on credit rating, account relationships, payment schedule, vehicle value, and other factors and may be .10% to 17.10% higher than the quoted rate. 5.90% APR available to qualified applicants on payment schedules up to 60 months on 1997 or newer vehicles with up to 100% financing. All loan terms subject to credit approval. Rates subject to change without notice.

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