Consumer Alert: Now may be the time to get that new car

Deanna Dewberry

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Need a new car? Now may be the time to take the leap! There are six days of the year when you’re likely to find the best deal on a new car. That’s Dec. 26 through New Year’s Eve. That’s because not only are dealers trying to meet their monthly sales goals, but also they’re trying to get rid of last year’s inventory.

Rochester has been a very difficult market for car buyers. The used car market has been especially hot. According to iseecars.com, last month, Rochester tied for the seventh-highest year-over-year increase in used car prices.

The cars with the biggest price jumps are those smaller economy cars. Here are the cars with the biggest year-over-year increase in November:

  1. Nissan Leaf – 64%
  2. Mitsubishi Mirage – 52.3%
  3. Chevrolet Spark – 50.7%
  4. Kia Forte – 42.4%
  5. Kia Rio – 42.2%

If you’re trying to buy a used car, Here’s Deanna’s Do List:

  • Set a car-buying budget and don’t budge.
  • Be able to walk away. Don’t get emotionally attached.
  • Find affordable financing before you hit the lot. Because lenders consider used car financing riskier than new car financing, rates may be higher. Shop around. LendingTree, Bankrate and CarGurus are great places to start.
  • Be prepared. Know your credit score. Also, research the Kelley Blue Book price for your car before you hit the lot.
  • Get a vehicle history report. Carfax and AutoCheck are the best-known companies that sell history reports. New Yorkers can also get free vehicle information at NYVincheck.com.

You can also get limited information at a number of free sites including the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Vehiclehistory.com, and Iseecars.com.

Make sure the person selling the car owns the title to the car. Click here to do that.

  • • Ask a trusted mechanic to inspect the car before you buy. First, after you test drive the car, have it checked by a mechanic. I called 10 auto repair shops in the Rochester area this spring. All had good reputations with the BBB, and the price for a pre-purchase inspection runs from $20 to $130. And if that helps avoid buying a money pit, that’s a few bucks well spent.
  • Goodyear, A+ BBB rating, $62.50
  • Chili Automotive, A+ BBB rating, $125.0
  • Independence Car Care Center, A+ BBB rating, $59/99
  • Lewis General, A+ BBB rating, $19.95
  • Vesa’s Automotive, A+ BBB rating, $55
  • Rytek Automotive, A BBB rating, $80.00
  • Schoen Auto, A+ BBB rating, $78 or $130
  • Tony’s, A+ BBB rating, Manager didn’t quote a price.
[News10NBC]